After close to six weeks of being considered missing, UCLA
student Ahmad Arain returned to his Anaheim home unharmed late
Sunday evening, family members said. Arain’s family members
picked him up from the California-Mexico border after Arain
contacted them and notified them of his whereabouts, said close
family friend Shakeel Syed, adding that Arain had been confused and
ended up in Tijuana, Mexico, by bus. Though many of the details
surrounding Arain’s return remain unclear, family members
said Arain is currently home and safe and that the family will
release a detailed explanation of the situation early Tuesday.
University police released a statement earlier in the day Sunday
indicating that Arain’s family had contacted and notified the
department that Arain had been located. The release also stated
that UCPD plans to send investigators to Arain’s home to
decide whether further investigation is necessary. Arain went
missing July 23 when he took an MTA bus from his home, intended for
UCLA. Police surveillance had shown that his last known location
was a residential neighborhood on San Vicente Boulevard, about 6
miles from campus. Family members had previously offered a $20,000
reward for any information leading to Arain’s safe
return.