A 40-year-old East Rome man is facing a slew of charges, including felony obstruction of law enforcement and fleeing or attempting to elude, following an incident that occurred Sunday on Haley Drive. According to records from the Floyd County jail, Benjamin Parker Berry was involved in a confrontation that escalated into violence.

Reports indicate that Berry allegedly pushed a woman and forcefully slapped a cell phone from her hand before grabbing a teenager by the head. The situation took a destructive turn when Berry reportedly used a crowbar and hammers to damage the walls of a closet and a gun safe within the residence. When law enforcement arrived on the scene, they found Berry attempting to flee in his vehicle, which was parked illegally on the wrong side of the street. Eyewitnesses claim that as police approached, Berry started the car and began to drive away, with an officer clinging to the steering wheel in an effort to stop him. After the vehicle came to a halt, Berry attempted to escape on foot but was apprehended soon after. During his arrest, officers discovered that he possessed cyclobenzaprine, a muscle relaxant.

While being medically cleared at a local hospital, Berry reportedly had to be restrained after attempting to pull away from police. Berry now faces multiple charges, including simple assault, simple battery, obstructing a person from making a 911 call, criminal trespass, misdemeanor obstruction, disorderly conduct, possession of drugs not in their original container, possession of dangerous drugs, DUI, and improper parking.

Berry is currently in custody at the Floyd County jail, awaiting his next court appearance.