In a chilling twist that could finally break open the disappearance of 9-year-old Gus Lamont, police have confirmed they are investigating a new eyewitness account from a gas station worker who insists he saw a man carrying a boy matching Gus’s description — just hours after the child vanished.
And the most shocking detail? The witness described a distinctive scar on the man’s face — something detectives now believe could be the missing link to an earlier sighting captured on CCTV.
A new lead that changes everything
According to authorities, the sighting occurred at approximately 9:45 p.m., just off Highway 23, nearly 50 kilometers from Gus’s home.
The attendant, who has asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, told police that the man appeared nervous and in a rush, purchasing only a small bottle of water and fuel before leaving quickly.
“He kept looking over his shoulder,” the employee said in a trembling voice. “And then I saw him open the back door of his truck — that’s when I noticed the boy.”
The worker described the boy as small, fair-haired, and wearing a dark blue shirt with a yellow cartoon print, eerily matching the clothes Gus was last seen in.
The face no one will forget
But what sent shivers down the witness’s spine wasn’t the boy — it was the man.
“There was this long, jagged scar running from his left cheek to his chin,” the employee recalled. “It looked old… like something from years ago. I can still picture it when I close my eyes.”
Police have since confirmed they are reviewing CCTV footage from the station, hoping to verify the claim. Sources close to the investigation say that an image of a man with a similar facial scar had appeared in a different video weeks earlier — near a remote logging road where Gus’s woolen hat was found.
“If it’s the same man,” said Detective Sergeant Laura Kim, “then this isn’t just coincidence. It means he’s been moving — and he’s still out there.”
The mysterious white pickup returns
Adding to the eerie pattern, the witness also described the suspect’s vehicle:
a white pickup truck, slightly dirty, with a dent on the left rear side.
That exact detail — the dent — matches a previous report from a farmer who claimed he saw a similar truck parked near the forest the morning after Gus vanished.
“Every new witness account keeps leading back to that truck,” a police source said. “It’s become the centerpiece of the entire investigation.”
Police warn the public: Do not approach
Authorities have now issued a regional alert, urging anyone who spots a white pickup driven by a man with a facial scar to call immediately and avoid contact.
“He may be dangerous,” the official statement reads. “Do not confront or follow the vehicle. Note the plate, location, and direction only.”
Investigators are currently cross-referencing fuel purchase records and vehicle registration logs from nearby towns, in an attempt to identify who filled up at that specific station that night.
The mother’s plea: ‘If you have him, please let him go’
News of this latest development has reignited both hope and anguish for Gus’s parents, who have spent the last ten days clinging to any sign that their son is still alive.
In an emotional statement, Emma Lamont begged for her child’s safe return.
“If you’re watching this — whoever you are — please, please don’t hurt him,” she said through tears. “He’s just a little boy who loves cartoons and playing with his dog. We just want him home.”
Locals in shock as investigation intensifies
The small towns surrounding the area have been thrown into panic. Several residents reported seeing police helicopters circling overhead late last night, while others claimed roadblocks were being set up near the southern edge of the national park.
“It’s terrifying,” said one woman at a nearby diner. “Every time I see a white truck drive past, I freeze.”
Even more disturbingly, another witness has since come forward saying she saw a man with a scar buying children’s snacks at a roadside store — just one day before Gus disappeared.
Experts weigh in: ‘This feels calculated’
Criminal profiler Dr. Allan Mercer told reporters that the suspect’s movements suggest planning and familiarity with the area.
“The 50-kilometer distance isn’t random,” Mercer said. “It’s far enough to delay pursuit, but close enough to return and monitor police activity. Whoever did this knows what he’s doing.”
Mercer added that the presence of a distinctive scar could indicate a history of violence or trauma, and warned that the suspect might strike again if he feels cornered.
Police hint at a breakthrough
As night fell, a convoy of patrol cars and search units was seen leaving the main station, reportedly heading toward a remote stretch of forest connected by a dirt road to the same highway where the gas station is located.
When asked whether this was related to the new lead, a police spokesperson declined to comment, saying only:
“We are following up on multiple active tips. One of them may lead directly to Gus.”
The chilling question that remains
Was the man at the gas station truly the one who took Gus Lamont?
If so, where was he heading that night — and why does every trail seem to end in the same stretch of wilderness?
For now, police aren’t ruling anything out.
But one thing is clear —
whoever that scarred man is, he’s the key to finding Gus Lamont… dead or alive.