NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

BLACKBERRY EDITION

Thursday, December 22, 2005

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INCIDENTS

Indiana Dunes NL

Thief Gets Just Desserts

In February 2005, a man was arrested for breaking into a visitor's car at the Inland Marsh parking lot. He was caught with a box of cookies and tooth flossers that he'd removed from the vehicle. The man was identified as a suspect in numerous other car clouts in the park and the northwest Indiana region during the previous several years. While the theft of chocolate chip cookies may sound inconsequential, the subsequent investigation recovered stolen property from several other car clouts in the vicinity. Investigators also learned that the man has an extensive criminal history of over 29 arrests for various crimes. Due to his impressive criminal record, he was recently sentenced to six months imprisonment and restitution of $650 for the cookie break-in. Upon the completion of his federal sentence, he will be facing prosecution from several local jurisdictions for similar crimes. [Joni Jones, Supervisory Park Ranger]

PARKS AND PEOPLE

Buffalo NR

Bob Howard to Retire

Bob Howard, Upper District Ranger for Buffalo National River, has announced that he will retire on January 3rd after 28 years of federal service.

Bob began his career in 1976 as a seasonal park aid at Petersburg National Battlefield. In 1978, he got his first permanent ranger position at Independence NHP. He then served as a park ranger at Richmond NBP and Everglades NP. In 1992, Bob was promoted to law enforcement specialist at Buffalo National River and later transferred to his current position as supervisory park ranger for the Upper District.

As a law enforcement specialist, Bob did an excellent job improving and maintaining professional relationships with a wide range of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, including the United States Attorney's Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Arkansas State Police and various county offices. This close relationship greatly enhanced the Ranger Division's ability to do its job.

Over the last 13 years at Buffalo NR, Bob acted as chief ranger countless times. His knowledge of the park and expertise will be greatly missed. Bob has been a credit to the National Park Service and particularly to Buffalo National River. [Robert Maguire, Chief Ranger]

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Prepared by Visitor and Resource Protection, WASO, with the cooperation and support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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