Robert Wiles, 26, Missing Since April 1

Agents with the FBI are assisting local authorities in Lakeland, FL investigating the alleged kidnapping of the 26-year-old son of a Toledo, OH businessman from the local airport.

The Tampa Tribune reports Robert Wiles, 26, was last seen at 6:30 pm April 1, at his workplace at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport. Wiles is the son of Thomas Wiles, owner of Toledo-based National Flight Services; Robert Wiles is the business development manager at the company's branch at LAL.

"They were sent a ransom note," Dave Couvertier, spokesman for the FBI office in Tampa, told CNN. "A threat was made. His parents were told to follow directions, but they heard nothing back."

Robert's parents say they received a ransom note two days after he disappeared, and followed its directions... but they haven't heard anything since. To date, no one has come forward with new information about Robert's disappearance, prompting Thomas and his wife, Pamela, to make an emotional appeal to the kidnappers last week.

"Robert was..." Thomas Wiles began at a press conference Friday, before being corrected by his wife. "Is," she prompted.

"Is," Thomas repeated. "He's a pilot with multiengine instrument ratings. He's a diver, athlete, and a journeyman fisherman."

"Anyone out there who knows our son or has met our son knows the enthusiasm that he has for life because you could see it in his eyes and you can feel it in his handshake, which is firm and it's genuine," Pamela Wiles added. "Robert loves life, he loves nature, and he believes in God."

The Wileses repeated their request to the kidnappers, or to anyone with information about Robert's disappearance, to contact them immediately.

"If anyone knows where he is, we need to speak with Robert," Pamela Wiles said. "We'll do anything we can to get our son back and bring him home safe. Our son knows how to reach us. He has our numbers. And the only thing that matters to us is for our son to come home safely."

The Wileses told the FBI they have no clue why anyone might want to kidnap, or otherwise harm, their son.

In business since 1972, National Flight Services is an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. In addition to its Toledo headquarters and the Lakeland operation, NFS also has locations in San Antonio, TX and Toronto. The company reported $8.5 million in sales for 2007, and employs 105 people.

The FBI reportedly has few leads, but adds it is pursuing "persons of interest."

FMI: www.fbi.gov, www.nationalflight.com