Missing Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca Found in El Monte Restaurant

SAN MARINO, Calif., July 15 (KNN) — The search was on for former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca who went missing Sunday from his home in San Marino, and was later found safe in the city of El Monte.

Baca, who sources say is suffering from Alzheimer’s, was reported missing from his home Sunday evening. He served as the sheriff of Los Angeles County from 1998 to 2014.

A command post was established near his home and search parties fanned out with the assistance of K-9 officers and helicopters as well as numerous allied agencies to look for Baca.

Around 1:15 a.m. Monday morning, San Marino Police Chief John Incontro briefed news media in person on camera, stating that former L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca was found safe and uninjured in the city of El Monte and was reunited with his family and returned home.

Incontro said Baca was found inside a restaurant in El Monte, and the owners called authorities concerned that someone may need some help.

The former sheriff was wearing a bracelet on his wrist that identified who he was and provided a phone number to help reunite him with his family, according to Incontro.

It was through that bracelet that really helped us and helped the other agencies reunite the former sheriff with his family, said Incontro. He made a point by stating to take care of family members if they have that kind of need.

The San Marino Fire Department assessed Baca and determined that he was healthy and uninjured, said Incontro. Any potential medical follow-up will be handled by Baca’s family.

Gabriel Pabon, Video Journalist / KNN

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