Man with early signs of dementia missing in Palm Desert

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KABC) -- A 71-year-old San Ramos man with early signs of dementia was reported missing Wednesday night near Palm Desert.

He is described as a white man, 6 feet 5 inches tall, weighing 250 pounds with blonde and white hair, blue eyes and light skin. He was last seen wearing a dark jacket, dark golf shirt and dark jeans.

At 8 a.m. Wednesday, Gerald Fitzsimmons left his home to visit his brother in Palm Desert. Around 8:30 p.m., he contacted his brother on his cell phone asking for specific driving directions from the Coachella Valley. He said he was located near Monterey Avenue and Varner Road in Thousand Palms.

Fitzsimmons was having a difficult time navigating and identifying his location, according to authorities. His phone was then disconnected and has not been seen or heard from since.

Because of Fitzsimmons mental health, Palm Desert Police place him in significant risk. Fitzsimmons is believed to be driving a black 2015 Dodge Caravan Minivan with the California license plate number 7HBW715.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Fitzsimmons is asked to dial 911.