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Search under way in Mendocino National Forest for missing Chico man
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The Glenn County Sheriff's Office and allied agencies are searching for a Chico man who went camping in the Mendocino National Forest over the weekend.
Glenn County Undersheriff Todd James said Alex Canto, 44, was reported missing by his girlfriend Monica Smith on Tuesday.
James said Smith called the sheriff’s office and advised that Canto left on Saturday, traveling to the Mendocino National Forest in Glenn County west of Elk Creek for a camping trip.
Smith advised that she received a text message from Canto at 7:15 p.m. Saturday saying that he was going up 5,000 feet on Forest Highway 7. Smith said that she has not heard from Canto since that time and is concerned for his welfare, James said.
Smith said that Canto is an outdoorsman, hikes and camps frequently and took a cold weather jacket, rain jacket and blankets with him when he left, according to James.
Canto also took his dog “Brava” with him; James said Smith described the dog as being a medium-sized brown short-haired male.
Canto is driving a 1992 charcoal-colored Isuzu Rodeo with prominent rust damage around the body of the vehicle with California License 3DFL701, James said.
James described Canto as a white male adult, 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing pounds, with brown hair and hazel eyes. It is unknown what Canto was wearing when he went missing. Smith advised authorities that Canto is in good health.
On Wednesday members of the Glenn County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team were called and conducted a search of Forest Highway 7 from C/R 306 to the Mendocino County line, including all campgrounds in the area, James said.
James said Canto has not been located and the area being searched is very large with numerous off road trails.
Mendocino County has been advised and will be searching their side of the Mendocino Forest, and on Thursday the California Highway Patrol will be flying the forest in an attempt to locate Canto, his vehicle or both, James said.
A “ping” on Canto’s cell phone showed that the phone was off and had not been used since Saturday, the day he went into the forest, according to James.
Anyone with information on Canto’s current location is urged to contact the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office at 530-934-6431.