Man seen with missing hiker detained

CUMMING, Ga., Jan. 5 (UPI) -- A man brought in for questioning about a missing hiker is not being cooperative, authorities in Georgia said Saturday.

Gary Michael Hilton, 61, who was spotted with Meredith Emerson on New Year's Day at a state park, has been described as a "person of interest" in the investigation. Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Hilton has not been helpful in questioning.

Hilton was picked up Friday night at a convenience store in DeKalb County.

Emerson's dog also has been found. The animal was identified by an implanted microchip after it wandered into a Kroger's grocery store.

Paxton said that surveillance tape showed Hilton was in the area at the time.

Emerson has not been seen since New Year's Day. Volunteers have been searching the northern Georgia mountains around Vogel State Park.