Manzanar Visitor Helps Deter Looting

The following is a press release from the National Park Service.

INDEPENDENCE, CA — Thanks to a concerned visitor at Manzanar National Historic Site last weekend, law enforcement authorities were able to apprehend an individual using a metal detector and shovel inside the park boundary. It is a federal crime to dig for artifacts, use a metal detector, or take any items from the ground in Manzanar National Historic Site.

Shortly before 4:00 PM. on Saturday, April 13, 2019, a visitor stopped at the front desk and reported seeing an individual with a metal detector. The visitor was able to describe the car and give the license plate. Manzanar rangers called the Inyo County Sheriff Department, and within minutes, a sheriff’s deputy and a California Department of Fish and Wildlife warden had arrived and detained the suspect. Law enforcement rangers from Death Valley National Park were called to investigate. The suspect faces possible criminal charges.

Manzanar Superintendent Bernadette Johnson expressed gratitude to the visitor and law enforcement whose actions helped deter damage to the site and loss of valuable cultural history.

“Manzanar staff members take our responsibility to protect historic resources seriously and it is great to see that the public does as well,” she said.

You can help protect our treasured National Park Service sites. If you see something suspicious in any National Park Service (NPS) site, stay safe and tell us about it. Talk to any NPS employee for help, or give the Special Agents of the NPS Investigative Services Branch a call. We understand that it may take time to reach areas with cell or internet service. You don’t have to tell us who you are, but please tell us what you know: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1563/submit-a-tip.htm

☎️ CALL or TEXT the ISB Tip Line: (888) 653-0009

🌎 ONLINE https://www.nps.gov/ISB and click “Submit a Tip”

📧 EMAIL nps_isb@nps.gov

🚨 EMERGENCY dial 9-1-1

Manzanar is located at 5001 Highway 395, six miles south of Independence, California. For more information, please call (760) 878-2194 extension 3310 or visit our web site at https://www.nps.gov/manz. Manzanar is also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ManzanarNationalHistoricSite.

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LEAD PHOTO: The Visitor Center at Manzanar National Historic Site. Photo: Gann Matsuda/Manzanar Committee.

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