Silver Alert canceled for 82-year-old West Valley man with health issues
Oct 11, 2023, 9:14 PM | Updated: 10:15 pm
Verne Engelke of Avondale is the subject of a Silver Alert issued Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. (Photo via Avondale Police Department)
(Photo via Avondale Police Department)
PHOENIX – A Silver Alert has been canceled for a West Valley man who was reported missing Wednesday night.
Authorities said 82-year-old Verne Engelke returned to his Avondale home around 7 p.m. after the family called to report his return.
Verne Engelke, 82, departed from his home near Dysart and Thomas roads in Avondale around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and was driving to a family residence in Buckeye.
He never reached his destination and was unable to reach him according to the Avondale Police Department.
Engelke was driving a white 2013 Ford F150 pickup truck with Arizona wheelchair license plate HNG68. According to a license plate reader, the vehicle, which has a quad cab and chrome side steps, was last seen early Wednesday at 51st and Olive avenues in Glendale.
Engelke suffers from memory loss and needs oxygen daily to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He didn’t have his oxygen tank when he left home.
He was found in good spirits and is now reunited with his family, officials said.
