Brownsville police are seeking the public’s help in the search of a 68-year-old Brownsville man who has been missing for five days.
Juan Antonio Garcia was last seen at about 12 a.m. Jan. 14 at 24 Lindale Court, said Investigator Martin Sandoval, spokesman for the Brownsville Police Department.
Although Garcia’s family said he suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease, the police department cannot put out a Silver Alert because they don’t have a doctor’s statement saying this, Sandoval said.
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, which issues the alerts, the following criteria must be met in order for one to be issued:
>>Is the missing person 65 years of age or older or been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease?
>>Does the senior citizen have a diagnosed impaired mental condition, and does the senior citizen’s disappearance pose a credible threat to the senior citizen’s health and safety? (Law enforcement shall require the family or legal guardian of the missing senior citizen to provide documentation from a medical or mental health professional of the senior citizen’s condition).
>>Is it confirmed that an investigation has taken place verifying that the senior citizen’s disappearance is due to his/her impaired mental condition, and alternative reasons for the senior citizen’s disappearance have been ruled out?
>>Is the Silver Alert request within 72 hours of the senior citizen’s disappearance?
>>Is there sufficient information available to disseminate to the public that could assist in locating the senior citizen? (Highway signs will be activated only if accurate vehicle information is available and it is confirmed that the senior citizen was driving the vehicle at the time of the disappearance).
Sandoval said all patrol officers have been provided with a photograph of Garcia in case they happen to come upon him.
Brownsville police urge anyone who has seen Garcia to call Brownsville PD at (956) 548-7000.
