Hunt cops seal off missing man’s home Shock as dad’s house searched again
Police searching for missing man Arnold Mouat yesterday seized his home as their hunt took a dramatic twist.
The 64- year- old was last seen in Panbrae Road, Bo’ness, near Falkirk, late on July 6.
Detectives yesterday sealed off his property in the street almost exactly one month since the dad vanished. Officers have spent the last four weeks searching different areas for Arnold, including West Lothian.
However, Police Scotland moved in and taped off his home yesterday afternoon.
It is understood the house is being treated as a potentia l crime scene.
Arnold ’s detached property lies at the end of a row of upmarket houses next to the town’s Old Kirk church.
Neighbour s last night expressed shock that police had returned to the street.
Arnold – who is 6ft 3in – was often seen walking his dog along the road, which has stunning elevated views over the Forth estuary.
One woman, who did not want to be named, said yesterday: “One of my family asked police what was happening and they said the house was a possible crime scene.
“They’ve been searching very thoroughly since he was reported missing.”
A second woman, who also did not want to be identified, said last night: “The police have been here since 3pm so there had obviously been some significant development.
“They’ve searched every garden in the street and questioned everyone who lives Prince Charles reached for his hankie yesterday as he was hit with a bout of hay fever while watching a Highland Games. The Duke of Rothesay wore sunglasses as he enjoyed Highland dancing, a three-legged race and the sack race at the Mey Highland Games in John O’Groats. He umpired the tug-o-war, which was won by a team from the Caithness broch trail. Meanwhile, the Queen opened the 150th Aboyne Highland Games in Aberdeenshire. She dedicated a new caber with a dram of whisky.
We didn’t expect to see the cops back again. It must be awful for Arnold’s family
here. They hunted from top to bottom in the house where he lives so it is surely inconceivable they have missed something.
“We assume there has been some development and they are back here looking for further evidence.” Another neighbour added: “Everyone around here is upset that Arnold’s missing.
“We have no idea of the significance of this new search.
“I didn’t expect to see them back at the house in this manner.
“They appeared to have already searched the house so it has come as a huge surprise that the property has been sealed off again.
“Everyone hopes things will be resolved soon. It must be awful for Arnold’s family.”
Police launched a new appeal fo r inf o rmat ion on hi s whereabouts on Friday.
The force last night said they were unable to comment on the new search, which was described as an “ongoing incident”.