Radio signal leads Philly police to man with Alzheimer’s

By Robert Moran, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Posted: September 21, 2011

Following a radio signal emitted by a bracelet, Philadelphia police this week were able to locate a 77-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease who had been missing for a day.

The man was last seen leaving a residence in the 200 block of North 52d Street about noon Sunday, police said. His family reported him missing about 3 p.m. Monday.

The man was enrolled in the SafetyNet program, run by LoJack, the company that helps locate stolen cars.

SafetyNet supplied police with the man's bracelet frequency. Police first sent patrol vehicles to locate the signal but were unsuccessful.

Police then sent a department helicopter to do an aerial search for the signal. The helicopter pilot reported a strong signal at 18th and Moore Streets in South Philadelphia, authorities said.

At 8:09 p.m. Monday, the man was found in the 1900 block of South 16th Street. He was not hurt, police said.

LoJack spokesman Jeremy Warnick said the service costs $99 to enroll and $30 a month. The service was used this month to locate an autistic 15-year-old boy in Boston.

Contact staff writer Robert Moran at 215-854-5983 or bmoran@phillynews.com.

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