Officials: Davie man goes missing, foul play may be involved

DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) - An adult has gone missing in Davie, and detectives believe foul play is involved.

According to police, 38-year-old Valentino Malloggi was last seen on Sunday at Twin Lakes Travel Park, near 2705 Burris Road, in Davie. Officials added that Malloggi left three of his eight children at home- a 3-year-old, 9-year-old and 16-year-old – and told them he was going to do a job for the tow truck company that employs him, at around 10:30 p.m.

A Broward Sheriff’s Office bloodhound has been scouring the area for clues and as of 10 p.m. Tuesday, Davie Police said there is a possibility that Malloggi got onto a bus. They said the bloodhound lost its trace and are now trying to find other clues to find the victim.

The victim’s wife, Christina Malloggi said her husband is extremely reliable and said he would never just vanish without a word. “He would never do something like this,” she said. “He’s the absolute family man. He would never do anything to see any of us cry or put any of us under any type of pressure. He was always reliable.”

She said she last spoke with her husband at around 10:30 p.m., Easter Sunday, but hasn’t heard back from him since. “I started texting, seeing if I could get a response,” Malloggi said. “Called his phone, it went to voicemail. Eight o’clock rolled around, my son called me, ‘Mom, daddy’s not here.'”

Detectives said Malloggi’s tow truck was located at 595 Truck Parking, near 3501 Burris Road and noted it was left running, Monday. Malloggi’s wallet was missing but other personal items were reportedly still inside the truck. However, a GPS tracker on the vehicle did not indicate that the tow truck drove anywhere other than the location where it was found.

“He didn’t show up for work yesterday,” said Malloggi’s sister Teresa Palacios. “He would not miss his job and he would not leave his kids behind. So those two things do alarm me.”

Palacios added, “Any clue at all, any information at all, anybody that may have seen something on Easter night – this is very out of the norm. We just don’t have any information. We need leads. We need something.”

Malloggi reportedly lives near the truck stop where the truck was found.

His wife also told 7News that Malloggi is a chain smoker and his cigarettes were found inside the tow truck. She said he would never leave the truck without the cigarettes.

“His hat was there. This was a man who carried a pack of cigarettes in his front pocket,” Malloggi said. “The cigarettes were there. He’s gone without a trace.”

Davie Police continue to search for this missing man and any evidence that could help crack the case, Tuesday. They added that they did not find any blood in the area.

“The individual that we’re looking for had a previous psychological issue. He was diagnosed with being schizophrenic four years ago,” said Davie Police Captain Dale Engle. “At this point, we’re exploring that option.”

Those who work at the truck stop said the incident is shocking. “It’s definitely kind of sad,” said trucker Ed Haenig. “Those kids gotta be going through a horrible time wondering where dad is.”

Trucker Tom Michaud is hoping for the best. “I feel sorry for the family,” he said. “I hope they find him.”

A BOLO alert has been issued, while a manhunt continues around the area.

“I don’t, at this point, do I think he got up and he just walked away and said, ‘I’m aggravated?’ No,” Malloggi said. “I don’t believe it for a second. He doesn’t do that.”

If you have any information on this missing person, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS or Davie Police at 954-693-8200.

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