NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

MORNING REPORT

Monday, April 16, 2012

INCIDENTS

Hot Springs NP

Wanted Armed Robber Captured By Ranger

On March 10th, US marshals contacted rangers and asked for assistance in locating C.H., a wanted armed robbery suspect. A tip had been received that he might be hiding out in the park. C.H., who had been on the run since last October, was wanted for an armed robbery in Little Rock, during which he attacked a security officer with a box cutter. C.H. was able to avoid the marshals earlier in the day when they attempted to take him into custody in the park on Bathhouse Row, but he managed to elude capture by fleeing deeper into the park. Cell phone towers picked up transmissions from C.H.'s phone as he traveled through the park, but soon the phone went dead and the signal was lost. Rangers Andy Griggs and John Hughes set up surveillance of areas of the park along with other federal agents but were unable to locate C.H.. Since nightfall was approaching and C.H. was known to be violent and to carry weapons, a decision was made to start looking for him at first light the next day. Around 10:30 p.m. that evening, Griggs was on routine patrol near Arlington Lawn when he saw a couple acting suspiciously near the fountain there. As Griggs approached them, he noticed that the man ducked behind a large boulder. Griggs recognized him as matching the description of the "armed and dangerous" suspect wanted by the marshals. He drew his electronic control weapon and ordered C.H. to the ground, but C.H. initially refused and began to argue with Griggs, saying that he must be crazy to be pointing his taser at him. After repeated demands by the ranger, C.H. finally complied and went to the ground. Griggs took him into custody without further incident and transported him to the county jail, where his identity was confirmed. Due to additional warrants out for his arrest from Little Rock Police Department and the Saline County Sheriff's Department, fugitive holds were placed on him. The supervisory US marshal contacted the park the next day and recognized Griggs for his actions and attention to detail in the wanted man's safe and efficient capture. [John Hughes, 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/):

Fort Pulaski NM - Fort Pulaski National Monument commemorated the 150th anniversary of the siege and reduction of Fort Pulaski with six days of anniversary programs from April 10th to April 15th.

Park Planning and Special Studies - The WASO Park Planning Division and the Wilderness Stewardship Division have released two new wilderness planning tools for review and comment on PEPC. Comments will be accepted through June 1st.

Legislative and Congressional Affairs - This week's update on past and upcoming hearings, newly introduced bills, and the status of legislation of interest to the National Park Service. This report covers activities during the week ending on April 13th.

Golden Gate NRA - Aaron Roth has been selected as the new deputy superintendent for Golden Gate NRA.

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The Morning Report is a publication of the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, produced with the support of the Office of the Assistant Director for Information Resources and 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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