The FBI has joined the search for two missing Yolo County teens, offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to their return.
Enrique Rios of Esparto and Elijah Moore of Woodland, both 17, vanished less than three weeks apart under circumstances that remain a mystery.
Enrique Rios. Courtesy photo
“Someone knows where Enrique and Elijah are or has other information that will help us find them. The families of these two young men desperately want to know where their sons are and we all are doing everything we can to return these boys to their homes,” said Monica M. Miller, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Sacramento field office.
“We continue to work closely with the Woodland Police Department and Yolo County Sheriff’s Office to follow every possible lead to find Enrique and Elijah.”
Rios was reported missing on Oct. 19, three days after he was last seen at his family’s home in Esparto. Moore, his friend and César Chávez Community School classmate, went missing several weeks later on Nov. 4 after cashing a check on Main Street in Woodland.
Their families have told The Enterprise that neither boy had a reason to leave home, and that it’s highly unusual for either teen to go this long without being in touch. Their cell phones have not been used, they said.
Officials with both the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating Rios’ disappearance, and the Woodland Police Department, heading the search for Moore, have said there are no indications of foul play. However, their cases are now deemed suspicious due to the length of time they’ve been gone.
Elijah Moore. Courtesy photo
“The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office has been committed to locating Enrique Rios since the report of his disappearance on October 19. Our detectives diligently followed-up on and exhausted all leads related to this case thus far,” Sheriff Ed Prieto said. “We remain hopeful that new information will be discovered with the public’s assistance.”
Woodland Police Chief Dan Bellini said the boys’ disappearances are related but declined to elaborate.
“Since Nov. 6, the Woodland Police Department has been working tirelessly on this case in an effort to locate Elijah Moore,” Bellini said. “The entire investigations division has been thoroughly investigating all of the leads they have uncovered and have authored multiple search warrants in an effort to discover new leads.”
He added: “Through this investigation we have determined Elijah’s disappearance is connected to the disappearance of Enrique Rios, and we believe both are suspicious in nature. At the risk of jeopardizing this investigation we cannot discuss these details.”
The FBI’s reward offer is up to $5,000 for the return of each teen for a total of up to $10,000. Anyone with information about their whereabouts should call 800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324), submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov, or contact their local FBI office or nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips may be offered anonymously.