Former Harlem Globetrotter disppears while driving from California to Seattle, police say

WOODLAND, Calif. -- Authorities have asked for the public's help in finding Rico Omarr Harris, 37, of Alhambra, Calif., who disappeared while driving to Seattle to visit his girlfriend.

Harris was a former member of the Harlem Globetrotters from Alhambra, according to the Globetrotters' roster.

The Yolo County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that a deputy discovered a black Nissan sedan in a park off State Route 16 near Rumsey, Calif., on Oct. 13. No one was found in the area.

A check of the license plate showed it belong to Harris, who lives in Alhambra with his mother. But a check with her showed he had left at about 1 a.m. on Oct. 10 to drive to Seattle to see his girlfriend.

The sheriff's office said Harris' mother said she talked to him by phone at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 10 when Harris said he was driving through the Sacramento area.

Investigators checked with his girlfriend in Seattle, who said she hadn't heard from him since 10:45 a.m. Oct. 10.

Searchers are moving, on foot and ATVs, through areas of the park where his car was found.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have seen Harris in the area between Oct. 10 and today to call 530-668-5280 with information. Harris is described as a black man, 6-foot-9, about 280 lbs. A recent photo of him is attached.

Contact person for media inquiries in this case is sheriff's Lt. Lance Faille.