Authorities searching for a former LAPD officer wanted in three shooting deaths asked Big Bear residents Tuesday to review surveillance camera video that might help investigators track down 33-year-old Christopher Dorner, whose burned-out pickup was found in the mountain resort community east of Los Angeles.
Timeline: Revenge-Plot Slayings | Read: Full Manifesto | Map: LAPD Manhunt | Tips: 213-486-6860
Dorner's Nissan Titan pickup was found Thursday morning south of Big Bear Lake about seven hours after he allegedly opened fire on officers in Riverside County. On Tuesday, investigators asked residents in the cities of Big Bear Lake, Moonridge, Sugarloaf, 7 Oaks Community (Converse Flats), Bluff Lake, Jenks Lake and Angelus Oaks who have surveillance cameras at their residences to review the video, starting on midnight Feb. 7.
"As the investigation progresses, new ideas come up as far as possible ways to gather information about Dorner or anybody associated with Dorner," said LAPD Lt. Andy Neiman at a Tuesday morning news conference. "That search is ongoing and continues as it has since the day we discovered evidence."
The search for Dorner, fired from the LAPD in 2008, has included Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties and the San Diego area. Teams on the ground and in the air searched the Big Bear area after Thursday's discovery of Dorner's burning pickup, but authorities said there have been no reported sightings of Dorner in the San Bernardino Mountains resort community.
About 30 law enforcement personnel remained in Big Bear Tuesday morning, five days after Dorner allegedly shot and killed an officer in Riverside -- the last confirmed sighting of the suspect. Neiman also was asked about reports that Dorner might have fled to Mexico.
"Early on, we had information that (Dorner) had attempted to abscond with a boat in the San Diego area," Neiman said. "Indications were that he was possibly going down to Mexico. Based on that information, our investigators were preparing to follow up."
An affidavit filed Feb. 7 in federal court by the U.S. Marshal Service was "in preparation to assist" in that investigation.
"That in no way indicates Dorner was or was not in Mexico," Neiman said.
Neiman also addressed surveillance video that TMZ obtained from a Sports Chalet store. The video shows a man purchasing scuba gear, but authorities have not confirmed that the individual in the video is Dorner, Neiman said.
Dorner was charged Monday with murder in the shooting death of Riverside Officer Michael Crain, who was with a trainee when they were ambushed at a stop light, according to prosecutors.
A memorial for Crain -- the father of two children -- is scheduled for Wednesday.
Dorner also is a suspect in the Feb. 3 shooting deaths of a former LAPD captain's daughter and her fiance. He was identified Wednesday as a suspect in the shooting deaths of Monica Quan, 28, and her fiancé, Keith Lawrence, 27.
The Quan family is one of several with law enforcement connections identified as targets in Dorner's online manifesto. Dorner repeatedly refers to Quan's father as being involved in his 2008 firing from the LAPD.
More Than 1,000 Tips, More Reward Money
Agencies have received more than 1,000 tips regarding the case since the LAPD announced a $1 million reward Sunday, Neiman said Tuesday morning.
More money is expected to be added to the $1 million reward announced Sunday by the LAPD. The Los Angeles City Council plans to consider a motion Tuesday to provide $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Dorner.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors also plans to consider a motion Tuesday to offer a $100,000 reward in the case. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors plans to consider a motion to offer a $100,000 reward on Wednesday.
"This is causing panic and havoc for a lot of people," said LA Councilman Dennis Zine. "There are potential victims throughout this region.
Photo Credit: AP