What started off as a mystery, has now ended with the victim in handcuffs.

This is the type of story that you'd expect to read about in books or see in the movies. But believe it or not, it's happening right here in your backyard.

22422555
Thinkstock Images
loading...

Recently, multiple police agencies were sent on the search for a missing man from Delaware County. The report originally came in back on August 31st, when his family said he returned to their house.

Several days later, a friend of the missing man noticed his vehicle parked on a private logging road in the Town of Middletown. Curious as to why the vehicle was parked there, the friend quickly reported it to the police.

Photo by Can Aslan on Unsplash
Photo by Can Aslan on Unsplash
loading...

The Delaware County Sherriff's Office sent a K9 unit to the location, where they eventually tracked and found the missing man. Strangely enough, he was in perfect health.

What surprised the deputies was what the man had stuffed into two one-gallon bags beside him.

South Korean Farmers Rely On Ginseng
Getty Images
loading...

American Ginseng

Ginseng is a rare and very endangered plant species found in the wild. Growing primarily in North America, the plant is commonly sought after for herbal medicine. Ginseng has long been used as an energy, health and immunity booster.

It is illegal to harvest on private and state properties in New York State without permission or a proper permit. Wild ginseng harvesting season is technically from September 1st through November 30, but doing so on someone else's property is completely off limits.

Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Credit - NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
loading...

Back to Delaware County

In the instance with the missing man, he claims that he received permission from the landowner to take the ginseng years ago. The landowners say otherwise, telling Environmental Conservation Officers (ECO) they never gave that permission.

In the end, the ECO's seized 41 ginseng roots from the man. He was then charged with Harvesting Ginseng without Permission, Trespassing, and Petit Larceny. All charges are being handled by the Town of Middletown Court.

24 Things You're Guaranteed to See on a CNY Backroad

If you take a drive down a Central New York backroad, you're bound to see at least 24 things you won't find in the city.

Gallery Credit: Credit - Polly McAdams

300 Animals Rescued From Deplorable Conditions

Hundreds of animals were rescued from deplorable conditions inside a Long Island home.

Gallery Credit: Credit - Polly McAdams

Wow! Look At This! "A Star is Born" 29 Celebs Who Were Born in Upstate New York

There is a whole lot of star power on display in this gallery. We feature 29 celebrities who were born in Upstate New York. Many of the names are instantly familiar, such as Lucille Ball and Kirk Douglas, but it is the lesser known stars that are the most fun.

You will recognize most of these people by their faces rather than by their names. Still, no matter how small the role they played in a film or TV show, these actors left an indelible mark wherever and when ever they appeared on screen.

I mean, seriously, who can ever forget Buffalo-born actor Sorrell Booke? Name ring a bell? No? How about his character "Boss Hogg" on the hit TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard?" Now I am sure you remember him!

This list totals 29 celebrities, but we have a feeling that we are missing some. So, if you know a TV or movie star that was born in New York outside of New York City, please let us know over on our Facebook page! We really do want to hear from you!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

Are These The 20 Most Stunning College Campuses in Upstate NY?

Throughout New York State, our college campuses run from the urban blocks-long, wooden and brick ones in New York City, to the sprawling college campuses which dot Upstate New York from the Hudson Valley to Buffalo. We list here the dozen most stunning campuses in Upstate.

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

3 Central New York Schools Among the Worst in the State, 4 at the Top

Here are the best and worst schools in Central New York according to Niche.com.

Gallery Credit: Credit - Polly McAdams

More From Big Frog 104