Union Pacific seeks suspects, offers reward after track tampering
(The following story by Michael Ford appeared on the Courier News website on October 2, 2009.)
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. Union Pacific Railroad (UPR) is offering a $500 reward to anyone with information leading to the successful prosecution of the person or persons responsible for throwing three propane tanks onto a local railroad track.
The perpetrators were caught on a nearby security camera dropping the tanks onto the tracks from the overpass near the intersection of Tyler Road and Industrial Boulevard at approximately 10:46 p.m. Sept. 16, according to a report by the Pope County Sheriffs Office (PCSO).
Theres at least one person in the video we think possibly two, because one of the tanks came from a different direction, PCSO Det. Stephen Pack said Thursday.
When an officer with the PCSO responded to the location, he discovered one tank lying beside the tracks and a second lying approximately 100 yards west of the overpass, the report stated. He informed dispatch of the tanks, at which time UPR was notified and subsequently stopped all trains on the line.
Through further investigation with the assistance of an officer with the Pottsville Police Department, a third tank was discovered lying between the rails that were struck by a train.
UPR Sr. Special Agent Bill Donnor said neither the train nor the tracks sustained any damage, but said he remains concerned about the incident.
If they had exploded, that could have caused a train derailment right here in Russellville and injured our train crew members, he said. With three tanks coming, (the suspects) acted like they expected it to do something.
That bridge is real narrow, only one vehicle can go across at a time, he added. (The suspects) had to have those tanks right there in the vicinity waiting on this to happen.
Union Pacific Police used a service truck to drive the track and retrieve all of the tanks two of which appeared to be empty, but a third, half-full, according to the report.
Donnor said he was unaware of the amount of traffic that frequented the bridge from where the tanks were dropped, but said it was heavy during the day.
I didnt know they had so many cars out there, he said. I think its kind of a cut-off between Pottsville and Russellville.
Following the incident, UPR set up a digital infrared camera in hopes of identifying the suspects, but the item was reported stolen Tuesday. Its estimated value was $500.
Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the Union Special Agents office in North Little Rock at 501-373-2296 or the Risk Management Community Center at 1-800-877-7267.
