New information shows homicide suspect Christopher Dorner stopped at a San Diego-area military base and spoke to two sailors just hours before a boatjacking at a San Diego marina.
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Dorner, 33, approached two sailors attending security training in the parking lot near Navy Outlying Field in Imperial Beach around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6, according to officials. He had checked in to a base hotel at Naval Base Point Loma on Feb. 4.
Dorner approached the sailors and asked them about command employment, their current commander and the commander name. The sailors said Dorner was driving a gray Nissan Titan truck and spoke with them for around 10 minutes, saying he had served as a sailor.
He was dressed in civilian clothes and stayed inside the car while he spoke with them, then afterward he drove toward the main gate of the Naval facility, according to the sailors.
Hours later, Dorner allegedly attempted to steal a boat at the Southwestern Yacht Club located at 2702 Qualtrough Street around 10:30 p.m.
The sailors reported the incident to their chain of command after seeing Dorner’s face on the news the next day.
Navy officials are working with local law enforcement to help in the investigation. The sailors will be questioned by NCIS for more information on this interaction, said officials.
Dorner used to work as a reservist in the Navy while he served as a Los Angeles police officer. He is wanted in connection for multiple shootings throughout southern California.
Officials are working to determine if charred remains found Tuesday after a deadly shootout at a Big Bear-area cabin are those of Dorner. The former LAPD officer was wanted in a series of shooting deaths that were part of a revenge plot involving law enforcement agents and their families.
