Ranger wants $1.2 million reward for Christopher Dorner capture

GlobalPost

The camp ranger who was carjacked by fugitive ex-cop Christopher Dorner in California has filed a claim for the $1.2 million reward offered for Dorner’s capture, but he may have some competition.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the ranger, Rick Heltebrake, said in his claim that he was driving on Glass Road in Big Bear national park when a man jumped out of a snow bank and pointed a gun at him.

"Mr Heltebrake immediately recognized this man as Christopher Dorner," wrote his attorney Allen L. Thomas in the Feb. 19 reward claim.

Heltebrake said fugitive carjacked him and left him on the side of the road with his dog. 

Heltebrake, a full-time ranger at Boy Scouts-owned Camp Tahquitz, called 911 and a short time later police arrived and surrounded a cabin where Dorner was later found dead.

More from GlobalPost: Report: Body of fugitive Christopher Dorner found in burned out cabin

But while Heltebrake wants the entire reward to himself, there could be other claimants.

Possible candidates for the collection are Karen and Jim Reynolds, who called 911 before Heltebrake after having been tied up by the escapee, Fox News reported.

Dorner stole the couple's car and was fleeing from the Reynolds' apartment when he encountered Heltebrake.

A spokeswoman for LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s office said Friday it had “no additional information at this time” and referred to the joint statement from Villaraigosa and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck issued on February 14, ABC News reported.

“Now that the search for Christopher Dorner appears to have concluded, we are addressing the issue of the $1 million reward,” the statement said.

“More than 20 jurisdictions and entities are involved in this reward, so all of them will be coming together to collectively determine whether any individual or individuals qualify for it.

"Our personal hope is that the reward will be distributed, but we must follow the rules and respect the procedures of each entity.”

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