FBI, DoD Join Probe Of Army Train Vandalism Updated: 10:18 p.m. EST
February 17, 2003
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Military authorities and police are investigating the
theft, vandalism and arson overnight to a train carrying support equipment
for the Army's 101st Airborne Division. The train -- carrying the military
equipment to the port at Blount Island for shipment to the Persian Gulf --
was stopped about 2:30 a.m. at Main Street and Eastport Road as it
approached a rail yard when the incident happened.
Investigators with local police, the FBI, the Army, the Department of
Defense Search and railroad police searched the train to determine exactly
what was stolen.
Authorities said the items taken included tools, batteries, gas cans, even
field rations. Some of what was stolen was thrown near the tracks and set
on fire. Channel 4's Tammie Fields found a trail of meals-ready-to-eat
packages, some of them opened, leading into an apartment complex by the
tracks.
CSX officials said that the railroad police provide special security to
military shipments, and patrol the tracks around-the-clock.
"We're working very closely with both local police and the FBI, and we will
prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," CSX spokeswoman Jane Covington
said. "We take incidents like this very seriously."
The FBI and Jacksonville Sheriff's Office both said they are not the lead
agency in the investigation, but didn't know who was.
Channel 4 is developing more information on the incident and will have
updates to this story throughout the day and military reporter Heather
Murphy will have a live report on Eyewitness News at 6 p.m.
Link: http://www.news4jax.com/jax/news/stories/news-198170220030217-070244.html
