The New Port Richey Police Department said 66-year-old Lazaro Collazo was found safe after going missing near Grand Boulevard. Collazo has Alzheimer's disease and dementia, according to police.
Walked Away Near Grand Boulevard
Collazo was last seen walking away from near 5770 Grand Boulevard sometime between approximately 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m., according to a statement from the New Port Richey Police Department on Facebook. Police described him as approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 200 pounds. At the time he went missing, he was wearing a white shirt with Japanese lettering and gray jogger pants, and he has tattoos on both arms, the department said.
Police said Collazo might be confused or disoriented and need assistance because of his medical condition. The department issued a Silver Alert and shared information about his disappearance with the public.
Dementia and wandering
The Alzheimer’s Association says six in 10 people living with dementia will wander at least once, and many do so repeatedly. That general statistic does not establish anything about Collazo’s individual circumstances.
Public Tips Credited With Helping Bring Him Home
In its update announcing Collazo had been found safe, the department thanked people who provided tips. Its earlier alert had asked the public to share information about his disappearance.
The department did not say where or how Collazo was found. Its update confirmed that he was safe.
