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Customers Shocked By Rape Allegations Against Seal Beach Chef

SEAL BEACH (CBSLA) — A man was arrested Sunday in Seal Beach on suspicion of raping a woman after the victim reported to police that she couldn't remember how she got to an unfamiliar apartment.

According to the Seal Beach Police Department, the victim says she was at Bistro St. Germain in the 300 block of Main Street last Tuesday night when one of the chefs, 55-year-old Darryl Lee Matanane, served her a spiked alcoholic drink.

The victim then told police that she was taken to an unfamiliar apartment and was sexually assaulted.

"The victim does not remember how she got into the apartment," Seal Beach police Sgt. Michael Henderson. "During the course of the investigation, detectives identified Matanane as the suspect in the incident."

Local residents and patrons of the restaurant were shocked to hear the news.

"I think he's a great guy, so definitely very surprised," said customer Lisa Johnston. "I'm a female, and I understand the, you know, [#MeToo] movement and all that. I still think it's unfair, you know, for people to lose what they've worked so hard for without going to trial and having due process," Johnston said.

Police said Bistro St. Germain is cooperating fully with their investigation.

The restaurant said in a statement Matanane was suspended pending the probe's outcome.

Police said they released Matanane's booking photo because they believe there might be more victims out there.

The Matanane is being held in the Orange County jail on $100,000 bail.

Seal Beach police ask that anyone with information about the incident contact them at (562) 799-4100, ext. 1109.

(©2018 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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