Report of Manhunt Suspect in Lakeside a Hoax: Deputies

Law enforcement surrounded a home in Lakeside after a tip that homicide suspect and former Los Angeles police officer Chris Dorner was inside. Hours later, that tip was determined to be a hoax.

A call was made to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department around 11:20 p.m. Thursday reporting that Dorner was at a home in the area near Wildcat Canyon Road and Ketuul Uunyaa Way. The area is near the Barona Casino in San Diego’s East County.

Deputies took the phone call very seriously. Just before 2 a.m., deputies issued a Sig Alert and closed Wildcat Canyon Road between the casino and San Vicente Road.

By 4 a.m., deputies had made contact with someone who had left the home and determined the call had been a hoax.

Even so, deputies cleared the home as a precaution.

Investigators have a pretty good idea who made the call and will be seeking criminal charges, Lt. Jason Rothlein said.

All roads have now been reopened.

Law enforcement agencies from deputies to federal agents spent all night searching the snowy mountains near Big Bear.

Authorities planned a midmorning Friday news conference about 80 miles east of LA at Big Bear Lake, where Dorner's torched pickup was found Thursday.  

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