Erica Maskaleris, 31, of Oakland has been missing now for four and a half days, and her family and friends are becoming understandably anxious. Maskaleris was last seen in running clothes on her typical morning run, around 8 a.m. on Thursday, on a surveillance video from outside Taste of Denmark bakery at 34th Street and Telegraph Avenue, which is near her home. She never returned home from her run, according to roommate and nephew Patrick Lopez, and she subsequently failed to show up for a flight on Friday to visit a brother in Texas.

Oakland police are on the case, and have asked the family not to comment on the investigation, but another nephew, Courtney Lopez, says that they know that Maskaleris was not running away of her own accord.

It's a spooky story, and the only clue that they have so far appears to be the fact that Maskaleris looked "purposeful" and like she was "warming up" for her run in the surveillance video.

Family members and police are seeking any information that will lead them to Maskaleris. She is described as Latina, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 220 pounds, with brown eyes and dark brown, curly hair. There's a $1,000 reward on offer, and tips can be called in to the OPD at 510-777-3333.

[Chron]