Arlington Heights man missing since Friday

The case of a missing man has turned into an oddity for the Arlington Heights Police Department.

Investigators have spent days tracking down the man's history and family, but he may have little in either category - just a court date.

"We don't run into this very often," Detective Sgt. Chuck Buczynski said Monday. "Is it possible that this person really has nobody?"

Police are searching for Robert Wood, 65, a white man standing 5-foot-7 and weighing 200 pounds. A neighbor called police on Friday and reported him missing.

And that neighbor is one of the few people who knows much about Wood.

Buczynski said officers have sought living relatives, friends, co-workers or anyone associated with Wood, and found none. The neighbor told police that the missing man has a caretaker for an existing condition, but that the neighbor knew only the caretaker's first name - no other identifiers and no agency of employment.

It is a vexing situation, Buczynski said, especially in the modern age of connections and information.

"We found a few friends, but they haven't spoken to him in several years," Buczynski said.

They welcome any new tip, he added.

"We're not downplaying anything."

Wood drives a white and black 2017 Nissan sedan, license plate ZV74654, police said. Anyone with information about his whereabouts should call the police at (847) 368-5300.

One lead remains: Wood is scheduled to appear on March 6 in Cook County court to answer for a misdemeanor criminal charge. If he shows up, Buczynski said - well, that would close the missing-person case.

If he does not, though, the search for someone else who knows Robert Wood of Arlington Heights will continue.

"It is possible that this person has a relative out there somewhere," Buczynski said. "We're hoping to hear from that person."