RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
MORNING REPORT
Attention: Directorate
Regional and Park Chief Rangers, USPP, BIFC, FLETC
Ranger Activities Division Information Network
Day/Date: Tuesday, December 10, 1991
INCIDENTS
91-651 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Propane Explosion and Fire
At approximately 2:20 p.m. on December 5th, rangers received a report of a
fire and explosion at the South Rim trailer village. The park's fire
engines and ambulance were dispatched and the fire was brought under
control. Witnesses reported seeing a 500-square-foot fireball above the
roof of the trailer which extended down the street in each direction. The
trailer's 28-year-old resident was inside the explosion and caught fire; he
suffered second degree burns to about ten percent of his body (face, neck
and hands), but had no respiratory injuries. An EMS team began advanced
life support and transported him to the park clinic. Investigation
revealed that the fire and explosion occurred after the filling of a
propane tank. The valve to the hose from the propane truck had been left
open, thereby permitting a large volume of gas to escape for about ten
seconds. The pilot from the heater in the trailer apparently ignited the
propane. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO,
12/9]
91-652 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Attempted Kidnapping
An unknown assailant attempted to abduct an 11-year-old girl on the South
Rim early on the afternoon of December 4th. The girl was within sight of
the Grand Canyon school when the male suspect got out of his vehicle at the
intersection of Albright and Boulder Streets, grabbed her shoulder,
brandished a large knife, and threatened to kill her if she screamed. The
girl was able to break free from him, however, and ran to the school. The
man then fled in a vehicle described as a black, two-door "sports car" with
two red, full-length stripes, a broken front grill, and dark tinted windows.
Extensive interviews with the victim indicate that her account is reliable
and accurate. Rangers received the report 45 minutes after the event.
Despite a large-scale response, they were unable to locate the vehicle or
suspect. No positive leads have since surfaced. The suspect is described
as a white male, 30 years old, 5'11" - 6'1", with a solid build, blotchy
dark skin, short dark hair, goatee, scraggly mustache, a deep voice, and a
tatoo of women on his left forearm. A composite drawing is available. If
you have any information on a similar suspect or attacks, please call
ranger Chris Pergiel at 602-638-7812. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 12/9]
91-653 - Grand Canyon (Arizona) - Sexual Assault
At about 5:00 a.m. on November 27th, a 27-year-old female concession
employee was walking on Muav Court in the Coconino Apartments when she was
suddenly accosted from behind by a male suspect and sexually assaulted.
The attack occurred in a well-lit area and in front of numerous residences.
After the attack, the man fled the area on foot. Despite an intensive
investigation by rangers and Coconino sheriff's department deputies, few
leads have developed, and the suspect remains unknown and at large. He may
be a former concession employee from a large park area. He is described as
a white male, 25 to 30 years old, 5'7", 170 to 190 pounds, with dark curly
hair in a "preppie cut", chubby cheeks, a tan complexion, sunken eyes, flat
nose, two to three days beard, and hairy arms. He is not the same
assailant as in the incident noted above. A composite drawing of the
suspect is available. If you have any information on similar attacks or a
similar suspect, please contact park investigator Bill Banks at 602-638-
7804. [Dispatch, GRCA, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO,
12/9]
STAFF STATUS
Division Chief: Brady at R&R Uniforms, Nashville, TN (12/10-12/11).
Branch of Resource and Visitor Protection: Martin and Halainen at R&R
Uniforms, Nashville, TN (12/10-12/11); Marriott at ARPA training course,
Marana, AZ (12/9-12/13); Lee at law enforcement for managers course, FLETC,
Glynco, GA (12/9-12/13).
Branch of Fire and Aviation: Spruill conducting aviation review, Hawaii
(12/9-12/17); Gale serving as incident commander for 50th anniversary of
Pearl Harbor, U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, HI (12/9-12/12).
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