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Paulino Mendoza, 24, of 17 Willowbrook Ave., went out with friends on Christmas Eve and his family hasn't been able to make any contact with him since, police said.
Mendoza's cellphone hasn't been used since Christmas Eve, and his most recent paycheck hasn't been cashed, Capt. Richard Conklin said Friday.
"We have grave concerns over that," Conklin said about his disappearance. "(Mendoza) has no history of erratic behavior."
Officers have searched several areas on the city's East Side, including Cove Island Park. Police used two tracking dogs and even called in the Westchester County Aviation Unit to help in the search.
Friends and family members have also searched for Mendoza to no avail.
"They're walking through the woods, they're walking through the fields and along the beaches looking for him and still no sign at this point. We are very, very concerned about his well-being," Conklin said.
His brother, Ricardo Mendoza, who lives with Paulino, went to police Sunday to report that his brother was missing. He told police that it was not characteristic of Paulino to stay away from home and not have any contact with his family.
Conklin said Paulino Mendoza was very steady in his habits, including his work history, and he kept in regular contact with his brother and others.
Police discovered the last reported location for Paulino Mendoza was 11 Avery St., near Cove Island Park.
Friends dropped him off at that location at Mendoza's request and left, Conklin said. But because of concerns about his his level of inebriation, they decided to return to the address, he said. However, they didn't see him and left again, he said.
Avery Street is only a few blocks away from Willowbrook Avenue and both are on the south side of Cove Road.
Conklin said Mendoza has no known ties to 11 Avery St. Police believe Mendoza was confused about his location due to his level of inebriation.
Both residences are located on the same side of their respective streets.
"I think he was confused and dropped off there and maybe in that state might - tried to pick his way home," Conklin said.
A bloodhound tracked a scent of Mendoza into an area near the Terry Conners Rink that is thick with trees and bushes, Conklin said.
Police have not called in divers to search, he said.
"Unfortunately, with the cold and some of the tidal patterns it is difficult to really know exactly where to look," Conklin said.
Conklin warned of the dangers of intoxication, noting that people can become easy prey for criminals and also can be a danger to themselves.
Anyone with information about Paulino Mendoza is asked to contact the Stamford Police Department at 203-977-4444.
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