Middletown police have cited concern for the safety of the 55-year-old township man who went missing Monday night.

Police said, in a released statement, that on Tuesday morning, “the vehicle he (Anthony Tassello) was driving, a white 2008 Ford Escape, was one of five vehicles burned during a suspicious fire at the Tom’s Ford dealership on Route 35 in Keyport.”

Keyport police and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office have now joined Middletown police in a collaborative investigation of the car fire and its connection to Tassello.

“Police are concerned for Mr. Tassello’s safety,” the statement from Middletown police said, now adding that they have reason to believe that he may be in the New York City area.

Anthony Tassello, who stands about 6-feet, 3-inches tall and weighs about 230 pounds, was last seen on Monday night at about 9:15 p.m.. He was driving the 2008 Ford Escape and wearing a gray tweed hat, a vest and jeans.

Anyone with any information in connection with this case “is urged to call Detective Keith Hirschbein, of the Middletown Police Department, at 732-615-2068, Detective Shannon Torres, of the Keyport Police Department, at 732-739-5151, or Detective Kevin Condon of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443.”