Family searches for missing British tourist

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Relatives are desperately searching for a 26-year-old man from London, England, who has been missing since early Saturday morning.

Ademola Owolana's mother, Bolanle Owolana, said he was visiting family in southwest suburban Plainfield for a few weeks. He was supposed to return to London on Thursday.

"I don't want to think the worst. I don't want to think the worst because down here I heard it's dangerous," she said.

Chicago police officers added their manpower to the ongoing search for Owolana, joining relatives who have been canvassing the West Pullman neighborhood since he disappeared.

His mother said he went to south suburban Glenwood Friday night to get a tattoo. Later, he went to a club on Chicago's Far South Side with family.

Police said Owolana was last seen around 4:30 a.m. Saturday outside Club Low Key near East 117th Street and South Michigan Avenue in the city's West Pullman neighborhood.

One of his relatives, Sheriff Akinoso, said he became aggressive at the club and demanded his car keys, but he would not hand them over because Owolana can't legally drive in the United States and he had been drinking.

"I said 'I can't give you the car keys. Hold on, let me call the last person and he could move the car,'" Akinoso says. "He said, 'give me the car keys.'"

He says when Owolana could not get the car keys, he took jogged off east on 117th Street and has not been seen since.

"I'm just worried. It was more like a joke. Now it's getting more serious," he added.

Owolana's mother says he has no ID on him; she has his passport and his cell phone, which cannot make calls in the U.S.

His family posted fliers in the area where he went missing and filed a police report. They say it's not like him to disappear and they are worried for his safety.

"If he's not hurt then the police station is right down the street," said Sabi Folawiyo, Owolana's cousin. "So it doesn't make any sense for a sane person not to go to the police station."

"He wouldn't just run away. He could have a walk if he's upset. That's normal. But to run away? No," Bolanle Owolana said. "Please help me find my son so he can go back home. Please help me find him."

Owolana is 5 ft. 5 in. tall and weighs around 140 lbs. He was last seen wearing a burgundy shirt, blue jeans, a green jacket, a ball cap and a gold chain with a Versace pendant. He also has three tattoos: "Family First" on his left arm, "Loyalty" on his shoulder and a musical note on his right upper arm. Police said he is not familiar with the area.

The family is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to Owolana.

Anyone who has information regarding Owolana's whereabouts should call the Area South Special Victims Unit at 312-747-8247 or 911.