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Dorner manhunt: LAPD will give new truck to women shot by officers

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Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck will provide a new truck to two women injured by officers in pursuit of fugitive ex-cop Christopher Jordan Dorner, a police spokesman said Saturday.

Margie Carranza, 47, and her mother, Emma Hernandez, 71, were delivering newspapers in Torrance early Thursday when LAPD officers riddled their blue Toyota Tacoma with bullets. Hernandez was shot twice in the back, and Carranza sustained minor injuries from broken glass.

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Beck has called the incident “a tragic misinterpretation” by officers working under ‘incredible tension” hours after Dorner allegedly shot three police officers, one fatally.

FULL COVERAGE: Sweeping manhunt for ex-cop

At the time, Dorner was believed to be driving a gray Nissan Titan.

Hernandez has been released from the hospital and is recuperating at home. Cmdr. Andrew Smith said he and Beck met separately with the two women Saturday. The truck will be purchased using money from donors, Smith said.

The action does not necessarily preclude a lawsuit from the women or a settlement.

The women’s attorney, Glen T. Jonas, said, ‘The family appreciates that Chief Beck apologized on behalf of the LAPD.’

At a news conference at LAPD headquarters Saturday, police officials said they have formed a joint task force to find Dorner, who at one time was believed to be in Big Bear and has since eluded capture.

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

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In addition to the Riverside police officer, authorities believe Dorner killed a young Irvine couple in revenge for his firing from the LAPD four years ago. The father of one victim is a former LAPD captain who represented Dorner in his review hearing.

More than 50 LAPD personnel named in what authorities say is an online manifesto by Dorner continue to receive police protection, Smith said.

Also Saturday, the LAPD said it will open an investigation into Dorner’s dismissal, including his allegations that his training officer kicked a mentally ill man during an arrest and that some of his fellow police officers were racist. The investigation will also include issues raised in the manifesto that were not part of Dorner’s personnel file.

In a written statement, Beck said he is concerned that ‘the ghosts of the LAPD’s past’ will be resurrected by Dorner’s allegations of racism within the department.

‘I do this not to appease a murderer. I do it to reassure the public that their police department is transparent and fair in all the things we do,’ Beck said.

DOCUMENT: Read the manifesto

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Meanwhile, law enforcement officials continue to look for Dorner “under every rock, in every corner” and on “every mountaintop,” said Christopher Vicino, assistant chief of the Riverside Police Department.

“I’m certain we will catch him. It’s just a matter of time,” Vicino said.

The burned pickup belonging to Dorner that was found in Big Bear had a broken axle and weapons were found inside, authorities said. The truck is being processed by the Irvine Police Department, a police spokesman told The Times on Saturday afternoon. Another law enforcement officer confirmed that weapons were found inside the truck.

Extra security will be deployed at Sunday’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles “just to be on the safe side,” Smith said.

ALSO: Dorner manhunt: Search resumes in Big Bear mountains

Dorner manhunt: Officers opened fire on mother, daughter

Dorner had history of complaints against fellow LAPD officers

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-- Cindy Chang and Andrew Blankstein

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