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Search continues for missing ITD motor vehicle inspector;
Eric Elle missing since Monday (Sept. 8)

Dozens of searchers, including volunteers with the Civil Air Patrol, joined the efforts this week to locate ITD motor vehicle inspector Eric Elle, who has been missing since Monday morning.

ITD maintenance crews in District 5 joined Idaho State Police, sheriff’s departments and the CAP in an extensive search for Elle whose work took him to Aberdeen and American Falls Monday morning. A call was placed from his cell phone at about 2:20 p.m. from west of the Interstate 84/86 interchange, according to ISP.

Elle, 60, has worked in Pocatello the past 14 years and for ITD since 1982.

Motor vehicle inspectors are responsible for inspecting, regulating and auditing automobile dealers whose transactions include vehicle registrations and titling, explains Daryl Marler, who supervises ITD’s nine inspectors.

Inspectors also assist motor vehicle dealers, respond to customer complaints, investigate reports of non-licensed auto dealers and inspect and verify vehicle identification numbers. Work requires regular travel to automobile dealers, repair shops, used parts suppliers and personal locations.

ITD assigns one motor vehicle inspector to each district, except for District 3 in the Treasure Valley, which has three inspectors. Another inspector works at Headquarters in Boise. As supervisor of the state’s motor vehicle inspectors, Marler also works in the Division of Motor Vehicles at Headquarters.

According to Elle’s work schedule, he arrived at his office early Monday morning, returned home to pickup a personal item and then left for a day of inspections. His last contact was the afternoon cell phone call.

The state police have few leads with which to work, explained ISP public information officer Rick Ohnsman.

Elle was driving a state vehicle – a dark green 2005 Ford Taurus – with an ITD logo on both front doors, and a transportation department license plate of T01785.

Anyone who has seen Elle or the vehicle or who has information about the case is encouraged to contact the Pocatello Police department at 234-6121 or the Idaho State Police, 236-6466.