The FBI began assisting local police yesterday in its investigation of the disappearance of Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar.

Bellefonte Police Chief Duane Dixon said the agency is able to conduct faster searches to see if Gricar's bank and credit cards were used since his disappearance Friday.

"In the next days, we're going to continue looking at his computer, credit card and phone records," Dixon said.

Jerri Williams, spokeswoman for the Philadelphia division of the FBI, said the Bellefonte police did request assistance, but Williams could not specify the agency's role.

"We'll be available for as long they need our help," Williams said.

Despite the FBI's involvement, Dixon said the investigation was not concentrating solely on a possible financial trail.

"Right now, there is no one focus point," Dixon said at a news conference yesterday at the Bellefonte Municipal Building. "Because we have no good leads, we're looking at the big picture."

Bellefonte police are working with state police departments at Rockview and Milton and the Lewisburg police.

Gricar's daughter, Lara, and girlfriend Patty Fornicola, attended yesterday's news conference with other family and friends, and attempted to reach out to Gricar.

"I want you to know I love you and that my heart aches very deeply for your presence," Lara Gricar said in her statement.

The pair said they would wait as long as it takes to hear from Gricar.

"We love you very much," Fornicola said. "And we ask that if anyone has information to please call the police."

Gricar, 59, who is still classified as a missing person, failed to show up to work yesterday, Bellefonte police said.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Smith said he would fill in for Gricar during his absence. He added, though, that the mood in the District Attorney's office was "somber" and everyone was baffled by Gricar's disappearance.

"It's going to run smoothly in his absence," Smith said. "We will operate as usual."

Gricar, who became district attorney in 1985, was last heard from at 11:30 a.m. Friday, when he called Fornicola to tell her he was taking the day off from work to go for a drive.

On Saturday, police found Gricar's red 2004 Mini Cooper in Lewisburg in a parking lot across the street from an antiques shop near Lewisburg. The shop is near a wooded area along the Susquehanna River.

"He's been down to Lewisburg many times," Dixon said at the press conference. "One of the things he likes to do is go antique shopping."

Police searched the car, which was locked, but Dixon said the search produced no evidence, or any indication of foul play.

Gricar's cell phone was found in the car and had not been used since Gricar called Fornicola on Friday. The car was turned over to Fornicola on Sunday.

Gricar was set to retire at the end of this year, after five terms as Centre County's District Attorney.

Police have said there was no indication that Gricar had a medical, physical or mental condition that could have led to his disappearance. They have also said it is unlikely that Gricar's disappearance is linked to any cases he was prosecuting.

A helicopter searched the Lewisburg and Susquehanna River area for about two hours Sunday morning. Bloodhounds and tracking dogs were also sent out, but they did not pick up on anything, Dixon said.

Dixon added that there has been much needed cooperation between various police departments for this case.

"The direction the investigation takes in the coming days will depend on whether the police receive any good leads on the case," Dixon said.

Anyone with information on the case is encouraged to call Bellefonte Police at (814) 353-2320.