MIDDLETOWN — A man whose vehicle was found abandoned was safely located Saturday following a day-long search.
Charles McEntire, 82, of Willits was found in good physical health around 9:30 p.m. near St. Helena Road by an officer of the Clear Lake area California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Although McEntire was found in good physical health, he was reportedly disoriented when he was located. “Apparently he was incoherent and didn”t really know what he was doing or where he was at,” said Public Affairs Officer Adam Garcia, who prepared the report released Monday morning by the CHP.
CHP Officer Brian Engle had reportedly discovered a gray Toyota pick-up on Loconomi at Butts Canyon Road around 8:47 a.m. According to the CHP report, the truck was found abandoned and facing the wrong way in traffic. The registered owner, which was determined to be McEntire, could not be found in the immediate area.
Upon contact with McEntire”s family, officers learned that his whereabouts were unknown. His wife had reportedly stated that he had left in the morning to get a job at one of the local casinos. She had also stated that McEntire had recently suffered two strokes.
Garcia said that because the family had no knowledge of McEntire”s whereabouts, Sgt. Mike Thomason initiated missing person procedures alerting all allied agencies of the situation. Maximum effort by all Lake County law enforcement agencies ensued and the effort had continued through shift change at the CHP.
All swing shift CHP officers reportedly continued the search with officers Randy Forslund and Steve Curtis circulating pictures of McEntire to local businesses in Middletown, Lower Lake, Clearlake and Kelseyville. The officers also checked with Redbud Community Hospital and Twin Pines Casino as well as homes in the area.
According the CHP report, Officer Forslund located McEntire around 9:30 p.m. Saturday night, walking on State Route 29 at St. Helena Road. He was transported by the officer to the hospital for medical clearance and the family was immediately notified.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
