Judge Denies Injunction To Stop Distribution Of $1.2M Dorner Reward

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A judge denied an injunction Friday stopping the distribution of the $1.2 million reward offered in the Christopher Dorner case.

The restraining order was filed on behalf of Rick Heltebrake who's truck was carjacked by Dorner on Feb. 12 in Big Bear.

"This is round one of a 12 round fight and we're gonna keep the litigation going," attorney Allen Thomas.

He claims his call to a local deputy led authorities to Dorner's whereabouts before the quadruple-murder suspect ultimately barricaded himself inside a cabin and took his own life.

"I believe it was my call that directly led the end of the largest manhunt in California history," Heltebrake said.

The Los Angeles Police Department announced Tuesday that three parties, excluding Heltebrake, will split the reward which is made up from various contributing agencies.

In a document posted online, the department said a three-judge panel decided 80 percent of the money ($800,000) will go to Jim and Karen Reynolds, the couple who called 911 after they were tied up and held at gun point by Dorner at their Big Bear condo.

Fifteen percent of the reward ($150,000) will go to ski resort employee Daniel McGowan, who found Dorner's burned-out pickup truck on the side of a remote Big Bear Lake road.

"He found the truck, which initiated the manhunt in Big Bear. Before that they were looking in Mexico, in Las Vegas, in Utah. This was pure evidence that this was Dorner and he was on foot," said McGowan's attorney, Daniel Romey.

Lastly, 5 percent ($50,000) will go to R. Lee McDaniel, a tow truck driver who spotted Dorner at an AM/PM in Corona Feb. 7. McDaniel's sighting led to two shootouts between law enforcement and Dorner.

The panel said Heltebrake's information came after officers were already engaged with Dorner.

"The factual findings by that three judge tribunal is inaccurate. It was Mr. Heltebrake call at 12:40 p.m. to Deputy Frankin that led directly to Mr. Dorner's capture," Thomas said.

The reward is expected to be distributed to the chosen recipients sometime Friday.

"They've been waiting patiently, a very long time, it's been three months now," the Reynold's attorney, Kirk Hallam, said.

Heltebrake has also filed a $1 million lawsuit against the city of Los Angeles, Riverside County and others who have contributed to the reward.

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