Bend police search for, find missing man, 71

(Update: More info from police on what led to finding Biggs)

Police officers searching an area of northeast Bend for a missing and possibly endangered 71-year-old Bend man found him about 10:20 p.m. with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police earlier had asked the public for help in finding Raymond Biggs, who had been reported missing by a family member around 7:15 p.m. He last was seen near Northeast Forum Drive, between Safeway East and the Fox Hollow Apartments.

Around 9:45 p.m., about a half-hour after police issued a news release to notify the public, Deschutes County 911 dispatchers heard from a citizen who reported seeing Biggs walking with his walker on Northeast 27th Street near Wells Acres Road around 7:40 p.m.

That led to a search of the area, including use of a police drone (UAS, or unmanned aerial system) with a FLIR (heat-sensing) camera, as well as a K-9 tracking team, Beekman said. Biggs’ walker and other personal items were found on 27th Street near Wichita Way, he added.

Around 10:20 p.m., during an extensive search of the area, a Bend officer spotted Biggs walking in the area of Mary Rose Place and 27th Street. Bend Fire medics took Biggs to St. Charles Bend for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers had been on standby as police used a drone equipped with heat-sensing camera to look for Biggs. Beekman said police want to thank SAR for their assistance.

After Biggs was found, Beekman said they don’t believe there was any criminal issue involved.

He’d said earlier foul play was not suspected, but police were concerned about Biggs’ light clothing, temperatures dropping to the 40s during the night and a threat of rain, as well as his physical and mental state.