The 90-year-old did not return to the home at the agreed time on Saturday evening following attending an event at the Luther Church in Apolda in central Thuringia, police reported. Despite an extensive search involving six patrol cars, the resident might not be found.
When the church bells rang unusually at around 3:15 a.m., the shift supervisor at the police station became suspicious and immediately sent officers to check the church. The officers heard a male voice behind the church door. After the priest had been called and opened the church, the officers were able to bring the man back to his accommodation safely. He said he had been accidentally locked in. After a long search, he finally found the control for the church bells and turned them on.
