Photo: Matthew Goldsmith
Originally published as a San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office press release –
“On 1-24-22, a Sheriff’s Office civilian employee with a concealed weapons (CCW) permit left his firearm in the bathroom of the jail lobby.
The employee had just arrived for work and was in the process of taking a COVID test. A recently released inmate identified as 51-year-old Matthew Goldsmith, is believed to have taken the gun from that location.
It’s believed Goldsmith left in a vehicle toward the city of San Luis Obispo. Goldsmith had been arrested the prior day by San Luis Obispo Police on a charge of being drunk in public.
Once it was determined the firearm had been taken, an investigation was started immediately. Deputies, CHP and San Luis Obispo Police began a search for the suspect.
Approximately 45 minutes later, Goldsmith was located near Santa Rosa Street and Foothill Boulevard in San Luis Obispo and the firearm was recovered.
Goldsmith was arrested on a charge of a felon in possession of a firearm. A criminal investigation is being conducted as well as an internal investigation into the actions of the civilian employee.”
