Victoria Police is asking people to keep an eye out for a missing 16-year-old from Courtenay who has been “spotted multiple times in Victoria.”
Benton Smith, 16, was initially reported missing by Comox Valley RCMP on Jan. 16 after last being seen on Jan. 8.
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On Jan. 21, VicPD says a “partner police agency” informed it that Smith had been seen in Victoria since Jan. 13.
This included a confirmed sighting near the intersection of Shelbourne Street and Hillside Avenue.
As a result of this information, the missing person file was transferred to VicPD.
He is believed to be in the company of two other unspecified young people who are also the subject of missing person files in other jurisdictions.
“Family members have reported seeing the youth in Victoria, but the youth has been actively avoiding contact to prevent being returned home,” VicPD said in a news release.
Smith is 5’9″ tall with dark brown hair and a medium build. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a black hoodie and carrying a backpack.
Anyone who sees Smith is asked to call 911. If you have information on where he may be, you are asked to call the E-Comm Report Desk at 250-995-7654 extension 1, and reference file 26-2986.
VicPD handout photo of Benton Smith.
Laura has been working with CHEK since 2021 and is a graduate from Langara College’s journalism program. Previously she has worked at Page One Publishing and CFAX 1070.
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