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Deputies investigating disappearance of missing/endangered 54-year-old at Gandy Beach

Posted at 4:54 PM, Apr 09, 2018
and last updated 2018-04-09 16:54:58-04

Detectives are investigating the disappearance of 54-year-old Joseph Phillips after he went missing on March 31.

Phillips went to Gandy Beach with a group of friends that day. He lost his cell phone and was left alone with his service dog "Trouble."

Since then ,family and friends have not been able to make contact with him or locate him.

He was supposed to fly to his home state on April 6, but never made the flight.

He was last seen wearing a black shirt and a fedora.

On Sunday, April 1, the service dog was found running in traffic on the west end of the Gandy Bridge.

Detectives say Phillips suffers from a medical condition which requires he take medication regularly.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Anthony Scarpati of the Robbery/Homicide Unit at (727) 582-5808; or to remain anonymous and  be eligible for a reward contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS