Search is on for Forest Lake boater, 51, missing from pontoon

Updated: July 3, 2012 - 10:07 PM

Tod Crawford's dog was found swimming alone in lake.

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Family and friends of Tod Crawford had planned a July 4th get-together, but instead they gathered Tuesday on the shores of Forest Lake No. 1 as Washington County law enforcement officers continued to search for his body.

Crawford, 51, of Forest Lake, has been missing since Monday afternoon, when his empty pontoon boat was found drifting on the lake, police said.

Police and his family were alerted that something was wrong after a passerby noticed a dog swimming alone in the water and then noticed the unoccupied pontoon boat a short distance away, Forest Lake police Capt. Greg Weiss said.

Police were called at 3:45 p.m. and found the boat offshore of the 6800 block of North Shore Trail, and also found the dog.

Crawford was an avid boater, and he liked to be "on the water," Weiss said.

Weiss said it's unknown how long Crawford had been in water before the witness noticed the dog and empty pontoon. Police declared him missing Monday afternoon.

Weiss declined to answer other questions Tuesday, citing the family's wish for privacy.

Among those keeping vigil with the family was Brett Fisher, who joined Crawford and another partner in 1998 to form Midwest Area Title of North Branch. Currently, Crawford is listed as principal of his own business, Independent Abstracting Services of Coon Rapids.

Forest Lake police and State Patrol aircraft are assisting Washington County water patrol officers in the search.

JOY POWELL