I once knew an ex-murder detective who matter of fact, considered and ready to argue the remark, stated. "Most cops aren't very bright."
I dunno, can't be sure, maybe they weren't, maybe the wrong ones were on it. It would be too complex to say that they messed up, or not. Sometimes the hunter is ashamed of his defeat and gives up. Going on for decades, I'm sure quite a few did.
People like to think of themselves as the good guys. Hiding someone who continued to hurt so many, to me, would just be too much for to many. I think that it would have come out.
Anyway, that odd wave of heat in Northern Cal is probably over.
Jbee