Silver alert issued for missing 89-year old Upper West Side man

UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- A desperate search is underway in Manhattan, where an elderly man has not been seen by his family for several days.

It's been cold in the city, and 89-year-old Manfred Scharfstein's family is sure he is not ready for this weather.

"He was kind of mumbling, and headed out the door on 96th Street," says Manfred's nephew, Ilan.

Manfred had not shown signs of dementia or failing health before Thursday night, but workers where he lived say he seemed agitated that night and rode the elevators for a while. Friday morning around 1:00, he walked out into the night.

He was last seen wearing a beige trench coat, a gray Kangol hat and black shoes. He may also be wearing glasses.

The family has put up posters, and the city has issued a silver alert.

Scharfstein's family escaped Nazi Germany and fled to Israel.

Anyone with information is asked to call 911.