Alabaster Police, community search for missing man with medical condition

ALABASTER, Ala. (WBRC) - Police are searching for 67-year-old Glen Spence, who has been missing since Thursday, Aug. 13.

Spence, who also goes by “Mo,” lives and walks along Simmsville Road. He was visiting the Southbrook Village shopping center, near Crunch Fitness, when he was last seen there.

Police said Spence was seen on security video around 1:15 p.m. Thursday. At 2 p.m., police say he got into a car with someone who drove him to Pelham.

Detective Andrew Rowan with the Alabaster Police Department said police have identified and spoken with that person.

“We know that he accepted a ride from a individual. That individual took him outside of the city, outside of his normal walking area,” Rowan said. “We have spoken to that person. That person has come forward and they have assisted us in the investigation.”

It is unclear how Spence returned to the shopping center. Police said someone who knows him well saw him around 6:45 p.m. Thursday, which is his last known sighting.

Police said Spence does not have a cell phone or his medicine with him. He has a condition that affects his speech.

“It’s heartbreaking. Mr. Glen was somebody that – I mean I’ve grown up in this community – and Mr. Glen was somebody I’ve known since I was young,” Rowan said.

Community members are searching for Spence in addition to police, as temperatures feel like 112 degrees.

Alabaster resident Trish Garmon described Spence as well known and cared for in the community.

“This community loves him and cares about him, and we don’t want anything bad to happen to him,” Garmon said. “Very sweet. Very loving man. Just like hospitable like a gentleman.”

“Overall, everybody just wants him home,” Garmon said.

Alabama social media influencer Scrappy, who has around 400,000 followers, is also sharing Spence’s photo on his page.

“I didn’t know about the situation with Mo until I saw a video on Tik Tok. To share his face on social media, on all platforms, even the news, maybe somebody in another city, or another jurisdiction, might see him,” Scrappy said.

How to help

Volunteers will be at the Harley-Davidson store in Pelham Wednesday-Friday from 7 a.m to 8 p.m to search for Spence.

Police ask anyone with information to call 911. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

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