SILVER ALERT: Elderly Man Goes Missing Near Murrieta, Help Sought Locating Him

Sheriff’s officials Thursday asked for the public’s help in finding a man who went missing near unincorporated Murrieta.

According to Sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Fredericks, 76-year-old Robert Cricks-- who “suffers from severe dementia”-- was waiting in a running car while his wife went into an area restaurant near Winchester Road and Murrieta Hot Springs Road for a quick errand.

Rather than waiting for her, he apparently drove off, Fredericks said.

“Cricks’ wife observed him drive away on Winchester Road, towards the city of Temecula,” the sergeant said in a news release. “Cricks suffers from severe dementia, and was not in possession of a cellular telephone or financial means.”

His wife contacted the authorities immediately, as she believes Cricks is unfamiliar with the region, and won’t be able to find his home or any familiar destination, Fredericks said.

What’s more, his wife was holding the key fob for the push-button start car when she went into the restaurant-- which means that Cricks will not be able to restart the car if it’s turned off.

A “silver alert” has since been issued for Cricks, who is described as 5-foot-11-inches tall, weighing about 165 pounds with grey hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a black ball cap with military pins, a blue jacket, long sleeve blue shirt, and blue jeans.

He’s driving a silver 2007 Infinity G35 sedan, with a California disabled license plate of: 2304Y dp.

Anyone with information on Cricks’ whereabouts can contact the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Southwest Station at (951) 696-3000.