'I'm worried for him,' says girlfriend of man missing since Thursday

Family and friends ofamissing 24-year-old Winnipeg man who hasn't been heard from since Thursdayare appealing to the public to help find him.

Yasir Rahama was reported last seen in Winnipeg's Westwood neighbourhood Thursday evening, says a police news release issued on Monday.

Police believe he may have gone to the Interlake area in the rural municipality of Woodlands. His car was found abandoned there, his girlfriend said.

The last time Vasu Machirajulast saw her boyfriend of four years was the Thursday evening before he disappeared.

"I'm not doing well. I haven't really slept or eaten anything. This is the only thing on my mind," she said.

Rahama was stressed and emotional the afternoon he went missing, but called later on to apologize for worrying her and to make plans to get together later that day, after he'd gone to see his family, she said.

However, later on Thursday, texts and calls weren't getting through to his cellphone and she became more worried.

"On Thursday night I drove to his place at night and waited to see if his car was there because, you know what I mean, he always comes home, and I waited for an hour. Then the next morning at 6 a.m. I went there and waited, and then the next two days I just drove around his whole neighbourhood," Machiraju said.

"He'sa really good person. Everything he's ever done, he always has other people in mind. He's always trying to help people and protect them," she said, adding he doesn't have a history of mental health problems.

Her mother is also worried about her daughter's boyfriend.

"We love him so much. He's a very responsible young man. We're so worried," said Machiraju's mother, Christine, adding he's never disappeared before.

Rahama's friend Tyler Danino also is worried and has been out scouring the areas of Charleswood, St. James and around Ellice Avenue.

"There's more people than me looking for him as well," he said in a text to CBC News.

"We all just want our buddy home safe and back with his family and friends."

Rahama is about five feet, six inches, with an average build and short,dark brown hair. He was last seen wearing white Crocs, dark grey sweatpants and a beige T-shirt, police said.

Police search

The Mounties are helping Winnipeg police search for Rahama, RCMP Sgt. Paul Manaigresaid. The RCMP search and rescue team did a ground search in the area where his car was found.

"With the use of numerous ATVs and drones, we covered an extensive area that did not yield any results," he said.

Const. Rob Carver of the Winnipeg Police Service said in an email that officers will bein the areabut couldn't provide details of the search plan.

Police are concerned about Rahama's well-being and askanyone with information to call themissing persons unit at204-986-6250.

"Approach him and ask him if he needs help, because I'm worried for him. This is not like him," Machiraju said.

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