RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                           MORNING REPORT

Attention: Directorate
           Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
           Ranger Activities Division Information Network

Day/Date:  Tuesday, March 10, 1992

INCIDENTS

92-70 - Glen Canyon (Utah/Arizona) - ARPA Incident

On February 29th, Escalante subdistrict ranger Jim Bowman discovered that 21
petroglyphs in the Mobius panel in Willow Gulch on the Escalante River had
been seriously damaged.  The petroglyphs, dating to about 950 to 1150 A.D.,
are part of a "billboard" of over 100 elements which is considered to be a
highly significant scientific resource eligible for the national register. 
The panel is one of only a few such panels found in all of the Escalante
canyons.  The petroglyphs were damaged by scraping which was apparently done
to enhance them so they would show up better in photographs.  The scraping,
which was probably done with a sharp instrument, removed natural varnish and
altered their shape through careless tracing of the original outlines.  The
park archeologist believes that the damage is irreparable.  Rangers
investigating the incident have served a search warrant on a residence in
Escalante, Utah, and the investigation into the incident is continuing. 
[CompuServe message from Larry Clark, CR, GLCA, 3/6]  

92-71 - Fort McHenry (Maryland) - Significant Damage to Park Property

Ranger Ella Hinkelman had just secured the main entrance gate on March 6th
when she saw a pickup truck approaching at a high rate of speed.  The truck,
which was out of control, skidded 40 feet into a granite support pillar,
then struck the historic wrought-iron gate.  After losing a wheel and other
suspension equipment, the truck continued through the gate for an additional
40 feet.  Hinkelman had been alerted by the sound of brakes and was able to
avoid both the truck and the wreckage - including the 1,400-pound gate -
which was hurled about.  Rangers Hugh Manar and John Burns responded along
with local officers.  The truck's driver, P.C., said that he and
his passenger had been drinking.  P.C. was administered a breathalyzer
test, which registered .16, and was arrested for DUI.  The damage to park
property is estimated at about $5,000.  There were no personal injuries. 
[Telefax from Luis O. Krug, FOMC, 3/9]

92-72 - Delaware Water Gap (New Jersey/Pennsylvania) - Bomb Explosion

On the night of February 7th, dispatch received a phone call from a park
resident in New Jersey who had heard gun shots near Zion Lutheran Church
across the river in Pennsylvania.  Rangers Ed Appel and Randy Seese drove to
the church, which is considered to be a significant historic structure. 
They found about 30 empty 12 gauge shotgun shells on the ground in front of
the building, and holes from shotgun blasts in the building's front door and
window.  They also found that a rear basement door had been pried loose and
that entry had been made into the church.  Rangers Susan McIntyre and Dan
Messaros and criminal investigator Bob VanNortwick joined Appel and Seese
and began a search of the building.  They discovered the remains of an
exploded pipe bomb upstairs on the floor of the sanctuary.  About 20 graves
in an adjacent cemetery were also found to have been vandalized.  A damage
estimate will be completed as soon as investigators have collected all
evidence.  A joint investigation with ATF and the Pennsylvania state police
is underway.  [CompuServe message from Bob Wilson, LES, DEWA, 3/9]

92-73 - Golden Gate (California) - Drowning

Officer Bob Reidy of the Park Police was patrolling Ocean Beach on the
afternoon of March 7th when he received a report that two men - S.C. and
C.W.O., both of San Francisco - had entered the surf and disappeared. 
Reidy located their two female companions, who confirmed that S.C. and C.W.O.
were missing, and reported the incident.  Rangers and personnel from the San
Francisco fire department began a search for the men.  Meanwhile,
investigators learned that the incident had begun when one couple had gotten
into trouble in the surf.  The second male noticed their distress, entered
the surf, and pulled the woman to shore.  He then attempted to rescue the
man and was last seen being swept out to sea.  About 45 minutes later, S.C.'s
body washed ashore 200 yards from the point of entry.  Rangers, Park Police
officers and Coast Guard personnel continued the search for C.W.O., but were
unable to find him.  [USPP Dispatch, via CompuServe message from Herb
Gercke, RAD/WRO, 3/7]

92-74 - North Cascades (Washington) - Arrest of Homicide Suspect

On the afternoon of March 6th, W.M. parked his pickup on the side
of Highway 20 and hiked a short distance to a nearby waterfall.  From this
location, W.M. saw a gray sedan pull up behind his truck and watched the
driver get out, approach the passenger side of the truck, and attempt to
enter the vehicle.  W.M. returned to the truck and confronted the man,
later identified as R.H.F., 49, of Imlay City, Michigan.  R.H.F. said
that he was "just checking to see if everyone was okay", then immediately
got in his car and drove away.  W.M. reported the incident to a park
maintenance man working in the area and provided him with a description of
the vehicle.  Ranger Galen Stark spotted the car just west of the park
boundary and stopped it to identify the occupant.  Stark was backed up by
Ray Beazizo, a Washington state trooper.  The initial checks of the vehicle
registration and R.H.F.'s license came back negative and he was released. 
Within minutes, however, Stark and Beazizo received information that R.H.F. was
wanted in Michigan on an outstanding warrant for homicide.  They again
located the vehicle heading west on Highway 20 near Marblemount and called
for assistance in making a felony car stop.  Officers from surrounding
jurisdictions joined them, and R.H.F. was stopped near the town of Concrete. 
R.H.F. was transported to the Skagit county jail for booking.  Investigators
subsequently learned that R.H.F. was also on parole from a prison term for
murder in Georgia.  An investigation is underway.  [Pete Cowan and Dave
Spirtes, NOCA, via SEAdog message from Mike Blankenship, RAD/PNRO, 3/9]

STAFF STATUS

Division Chief: Brady at joint SWR/MWR chief rangers' conference, Las Vegas,
NV (3/9-3/10).

Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin at joint SWR/MWR chief
rangers' conference, Las Vegas, NV (3/9-3/10); Lee at same conference (3/9-3/13);
Coffey at joint natural resource/cultural resource meeting, Cape Cod
NS, MA (3/10-3/11).

Branch of Fire and Aviation: Botti on annual leave (2/24-3/13).

Prepared by WASO Division of Ranger Activities

Telephone:  Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-4874/6039 or 202-208-4874/6039
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5572/5573 or 202-208-5572/5573

Telefax:    Branch of R&VP - FTS 268-6756 or 202-208-6756
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - FTS 268-5977 or 202-208-5977

CompuServe: Branch of R&VP - WASO-RANGER
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - WASO-FIRE-WO

SEAdog:     Branch of R&VP - 1/650
            Branch of F&A (WASO) - 1/655