Police looking for leads in search for missing Pekin boy

By Holly Eitenmiller For Chronicle Media
Robert Bee, 13, of Pekin, has been missing since Nov. 17.

Robert Bee, 13, of Pekin, has been missing since Nov. 17.

With no solid leads, no confirmed sightings, it’s almost as if Robert Bee simply vanished two weeks ago.

The 13-year-old Pekin youth was last seen by a Pekin Public School District 108 truancy officer Nov. 17 at Bee’s home. As the officer was issuing a truancy ticket to his mother, Lisa Bee, the boy pulled up on his bicycle, saw the officer and fled.

When Bee was absent from school the next day, the truancy officer returned to the home around 11 a.m. to issue another ticket. His mother then reported him as missing and began a diligent search for her son. The Pekin Police Department has since dedicated its entire investigative unit to the case.

“We’ve had a lot of tips and a lot of information. We’ve interviewed a lot of people,” Pekin Police Detective Mike Eeten said. Detectives have contacted family, friends and school officials. ”We have no confirmations of any sightings.”

The red-haired boy is 4’6″, weighs 110 lb., and was last seen wearing a red and gray shirt, blue jeans and red Nike shoes. Bee had no money, or a cell phone, Eeten said. The teen has run away before, and currently is considered a runaway.

Rumors continue to swirl as the days pass since Bee’s disappearance, leaving detectives to root out what is hearsay and what might be factual.

“It is important to not believe everything we read on social media unless it comes from a reliable source, which is our Facebook site,” Pekin Police Chief John Dossey said in a Nov. 30 press conference. ”There appears to be a host of people citing their own theories, which can quickly cloud our investigative efforts. ”

“There are a lot of different thoughts on what happened to him,” Eeten said.  ”I can’t speculate on those and I just go by facts and there are no facts that lead to an abduction or homicide.”

This notice regarding the search for Robert Bee was posted on social media.

This notice regarding the search for Robert Bee was posted on social media.

The State of Illinois has certain requirements before issuing an Amber Alert, including information that leads police to believe he was abducted, or a vehicle and description of a suspect. According to that criteria, police cannot issue an Amber Alert for Bee.

“We did issue a Missing and Endangered Persons Advisory,” Eeten said. ”That went out and has been picked up by stations in Chicago, Davenport and St. Louis.”

It is at the media’s discretion whether or not to announce the advisory, he said. Though considered a runaway, Bee’s case is being treated a missing person, as well.

Additionally, on Nov. 28, CrimeStoppers offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to Bee’s whereabouts, and will continue to accept anonymous tips.

Anyone with information about Robert Bee is urged to call CrimeStoppers at (309) 673-9000 or the Pekin Police Department at (309) 346-3132.