NORTH JUDSON | Zachary Scutchfield, 18, the U.S. Army soldier who was sought by North Judson and Starke County authorities Monday after being described as armed and "mentally distraught" was taken into custody early Tuesday morning.

Scutchfield's grandfather, Willie, said his grandson was picked up by police sometime between 7 and 7:30 a.m. Tuesday along Ind. 39 after getting a ride with someone who was dropping him off. Scutchfield was spotted by police and went with the officers willingly, his grandfather said. He turned over his two weapons and ammunition to police.

"He's a rational kid. I never believed he was a danger to himself or anyone else," said Willie Scutchfield, who added his grandson's episode may have been "blown a little out of proportion." He believes his grandson, who enlisted last year, needed some time to "think things through" when he left the base.

"He's a pretty sharp kid," he said. "He knows right from wrong. He had no intentions of hurting anybody."

Willie Scutchfield said his grandson is in Starke County Jail and two military police from Fort Knox in Kentucky were on their way to pick him up.

He said he was told by his grandson's platoon sergeant that Zachary was not officially AWOL on Monday. That designation was not effective until 6 a.m. Tuesday, just a little more than an hour before he gave himself up to police. Willie Scutchfield said Army officials told him his grandson would be evaluated and counseled by the Army, but he was not told if the soldier would face any charges.

Police began searching for Zachary Scutchfield on Monday morning when he disappeared after reportedly arguing with his grandfather. He was reportedly armed. He was last seen at 11 a.m. Monday in the town park and police locked down North Judson-San Pierre schools as a precaution for a time Monday afternoon while they cleared the area.

Police did not return telephone calls Tuesday to discuss the incident.