FWC officers find missing South Florida man during Manatee County patrol, reunite him with family

MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WWSB) - A routine traffic stop by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers in Manatee County helped safely reunite a missing elderly Broward County man with his family in Okeechobee County.

While on proactive patrol along State Road 70 East, FWC Officers Martin Estrada and Matthew Johnston noticed a vehicle driving erratically. The driver repeatedly failed to maintain his lane, traveled well below the posted speed limit and came to unexpected stops despite having the right of way.

Concerned for everyone’s safety on the road, Officer Estrada initiated a traffic stop after another lane violation. During the stop, a check of the vehicle’s registration through law enforcement databases revealed a missing person alert connected to Broward County.

The driver was identified as Saintano Jacques, who had been reported missing by his family after he did not return home from work the previous day. Officers determined Mr. Jacques was confused about where he was, experiencing cognitive decline and unable to clearly explain his location or destination.

Estrada and Johnston confirmed the missing person alert with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and contacted Mr. Jacques’ family to coordinate his safe return. FWC officers then transported him in a marked patrol vehicle to Okeechobee County, where he was reunited with his loved ones.

What began as a routine patrol turned into a lifesaving intervention. The incident underscores the importance of officer attentiveness, proactive patrols and strong collaboration between law enforcement agencies in keeping Florida’s communities safe.

The FWC commends Officers Estrada and Johnston for their professionalism, situational awareness and continued commitment to public safety.