Johnny Roop: Missing Virginia Tech student was tracked at a Missouri restaurant before he drove off alone, say police

MERRIMAC, VIRGINIA: A Virginia Tech student, who was reported missing last week, was located at a Missouri restaurant on Wednesday, February 21, before he drove off alone, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said in an update.

According to authorities, sheriff’s office investigators tracked Johnny Roop to a restaurant in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, on Wednesday afternoon, February 21. He was alone and left the restaurant when an employee identified him. The 20-year-old drove off unaccompanied in his car. 

The search for Johnny Roop is still underway

Law enforcement in Missouri was notified and tried to find him “without success,” the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office said. They continued searching for Roop on Thursday, February 22.

“While there are many unanswered questions, based on this personal sighting, we believe Mr Roop is acting alone and traveling on his own free will,” the sheriff’s office statement read, adding “We appreciate the cooperation of law enforcement organizations, businesses, and the public during this investigation.”

What did Johnny Roop's mother say?

Roop’s mother, Veronica Widener, told ABC News that her son’s disappearance is “totally out of his nature.”

“Our concern now is there's something that we're just not aware of, that mentally may have snapped. And I have no idea what that might be,” Widener said, adding “We just want to locate him and make sure that he's OK."

Johnny Roop is set to graduate this year

Roop is a senior at Virginia Tech’s business school and is set to graduate in May. His mother told the outlet that he is pursuing a career in financial planning. Widener told the outlet that the last time she communicated with Roop was on February 14 when they texted Valentine’s Day messages to each other. 

Johnny Roop's mother shares an emotional message for her son

In an interview with NBC-affiliate WSLS, Widener shared a message for her son. “We’re all here for you no matter what’s going on,” she said, adding “We’re here and all you have to do is call. You know, wherever you are, I’ll be there. I will come to you.”

Roop was last seen at his apartment complex in Montgomery County on Friday, February 16, the university and the sheriff’s office said on Monday, February 19. He was driving to his parent’s home in Abington, Virginia, for an online exam at 5 pm local time but never arrived. 

The university said on Monday, February 19, that the student’s phone was pinged at the New River Valley Mall at 4.26 pm on Friday, February 23. His car is a black 2018 Toyota Camry with Virginia license plate number TXW6643 and has a Virginia Tech flag sticker on the back.

“We have received no information leading us to believe that he is in immediate danger; however, due to the fact that Mr Roop appears to be acting outside of his normal behavior we would like to make contact with him to confirm that he is indeed ok,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement on Tuesday, February 20.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office at 540-382-4343.