A MISSING Alzheimer's disease sufferer was found "wet and bedraggled" yesterday when he flagged down an unmarked police car.
Officers believe Alan Richmond, 78, slept rough for two nights near his home in Darlington after disappearing on Tuesday morning.
He flagged down a car in Barmpton Lane, less than a mile-and-a-half from his home in Sparrow Hall Drive, at 1.40pm yesterday.
A police spokesman said: "By chance the car was an unmarked police vehicle and the officer who was driving quickly realised the identity of the man. Mr Richmond was wet and bedraggled. It is not clear exactly where he has been for the last two nights but officers suspect he may have been sleeping rough, perhaps in a barn."
Mr Richmond, who has high blood pressure, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for a check-up before being reunited with his family.
He had last been seen buying a Lottery ticket in Asda, Whinbush Way, at 8am on Tuesday.
Volunteers from Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue combed woods near Darlington Golf Club yesterday in a bid to find him.
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