Daniel Proctor, a man the Lee County Sheriff’s Office named a suspect in the disappearance of Amy Patterson, a Mariner Middle School teacher, was located and taken into custody early Monday morning in Okeechobee, Fla.

According to a report from the LCSO, Proctor was found sleeping in a stolen vehicle at 3:45 a.m. by members of the U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force. The car was discovered in a hotel parking lot.

Proctor was taken into custody without incident and transported back to Lee County. The Sheriff’s Office indicated Proctor is being held on Alabama warrants for grand theft auto and theft of a firearm.

The 1997 white, Ford Explorer he was found in has been impounded and turned over to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Forensics Unit. The vehicle was reported stolen in Alabama along with a .38 caliber handgun, according to the LCSO.

Patterson, 41, of 16005 Bowline St., Bokeelia, has not been seen or heard from since mid- to late July. The Mariner Middle teacher did not report for work when classes began July 25.

Late last week, the Sheriff’s Office reported that Patterson is “likely” a victim of domestic homicide.

The investigation into the disappearance of Patterson continues.

Proctor, 44, and Patterson lived together at the Bokeelia residence.

Although they lived on Pine Island, it is believed that Proctor is originally from Alabama. Initial reports indicated that Proctor fled in Patterson’s vehicle to Alabama, where the car was discovered abandoned.

According to a note discovered in Alabama, it was believed that Proctor was headed back to Florida.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 239-477-1000 or, to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 dollars, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).