NEW PORT RICHEY

DEPUTIES SEARCH FOR MISSING GUN LEFT IN BK BATHROOM

The Pasco County Sheriff's Office said it is looking for a man that it claims stole the agency-issued handgun that a plainclothes detective left in a Burger King bathroom Friday.

When the detective went back into the bathroom to get the gun, it was gone, said sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll. He did not identify the detective because of the ongoing investigation or release any other details about how the gun was left in the bathroom.

The weapon likely was taken between 11:29 a.m. and 12:16 p.m., the Sheriff's Office said, from the Burger King at 6319 U.S. 19.

Deputies were looking to question a white male wearing a light-colored sleeveless shirt, black shorts, hiking sneakers, a light-colored hat with sunglasses, and carrying a dark backpack. Surveillance video of the man was also released. Deputies located him late Friday but released no other details.

Doll said the Sheriff's Office likely will conduct an internal investigation into the detective who lost the weapon.

"There probably will be (an inquiry)," Doll said, "but right now we're just focused on finding the gun."