An elderly female from Gaston County who prompted a North Carolina Silver Alert was found safe overnight by a recently promoted Columbia Police Department (CPD) Corporal.
Corporal C. Lake found 81-year-old Brenda Thomas driving along Taylor Street shortly before 1:00 a.m. (August 29, 2022).
According to the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons and Gaston County Police Department, Thomas’ family reported her missing Sunday after she left her Mount Holly home unannounced.
At the time of the Silver Alert notification, aside from her age, authorities advised that Thomas experienced cognitive medical issues. The alert also included a description of the car Thomas was driving.
Newly Promoted Corporal C. Lake
Early this morning as Corporal C. Lake patrolled the 2100 block of Taylor Street, she noticed a vehicle driving too closely behind her patrol vehicle.
Corporal Lake initiated a traffic stop and immediately recognized signs of confusion while talking with Ms. Thomas.
After asking Ms. Thomas to put the car in park and turn off the engine, Corporal Lake gathered Ms. Thomas’ information and learned through a check of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database that Thomas was reported missing from North Carolina.
Corporal Lake contacted the Gaston County Police Department to let officers know that Thomas was found safe in Columbia. Local EMS arrived on scene to check Thomas’ medical condition.
Thankfully, a loved one drove to Columbia to safely take Ms. Thomas back home.