Man Who Went Missing From Dunkin' Found Safe, Returns Home: Police

MOKENA, IL — Mokena police on Monday said the missing man they had asked the public's assistance in finding has been found and has returned safely home.

Harsh Patel, 19, was found by his parents Monday afternoon, according to Mokena Police Chief Brian Benton.

It was unclear what, if anything, prompted Patel's disappearance, but Mokena detectives continue to work with the family, Benton said.

Police had earlier in the day said 19-year-old Harsh Patel arrived at work at Dunkin', located in the 18700 block of Wolf Road, at approximately 4 a.m. Monday, and placed a call to his father. At approximately 4:30 a.m., a second employee arrived to find that the store had not been opened and both Patel and his car, a 2011 black Toyota Prius, were gone.

Video from the store had earlier showed what appeared to be Patel’s 2011 black Toyota Prius and another vehicle leave the scene together. Patel’s license plate was later observed on a license plate reader camera near Wilmington a short time later, according to police.