Volunteers and emergency crews went on a mission through nine miles of Long Island coastline over the weekend. They were searching for Petros Krommidas, a Nassau County legislature candidate who was last seen working out on the beach more than a week ago. The 29-year-old was spotted in Baldwin on Wednesday, April 23 around 9 p.m. His family shared on social media that Krommidas had parked his car near the Allegria Hotel in Long Beach. From there, he grabbed a towel and headed to the beach for a late-night exercise session around 10:30 p.m.
The family mentioned that Krommidas was no stranger to cold water training and had plans to participate in a triathlon. However, the day after he went missing, police discovered his towel, clothes, and phone abandoned on the beach. His family reached out to the public for assistance in combing through the coastline, focusing on the stretch between Lido Beach to Riis Park, especially during high tide. They even provided approximate times for the optimal search window. Missing posters were scattered along the Long Beach boardwalk to raise awareness.
One of Krommidas’ long-time friends, Adel Elbehiry, who had known him since he was a child and taught him karate, was amazed by his recent achievements. Elbehiry was inspired to invite Krommidas to his martial arts school to motivate his students. He expressed his pride, stating, “I’m so proud of him and I wanted to introduce him to the rest of the members, to encourage the kids.” Elbehiry was among the many volunteers who teamed up with emergency responders from various agencies to intensify the search efforts over the weekend.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman emphasized the importance of the extensive search, mentioning that Krommidas’ parents were growing increasingly worried as time passed. He highlighted the necessity of keeping the public’s attention on the missing candidate. Krommidas, a Democratic candidate for the county legislature’s fourth district, was gearing up for the upcoming election. His LinkedIn profile indicated that he currently serves as a field organizer and clerk for the Democratic Party in Nassau County. The county Democratic committee reached out on social media platforms, urging followers to spread the word about Krommidas’ disappearance.
Residents in the area, like Cristina Pantell, expressed their concerns about Krommidas’ vanishing. Pantell, an avid runner, acknowledged the similarities in their routines, remarking, “I think about myself, I come out a lot by myself nighttime after work, we’re pretty close in age so it’s a little scary thinking about it.” The community has been deeply affected by Krommidas’ disappearance, with county Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs describing him as a bright and dedicated young man who embodies Democratic values.
Police descriptions of Krommidas, detailing his physical appearance and attire at the time he went missing, have been circulated to aid in the search efforts. Anyone with information on his whereabouts has been urged to contact the police department’s missing persons squad or call 911. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to Krommidas’ disappearance.
Not really sure why this matters, but the search for Petros Krommidas has sparked a wave of concern and solidarity in the community. Maybe it’s just me, but the support shown by volunteers, emergency crews, and residents highlights the unity and determination to bring Krommidas back home safely. As the search continues, hopes remain high for his safe return.
