Missing bike-riding Petaluma man found safe

RANDI ROSSMANN
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Missing Petaluma bicyclist John "Joe" Wirth, 49, was found during the night, according to Petaluma police.

A patrol officer searching roads leading out of town found Wirth a few miles outside of the city, said Sgt. Andrew Urton in a release Sunday night.

Wirth, who suffers from a brain injury, is known to take extremely lengthy bike rides that have taken him out of Sonoma County.

He's been found in Fairfield, St. Helena and Benicia, police have reported.

Sunday Wirth left his Petaluma home at about 8 a.m. on a ride and hadn't returned by nightfall, prompting family members to contact police.

Petaluma police said Wirth was found a few miles out of town on Lakeville Highway, riding toward Highway 37.

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