ANAHEIM : Shell Offers $5,000 Reward in Slaying

Shell Oil Co. has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for the slaying of a 47-year-old service station attendant.

Shell spokesman Bob Watson said Tuesday that the death of Harold T. Doorenbos, who was fatally bludgeoned while working the midnight shift at the 1200 S. State College Blvd. station, is the type of crime with which the company is familiar.

“This concerns us, and we’ll do everything we can to stop these things,” said Watson, Shell’s senior health, safety and environmental representative in Southern California.

The body of Doorenbos, who had been living in a local motel with his family because of financial difficulties, was found badly beaten inside the station kiosk about 3:45 a.m. with the door to the floor safe swung open.

Police said Tuesday that they have no suspects in the case, and Watson estimated that between $3,000 and $4,000 was taken in the robbery.

Ironically, Watson said, just a week before Doorenbos’ death, station employees were given personal safety instructions to protect them in robbery situations.

In Doorenbos’ case, Watson said it was unknown what caused the attendant to become vulnerable to the suspect or suspects since the kiosk is equipped with bulletproof glass and double-lock doors. Watson said there is a bathroom inside the booth to keep the employees inside and out of possible danger.

“These things (station kiosks) are virtually impervious to assault,” Watson said. “From what we understand he (Doorenbos) was a very friendly type,” Watson said. “He may have left to go out and talk to someone.”

In the family’s motel room at the Valencia Inn in Anaheim, Doorenbos’ son said the family has received more than half a dozen telephone calls and visits from people offering money and food.

“We’ve had people come by and drop cards off giving us food at restaurants and others with money orders,” Harold Doorenbos Jr., 21, said. “I don’t know how much money has been offered. We haven’t established a fund yet.”

Funeral arrangements were being handled by Pierce Bros. Daly-Bartel-Spencer Mortuary in Anaheim.