Every year in April rail fans gather in York, PA for the ECLSTS. A number or railroads bring engines and equipment down to display. Suleski Transportation has had equipment at all but the first show.
For the most part these rail fans and train enthusiasts are a great group of people and many friendships are made and renewed. However there are always a few in every large group who are pranksters and hooligans.
While at these shows Suleski Transportation does its best to protect its equipment from problems while still allowing the public access. Each year as we bring more to display we also bring more Security and Railroad Police.
One of the most targeted items at the show by railroad hooligans is the statue that honors the Blue Moose. If you are unfamiliar with the History of the Blue Moose please read about it here.
The Blue Moose is just a nickname, the moose itself is not really blue, he has a family and is doing well.
The statue however keeps getting stolen like a college mascot. However since the Park got National Historic Landmark status any prank is now a federal offense. So when the statue was taken off its base the prankster was pursued will all due diligence.
Since this is a yearly problem Suleski Transportation has placed surveillance cameras around the area. which makes it easier to apprehend the perpetrator.
Link to photo of suspect trying to pawn the statue
Here photos were taken of the arrest made by Suleski Transportation Railroad Police as they apprehend the hooligan. Normally photos of minors being arrested are not published, however an exception was made during this arrest because of the serious nature of this crime. It was hoped this could be used to deter any future problems at shows. Notice the shocked look on the face of the alleged criminal as he feigns innocence, he just can't believe he was caught so quickly.
He was put in handcuffs in front of other rail fans to send a message that theft at National Parks will not be tolerated. Officers worked hard to keep the public safe while the arrest was made.
Once the cold metal feel of the cuffs hit home the criminal cracked and confessed to the theft.
"Professor" Bob Gentile of the GRU looked on and even commented on the craftsmanship of the cuffs. The hooligans mom can be seen in the background looking away from the camera. She couldn't believe her little baby would do such a thing.
Officers though there might be a problem when the perps father came over and approached them. Instead of fighting with officers for his son's freedom, he began to discuss techniques of how to bang a head while putting a criminal in the rear of the cruiser. Officers took an immediate liking to this gentleman and couldn't wait to get his son out to the parking lot to try out some of the new techniques.
Here Larry Otis holds up the perp during the booking photo process because he was too short for the adult camera set up.
After the show Bryan was released from the handcuffs and into his parents custody. His mother was assured that the marks from the handcuffs would eventually fade and as long as she kept her son in line he would only get more community service and no jail time.
We hope this will insure that next year the Blue Moose statue will stay on its base for the entire show.
There are no plans to incorporate the Blue Moose into Suleski Transportations engine paint scheme no matter how famous he becomes on his own. To us the rescue of the moose will remain one of the many acts of kindness and caring done by Suleski Transportation. As for Bryan we hope he will learn his lesson not to mess with Suleski Transportation.
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