By Bill Carey
Police1
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Deputies searching for a robbery suspect in a wooded area were in the right place at the right time when they found an elderly man who had been reported missing a day prior.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies had begun to search for a robbery suspect in a wooded area when they found the 75-year-old missing man, WFLA reported.
Video from a police helicopter showed officers being directed to the man’s position.
After reaching the man, deputies were surprised to find he wasn’t the suspect they were searching for but was a missing man who was last seen in the area on Sunday. Police said the man has Alzheimer’s.
“What a wonderful example of being in the right place at the right time,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “Our deputies were working diligently doing their job to apprehend a suspect and were able to recognize a citizen in need of help. We’re grateful that this was able to end in a safe return for the missing person and his family.”
The man was safely rescued and reunited with his family.