Indiana Man Faces Felony Charges in Alleged Elks Lodge Theft
The "exalted ruler" of the New Castle Elks Lodge, Patrick Saunders, faces felony charges in Indiana for allegedly stealing over $16,000 from the organization's gaming machines.

Indianapolis, IN, September 4, 2026 —
Patrick Saunders, identified as the “exalted ruler” of the New Castle Elks Lodge, has been charged with felony offenses in Indiana. The charges stem from allegations that Saunders misappropriated more than $16,000 from the organization’s gaming machines.
Details regarding the specific timeline of the alleged theft, the exact date the charges were filed, or the particular court where the case is being heard were not immediately available. The amount of $16,000 represents the sum authorities allege was stolen from the lodge’s gaming equipment.
As the “exalted ruler,” Saunders held a leadership position within the New Castle Elks Lodge. The nature of his duties and responsibilities in this role, beyond what is implied by the title and the alleged actions, has not been specified.
Felony charges indicate a serious offense under Indiana law. The legal proceedings are expected to follow standard judicial processes for such allegations. Further information on the investigation, including the specific felony counts and potential penalties, is anticipated as the case progresses.
The New Castle Elks Lodge is a fraternal organization. The summary did not provide information on any immediate internal actions taken by the lodge in response to the charges against Saunders, nor did it detail any impact on the organization’s operations.
The contractor’s name, if applicable to the gaming machines or any related investigation, was not provided. Similarly, any permit status, inspection outcomes, or specific code violations that may have arisen in connection with this case were not detailed in the available summary.
Story summarized from the original created by Joe Schroeder on fox59.com, see more information here.