Savannah resident found safe after TBI Silver Alert

A Savannah man who was the subject of a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation “Silver Alert” was found safe Thursday morning, authorities said.
Charlie Wilkerson Jr., 84, was discovered around 10 a.m. in a ravine off Pickwick Street near Cherry Street in the vicinity of an automated bagged ice business, said Savannah Police Chief Michael Pitts.
According to the TBI’s Silver Alert, neighbors reported Wilkerson was missing. The alert was posted on social media around midnight.
Pitts said Wilkerson was first reported missing around 8 p.m. and police followed state protocol in order for the Silver Alert to be given.
The alert states Wilkerson has a medical condition that could have impaired his ability to return safely without help.
“He rides his bicycle all over the place,” Pitts said.
Police learned a shoe that might have been Wilkerson’s had been found near the ice machine and local first responders went into action.
Following a brief initial search, a tracking dog from the Hardin County Fire Department was enlisted in the effort.
Pitts said that “within about five minutes the dog led us down into the ravine, and he was found there.”
Wilkerson had some “minor scrapes and bruises,” and was taken to Hardin Medical Center to be examined because dehydration was a concern, he said.
Nothing suspicious is believed to have occurred, the police chief said, adding that he appreciates the outpouring of offers from community residents to help with the search, as well as the assistance of the county fire department.