Missing Granite City boy found safe

A 15-year-old boy who was reported missing Thursday has been located and is safe, the Granite City Police Department said in a release Thursday night.

Gabriel T. Johnson, who police said has autism, left home in the 2100 block of Delmar Avenue on Wednesday at 11:15 p.m. and had not returned by Thursday morning, according to his mother.

Capt. Nick Novacich said in a news release the department will have no comment on the direct circumstances surrounding Johnson’s location and will not divulge where he was found.

“We would however like to take this opportunity to thank our community and the local media for their help in locating this young man and aiding in his safe return,” the department’s release said.