Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Daniel Milbrandt
File # J231420015
Details:
On May 22, 2023, at approximately 1:04 PM, deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station responded to a residence in the 51000 block of Desert Arroyo Trail in Indian Wells regarding an at-risk, missing 81-year-old man, identified as Howard Groff. Groff left the residence in his vehicle that morning at 9:15 AM without his wallet and cell phone. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) was immediately notified and activated a Silver Alert based on the circumstances of Groff’s disappearance.
The Palm Desert Investigations Bureau assumed the investigation and disseminated Groff’s information to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. On May 23, 2023, investigators learned Groff’s vehicle was seen traveling eastbound on Interstate 10 at Dillon Road in Coachella. At 1:00 PM, CHP officers located Groff and his vehicle on the shoulder of Interstate 10 at Wiley’s Well Road, west of Blythe. Groff was in good health and was transported to a local CHP station to be reunited with his family.
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