A Martin County man that was on the run for almost a week was caught Wednesday night.
On Friday, October 4, around 6:05 AM, Martin County Community Corrections contacted the Martin County Sheriff’s Office to advise of an electronic home monitor tamper alarm in Shoals. When a Sheriff’s Deputy arrived at the residence of the alarm, they found the tracking bracelet in the yard and James “Mike” Hert nowhere to be found.
For the past six days, deputies from the Martin County Sheriff’s Office have been on the lookout for Hert. Martin County Reserve Deputies were also called in to assist with the search for Hert. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office received multiple tips from concerned citizens regarding the possible whereabouts of Hert during his elusion from authorities. These tips led deputies to search several square miles of local wooded-areas and terrain over the past six days.
On Wednesday, October 9th, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office received an additional tip from a concerned citizen advising of a possible location for Hert in the county. Sheriff Travis Roush, Chief Deputy Josh Greene, and Deputy John Wright began a multiple-hour search of the possible location by tracking footprints they believed belonged to Hert. The search ended with the capture of James “Mike” Hert on a Martin County Warrant for Escape, a level 6 felony. Hert was also found to be in possession of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine and is subsequently facing additional charges for methamphetamine. Hert is being held at the Martin County Security Center without bond.
The Sheriff’s Office is very thankful for the cooperation received from the community.
