NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Thursday, January 6, 2011

INCIDENTS

Golden Gate NRA

Woman Arrested On Suspicion Of Kidnapping, False Imprisonment

An incident unfolded in the Marin Headlands on December 31st that culminated in the arrest of a Fairfield, California, woman who had a revelation that the world was going to end as a result of an earthquake. Ranger Owen Simcoe was stopped at the traffic light at the Baker Barry Tunnel when he saw the driver of a large U-Haul truck enter the tunnel against the red light. Simcoe began following the truck and radioed for additional assistance, Ranger Xavier Agnew followed in behind and attempted to stop the truck, but without success. The driver of the truck exceeded speeds of 50 miles per hour along a two mile stretch of road and finally came to a stop at Bird Rock Overlook. A felony traffic stop was conducted, but the driver refused all commands to come out of the vehicle. Rangers discovered that three people were locked in the back of the U-Haul against their will. Additional law enforcement assistance was provided by rangers, U.S. Park Police officers, Marin County Sheriff's deputies and Sausalito Police Department officers. Lieutenant Todd Roth of the US Park Police made repeated attempts to negotiate with the driver, but she refused to cooperate. A man in the front seat of the truck decided to get out, and reported that he and the three others in the back of the vehicle were homeless and had been lured into the truck by the driver on the premise that she would pay them to help her move. Two tactical teams were deployed to remove the trio from the back of the van; the teams then successfully removed the driver and her 74-year-old aunt. The driver, L.A.F., 36, was charged with suspicion of kidnapping, false imprisonment, evading, and multiple traffic violations. The investigation continues; rangers are working with the Marin County District Attorney's Office. Additional details to follow. [Kim Coast, Acting Chief Ranger]

OTHER NEWS

The following stories are among those in today's edition of InsideNPS. To see the full text, including images, NPS employees should go to the InsideNPS home page ( HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index" http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=index). Non-NPS employees can see most of them on the NPS Digest page ( HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/" http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/):

Department of the Interior - Secretary Salazar yesterday announced that the NPS will waive admission fees on 17 selected dates throughout 2011 and encouraged all Americans to make a New Year's resolution to visit a national park this year.

Workplace Enrichment - Award nomination periods will now be announced during two “consolidated awards calls” each year. This new process is intended to encourage innovations, increase award nominations, and celebrate the accomplishments of nominees and recipients. Photo.

Yellowstone NP - Preparations are underway to release a test group of bison into the Gardiner Basin as part of a plan envisioned a decade ago for increased tolerance for bison outside the park's northern boundary.

Office of Communications - Molly N. Ross has been recognized for her career contributions in protecting park natural resources with the Director's Award for Professional Excellence in Natural Resource Management. Photo.

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Prepared by the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, with the support of the Office of the Chief Information Officer. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@nps.gov).

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