Uber Driver Located At LA Hospital After Mysterious Disappearance

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 29-year-old ridehailing driver missing more than a week was found in the Wilshire Center area and taken to a hospital, according to police, who said Tuesday his disappearance was not believed to be "criminal in nature."

Joshua Thiede was found at about 8 p.m. Monday in the 500 block of South Serrano Avenue, "where a citizen had reported seeing a man they believed was Joshua Thiede," according to a Los Angeles Police Department statement.

"While the officers were at the location conducting their initial investigation, the male they located needed medical attention and was transported to a local hospital," the LAPD statement said. "While at the hospital, the male was identified as Thiede. Thiede's family was notified he had been found. Pending further information, investigators do not believe this disappearance is criminal in nature."

Thiede was treated at Good Samaritan Hospital, according to reporters contacted by Thiede's friends.

The nature of the medical treatment was not revealed.

Thiede's black 2014 Nissan Altima was found in 100 block of South Kingsley Drive in the Wilshire District about 12:25 p.m. Monday by officers from Olympic Division, LAPD Officer Tony Im said.

Thiede had last been seen driving the car about 11 a.m. on Feb. 11 in the 1000 block of Wilshire Boulevard, near the Harbor (110) Freeway, according to the LAPD.

He worked as a driver for both Uber and Lyft to earn extra money while planning a line of organic shoes, relatives said on Facebook. They said his last fare was a 15-minute trip for Lyft.

Janet Thiede said her son or someone using his phone made a 911 call at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 12, but hung up without saying anything. The phone was later traced to Venice Boulevard and Burlington Avenue, but was no longer active.

City News Service; Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Department