Police search for missing Crystal Lake teen

Police said they are searching for a Crystal Lake teen who has been missing for a week.

Brandon M. Vela, 17, was last seen around 4:30 p.m. Sept. 14 in the 5000 block of Virginia Street, according to a news release from the Crystal Lake Police Department.

At that time, he walked away from a family member and claimed to have been walking to work, Deputy Chief of Operations Tom Kotlowski said.

Vela, though, did not show up to work and did not return home, Kotlowski said. His parents reported him missing later that day, he said.

Kotlowski said authorities do not suspect foul play at this time, but "due to his age and the fact that he's not with his parents or in his home, we do consider him to be in danger."

Brandon is 5 feet 9 inches tall and has brown hair and brown eyes, officials said. He weighs about 140 pounds and was last seen wearing black shoes, black pants and a black long-sleeve shirt.

Anyone with information about Brandon's whereabouts should call police at (815) 356-3620.