Stealth-camping suspect faces multiple charges

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 11:42 AM

By Wes Dehne

A Fort Wayne man was taken into custody on multiple charges Monday night after allegedly being found camping out on someone's property in Culver.

Michael E. Anderson, 62, Fort Wayne, faces charges of refusal to identify, disorderly conduct, resisting law enforcement and public intoxication. He was arrested at 10895 W. 800 North, Culver, after property owner Cindy Good reported that a man was on her property with a tarp. He was reportedly set up in a tree line.

Good said she was not sure how long he had been camping on her property, but that her dogs had been acting strange for several days prior. When her son spotted a tarp with a sleeping bag and duffle bag at the edge of their property, that's when she decided to call authorities.

The Good family has lived on the property near the Fulton-Marshall County line for the past 30 years. This is the first time they've experienced a situation of "stealth camping."

Good said while she always has empathy for the homeless and those in need, the stealth camper discovery has been concerning to her family.

"We just think about what could have happened, and it is a little scary. I'm just glad he didn't hurt my dogs, damage my property, or start a fire somewhere is all," Good said. "We don't mind helping people, but this is pretty violating."

Once in custody, Anderson was taken to Woodlawn Hospital to be medically cleared before being booking into the Fulton County Jail.

Police records indicate that he headbutted the cage of a police vehicle mutliple times during transport. He was later released on his own recognizance.

WROI Giant.fm reporter Shelby Lopez contributed to this story.