NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
MORNING REPORT
Thursday, May 9, 2013
INCIDENTS
Chattahoochee River NRA
Man Arrested For Breaking Into Park Cars
Ranger James Psillis apprehended a man who was breaking into vehicles at one of park's many units on April 20th. Rangers were conducting surveillance on a parking lot when they saw a person and vehicle matching the description of a suspect seen leaving the area of previous car clouts. He loitered in the area for approximately 30 minutes before leaving the area in his vehicle. About 20 minutes later, he returned, exited his vehicle, donned rubber gloves, and threw ceramic/porcelain shards known as ninja rocks at the windows of three vehicles, breaking the glass and stealing items from within. While he was trying unsuccessfully to enter a fourth vehicle (the window wouldn't break), a family emerged from the nearby trailhead and he ran back to his vehicle, concealing himself on the floor of the backseat. Backup rangers arrived on scene along with local police and they conducted a felony stop, arresting the man without incident. Several stolen items were recovered from his vehicle, including a pair of binoculars valued at over $1,000 with a serial number that matched binoculars stolen from a vehicle within the park back in October 2012. A US magistrate judge signed a criminal complaint against him last week for two felony charges, with several more charges pending. Rangers are currently working with four other agencies and are expected to clear around 60 other vehicle theft cases along with fraudulent use of credit cards due to this arrest. Since this apprehension, there has been a major decline in car clouts within both the park and local area. [Scott Pfeninger, 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/):
Gettysburg NMP - The National Park Service's Eastern Area Incident Management Team met last week in Gettysburg National Military Park to continue planning efforts for the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Morristown NHP - Thirteen groups came from as far away as Maryland and Massachusetts to reenact the 1780 spring encampment at Jockey Hollow over a weekend in late April. The park combined the reenactment with its annual VIP appreciation party.
Clara Barton NHS - To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, Clara Barton National Historic Site hosted two special guests on Saturday, April 20th - noted Civil War historian Chandra Manning and 54th Regiment Massachusetts Infantry reenactors.
Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services - Updated information is provided on Police Week events currently taking place in Washington, including the appropriate uniform for events and the wearing of mourning bands by law enforcement officers and rangers.
Intermountain Region - Gus Sanchez, a 24-year veteran of the National Park Service, has been named superintendent of Chamizal National Memorial in Texas.
Denver Service Center - Jenny Reeves has announced that she will retire on May 31st after more than 22 years of federal service. Jenny is a project specialist with the Denver Service Center Design and Construction Eastern Team.
Intermountain Region - Mardi Arce, a 28-year veteran of the National Park Service, has been named superintendent of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in Texas.
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Guidance on incident notification can be found under the “Hot Topics” heading on InsideNPS or at HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custompages.cfm?prg=45&id=8728&lv=2&pgid=3504" http://inside.nps.gov/waso/custompages.cfm?prg=45&id=8728&lv=2&pgid=3504.
The Morning Report is a publication of the Division of Law Enforcement, Security and Emergency Services, Washington Office, produced by the Office of Communications with the support of the Office of the Associate Director for Information Resources. Edited by Bill Halainen ( HYPERLINK "mailto:Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov" Bill_Halainen@contractor.nps.gov).
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