Missing Wood Dale man found safe, hungry

A 72-year-old Wood Dale man who has been missing since Saturday was found today tired and hungry, but safe.

A Northbrook police officer spotted Armando Monarrez just after noon sitting on a bench at the intersection of Sunset Ridge and Midway roads.

Police are not sure whether Monarrez walked the roughly 20 miles or if he received a ride from someone between Saturday and today.

Wood Dale Deputy Chief Greg Vesta said the officer approached Monarrez because the man looked disheveled.

"Mr. Monarrez told officers he was from Franklin Park and was looking for a job," Vesta said. "Aside from being a little shaken up, he was tired and hungry but required no medical attention."

During the past two days, members of the Wood Dale Citizens Emergency Response Team, K-9 units from the DuPage County and Porter County, Ind., sheriff's offices, and police officers from Wood Dale and Bensenville searched for Monarrez between Wood Dale and Franklin Park.

Late Monday, police bloodhounds tracked him to Franklin Park near I-294 before the scent trailed off.

The two previous times Monarrez has been reported missing, he was found in or near rail yards in his native Franklin Park.

Vesta said after Monarrez has some time to reunite with his family, officers will discuss options with family members to keep him from wandering away again.

"We'll work with the family to employ some options, whether they be technological or just basic controls within the home," Vesta said.