Cops: Missing Ridge man, 82, found

A missing Ridge man who went for a walk over the weekend and did not return has been found unharmed, Suffolk County police said.

Police said August Destefano, 82, left his home at about 9 a.m. Sunday. A taxi driver said he took Destefano to the Shirley-Mastic train station about 11:20 a.m. and that Destefano told him about visiting family in Bellmore. The taxi driver did not know if Destefano boarded the train, police said.

Police said Destefano does not have family in Bellmore.

A silver alert was subsequently issued, and shortly before 4 p.m. Monday police announced in a news release he "has been located and is unharmed." Police did not say where Destefano was found.

The silver alert program is designed to inform local media, hospitals and law enforcement agencies when a senior citizen or individual suffering from mental or cognitive disorders is missing.