Utah joins in search for missing Idaho state employee

POCATELLO, Idaho (AP) — Authorities say they are dispatching more airplanes and broadening the scope of their search for a state employee missing since Monday.

Lt. Col. Lynn Colson, spokesman for the Civil Air Patrol Idaho Wing, says seven planes are now involved in the search for Eric Elle, of Pocatello.

Elle, a 60-year-old vehicle investigator for the Idaho Department of Transportation, was last seen and heard from Monday. He is believed to have been traveling in a state vehicle, a sage-colored Ford Taurus, marked with agency signs on both front doors.

Colson says personnel from squadrons in Boise, Burley, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Nampa, Driggs, Coeur d'Alene and Utah have been deployed in the search.

Colson also says the search area has been expanded to include the entire state.