Authorities Continue Search for Missing Engineer in Angeles National Forest

Editor's Note: Mt. Lukens was originally cited as Mt. Lucas. The error has been corrected.

Sheriff's Search and Rescue officials are continuing the nearly five-day long search for a 33-year-old engineer and avid hiker who was reported missing in Bakersfield and whose vehicle was found in an Angeles National Forest picnic area.

Bakersfield Police reported Ertug Ergun missing on June 20, officials said. found a car in the Stonyvale Picnic Area of Angeles National Forest on June 22 about 2:30 p.m. The deputies, along with U.S. Department of Forestry personnel, checked the license plate of the vehicle and confirmed the car belonged to Ergun, an engineer who is originally from Turkey. He lives and works in the Bakersfield area. 

Ergun is described as 6-foot-2, 135 pounds, with brown hair and wearing glasses.

The Montrose Search and Rescue Team searched the area both Friday and Saturday for Ergun. Search dogs, helicopters and search teams were used Saturday in the rugged area of hiking trails near the parking area where his car was discovered. 

On Sunday, more than 60 Los Angeles County Sheriff's personnel from the Montrose, Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley and Sierra Madre Search and Rescue Teams continued the search with the help of helicopters, search dogs, horses (Mounted Posse), ground search teams and vehicles. 

Still, the search has turned up nothing.

"There were no signs of the missing man, nor was there evidence of suspicious circumstances. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department continues to liaison with the Bakersfield Police Department," according to a news release. 

On Wednesday, the Montrose Search & Rescue Team and Off-Road Motorcycle Enforcement Team of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff's Station searched areas south of Mount Lukens, as deputies continue the grid search of possible routes out of the forest. 

Officials urge anyone with information about the Ergun to call the handling investigator, Bakersfield Police Department Detective William Hughes at (661) 326-3501. Or contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Crescenta Valley Station at (818) 248-3464.

Anyone who wants to remain anonymous can call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the websitehttp://lacrimestoppers.org