Christopher Dorner manhunt: Irvine police release recent photo
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Irvine police released a more recent photo Friday of fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner, who is wanted in connection with three slayings.
The photo of Dorner, 33, was taken at an Orange County hotel where he was captured on a surveillance video Jan. 28, police said.
Police warned that Dorner is believed to be armed with an assault weapon and is considered dangerous.
PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer
Dorner is a suspect in the killing of a couple seated in their car at an Irvine condominium complex in the 2100 block of Scholarship in Irvine on Sunday.
The couple killed were Cal State Fullerton assistant coach Monica Quan, 28, and USC public safety Officer Keith Lawrence, 27.
Police are struggling to discern a pattern in Dorner’s recent movements. A burly man matching his description tried to steal a boat about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Southwestern Yacht Club in Point Loma, tying up the elderly owner, threatening him with a gun and saying he wanted to flee to Mexico. The thief gave up when a rope got tangled in the propeller. Dorner’s old LAPD badge was found a short distance from the boat.
PHOTOS: A fugitive’s life on Facebook
Three hours later, 100 miles away near an offramp of Interstate 15 in Corona, a resident recognized Dorner’s Nissan Titan pickup truck and flagged down LAPD officers who were en route to guarding one of his would-be targets, police said.
After a brief chase, Dorner opened fire with a rifle, grazing one officer in the head with a bullet that came within inches of killing him. Police returned fire, but the gunman escaped.
Minutes later in nearby Riverside, two city police officers were attacked as they sat in their marked patrol car at a red light at the corner of Magnolia and Arlington avenues, police said. Bullets penetrated the windshield and struck both officers in the chest, killing a 34-year-old veteran and wounding the 27-year-old officer he was training. That officer is expected to survive.
TIMELINE: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer
It was a ‘cowardly ambush,’ said Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz. Police across the Inland Empire converged on Riverside to help with the manhunt, and officers held rifles and shotguns as they stood guard outside the police station.
Then, Thursday morning, Dorner’s burning pickup was spotted in Big Bear, where the search is now centered.
Police ask that anyone with information about Dorner’s whereabouts call (949) 724-7192 or email ipdcrimetips@cityofirvine.org.
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-- Lauren Williams, Times Community News