Missing California woman might be in LV, authorities say

Authorities say a California woman who has been missing for nine months since she walked out of a sheriff's station might have been spotted at a Las Vegas hotel and they're pleading for her to contact her family.

Las Vegas police Capt. Kevin McClure announced Thursday that an acquaintance reported seeing Mitrice Richardson recently at the Rio.

McClure says the sighting is unverified but if the 25-year-old is in town, she should let police and family know she's safe. Los Angeles County authorities say she's not in trouble and doesn't face arrest.

Richardson, who has bipolar disorder, vanished on Sept. 16 after she was briefly detained at a sheriff's station near Malibu, Calif., for failing to pay a restaurant bill. She walked away from the station because her car was impounded.

The police and sheriff's officials said Thursday that a $25,000 reward is being offered by the City of Malibu and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas for information about Richardson.