In the Giant Forest region of Sequoia National Park, police are searching for a man who is carrying a knife.
A report of a burning car on the General’s Highway in the southern California park came in before 5 a.m. PT on Friday, according to the National Park Service.
The truck had been entirely torched when park officials found it.
Another call regarding a fight was received while the situation was being investigated.
According to reports, the suspect tried to rob a person by attempting to take their wallet, keys, and cell phone. A knife and stick were being waved by the suspect.
The suspect ran into the forest after being rejected.
A description of the man’s clothing includes heavy hiking boots, fitting dark green cargo pants, a long-sleeved shirt, a brimless hat that may be a beanie and a buff or gaiter that covers his mouth and nose.
The Giant Forest Museum had also been broken into and vandalised when it was closed, with no people inside, as rangers combed the area for the perpetrator.
Although the Park Service indicates that the Lodgepole Visitor Centre in Lodgepole Village is still operational, the museum is momentarily closed for restoration.
The connection between these occurrences is yet unknown at this time.
The National Park Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Forest Service are still looking for the culprit in this case, which is still under investigation.
No injuries have been reported by officials.
Visitors to Sequoia National Park are urged to exercise caution and maintain vigilance even if an earlier area closure and shelter-in-place order have been removed.
