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Category: Ex-officer manhunt

Dorner captives stake claim to $1.2-million reward

The Big Bear couple tied up and held captive by ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner are staking their claim to the $1.2-million reward offered for his capture.

In letters sent to the city of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, an attorney for Karen and Jim Reynolds says the couple’s phone call to police after Dorner fled in their car was the “only information provided to law enforcement” that led to the end of the manhunt.

Dorner was tracked to Big Bear, where he holed up in the Reynolds’ home. He tied them up and stole their car. He crashed it and carjacked another man, Rick Heltebrake, and was eventually chased by authorities to a cabin, where he shot himself as sheriff’s deputies closed in and the cabin burned to the ground.

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

Dorner was wanted for killing an Irvine couple and two law enforcement officers and wounding others in a nine-day rampage across five Southern California counties, for the sake of revenge. Dorner said in a manifesto police believe he posted online that he wanted to clear his name and hunt down those responsible for his firing from the LAPD.

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$40,000 check given to women mistakenly shot at in Dorner manhunt

Police officers protecting a high-ranking LAPD official from fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner fired on this blue Toyota Tacoma, injuring two women delivering newspapers.
A $40,000 check for a new vehicle was delivered Monday to an attorney representing the women whose truck was riddled with bullets by LAPD officers during last month's manhunt for fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner, city officials said.

City Atty. Carmen Trutanich said in a statement the tax-free payment would cover the cost of the pickup and other property. The deal was announced Thursday — several weeks after the women were promised a new truck, and two days after they publicly complained through Jonas that they had not received a new vehicle.

"I am thankful that this matter could be resolved in a quick and efficient manner," Trutanich said in a statement Monday. “The settlement negotiated by my office for the damage done to the truck was the legal and morally right thing to do both for the individuals involved and the taxpayers of this city."

FULL COVERAGE: Sweeping manhunt for ex-cop

Officials stressed that this deal was to compensate the women for the loss of the truck and is separate from any discussions regarding potential litigation involving the LAPD shooting incident in Torrance.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck had pledged to provide the truck to Margie Carranza, 47, and her mother, Emma Hernandez, 71, who were delivering newspapers in Torrance on Feb. 7 when LAPD officers fired repeatedly on their blue Toyota Tacoma.

Hernandez was shot twice in the back, and Carranza was injured by broken glass.

The officers were protecting the home of a high-ranking LAPD official named in a threatening manifesto authorities said was written by Dorner, and they believed that official could have been a potential target. Dorner at the time had already killed the daughter of an LAPD captain, her fiance — a USC police officer — and a Riverside police officer, officials said.

Dorner was believed to be driving a gray Nissan Titan and there was a crime broadcast preceding the shooting that said a truck matching Dorner's was in the area.

Beck called the shooting "a tragic misinterpretation" by officers working under "incredible tension" hours after Dorner allegedly shot police officers. He promised to provide a truck from a donor regardless of potential litigation by the women.

The women's attorney, Glen Jonas, said last week the women were first offered a used truck, then a non-four-wheel-drive Ford to replace their four-wheel-drive Toyota. The women also had to agree not to sell it for a year. His clients agreed to that truck, he said.

But then the dealership and LAPD officials said the truck would be considered a prize for tax purposes, Jonas said. "Essentially, they'd have to pay taxes like they won it on a game show."

Jonas said the situation has been compounded by the fact that the women haven't been able to work since being injured.

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Photo: Police officers protecting a high-ranking LAPD official from fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner fired on this blue Toyota Tacoma, injuring two women delivering newspapers. Credit: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times

Dorner case: Women shot at by LAPD could get $40,000 payment soon

Two women whose truck was riddled by police gunfire during the pursuit of fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner could get a $40,000 cash settlement to replace their vehicle within the next few days, officials say.

It remains to be determined how much additional compensation they will receive for the incident.

City Atty. Carmen Trutanich and the women's attorney, Glen Jonas, stressed Thursday that the deal to compensate the women for the loss of the truck is separate from any discussions regarding potential litigation involving the LAPD shooting incident in Torrance.

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

“Now that we resolved the issue of the truck, we can now move forward in this matter in an attempt to resolve the other issues in this case related to personal injury aspects,” Trutanich said.

Jonas said he’s optimistic that an agreement can be reached in those matters.

“If we can come to an agreement on the value regarding the damages suffered, then the case can be resolved,” Jonas said. “I’m hopeful that we can do that based on the fact that we were able to work out this issue.”

In addition to the payment, Jonas has agreed to waive $25,000 in attorney fees.

FULL COVERAGE: Sweeping manhunt for ex-cop

The agreement comes several weeks after the women were promised a new truck -- and two days after they publicly complained through Jonas that they had not received a new vehicle.

Continue reading »

Glendale indicates it will ban gun shows

 
This post has been corrected. See note at bottom for details.

The Glendale City Council indicated Tuesday night it will vote to ban gun shows in the city.

Citing several examples of gun violence recently –- including the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut, ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner’s rampage and the Aurora, Colo., theater shooting in 2012 -– the council indicated it will vote next week to approve the ban.

The law would also ban firearms and ammunition from all city property with few exceptions, including for police officers and active military personnel.

“While government at all levels has a substantial interest in protecting the public from firearm-related harm and death, local governments have the predominant obligation to do so,” the City Council agenda reads.

Glendale hosts three gun shows annually, each netting the city between $18,000 and $19,000.

The city hosted a gun show the first weekend of March at the Glendale Civic Center, which is across the street from a community college. A clause in the city’s contract with the gun show operators allows the city to back out of its agreement without reason, according to a city staff report.

Gun manufacturers and sellers already in place in Glendale would not be affected. The city has 37 firearms dealers, including one pawnbroker, two manufacturers, 15 traditional dealers and 19 collectors.

“This gun show being banned on Glendale city property won’t make any difference on anybody’s ability to purchase a gun,” Councilwoman Laura Friedman said at Tuesday’s meeting, according to the Glendale News Press.

Councilman Ara Najarian opposed the law.

“This is a knee-jerk reaction,” he said. “It’s an emotional reaction.”

One gun show operator at Tuesday’s meeting threatened litigation if the ordinance was adopted. The council will vote for final approval March 19.

[For the record, March 12, 2:06 p.m.: A previous version of this post and headline stated the council had voted to ban gun shows. A vote will be held next week, but a majority of council members expressed strong support Tuesday night for the ban.]

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L.A. Now Live: Women injured during Dorner hunt still without truck

Despite promises from the LAPD, two women injured by police hunting for ex-officer Christopher Dorner have yet to receive a new truck to replace the one officers riddled with bullets.

In a case of mistaken identity, officers fired dozens of rounds at Margie Carranza, 47, and her mother, Emma Hernandez, 71, as the two delivered newspapers in a blue Toyota Tacoma in Torrance. Hernandez was shot twice in the back and Carranza was injured by broken glass.

The shooting came amid incredible tension for the LAPD, which was being targeted by Dorner, a former officer seeking revenge for what he perceived to be his unjust firing from the department. In the days following the shooting, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck promised the women a new truck. But according to their attorney, Beck and the department have yet to deliver on that promise.

Staff writer Richard Winton will join us at 9 a.m. to discuss the latest developments on the LAPD's effort to help the two women.

No new truck yet for women injured during Dorner manhunt

Two women injured by officers in pursuit of ex-cop Christopher Dorner say they no longer want a truck offered to them by the LAPD after they were told they need to pay "prize" taxes on it, their attorney says.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck pledged to provide the truck to Margie Carranza, 47, and her mother, Emma Hernandez, 71, who were delivering newspapers in Torrance last month when LAPD officers riddled their blue Toyota Tacoma with bullets.

Hernandez was shot twice in the back, and Carranza was injured by broken glass. Beck called the shooting "a tragic misinterpretation" by officers working under "incredible tension" hours after Dorner allegedly shot police officers.

FULL COVERAGE: Sweeping manhunt for ex-cop

He promised to provide a truck from a donor regardless of potential litigation by the women.

But Glen Jonas, the women's attorney, said they are still without a truck.

Continue reading »

Dorner case: Women shot by cops still don't have truck promised by LAPD

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck so far hasn't come through on a promise to provide a new truck for two women injured by officers in pursuit of fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner, an attorney for the women said

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck so far hasn't come through on a promise to provide a new truck for two women injured by officers in pursuit of fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner, an attorney for the women said Monday.

Beck last month pledged to provide the truck to Margie Carranza, 47, and her mother, Emma Hernandez, 71, who were delivering newspapers in Torrance when LAPD officers riddled their blue Toyota Tacoma with bullets. Dorner was believed to be driving a gray Nissan Titan.

Hernandez was shot twice in the back, and Carranza sustained injuries from broken glass.

FULL COVERAGE: Sweeping manhunt for ex-cop

Beck called the truck shooting “a tragic misinterpretation” by officers working under "incredible tension” hours after Dorner allegedly shot police officers. He promised to provide a truck from a donor regardless of potential litigation by the women.

But Glen Jonas, an attorney for the woman, said the women are still without a truck.

"After they shot my clients ... this broken promise of a truck donation and the nonsense that followed is a slap in the face," Jonas said.

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

Jonas said the women were first offered a used truck, then a non-four-wheel drive Ford to replace their Toyota four-wheel drive vehicle. The women also had to agree not to sell it for a year. His clients agreed to that truck, he said.

But then the dealership and LAPD officials said the truck would be considered a prize for tax purposes, Jonas said.

"Essentially, they'd have to pay taxes like they won it on a game show," Jonas said.

WHO THEY WERE: Victims in the Dorner case

Continue reading »

Monica Quan's father feared worst on hearing news of Irvine shooting

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

Even as Irvine police were trying to confirm the identities of a young couple found shot to death in an Irvine parking garage on Feb. 3, the department’s on-duty watch commander received a late-night call from former LAPD Capt. Randal Quan.

According to an Irvine detective’s search warrant affidavit released Monday, Quan had seen an early news report of the double-homicide at the condo complex at 2100 Scholarship.

Quan, the document states, was worried that his 28-year-old daughter, Monica, who lived there, might be a victim.

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

Quan explained that his daughter called him every night, but had not returned his calls that night.

The former police captain said his daughter and her fiance, Keith Lawrence, 27, drove in  small white car.

Monica Quan and Keith Lawrence, who were found dead in Lawrence's white Kia Optima, were  the first known homicide victims blamed on fired LAPD officer Christopher Dorner, whose rampage earlier this month also left two law officers dead and culminated in Dorner’s suicide.

WHO THEY WERE: Victims in the Dorner case

Police said Dorner was angry at the elder Quan, who had represented him in the disciplinary case that resulted in his termination from the LAPD in 2009.

In a Facebook post attributed to him, Dorner warned Quan of “deadly consequences for you and your family.”

Monica Quan was the assistant woman's basketball coach at Cal State Fullerton and Lawrence was a campus police officer at USC. The two had met at Concordia Univerity in Irvine, where both played on the school's basketball teams.

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Photo: Monica Quan and Keith Lawrence. Credit: Natasha Belou

Christopher Dorner case: Memorial Sunday for slaying victims

A memorial service for Monica Quan and Keith Lawrence, believed to be the first victims of what authorities said was ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner's deadly rampage, is scheduled Sunday morning at Concordia University in Irvine

A memorial service for Monica Quan and Keith Lawrence, believed to be the first victims of what authorities said was ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner's deadly rampage, is scheduled Sunday morning at Concordia University in Irvine, where the two victims were former students.

The couple met at Concordia, where they both played basketball. Quan, a 28-year-old assistant basketball coach at Cal State Fullerton, and Lawrence, a 27-year-old USC safety officer, were recently engaged before they were shot to death on Feb. 3.

The memorial service at the university is scheduled for 11 a.m.

WHO THEY WERE: Victims in the Dorner case

The service is "going to be extremely tough,'' Tim Preuss, Concordia's dean of arts and science, told City News Service. "Monica and Keith were both great students, great leaders and both were really talented athletes as well.''

"They were widely known, dearly loved," Preuss said. "We're still trying to wrap our heads around this senseless tragedy that took them so quickly and
unexpectedly.''

Authorities found their bodies in Lawrence's car in the parking structure of their condominium complex in Irvine.

Dorner is suspected of targeting them because Quan was the daughter of retired Los Angeles police Capt. Randy Quan, who represented Dorner at a personnel hearing over his firing from the LAPD.

FULL COVERAGE: Sweeping manhunt for ex-cop

Their deaths sparked a massive manhunt for Dorner, who also is accused of killing Riverside police Officer Michael Crain and San Bernardino County sheriff's Deputy Jeremiah MacKay before being cornered in a cabin near Big Bear. Dorner took his own life after a shootout with police.

Concordia representatives said there will be no cameras or video recording devices allowed on campus during the memorial.

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Photo: Monica Quan and Keith Lawrence. Credit: Natasha Belou

Dorner case: Memorial service to be held Sunday for O.C. couple

PHOTOS: Manhunt for ex-LAPD officer

Concordia University will host a memorial service at 11 a.m. Sunday for former students Monica Quan and Keith Lawrence, believed to be the first victims of ex-LAPD officer Christopher Dorner’s rampage.

Quan and Lawrence met at Concordia, where they both played basketball.

Quan, a 28-year-old assistant basketball coach at Cal State Fullerton, and Lawrence, a 27-year-old USC safety officer, were recently engaged before they were shot to death on Feb. 3.

WHO THEY WERE: Victims in the Dorner case

Authorities found them in Lawrence’s car in the parking structure of their condominium complex in Irvine.

Police believe Dorner targeted them because Quan was the daughter of retired Los Angeles police Capt. Randy Quan, who represented Dorner at his firing hearing.

Their deaths sparked a massive manhunt for Dorner, who also is accused of killing Riverside police officer Michael Crain and San Bernardino Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah MacKay before being cornered in a cabin near Big Bear.

FULL COVERAGE: Sweeping manhunt for ex-cop

Concordia representatives said there will be no cameras or video recording devices allowed on campus during the memorial.

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Photo: Monica Quan, left, and her fiance, Keith Lawrence. Photo courtesy of Natasha Belou.

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