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Dorner manhunt: Investigators examine Sport Chalet video

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As authorities began another day of searching for Christopher Dorner, they turned their attention Tuesday to a video they believe shows the fugitive ex-cop just days before he began his alleged rampage.

The video, which first surfaced Monday night on TMZ, shows a man inside a Torrance Sport Chalet on Feb. 1, calmly walking through the store selecting various items that appear to be scuba equipment, then checking out.

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At a news conference Tuesday, Los Angeles Police Lt. Andy Neiman said investigators have possession of the video and are reviewing it but ‘have not made a determination as to whether that is Chris Dorner in the tape.’

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

Sources familiar with the investigation, however, told The Times that Dorner is believed to be the man in the video, but it was not clear how or if the purchase was related to his alleged crimes. The sources said there was no evidence Dorner had a scuba certification, and it was not believed he had received underwater military training.

All agencies involved in the investigation were briefed on the information, the sources said.

The sources said it is believed Dorner purchased between $5 and $10 of air for scuba tanks from the store. Investigators have a copy of the receipt along with surveillance video, the sources said, though it was unclear what led police to the Sport Chalet. FULL COVERAGE: Sweeping manhunt for ex-cop

Sport Chalet Chief Financial Officer Howard Kaminsky declined to comment late Monday. He referred all inquiries to LAPD media relations.

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Dorner, 33, a former LAPD officer, has evaded authorities since Wednesday night when he was named as the suspect in the slaying of an Irvine couple, a crime that preceded a wave of violence and a law enforcement dragnet across California and Nevada.

On Monday, hundreds of officers across Southern California were searching for the fugitive across several counties. Investigators said they were sifting through more than 1,000 clues, which began pouring in after authorities announced a $1-million reward for information leading to Dorner’s capture.

Dorner allegedly threatened ‘unconventional and asymmetrical warfare’ against police in a lengthy manifesto that authorities say he posted on Facebook. The posting named dozens of potential targets, including police officers, whom Dorner allegedly threatened to attack, according to authorities.

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--Andrew Blankstein, Kate Mather and Matt Stevens

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