An Escondido couple missing since last week apparently had plans to go to Mexico, according to police and the missing woman's father.

Melissa Dixon, 30, and Mathew Vasquez, 30, went to Mexico and returned through the San Ysidro border crossing on Aug. 23 at about 8:30 a.m., Escondido police Lt. Craig Carter said. They returned to Escondido and withdrew money from their bank accounts, Carter said.

Dixon's father Tim Dixon said the family learned on Monday that an insurance agent sold the couple Mexican car insurance. Tim Dixon said the agent recalled the couple saying they were going to the beaches in Baja California.

The seven-day insurance policy they purchased expired on Monday, Tim Dixon said. But the couple has not been seen or heard from by friends or family since they were at her Escondido apartment watching a football game with friends on Aug. 22, he said.

The fact that they may have returned to Mexico is troubling, Tim Dixon said.

"Although it gives us some good indication of where they are, it raises additional concerns because of the widespread violence and kidnappings that are routine in Baja," Tim Dixon said.

Carter said police are aware of the new details and their investigation is ongoing. The lieutenant said the family also plans to file a missing persons report with the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana and Mexican authorities.

Police said the couple may be travelling in Dixon's red, 1990 Mazda Miata, plate number 4SQR528. The car is a two-seat, convertible with a missing rear window.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police department at 760-830-4721 or make an anonymous tip at 760-743-8477.