District Attorney’s office and police seek public’s help finding two missing men

Calling the abrupt disappearance of two Bucks County men “extraordinary,” the Bucks County District Attorney’s office Wednesday called on the public to help locate the men, missing since Oct. 15.
Michael Allen Stark, 47, and Matthew James Branning, 50, were reported missing when Branning’s family told authorities he didn’t come home from his job in Silverdale, where he had worked for nine years.
Authorities believe one, or both, of the men may be traveling in Branning’s 2002 silver Lexus SUV.
“We are pleading for your help. We don’t want this case to go too cold,” said Bucks DA Matt Weintraub. He encouraged anyone with information to call Bucks County detectives at 215-348-6056 or contact them via bucksda.org. Perkasie police can be reached at 215-247-6876.
Any information is welcome, the DA said. “Let us be the judge of the information,” he added. “We‘d like to bring both men home.”

Weintraub said Stark is “a person of interest” in the case. An all-state extradition has been issued for him and if he is stopped anywhere in the U.S. he will be arrested, Weintraub said. Stark failed to appear for a court appearance in Monroe County.
The DA said he could not comment on any prior criminal record of Stark’s.
Stark was last positively identified Nov. 13 at Garden City Pawn Shop at 3255 Ford Road in Michigan, said authorities.
Branning’s family told police there “was no explanation” for his disappearance and it was “out of his character” for him not to return home.
Weintraub said it’s very rare for two people with no other connection than working at the same place to go missing. “It’s disturbing to me. It’s like they ceased to exist.”

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