Lakeland Couple In Silver Alert Found Safe

LAKELAND, FL -- A Lakeland couple was found safe on Thursday after police issued a silver alert for them.

"Recovered in Ohio unharmed and it appears they wanted to take a road trip," said Gary Gross of the Lakeland Police Department. "Case closed and no criminal charges or issues."

Earlier on Thursday Gross told Patch that the 62-year-old William Brooks Hooten and his 79-year-old wife Cruz Virgil Hooten had apparently gone on a trip to Ohio.

"Nothing unusual according to detectives. They packed and took their dog on a trip," he said.

He said the silver alert remained in effect because the couple suffers from various medical conditions and shouldn't have been driving.

"When law enforcement find them they'll make sure that their OK and notify relatives," Gross said during the earlier interview.

The couple had been last seen around 8 p.m. Tuesday in the 400 block of South Florida Avenue in Lakeland.

Gross said the couple hadn't told anyone about their travel plans.

"The couple did not tell anyone where they were going and it is unknown who is driving," said Gross.