Police yesterday searched the waters off Grace Methodist Church on North Shore in hopes of locating missing man Rudolph Smith.Meanwhile the 39-year-old’s mother, Madeline Rampersad, said her gut told her there was something “terribly wrong” about her son’s disappearance.Police confirmed yesterday that a telephone call by a tipster led officers to the motorcycle Mr Smith was last seen riding behind Grace Methodist Church on North Shore.Acting on a call by a member of the public, police carried out an extensive search operation in the water off the church near the junction with Glebe Road yesterday morning.A forensic officer was among those on board a police boat, with divers combing the ocean and more officers taking photographs from the shore.The surrounding area was cordoned off with yellow police tape, with about five officers guarding the scene and more seemingly investigating the scene.At a press conference held on the church grounds, Detective Chief Inspector Nick Pedro confirmed Mr Smith’s “last known mode of transportation was located in waters in from of Grace Church”.“A police dive team was activated, and has been searching these waters for any other items that may assist in locating Mr Smith,” he said.But for Mr Smith’s family there was little comfort on hearing the bike he was last seen riding has been found.His mother began circulating posters with a photograph of her son and her telephone number last week, urging anyone with information to contact her or the police.Her phone has been ringing non-stop, but to date there has been no firm word on the fate of her son or his whereabouts since he failed to return home on Monday, July 9.“All I want to know is where’s my son, I’m holding up as best I can, but not knowing is painful. No matter what he is my son, we love him, I just want him to come home or know what has happened to him,” said Ms Rampersad.Mr Smith resides with his mother and grandmother on Border Lane in Pembroke. Ms Rampersad said her mother is also “holding up” but neither one of them is at peace.“Rudy always comes home, he never disappears without a word like this, everything in my gut tells me something is terribly wrong and until I know I cannot rest,” she said.“I just get up and go to work to keep busy and get my mind off of all of this, its very troubling,” she added.She confirmed that the Bermuda Police Service has appointed a Family Liaison Officer “to keep the family updated with any developments in the case.” But she said: “All I really want to hear is where is Rudy, or what happened to him, not knowing just hurts so bad.”Meanwhile, police have stepped up their search for the missing man and are ‘very concerned’ for his safety.Several persons have been interviewed to date who have either provided written statements or given verbal information.“We continue to be very concerned for Mr. Smith’s safety, and we are actively pursuing all avenues of information that may assist in determining where he may be, or what may have happened to him since he was later seen,” said Det Ch Insp Pedro.“You will appreciate that Mr. Smith has many family members & friends who are extremely anxious to learn about their missing loved one.”When asked by The Royal Gazette if police were still treating this as a missing person investigation, Det Ch Insp Pedro replied: “We’re investigating the circumstances of his disappearance.“I think what is fair to say at the moment and you will appreciate that the resources that we’re putting into this we’re obviously treating this very seriously and seeking to locate him as quickly as possible.”As for the reported sightings and the response by family members that they may have been false reports, he said: “We’re following up on all known sightings and that’s part of the investigation.“I cannot speak to what the family may have said about the reported sightings; but we don’t think he’s been seen since Monday, July 9.”The officer was also asked to comment on the rumours circulating around the community regarding Mr Smith’s disappearance.The senior investigating officer said: “It would be completely inappropriate to comment on rumour and innuendo. We deal with facts and evidence and that’s what we’re doing as we always do in cases of this nature.”Det Ch Insp Pedro also said “other bikes” were recovered at the scene as well.But finding the bike Mr Smith was riding when last seen “helps to build a picture of his movements, where he may have been, and where he may not have been”.“Obviously where his bike was is of importance to us, he was last seen riding that bike,” said Det Ch Insp Pedro.“I would like to urge any member of the public that may know something about this matter that has not already spoken to the Police to come forward and assist.”Anyone with information is urged to contact the Serious Crime Unit in confidence at 247-1340, or alternatively to call the confidential and anonymous Crimestoppers hotline on 800-8477.