National park rangers are searching for two suspects filmed looting a more than 200-year-old cowboy camp.
The incident took place in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park on March 23 and constitutes an “archaeological theft,” according to the park service it presides over.
Trail cameras captured the male and female suspects in the act, and the man was seen drinking beer in the closed portion of the park before removing some unspecified artifacts from a cabinet.
The site, once a place for ranchers to rest, dates back to the late 19th century and contains a large amount of material abandoned when the site fell into disuse.
The man and his accomplice, who was photographed laughing after entering the “signed closed area,” stole several of these artifacts, park rangers said in a statement, in which they asked the public for help in identifying the thieves.
National park rangers are searching for these two suspects, who were allegedly filmed looting a more than 200-year-old cowboy camp less than two months ago.
The incident took place in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park on March 23 and constitutes an “archaeological theft,” according to the presiding National Park Service.
“Canyonlands National Park rangers are seeking information from the public to help identify suspects involved in an archaeological theft incident at Cave Spring Cowboy Camp in the park’s Needles district,” Wednesday’s bulletin began.
“In video recorded at the archaeological site, individuals entered an enclosed area, removed artifacts from a cabinet, and manipulated historic harnesses in a manner that could damage them,” he continued.
‘Visitor information is very useful for researchers. Law enforcement park rangers are asking the public for help.
‘If you were in the area of Cave Spring Cowboy Camp at approximately 5:30 pm on March 23 or if you have information that could help identify the suspects, please contact investigators. Suggestions can be anonymous.’
The official press release contained photos of the suspects from surveillance video.
They show the pair exploring the former camp once operated by the Scorup-Sommerville Cattle Company wearing sunglasses and vacation clothes, with the man holding a beer.
At some point during the visit, they removed unspecified artifacts from the cordoned off area, sifting through cabinets parked for decades along the walls of the cave-like shelter.
Trail cameras captured the male and female suspects in the act, and the man was seen drinking beer in the closed portion of the park before removing some unspecified artifacts from a cabinet.
Video footage shows the couple exploring the former camp once operated by the Scorup-Sommerville Cattle Company wearing sunglasses and vacation clothes, with the woman seen here reclining. None have been identified
The photos show the artifacts, which consist of cans and other kitchen appliances used by cowboys before the turn of the century, as well as a large number of picnic tables, benches and even drawings etched into the surrounding rocks.
As of this writing, it is unclear whether any of the historical artifacts left behind were actually damaged, and officials did not specify exactly how many objects were stolen.
Additionally, descendants of ranchers who frequented the site still live in the region, the park service wrote on its website, adding that they “consider the spring a sacred place.”
‘Help protect our heritage by not entering spring,’ the website warns.
‘Do not touch or mark the marks on the rocks. It is a violation of federal law to deface pictographs.
The most recent statement suggests the suspects did not deface these decades-old drawings, but could still be federally charged for the other crimes.
Once a resting place for cattle farmers, this site dates back to the late 19th century and still contains a large number of objects and furniture abandoned when the site fell into disuse.
The man and his accomplice, who was photographed laughing after entering the ‘closed area’, stole several of these artifacts, park rangers said in a statement.
Additionally, descendants of ranchers who frequented the site still live in the region, the park service wrote on its website, adding that they “consider the spring a sacred place.”
The park added in a particularly strong comment: “National parks are some of the most special, treasured and protected areas of our country.”
‘To protect its natural and cultural resources for this and future generations, all visitors to national parks are expected to follow park laws and regulations and practice Leave No Trace principles to minimize their impact on park lands. park.’
As of Thursday, their investigation was still ongoing.
