HARRISON, Maine — UPDATE 5:40 p.m.
The missing 73-year-old Harrison man has been found safe, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office says.
Arthur Lewis was spotted by an alert Harrison resident who had read about a CodeRED alert posted by local media on Facebook, police say. The resident, identified as Kevin LaPlante, was personally familiar with Lewis and began to drive around looking for him.
LaPlante eventually spotted Lewis driving in Harrison and followed him while on the phone with 911. Lewis eventually pulled in the Crystal Lake Park in Harrison, where LaPlante talked with him until police arrived.
Lewis was found in good health and was returned to his family by police.
The Cumberland County Sheriff's Office thanks LaPlante for his attention and quick actions. Police said in addition to LaPlante's actions, a combination of the CodeRED notification system and strong reach of local news media "brought this matter to a safe resolution."
Police say this particular CodeRED alert was sent to a targeted 20-mile radius of Lewis' home, notifying residents and businesses to be on the lookout and report any sighting or contacts with him. The notification triggered 11,497 phone calls, 256 emails, and 407 text messages "within minutes," police say.
Original story
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public's help in locating a 73-year-old man missing from Harrison.
Arthur L. Lewis, Jr. left his home Wednesday at around 6 a.m. According to Lewis’ wife, Arthur left the home driving his red, 2017 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck. It is unknown where Lewis was planning on going. Law enforcement believes Arthur suffers from mild dementia and may be lost or confused.
Arthur is white and 6' tall, weighing 210 pounds. He has balding grayish/brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing jeans, a gray long-sleeve t-shirt and a gray hooded jacket. Arthur wears prescription glasses and does not have a cell phone with him.
Arthur is frequently seen in the Sebago Lake area collecting discarded roadside bottles and cans.
The Regional Communications Center has activated a CodeRED alert to residents and businesses in the area. Cumberland County Sherrif's office is working with the State to active a SILVER Alert notification.
Anyone with information or possible sightings of Arthur should call the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office at 893-2910 or your local police department.
