Pastor missing from Lino Lakes is found safe

UPDATE 3:30 p.m.: The Minnesota BCA has canceled its alert to find Thomas Biatek, saying he has been found safe.

No details have been provided as to where he was found and where he had been since going missing.

"Thank you to all assisting agencies," the Minnesota BCA said.

Original story

Police are searching for a retired pastor from Lino Lakes who has been missing since Wednesday morning.

Thomas George Biatek, 61, was last seen at 1383 Pheasant Hills Drive when he left his home at around 10:30 a.m. to purchase a battery and return home for a waiting contractor.

Biatek did not return home and the Apple air tag on his keys showed that he went to Wyoming, then Princeton, then Onamia, where he bought fuel, then proceeded back south on Highway 169.

He is driving a 2020 turquoise blue Subaru Forester with the Minnesota license plate EXV170. His last known location was Milaca.

He has previously working with the Prospect Park United Methodist Church and Arlington Hills United Methodist Church in Maplewood as recently as 2021.