Leaked Security Memo #1: How Two Fur Farm Raiders Were Caught
Read internal Fur Commission security bulletin sent hours after two arrests at an Iowa fur farm.
Part one in a thirty-article series this month on the ALF’s fur farm campaign.
Animal Liberation Frontline has obtained dozens of security bulletins from the Fur Commission USA, sent out to alert fur farmers to specific security threats. This is the first of many such bulletins I will posting over the next 30 days.
This alert was sent to farmers the day after the arrest of Kellie Marshall and Victor VanOrden at the Circle K fur farm in Sioux City, Iowa. From what I’ve been told (legally, I am not allowed to speak to either of them directly), Victor and Kellie never knew exactly how they were detected at the fur farm that night. This bulletin tells the story.
According to the bulletin, the pair unknowingly tripped alarms at the farm that night. Police were subsequently called and made the arrests.
Both served less than four months and have been released.
Having visited many fur farms, the few alarms I’ve seen take the form of (silent) photoelectric sensors which are tripped when they detect motion. They are noticeable as small boxes most often placed in the corner of (usually larger) fur farms. They can be easy to miss for anyone not looking for them, and this bulletin shows that is likely what led to Victor and Kellie’s arrest that night.
Another detail revealed in the bulletin is that after cutting holes in the fence, the pair (allegedly) made it as far as opening a single cage. Media reports on whether any animals had been released were conflicting.
5,000 mink and 100 foxes were released from this farm in 1997.
The bulletin reads, in full:
“Suspects Captured in Iowa
Last night around 1:30 AM, Steve Krege’s alarms were triggered on his mink farm in Sioux City IA. When he went out to inspect he discovered a silver Toyota truck backed up to his gate on the far side of the farm. He immediately secured the vehicle and called the police, who set up a perimeter and with the aide of K-9 units, captured two would-be farm attackers.
The truck contained masks, burglary tools, a police scanner, walkie-talkies and other items. There were approximately a dozen holes cut in the fence and one cage had been opened.
At this time the suspects are being held in Sioux City Jail and each has been charged with two felony burglary counts. An arraignment hearing is scheduled for this morning. I have been in touch with Sioux City PD, Iowa FBI and the Iowa Dept of Criminal Investigations, and I will send out new information as it becomes available.
After the Palmer farm attack on Thursday, and after receiving the Fur Commission Security Alert for the Upper Midwest, Steve had made sure his security systems were up-to-date and operative. His hard work and attention to detail may have prevented many more farm attacks from occurring. Congratulations go out to Steve Krege for his alert and decisive actions, and for his efforts in making our industry safer.
Distributed by
Michael Whelan
Fur Commission USA
541-585-8568″
This is the first of 30 articles I will be posting in December on the ALF’s fur farm campaign. Sign up for the email list to get every update sent to your inbox, or check back daily.
Receive updates via email: Subscribe here.
