Sutter housing official missing

Loma Rica resident Edward Allen Baker Jr., executive director of the Consolidated Area Housing Authority of Sutter County, has been reported missing by his family and has not returned to his job, the Yuba County Sheriff's Department said Friday.

Satwant Takhar, chairman of the housing authority board, said Baker was due to return to work Monday from a scheduled vacation of several days. He was reported missing on March 29 by his family.

"We're very concerned," Takhar said. "We hope he hasn't met any foul play."

Baker has held his current Housing Authority position since October 2005, Takhar said.

"Things are going well," Takhar said of the housing agency. "We haven't had any controversial items come up that would cause Mr. Baker to leave employment."

Baker's family told authorities he was last seen leaving his residence March 28 at about 9 p.m., the Sheriff's Department said.

He gave no indication that he would not be returning home, law enforcement said. He has not contacted his family.

Baker uses an inhaler for asthma but has no other known medical conditions, the Sheriff's Department said.

He is 51 years old, 6-foot, 1-inch tall, and weighs 210 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes, the department said.

Baker was least seen driving a white 2006 Chevrolet Suburban with black paper dealership plates, the Sheriff's Department said.

The Housing Authority is a joint agency of Sutter County, Yuba City and Live Oak that provides low-income housing assistance. The agency also manages Richland Housing Center in Yuba City.

Sutter County Administrator Larry Combs said he doesn't have a lot of interaction with the Housing Authority and that it's been several months since he last saw Baker.

"He's a very nice gentleman," Combs said. "I've had no indications that there are any problems with the Housing Authority."

Anyone who has seen Baker or has information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call the sheriff's department at 749-7777.

Contact Appeal reporter Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmccarthy@appeal-democrat.com