Police find Ardeth's bike in creek

Police divers found Ardeth Wood's bike submerged in Green's Creek yesterday as the search for the missing woman took an ominous turn. Investigators revealed they are looking for a man who has been approaching women in the area.

The black Peugeot hybrid bike that Ms. Wood was riding was found in the creek near the Aviation Parkway paths where she told her family she was going for a ride on Wednesday. She left her family's Orl�ans home at about noon, and has not been seen since.

Police said yesterday they have reports of witnesses who saw or were approached by a white man in his 20s on the same day and in the same area where Ms. Wood was expected to go riding.

"He was on his bike and he would approach them, and try to intercept these women and engage them in conversation," Staff Sgt. Monique Ackland said last night.

"We can't speculate on this, but these people had enough happen to them for the red flags to go up," she said. "If any women have been approached by this man, they should call us."

Reports about the man were made to police after Ms. Wood's disappearance was reported in the media. Police said they did not have further descriptions of the man.

Ms. Wood's bicycle was found in muddy waters about 50 to 70 metres from where Green's Creek meets the Ottawa River -- the area where police are now focusing their efforts. Police identified it as the bike Ms. Wood was riding by its serial number.

"How it ended up in the creek, if it was thrown in or if she fell in, we're checking into that," Staff Sgt. Ackland said.

An intense rainstorm swept through the region the afternoon Ms. Wood disappeared. Asked if it were possible Ms. Wood was caught in a flash flood, Staff Sgt. Ackland said: "We're looking at all possibilities."

"It's a very meticulous search. We can't speculate," Staff Sgt. Ackland said

Ms. Wood's family was notified shortly after the bicycle was found at about 1:30 p.m.

"My mom took it really hard. She's just terrified," said Colum Wood, Ms. Wood's younger brother. "Everything worries her a lot. We are trying to get her not to jump to conclusions too fast.

"On one side, it's terrifying that they found her bike in that situation, but it's also hopeful because now we have something to go with," he said.

"It's a clue to finding her. It's not her standing there around the next corner, but we hope it's a method to get there.

"I want them to find something else now. Maybe forensics will find something so we can get some sort of a connection to other evidence."

A massive police search has been under way since Thursday, covering a 36-square-kilometre area around the paths. Staff Sgt. Ackland said police have been doing a grid search of the area's bushes, paths and waterways. The search has been slow, but very specific, she said. She expected the search to be completed today or tomorrow.

A command post has been set up at the Canada Aviation Museum where police have been co-ordinating the operation that has involved police marine units, dogs, officers in canoes and helicopters. Hundreds of volunteers have also been searching and canvassing neighbours with missing persons posters.

OC Transpo donated the use of two buses, giving searchers a place out of yesterday's rain to gather and share information at the aviation museum.

Ms. Wood's friends and family have been trying to keep themselves busy, searching with volunteers.

"It's frustrating to be at home," Mr. Wood said. "It's better to be out here and to see all the volunteers. It makes us feel better.

Five of Ms. Wood's closest friends from Waterloo made the six-hour drive to Ottawa Friday to help.

"We don't want people to think we are giving up," friend Joe Mikhael said.