The Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department arrested a male suspect for possession of illegal game.

As a result of an investigation, James R. Brooks, 49, of 25 Sandy Smith Rd., Poplaville, was arrested on March 30 for possession of a controlled substance, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, simple assault and possession of illegal game, said Chief Deputy Shane Tucker.

The case began when the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries were investigating the killing of a fenced in deer on private property, Tucker said.

On Dec. 20, Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries law enforcement officers arrived at Brooks’ residence but, Brooks and several others fled on foot, Tucker said.

In plain view Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries officers found a hunting rifle sitting on the front seat in Brooks’ vehicle, Tucker said.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries called the sheriff’s department to request their assistance with the investigation, Tucker said.

In response, investigators Lance Spiers and Scott Wagner with the sheriff’s department arrived on the scene and saw items, in plain view, which matched the description of stolen property in other cases.

Spiers and Wagner later obtained a search warrant and conducted a search the home and surrounding property. In the search, investigators recovered two jet skis, methamphetamine inside the home and other miscellaneous property that had been reported stolen, Tucker said.

Through the investigation, it was discovered Brooks was a convicted felon and that the hunting rifle found inside his vehicle had been stolen, Tucker said.

Warrants were issued for Brooks for possession of controlled substance and firearms violations, Tucker said. He said Brooks eluded law enforcement until March 30, when the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department arrested him.