STATESVILLE, N.C – Deputies say they arrested a convicted sex offender on several felony warrants after a foot chase through the woods in Statesville.
Registered sex offender Ross Berryman, 73, accrued several charges on outstanding warrants after fleeing from an abandoned home and leading deputies on a foot chase in the woods on Wednesday, August 28th.
Ross Berryman
Deputies say they had been seeking the whereabouts of Berryman for several sexual offenses including not notifying authorities when he moved and for a violation for failing to register as a sex offender. A deputy received a tip that Berryman might be hiding at an abandoned house on South Meeting Street.
Upon arrival, the deputy said he spotted Berryman through a window of the home and instructed him to come to the front door. However, moments later, a loud noise from the back side of the home drew the deputy’s attention, according to a news release.
The deputy stated he observed Berryman fleeing through the woods.
According to a news release, a foot chase ensued, during which the deputy repeatedly ordered Berryman to stop. When Berryman continued to run, the deputy deployed his taser, bringing Berryman into custody. Due to the taser being deployed, Iredell County Emergency Medical Services was called to the scene to check Berryman for any injures. Berryman was then transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.
He was issued a combined $100,000.00 secured bond on the outstanding warrants and a new charge of Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct, and Delay.
Due to additional medical concerns, the deputy transported Berryman to Iredell Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. After receiving medical clearance Berryman was returned to the Detention Center.
Berryman’s now facing the following charges:
- Resist, Obstruct, and Delay
- Failure to Notify Address Change as Registered Sex Offender
- Failure to Register, Sex Offender Violation
Berryman’s previous criminal history includes the following charges:
- Second degree rape
- First degree burglary
- Robbery with a firearm
- Sex Offender on a Child Premises
- Misdemeanor Littering
- Misdemeanor Resist, Obstruct, and Delay
