MISSING PERSON FOUND

DATE/TIME: 2/24/2008
LOCATION: West Park Manor Apartment Complex
OFFICERS INVOLVED: Numerous

NARRATIVE
     On 2/24/2008 at approximately 3:20 pm, police received a call from the wife of an elderly man who subsequently reported him missing. The 84-year-old man, a township resident, told his wife that he was going to walk over to the Rite-Aid located at Hwy 35 and West Park Ave. He reportedly left their apartment at about 12:30 pm which is located at the West Park Manor Apartment Complex. The complex is located a short distance west of the Rite-Aid. When he did not return after a few hours, his wife became concerned and contacted police.
     Officers began searching the immediate area and learned from Rite-Aid employees that the man was in fact in the store at approximately 1:15 pm. He was also seen near the McDonalds located in the same shopping plaza as Rite-Aid around 2:30 pm. A Code-Red message (Reverse 911) was sent to residents and businesses in the area advising of the missing man and a description of him. Officers continued to look for the man fro several hours to no avail. At approximately 8:15 pm, K-9 Units from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department and Holmdel Police were called in to assist. At approximately 9:45 pm, a helicopter from the NJSP was called to assist and the Oakhurst Fire Department responded with manpower and lighting equipment. The man was finally found at 10:47 pm by Holmdel Officer William Bernard and his K-9 “Harley”. The man was located in a wooded area between the West Park Manor Complex and the Cotswold Condo Complex. The man was cold and disoriented and had suffered some minor abrasions from the thorn bushes in the woods. He was then transported to Monmouth Medical Center by the Oakhurst First Aid Squad.