Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports that an intensive overnight search for a missing youth in Brewster Heights has ended with his safe rescue, after he was spotted by a police helicopter crew in a wooded area this morning.

The youth, Diego Alberto Salazar, aged 19, suffers from severe autism, which renders him verbally uncommunicative, and other health issues that require medication. He went missing yesterday (Thursday) afternoon from his family’s home on Allen Road in Brewster Heights. His family called the Sheriff’s Office at about 5:00 P.M. yesterday and a search was commenced. A command post to direct the search was initially set up in the parking lot of the Putnam County Savings Bank on Route 6 in Brewster Heights, and then later relocated to the headquarters of the Brewster Fire Department.

Over 80 personnel from New York and neighboring Connecticut were involved in the effort, including several police and emergency services agencies, fire departments, first responders, volunteers, and search and rescue teams. Police used tracking dogs and helicopters to search the heavily wooded area between the youth’s home and U.S. Route 6. A mass telephone call was used to alert area residents about the search.

The search efforts continued overnight, with teams combing through the forested area and patrols checking along roadways. At about 8:24 A.M. this morning, a State Police helicopter crew spotted a person in the woods about a half-mile northwest of the residence, and searchers on foot confirmed that it was Mr. Salazar. The youth was reported to be conscious when found and did not appear to be injured. He was taken to Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel to be evaluated before he is to be returned to his home.

Sheriff Smith praised the efforts of the personnel who helped find the lost youth, many of whom were volunteers. Agencies involved in the search included the Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Brewster Police, State Forest Rangers, Westchester County Police, New York City DEP Police, Putnam County Bureau of Emergency Services, Putnam REACT, the New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control, the Westchester Tracking and Rescue Team, Dogs Incorporated, Brewster Fire Dept., Carmel Fire Dept., Kent Fire Dept., Putnam Lake Fire Dept., East Fishkill Fire Dept., Bedford Hills Fire Dept., Croton Falls Fire Dept., Somers Fire Dept., Ball Pond (CT) Fire Dept., New Fairfield (CT) Fire Dept. and Stamford (CT) Fire Dept.