Elderly Apple Valley man found safe after leaving home
Jose Quintero Staff Writer @dd_jquintero
Jan 1, 2020 at 11:44 AM Jan 1, 2020 at 8:39 PM
APPLE VALLEY — Authorities here spent part of New Year's Day searching for an elderly town resident who was missing several hours before being found.
Charles Wayne Stover, 82, who suffers from dementia, was located safe at 9:10 a.m. Wednesday and returned to his home, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.
The successful search began after San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department officials responded to a report that Stover, who recently moved to the High Desert, had left his home in the 13000 block of Ivanpah Road at some point between midnight and 3 a.m.
At the time, Sheriff's officials said he left in a white 2002 Toyota Tacoma and was possibly en route to Granada Hills.
No additional details were provided after Stover was located.
At 8:37 a.m., Sheriff's officials released a statement that requested the public's help in locating Stover, who was listed as a "critical missing person."
Among other details, the statement included Stover's height and weight, as well as the clothing he wore at the time he was last seen.
Stover was found a little more than 30 minutes after the statement was issued to the public.
Daily Press City Editor Matthew Cabe contributed to this report.
Jose Quintero may be reached at 760-951-6274 or JQuintero@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @DP_JoseQ.