“We strongly believe that somebody out there knows something, saw something, heard something or was told something about what happened to Josh,” said Private Investigator Patrick Anastasi.

On December 22nd, Josh Szostak went out to hit the Albany bars with some friends. He parked outside the Elbo Room on Delaware and Morton. The group later went to the Bayou café downtown. After midnight, he separated from his friends - and vanished.

“So one of the things I’d like to urge to the general public is to stop and think about where they were the Saturday before Christmas,” Anastasi said. “Where were they that Saturday night? Were they at the Elbo Room? Were they at the Bayou Cafe?”

It’s believed Josh left the Bayou café in downtown, stood at this spot for a matter of minutes looking at his phone, and then he walked along North Pearl Street. Private Investigators say after that someone saw something but has yet to report it, possibly because they fear going to the police.

“A lot of times when we’re interviewing people on the street they are a lot more comfortable talking with us on the street because we aren’t law enforcement,” Anastasi said.

So, his agency has created an email address to send info to, as well as an anonymous non-law enforcement tip line that he says has produced dozens of leads.

The search continues in Albany on Wednesday for Joshua Szostak. Our Britt Godshalk sat down in an exclusive interview with the private investigator hired by the family.

“And we’re following up every single lead that we get,” he said.

Still, there is an element of the case that has continued to mystify everyone involved. The same night Josh disappeared, a Department of Environmental Conservation vehicle was left damaged and abandoned at the Port of Albany. It had been stolen from a downtown garage, steps from where Josh’s cell phone was found. Albany police say they believe there’s a connection although they say they lack the evidence to support that theory. Anastasi is not so sure.

“There’s a million different explanations as to why that phone could have been near the vehicle,” Anastasi said. “You’re talking about a 21 year old boy, man I should say, who had no criminal record whatsoever. He’s not a criminal element. We’re waiting on further DNA evidence and when those come back it will provide us with further leads on this.”

For now, investigators must depend on science… while they wait for that critical lead from the streets.

In the morning, Albany Police will be using recently donated sonar equipment to search the Hudson River. A reward is also being offered.

That tipline number is (518) 424-7236. You can also call the private investigators directly at (518) 424 4700 or email at locatejosh@yahoo.com. Again, all three are not connected with the police and all calls will remain anonymous.