Text:

Several residents in the Niton Junction area report seeing Travis Vader as recently as a few days ago. Vader is the man police have identified as a person of interest in the disappearance of Lyle and Marie McCann. A number of people who live in the area told CTV news they recall seeing Vader driving a light green SUV around the community earlier this week.

Alberta RCMP continue to comb the potential crime scene near Niton Junction, approximately 30 kilometres east of Edson. That's where Lyle and Marie McCann's missing SUV was found late yesterday afternoon. The retired St. Albert couple haven't been seen since July 3rd when they left their home for a vacation in B.C.

RCMP released an image of the couple's SUV situated deep within the bush. There's a large police presence in the area. Yesterday evening, multiple cruisers blocked traffic on Highway 16 and Range Road 144, which is located near the campground where the couple's burned-out RV was found.

Photos

Travis Edward Vader, who has been identified as a person of interest by the RCMP in the McCann investigation on Friday, July 16, 2010, is seen in this undated RCMP handout photo.

The missing SUV was found 30 kilometers east of Edson near Carrot Creek.

Lyle and Marie McCann of St. Albert, just outside Edmonton, were reported missing by their family on July 10, two days after they were due to meet their daughter in Abbotsford, B.C.

The dead-end road where the motorhome belonging to the Lyle and Marie McCann was found burned to the ground. (CTV)

Vader, 38, has been labeled as a person of interest in the case by RCMP. Police say Vader has a history of drug abuse and is wanted on multiple outstanding warrants not related to this case including, possession of stolen property and the unauthorized and careless storage of a firearm.

Assistant Commissioner Peter Hourihan revealed during a news conference Friday that Vader should not be approached as he is considered dangerous and possibly armed.

"Any sightings of him should be reported to police immediately and he should not be approached."

Hourihan says police started to gain an interest in the man in the last 24 hours.

The RCMP has already faced some harsh criticism after the way they've dealt with the investigation.

Earlier in the week, Diana Bjorklund and her father went to the Prince George RCMP detachment to report the sighting of the McCann's SUV in the area.

The father and daughter say they told officers about seeing the vehicle last Thursday but didn't receive much attention.

"They didn't take our names or phone numbers or nothing. They said too much time had elapsed and there was nothing they could do about it. It didn't sound like they were interested," said Evert Bjorklund.

Police do admit that an employee realized that they had not collected contact information from the witness who had showed up at the detachment.

"Couple of mistakes have been made, I acknowledge that," said Hourihan.

Back on July 3rd, 78-year-old Lyle Thomas is seen fueling up his motor home at a Superstore gas station in St. Albert. He and his wife, Marie Ann McCann, have not been seen or heard from since.

The couple left for a holiday in B.C. and police say there has been no record of the pair making any phone calls or using their bank account since.

After paying a visit to the gas station, it is believed the couple then took to the Yellowhead Highway in the RV, with their light green Hyundai Tucson in tow.

The couple was supposed to meet up with their daughter on July 10th in B.C., but when they didn't arrive, she notified St. Albert RCMP who then issued a missing person's bulletin.

The family now welcomes any new leads in the case.

"It's been basically a whole mystery. Haven't seen or heard anything in almost two weeks. I'm viewing this as a positive step," said the couple's son, Bret McCann.

On July 5th, an Edson RCMP officer came across the couple's burning RV and was able to pull information from the registration card. The officer attempted to call the registered owner of the RV, but that was unsuccessful.

Hourihan says after the motor home was found, specific information failed to get passed on.

"A couple of things weren't followed up on. I wanted to let you know that is under review right now," he said.

As a result of that, a member from the Edson RCMP detachment has been placed on an administrative leave.

The McCann's children have always maintained that the couple would have never come to the campground where their motor home was found. The road leading to the campsite is pitted with deep pot holes.

So far, the RCMP has received more than 100 tips from the public and have 20 investigators working full-time on the case.

Investigators still want to hear from anyone who may have seen the light green 2006 Hyundai Tucson with the license plate number ZPK 289, during the period of July 5th to July 16th.

Vader is described as:

• Caucasian Male

• Short Red Hair

• Hazel Eyes

• Could have a goatee

• 6'2" tall

• 220 lbs.

If anyone knows of Vader's whereabouts, they are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.