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OFFICER FINDS MISSING MAN THROUGH TRAFFIC STOP

Officer Mark Sain initiated a traffic stop not knowing the driver was missing from Wilkes County.
Photo by Elizabeth Mayhew/TCS

LINCOLNTON -- Authorities said Major Connie Robinson of North Wilkesboro was going to the store to buy a part for his tractor.

That's the last time his family saw the 93-year-old Robinson in Wilkes County.

Wednesday night, Officer Mark Sain spotted the missing man, driving on North Generals Boulevard.

He stopped the vehicle and talked with Mr. Robinson.

"He was confused, thinking he was in Hickory," said Sain.

After talking with the Lincoln County Communications Center, Officer Sain discovered the elderly gentleman was entered in the National Crime Information Computer because he was missing.

His family was able to come get Mr. Robinson at the Lincolnton Police Department.

"His family told me that he's still very active for his age," said Sain. "He even tends a garden."

Mr. Robinson told Officer Sain the store he went to in Wilkes County was out of the part for his tractor.

"Don't let Officer Sain downplay this," said fellow Officer Richard Taylor. "He saved that guy's life."

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