Citizen's Tip Leads To Arrest Of DeMotte Man

PERRY COUNTY, IN — Indiana Conservation Officers say they arrested a DeMotte man Friday afternoon after a manhunt in the Hoosier National Forest, where they say he and another woman were suspected of illegally digging for artifacts on federal property. Officials say 54-year-old Mark Cates on charges of possession of marijuana, resisting law enforcement, possession of paraphernalia and disturbing federal ground in search of artifacts. The incident took place just after 2:30 p.m. on May 4, when Indiana Conservation Officers Zac Howerton and Lucas Patterson were on patrol in the Hoosier National Forest along S.R. 37 near Leopold and encountered the pair.

Officials say Cates ran into the woods as the officers started escorting the couple away.

Multiple agencies responded to help in the long search for Cates, including the Perry County Sheriff’s Department, Tell City Police, Perry County EMA and Hoosier National Forest Law Enforcement Rangers.

During the search, officials say someone nearby alerted officers of a suspicious male in a driveway near a home. According to officials, Indiana Conservation Officer Lt. Phil Schuetter was able to take Cates, who was found to have multiple outstanding felony arrest warrants, into custody.

More: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division

Photo credit: Indiana DNR Law Enforcement Division