Robert Mantini charged with alleged murder of Adrian Romeo as police search for his body
A 58-year-old man has been charged with murder after a man’s suspicious disappearance more than five months ago.
A man has been charged with murder following the suspicious disappearance of Melbourne man Adrian Romeo more than five months ago.
Mr Romeo, 43, was last seen on February 10 when he told his parents he was going to visit some friends in Greenvale.
His phone and bank cards remain untouched and police have been unable to locate his gold 2004 Toyota Camry sedan.
Robert Mantini, 58, was arrested at a Wallan property 45km north of Melbourne on Friday evening and was later charged with Mr Romeo’s alleged murder following a police interview.
Mr Mantini appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday and was remanded in custody to reappear in December.
The charges come after police launched a major search of a Brendan Rd property in Greenvale on Thursday, with the Dog Squad, cadaver dogs, SES and the Australian Federal Police’s specialist forensic search team brought in to assist.
Earlier in the week, police and emergency services scoured a Wildwood Rd property in Wildwood for Mr Romeo’s body.
A 34-year-old man believed to be living on a bus on the property was arrested after police allegedly discovered four stolen cars, drugs, a gun and ammunition. He has since been charged with a string of offences, that do not relate to Mr Romeo’s disappearance.
Homicide squad Detective Inspector Dean Thomas previously ruled out any connections to organised crime.
Mr Romeo’s body is yet to be located as investigations into his alleged murder continue.
Police are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of Mr Romeo’s Toyota Camry to come forward.
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