K9 Team Finds Missing Bradenton Man After 24-Hour Search
A 74-year-old Bradenton man who went missing Sunday afternoon was safely located Monday after an extensive search involving multiple agencies, specialized equipment and a K9 team.
The Bradenton Police Department issued a Purple Alert after Roberto Ceballos Ramirez walked away from his home around 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Authorities said Ramirez has underlying medical conditions that could leave him disoriented, prompting an urgent search effort across the area.
Law enforcement and emergency responders launched a coordinated search that included Bradenton police officers on foot and on ATVs, the department’s Marine Unit and thermal drone surveillance. Additional assistance came from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, which deployed K9 teams and its Aviation Unit, as well as Manatee County Search and Rescue teams using K9s, thermal drones, kayaks and marine personnel.
Just over 24 hours after Ramirez was reported missing, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office K9 Cane, a bloodhound, and Deputy Bush successfully tracked his scent to a dense brushy area about one mile from his home. The team located Ramirez at approximately 2:47 p.m. on Monday.
Authorities said he was dehydrated but alert when he was found.
Bradenton police officers transported Ramirez from the thick vegetation using a SKED rescue stretcher to an awaiting ambulance. The rescue stretchers were purchased for patrol officers less than a year ago after the Bradenton City Council approved the use of opioid settlement funds to acquire the life-saving devices.
Despite spending more than a day without food or shelter, Ramirez was described as being in good spirits once inside the ambulance. Family members reported that he was talkative and immediately asked for a rotisserie chicken dinner.
Officials credited the successful outcome to the collaboration among multiple agencies and the determination of search teams.
