Around The Railroad
Laredo Special Agents Crack Arson Case
June 26, 2009 | 10:15 a.m. CDT
Following a recent fire that destroyed the interior of a locomotive cab, UP special agents in Laredo, Texas, immediately launched an arson investigation.
To begin cracking the case, police issued a Crime Stoppers bulletin. Shortly after, a Christen Middle School student contacted the tip line with a potential suspect. Driving the investigation, UP's Senior Special Agents Russell Cerda, George Narvaez, Gilbert Maldonado and Socrates "Tito" Garza identified four persons of interest, who also were linked to recent arson cases involving abandoned homes.
UP police located and arrested the four suspects. Each was charged with two counts of vehicle burglary, criminal mischief and arson for crimes against UP and the City of Laredo.
"Through good, solid police work, our team was able to bring more than one case to a close," said Oscar Garcia, director-Police. "Their initiative, diligence and determination resulted in success."
Following the investigation, Cerda presented the Laredo Independent School District Campus Crime Stoppers with a $2,000 check on behalf of Union Pacific, thanking the students for their crime-solving tip.
Protect co-workers, company property and customer shipments by calling RMCC at 888-UPRR-COP to report suspicious or criminal activity.
BNSF, BLET Reach Tentative Accord
Nov. 6, 2009 | 01:15 p.m. CST
BNSF Railway Co. and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) reached a tentative agreement to settle wage and work rule matters concerning BNSF's locomotive engineers for the major round of collective bargaining that will begin Jan. 1, 2010. More...
Some Commodity Groups Show Increase
Nov. 6, 2009 | 01:00 p.m. CST
U.S. railroads reported originating 275,439 carloads for the week ended Oct. 31, down 13.7 percent compared with the same week in 2008 and down 18.2 percent from 2007. More...
Employee Helps Homeless Boost Computer Skills
Nov. 6, 2009 | 12:45 p.m. CST
Khaled Mabrouk has been volunteering two hours each Saturday morning since June 2008 in the Omaha Open Door Mission's learning center computer room. More...
Emergency Funds Aid Struggling Families
Nov. 6, 2009 | 11:25 a.m. CST
Emergency funds were scarce for a Salvation Army in Blair, Neb. Several weeks ago, the organization found itself unable to provide support to residents needing assistance with rent and utilities until its new fiscal year began on Oct. 1. More...
Railroads Post New Gains in Safety
Nov. 4, 2009 | 03:45 p.m. CST
According to the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Safety, U.S. rail-related fatalities declined 12.4 percent to a total of 466 in the 12 months ended Aug. 31. More...
NMB Proposes Union Election Rule Changes
Nov. 4, 2009 | 03:25 p.m. CST
The board is proposing to change the threshold for a successful union election from a majority of eligible voters in a classification to a majority of voters who actually participate in an election. More...
Warren Buffett Buys BNSF
Nov. 3, 2009 | 09:20 a.m. CST
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. will pay $26 billion to buy out railroad Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. in what the billionaire investor called a bet on the U.S. economy. More...
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