N.Y. woman's case called a possible homicide

Laura Garza, 25, has been missing since last Wednesday. (Associated Press)

NEW YORK - New York City police say they haven't given up hope that a woman who vanished after leaving a Manhattan club with a registered sex offender is still alive. Still, they are treating the case as a possible homicide.

Police searched sections of upstate New York for Laura Garza and have collected evidence, but have not found the 25-year-old woman.

Police told the New York Post she was seen leaving the club willingly early Wednesday with two men from upstate New York. Police say she was last seen in the Orange County community of Newburgh with one of the men, Michael Mele. Police say Mele was added to the state sex offender registry after being convicted of forcible touching in April in Rockland County.

Police there are holding Mele, but have offered no details. Police have searched his apartment complex and seized his sport utility vehicle.

ASSOCIATED PRESS