A three-and-a-half-hour search ended happily when a missing Alzheimer’s patient was reunited with his family. Authorities located the man at Lowe’s in Cornelia, a mile away from where he went missing.
The 70-year-old man walked away from Great Clips in the Walmart shopping center before 1 p.m. Saturday while waiting for a family member to finish, police say. Officials launched an exhaustive search for him, involving numerous personnel from multiple state and local agencies.
Units from Cornelia Police and Cornelia Fire responded and were assisted by units from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, K-9 units from sheriff’s offices in Banks and Stephens counties, and a K9 from the White County Public Safety Search And Rescue Team, units from Georgia State Patrol, Alto Police Department, Habersham County Emergency Services, Habersham Emergency Management Agency/E-911, and Georgia Emergency Management Agency/Homeland Security.
A Georgia State Patrol helicopter in the area for Baldwin Public Safety Day was able to assist within minutes of the request following the emergency call.
Cornelia Information Technology also assisted in numerous ways during the search process, officials say.
Several residents also called in with tips after social media posts about the missing person.
“We appreciate all the resources that were able to assist us during the three-and-a-half hour search that was focused between Walmart and the Tractor Supply area,” said Cornelia Police Chief Jonathan Roberts.
Cornelia Fire Chief Billy Joe Jenkins also expressed his appreciation for all the local and state resources and citizens who assisted in bringing the search to a successful conclusion.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to this family for having to endure this temporary separation,” he said.
Medical services personnel at the scene evaluated the man after he was located but said he did not appear to have any injuries.
Authorities did not release the man’s name, asking for privacy for him and his family.
