Technology helps locate a missing Virginian

 

A new piece of technology helped a sheriff’s deputy in northeast Georgia locate a missing man.   Franklin County Sheriff Stevie Thomas said one of his officers last Thursday was patrolling I-85 when he received a report of a missing Virginia man. Thomas said his deputy was using a new computerized alert system, called a tag reader, in his patrol car that indicated the man, identified as Patrick Ovel, was reported missing. According to the Sheriff, the deputy then placed a call to the Franklin County dispatch who in turn called the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office and asked for an officer to assist.  Authorities found the car and the missing man at the 85 bridge at the Georgia-South Carolina line. Thomas said his officer then began trying to make contact with Ovel’s family in Virginia.  Deputies allowed Ovel to continue on his way.