Missing pilot found in Florida

Published 10:23 pm Tuesday, January 13, 2009

An Indiana pilot and businessman who parachuted out of a plane over Shelby County Sunday has been captured, according to published reports.

CNN.com reports that Marcus Schrenker, 38, was captured in Quincy, Fla. Tuesday. However, U.S. Marshals have not yet confirmed Schrenker’s identity. Schrenker was taken to Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare after police discovered marks on his body consistent with a suicide attempt.

Schrenker was flying to Destin, Fla. from Anderson, Ind. when he intentionally abandoned his six-passenger Piper Malibu plane after putting it on autopilot. The plane eventually crashed near Milton, Fla. Authorities say Schrenker faked a distress call in an attempt to stage his own death.

Schrenker was charged in Hamilton County, Ind. Superior Court Tuesday with two Class C felonies – unlawful acts by a compensated adviser and unlawful transaction by an investment adviser.

The charges are linked to Schrenker’s three Indiana-based businesses – Heritage Wealth Management Inc., Heritage Insurance Services and Icon Wealth Management. Last week, Schrenker was ordered to pay more than $500,000 in a federal judgment.

On Saturday, Schrenker rented a storage unit at the 280 East Mini Warehouse in Harpersville, and an employee there witnessed Schrenker pushing a red Yamaha motorcycle into a unit, said Harpersville Police Chief David Latimer.

Schrenker retrieved his motorcycle on Monday after fleeing from the Harpersville Motel, and dumped his clothing in a nearby dumpster. Harpersville police discovered Schrenker’s clothing Tuesday and are holding it as evidence, Latimer said.

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Harpersville police and Childersburg police searched for Schrenker Monday. U.S. Marshals are now handling the investigation.