Police: Missing autistic man found safe

A 23-year-old autistic man was found safe Friday after having gone missing for nearly 24 hours, a police news release stated.

 Israel Tavira, of Andrews, was last seen Thursday at around 6 p.m. near Walmart, 4210 JBS Parkway, and was reported being found by oilfield workers about seven miles away near Loop 338 and North Highway 385 at around 5 p.m. Friday.

Tavira walked out of the Walmart while his guardian was paying, the release stated. After he was found, the Ector County Sheriff’s Office brought Tavira to the Odessa Police Department where he would be released to his family, the release stated.

@OAcrime