Local police join search efforts for UF student

SWEETWATER, Fla. (WSVN) -- Local law enforcement officers are journeying up to Gainesville to help locate a missing college student from South Florida.

Sweetwater's mayor, the city's police chief and 10 officers will arrive in Gainesville sometime Tuesday. "We're headed back to Gainesville to answer the father's plea to please not give up on his son," said Sweetwater Mayor Manny Maroño. "He needs closure; the family needs closure. I think we all need closure here in South Florida for this case."

The group is joining the search for University of Florida freshman Christian Aguilar. The Doral Academy graduate has been missing for more than a week and is presumed dead.

As minutes turn to hours and hours turn to days, the father of the missing student is not giving up hope. "We need more volunteers we," Carlos Aguilar said over the phone. "We have only 10 people registered this morning. That's something we need to continue: that we are still searching for my son."

Pedro Bravo has been charged with Aguilar's murder. Police have found blood in Bravo's sport utility vehicle and Aguilar's backpack hidden inside a suitcase in the suspect's closet.

They also say bravo bought a shovel and roll of duct tape "several days" before the disappearance. Aguilar was last seen Sept. 20.

Bravo appeared in court Saturday and was denied bond.

A service in memory of Aguilar has been scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Prince of Peace Church at Northwest Sixth Street and 128th Avenue in West Miami-Dade. The public is invited to attend.

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