Newtown Police: Missing Person May Have Been Seen in R.I.

Newtown police are stepping up investigations and asking for the public's help as reports have come in that missing person Robert Hoagland may have been seen near the Connecticut-Rhode Island border Tuesday.

Rhode Island Department of Transportation workers say they saw a man matching Hoagland's description on Route 165 near West Greenwich, R.I. Tuesday, "looking like a hiker and carrying a large backpack."

Reports say the man was walking west toward Connecticut.

"We are hoping he circled around and is heading back to Connecticut," said Det. Jason Frank, adding that was just an assumption. "We're hoping other witnesses will be able to come forward with more information."

A passing motorist contacted Newtown police, who looped in State Police at Troop E in Montville.

Hoagland disappeared from his Newtown home July 28. Earlier reports from Rhode Island appeared to have identified a man matching his description, but police say that man was someone else.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newtown Police Department.