Crime & Safety
New Lenox Man's Grandparents Found Safe
Vernon and Elaine Schweisthal were found about 100 miles away, in Bureau County, Ill.
By Karen Chandra (Elmhurst Patch Editor)
From Elmhurst Police Chief Michael Ruth:
Elmhurst Police are reporting that the missing couple from Elmhurst, Vernon and Elaine Schweisthal, were located Sunday morning in Bureau County, IL.
Find out what's happening in New Lenoxfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A passing motorist noticed a car pulled off the road and onto a side road leading into a high corn field. The motorist called Bureau County Sheriff's Police. A deputy located the car and discovered it was the car belonging to the Schweisthals, who had been reported missing and endangered.
Ruth has confirmed that the Elmhurst couple missing since Friday morning have been found in Bureau County, Ill.
Find out what's happening in New Lenoxfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The vehicle was inoperable and the couple appeared to be suffering from dehydration. Both Vernon and Elaine were transported to a local hospital in Bureau County for observation.
He said Vernon and Elaine Schweisthal have been "transported to a local hospital for evaluation."
"We are relieved to hear that they have been located and are safe," Ruth said via email.
According to a Facebook page set up on Saturday to help find the couple, that hospital is in Princeton. The Facebook page and website was put together by the couple's grandson, New Lenox's Nick Byerley, owner of PageDesk, 14557 W. Edison Drive.
Byerley used his expertise in web development to track down and rescue his grandparents.
In a matter of 14 hours, the "Help Find Vernon and Elaine Schweisthal" Facebook page had more than 560 "likes," dozens of tips and suggestions, and myriad offers of help. The page is now is alive with hundreds of expressions of gratitude and congratulations.
READ: New Lenox Man Sets Up Website to Rescue Missing Grandparents
A post by the family said the couple was seen at a Road Ranger in Princeton at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Schweisthals were believed to have been on their way to visit friends for lunch in Mount Prospect on Friday morning, but they never arrived at their destination. Another post from the family said "They took 34, which is Ogden Ave."
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
Ann Piasecki contributed to the story.
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