Suspect arrested in search for missing Colton, California, couple

(KTLA) — Police in Redlands, California, have arrested a suspect in their search for a couple who disappeared about a week ago from the city of Colton.

Inmate records with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department show 62-year-old Michael Sparks is being held at West Valley Detention Center.

The record shows Sparks was arrested around 9:45 p.m. Thursday in the 26000 block of Keissel Road and is not currently eligible for parole.

Redlands Police Department spokesperson Carl Baker confirmed Friday to NewsNation affiliate KTLA that Sparks is the suspect in the disappearance of Stephanie and Daniel Menard, who also live in the 26000 block of Keissel Road.

Stephanie Menard, 73, and Daniel Menard, 79, were last seen Saturday and were reported missing by a friend the next day when they didn’t show up for church.

Their personal items like cellphones and Stephanie Menard’s purse were still inside their home. Their vehicle was found unlocked with the keys still inside, parked just down the road from their house.

Both suffer from health issues — Daniel Menard has dementia and diabetes, and his wife needs a cane to walk.

The couple’s dog, a small white Shih Tzu named Cuddles, is also missing, police said.

Authorities confirmed Thursday that foul play is suspected in the disappearance.

A KTLA helicopter crew was overhead Thursday afternoon when an armored vehicle ripped apart the home of the Menards’ next-door neighbor at the Olive Dell Ranch nudist resort.

“We breached the suspect’s home, which is next door to the missing couple’s home,” Baker said Thursday.

No further details, including a possible motive, were released.

Some neighbors who know the suspect said they were surprised to hear he was under investigation.

“I don’t really know him a whole lot, but he’s a very soft-spoken guy, said Jim Hynd, a neighbor. “He would probably be the last person that you would think would do something like this.”

Officials with the Redlands Police Department are expected to hold a 7 a.m. PT news conference to provide further details on the investigation.

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