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Updated Oct 16, 2012, 4:21 pm  Originally posted Oct 16, 2012, 3:12 pm

Dylan Smith TucsonSentinel.com

A Pinal County Sheriff's Office air unit located a missing 65-year-old Red Rock man Tuesday afternoon. David Valdez, who suffers from dementia, had last been seen around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, a department spokesman said.

Valdez was found in a desert area about 5 miles from his home, said Tim Gaffney, PCSO's communications director.

"He is now being taken home to be reunited with family members" and is in good health, Gaffney said.

Valdez left his home in the Red Rock subdivision, near Interstate 10, with his Chihuahua dog Tuesday morning, Gaffney said.

His family was "concerned due to the fact David is a diabetic and has stage three dementia," Gaffney said.

"Supervisors on scene said this case could have had a very tragic ending had it not been for the fact the air unit was able to locate him," Gaffney said.