LAPEER, MI -- Despite reports that an Oakland County teenager had pedaled more than 100 miles north to forsake modern amenities and commune with nature, he was found 20 or so miles from home.

On Saturday, March 12, Joan Baldiga of Leonard filed a report with the Oakland County Sheriff's Office that her 15-year-old son, Luke D. Baldiga, had run away from home. He left behind notes explaining his motives, said Bay County Undersheriff Troy Cunningham.

"He said he was tired of living with all the luxuries around and wanted to live off the grid," Cunningham said. "He said he was going to take off and live in Huron National Forest. He advised he was quitting school because they couldn't be trusted. He said it was not his parents' fault; he was just fed up and just wanted to live in the forest off the grid.

"His mom told deputies he could ride 50 miles a day with no problem," Cunningham continued.

Huron National Forest encompasses 438,538 acres across Oscoda, Alcona, Iosco, Crawford, and Ogemaw counties in the northern Lower Peninsula.

Baldiga left on a bicycle with a milk crate on it. He took with him $350, some food, and a frying pan.

Social media reports led to people calling Bay County Central Dispatch to report sightings of Baldiga, Cunningham said. Callers reported that they saw him in Essexville, Hampton Township, Pinconning and Tuscola County's Caro, the undersheriff said. Sunday night, deputies, Michigan State Police troopers and Pinconning police searched for him near railroad tracks just outside Pinconning, Cunningham said.

Police searched for the youth on U.S. 23 as far north as Omer, searched M-61 in Gladwin County and checked hotels around Standish, Cunningham said.

"It was quite a big deal with all the law enforcement agencies," Cunningham said.

Nevertheless, it turned out the teen never made it to Bay County.

About 11:30 a.m. Monday morning, a passerby spotted Baldiga riding his bike in Lapeer, said Lapeer Police Chief Todd Alexander.

"Our officer came across him at Nepessing and M-24, at which time the subject went along with the officer without any issue," Alexander said. "He was turned over to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office and returned back home."

In all, Baldiga made it 22.7 miles from his home to where he was found, rather than the approximately 105 miles it would have taken him to reach Pinconning, Cunningham said.