Credit card thieves strike Red Rock Canyon visitors

Jen Lawson

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2002 | 10:59 a.m.

People visiting Red Rock Canyon expect to see breathtaking views -- they don't expect to become crime victims.

But visitors are learning that even in an isolated, natural setting, thieves are lurking.

A group of people, described by Bureau of Land Management spokesman Phillip Guerrero as "a band of thieves," have been stealing credit cards from unlocked vehicles at the park while the victims are enjoying nature.

The thieves then max out the cards, Guerrero said.

"They only take one credit card, and run up as much credit as they can at local casinos before people notice it's gone," Guerrero said. "Some people don't lock their cars because they feel secure here."

Guerrero said he doesn't have a firm count as to how many incidents have occurred, but he said they come in waves -- they see a rash of break-ins every six months or so. It has been happening for the past several years.

Similar incidents have been reported at Zion National Park in Utah and Death Valley National Park in California, he said.

"Obviously it's a concern for us, but it's not a crisis or epidemic," he said. "No one should stop coming to Red Rock because there are some bozos out there."

Park officials are asking visitors to be aware of their surroundings and lock up valuables .

At Red Rock's Calico Vista on Tuesday afternoon, Kenneth Reeves of North Carolina said he was amazed that thieves would hit Red Rock.

"You wouldn't think it would happen at a place like this," Reeves said.

Walking down a trail, Eva Zuba of Chicago said she saw a sign posted at the visitor's center telling people to lock their vehicles. She locked her purse in her car and even asked a friend to stay behind and watch it, she said.

At Red Rock's Sandstone Quarry, Jessica Schoof of Las Vegas said she didn't expect theft to be a problem at the park.

"I would've thought this is one of the safest places you could go," she said.