Police believe missing man may be in Wellington

File photo / APN

An intellectually disabled man who went missing overnight from Palmerston North may be in the Wellington area, police believe.

Karl McGlinchy, 30, was reported missing from his residential care facility at Aokautere, near Palmerston North when he failed to return from a bike ride. His bike was found on SH57 where it passes through Aokautere.

Police believe he abandoned his bike and possibly hitch-hiked into Palmerston North, following a reported sighting of a man believed to be Mr McGlinchy in The Square around 7.45pm.

Around 8.45am today Mr McGlinchy's bank account was activated in Upper Hutt. Police are making enquiries to establish whether he took a train to Wellington, and police in Wellington are now assisting with enquiries to locate Karl.

Mr McGlinchy is described as around 152cm tall with yellowish hair. Police said he was last seen wearing a black Michael Jackson t-shirt, black shorts and hiking boots. He suffers from a condition which means he has noticeably small hands and feet.

Police understand he is drawn to food locations and areas where there are groups of young people.

He is on medication but there are no immediate concerns in relation to him not taking this medication.

Mr McGlinchy has some connections to the Wairarapa and it is possible he may be trying to make his way there either using public transport or hitch-hiking.

Anyone with information regarding Karl and his whereabouts are asked to contact Palmerston North police on 06 351 3600 or Police Search and Rescue Sergeant Greg Hogan on 027 499 0180.

- NZHERALD STAFF