NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                               MORNING REPORT

To:         All National Park Service Areas and Offices

From:       Division of Ranger Activities, Washington Office

Day/Date:   Thursday, December 31, 1998

INCIDENTS

98-774 - Great Smoky Mountains NP (NC/TN) - Car Clout/Felony Theft Arrest

During a routine contact at the Mingus Mill parking lot on Christmas morning,
ranger John McCutcheon determined that the license plate of a vehicle he was
checking had been stolen in a car clout last July in the Alum Cave area of
the park.  McCutcheon also found that the driver was using the same victim's
stolen driver's license, and that the 1995 Jeep Cherokee he was driving had
been stolen from Georgia.  A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of
numerous stolen items, including about 70 credit cards, cell phones, license
plates, and a wide variety of other stolen property.  The driver continued to
maintain the false name until he learned that his fingerprints would be
checked.  He then identified himself as T.C., age 42.  T.C. is a
career thief with a long criminal record and a fugitive with three
outstanding felony warrants from two states against him.  His arrest will
close numerous cases from the park and from Forest Service areas.  At least
two stolen vehicle cases will also be closed.  T.C. is from South Carolina
and has likely been committing thefts and credit card fraud throughout the
Southeast.  He remains in federal custody without bond.  Rangers McCutcheon
and Jon Murphy are continuing the investigation and coordinating their
efforts with other agencies.  [John Mattox, CI, GRSM, 12/30]

98-775 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Homicide

On the morning of December 30th, a park visitor found a man's body floating
face up in the lake near Sand Island.  The as yet unidentified man, thought
to be in his mid-30s, had a nylon rope tied around him.  The investigation is
being handled by rangers and investigators from Las Vegas' homicide unit. 
[Karen Whitney, LAME, 12/30]

98-776 - Joshua Tree NP (CA)- Rescues
     
On December 19th, rangers responded to a report of a climbing injury near
Hidden Valley campground.  M.W., a 34-year-old climber, had fallen
approximately 25 feet, coming to rest 100 feet above the ground in a boulder
field.  Rangers Keith Kelly, Pete Roehrs and Kevin Tillman conducted a
belayed scree evacuation with the assistance of numerous climbers who were in
the area.  Although M.W. had struck his head and upper torso on the cliff
numerous times during the fall, he suffered very few injuries and is expected
to fully recover.  On December 5th, a 15-year-old male fell while climbing
boulders in Indian Cove campground, fracturing his ankle.  Rangers Pete
Roehrs and Steve Yu lowered the victim about 150 feet in a belayed scree
evacuation, also with the help of area climbers.  Ranger Tim Bertrand was IC. 
[Patrick Suddath, DR, JOTR, 12/30]

98-777 - Great Smoky Mountains NP (NC/TN) - Suicide

Visitors in Cades Cove reported hearing a gunshot just after 2 p.m. on
December 29th.  Shortly thereafter, rangers found the body of C.M.,
60, of Talbott, Tennessee, in his pickup truck.  A twelve gauge shotgun was
lying at his side.  Family members report that C.M. had been experiencing
business and personal troubles.  He leaves his wife and two children.  Ranger
Ken Davis is the investigator.  [Jason Houck, CR, GRSM, 12/30]

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

No entries.

PARK DISPATCHES

No entries.

OPERATIONAL NOTES

No entries.

MEMORANDA

No entries.

INTERCHANGE

No entries.

                                *  *  *  *  *

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Prepared by the Division of Ranger Activities, WASO, with the cooperation and
support of Delaware Water Gap NRA.

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