San Luis Obispo’s police chief is thanking the community for their help and support in recovering her gun that was taken earlier this week when she left it in a San Luis Obispo restaurant restroom.
Deanna Cantrell declined to comment further on Friday aside from saying she is “incredibly grateful it (the gun) was not used in a malicious manner.”
Wednesday night, the chief took to YouTube to announce that she had left her gun, which police say was loaded, in the restroom at El Pollo Loco in San Luis Obispo. By the time she realized she was missing it, the gun was gone.
Police released surveillance photos of the man they believed took it.
He reportedlyturned it in to authorities Thursday evening and admitted to finding it in the restaurant’s restroom where he put it into his pocket and took it to his Los Osos home.
Cantrell says she expects disciplinary action to be taken against her by city leaders.
As of Friday morning, the city manager’s office said it was still reviewing what, if any, action would be taken against the chief.
San Luis Obispo Police Captain Chris Staley says a criminal investigation is underway regarding the gun being taken.
The man who took it, identified by police as Skeeter Carlos Mangan, was not arrested but could face charges, according to Staley.
The police captain would not disclose what charges the 30-year-old may face or whether he has any criminal history.
Cantrell has voluntarily agreed to attend training on firearms safety practices, according to city officials.
She has called her actions irresponsible and dangerous and admits she was complacent, “something you can never be with a firearm,” she said.
