Officer Returns; Police Investigate His Disappearance
A Los Angeles police sergeant who disappeared last week and was the subject of an intensive three-day search in Ventura County has returned home safely, explaining to supervisors that he hitchhiked to Northern California because he needed to think over personal problems, authorities said Sunday.
Christopher Vasquez, 41, a 20-year veteran assigned to the North Hollywood Division, told authorities he left his Moorpark townhouse without his car, wallet or any money Dec. 10 and hitchhiked 250 miles to Salinas before returning Saturday night.
“He left his house voluntarily and he returned voluntarily,” Police Sgt. Rick Webb said. “He said he left to collect his thoughts because he was having personal problems and needed some time to think.”
Police said Vasquez and his wife separated recently.
“He literally lived on the streets until he returned home,” Webb said. “He had no money, nothing.”
Police said Vasquez has been placed on “special assignment status” while a personnel investigation of his disappearance is conducted. Police said they will attempt to confirm the officer’s explanation and determine if he is fit to return to regular duty.
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