The Del Norte Sheriff’s Office encountered a stand-off with Ronald Berry who was wanted for probation violations in Del Norte County and also had outstanding warrants from Curry County, after Officers attempted to take Mr. Berry into custody Wednesday evening.
Allegedly, he also recently evaded law enforcement by fleeing during a traffic stop. While Del Norte Sheriff’s deputies attempted to make contact with Ronald Wednesday evening, he attempted to assault Officers with a Bobcat Tractor and then flee into his residence.
Crescent City CHP, Del Norte Probation, State Parks, National Parks, Fish & Game, and Pelican Bay CRT played very active roles in his apprehension. The Fort Dick Fire Department also helped with equipment.
The standoff began at about 1:00pm and an Incident Command Center was established and negotiations began immediately. After several hours of Mr. Berry refusing to respond or cooperate in any way and numerous failed attempts to communicate with him, tear gas was introduced into the residence. The interior of the residence was then entered and searched but Ronald was not initially located. He was believed to have hidden underneath the house by way of an access from inside a bedroom.
Negotiations continued and eventually he was spotted beneath the house. More tear gas was deployed, bean bag rounds were utilized and powdered pepper balls were launched in his direction. Unfortunately, Mr. Berry still refused to surrender. Power was turned off to the house and a large hole was cut through the floor, in the living room.
With better visibility of Mr. Berry, it was about that time that he chose to cooperate and was taken into custody. He was medically cleared for booking and housed at the Del Norte County Jail.
Sheriff Apperson said “It’s crucial that people choosing to commit crimes in Del Norte County learn that we as law enforcement professionals will not stop pursuing them. We will find them, we will arrest them and we will deliver them to jail. It is equally imperative that they know our community as a whole will not tolerate this behavior. We as a community set the standards that we must live with. Resources from allied agencies, local citizens and their willingness to help when called upon are what brought this stressful and nearly six-hour standoff to a peaceful end. I couldn’t be more proud of our Del Norte Sheriff’s Officers and everyone that gave us a hand today.”
