A reward was announced Saturday amid an active search involving police and Homeland Security for a 17-year-old girl who disappeared Monday on her way to a work party in Vernon Hills.
The Carpentersville Police Department announced Thursday afternoon they were actively working to locate Brissa Romero.
Romero, 17, of Carpentersville, has been missing since Monday, according to Carpentersville Deputy Police Chief Kevin Stankowitz.
She remains missing as of Saturday evening — five days later.
The girl is described as being 5-foot and weighing approximately 115 pounds.
Romero has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last wearing a green shirt and black pants.
She drives a gray 2008 Nissan Rogue with Illinois license plate CZ64618, which is also missing.
Stankowitz said Romero was last seen on surveillance video while visiting a family member in Des Plaines.
Romero had left and was believed to be on her way to a holiday work party that was taking place Monday evening at Bowlero, 316 Center Drive in Vernon Hills.
No one at the party ever saw the girl, Stankowitz said. Electronic devices belonging to Romero were tracked to the vicinity of Bowlero.
The Carpentersville Police Department said they have been working closely with the girl’s family to develop further leads.
Stankowitz said Romero does not have a history of running away from home.
The girl’s older sister, Dulce Romero, said their family is “desperately searching for Brissa.”
The Carpentersville Police Department, Vernon Hills Police Department and Department of Homeland Security assisted in an extensive search on Friday.
The search took place near Bowlero in Vernon Hills and investigators used drones as part of an aerial search.
Local ponds in the area were surveyed looking for signs of the girl’s 2008 Nissan Rogue or any signs that a vehicle entered the water, Stankowitz said.
Officers patrolled other areas and hotels searching for Romero and her vehicle.
License plate readers were checked for any recent detections of Romero’s vehicle and the Illinois Tollway Authority checked for IPASS transponder activations.
“We remain hopeful in finding her safe,” Stankowitz said. No sightings or communication have been reported.
Police officials said late Saturday afternoon that an updated digital analysis of her social media accounts revealed no outgoing activity since Monday.
An extensive search for Romero’s vehicle is ongoing. Investigators identified a distinct sticker located to the right of the Nissan’s rear license plate that depicts a black coyote.
The girl’s family also announced a $1,000 reward for any information that leads to the safe return of their daughter.
Anyone with information regarding Romero’s whereabouts is asked to contact Sgt. Webb with the Carpentersville Police Department at 847-551-3481.
Those with information may also call QuadCom Dispatch at 847-428-8784.