The arrest came about half an hour after he broke into a house, according to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office.

HERNANDO COUNTY – A “career criminal” was arrested shortly after he broke into a home Tuesday (March 6) afternoon, the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said.

Randy Doyle Ross, 47, of Wesley Chapel, was charged with one count each of burglary to a dwelling with an enhancement of traveling across county line and possession of burglary tools. He is also charged with two counts of resisting arrest without violence. Hernando deputies said Ross is a documented career offender. They said Ross was released from prison April 13 after serving 15 years for burglaries, dealing in stolen property, and other violent crimes.

Hernando County deputies were dispatched to 1451 Newhope Road about 4 p.m. Tuesday (March 6) regarding a residential burglary in progress. A neighbor had called after he heard glass breaking and saw Ross walking away from that address. The neighbor told deputies that, after he went back inside his home, he heard more glass breaking and, looking outside, saw Ross crawling into a window.

The neighbor, Eric Ford, said he then saw Ross walking westbound on Newhope Road wearing plastic gloves and carrying a hammer in his belt loop. Ross was also carrying a green and blue backpack.

Deputy C. Woodbury said he found Ross on Newhope Road. At first, Ross was cooperative, talking with Woodbury and putting the backpack on the hood of the deputy’s patrol car. Then, suddenly, Ross fled on foot, ignoring Woodbury’s commands to stop.

Additional deputies came to help find Ross. Deputy C. Owens said he spotted Ross running several blocks away and ordered him to stop but Ross kept running.
Again, Ross ignored the commands of law enforcement.

Owens caught up with Ross and tackled him. While on the ground, Ross continued to try to get away from Owens. Two more deputies arrived and helped arrest Ross, who continued to resist.The arrest came less than 30 minutes after the burglary, deputies said.

Deputies said Ross admitted that he used a hammer and a brick to break the window and enter the house. He admitted entering the home to steal “merchandise” so he could purchase “meth.” Ross told deputies that he “uses meth heavily.” Ross also told detectives that he “ditched” the hammer and the gloves while he was fleeing from law enforcement. He later showed them where to locate the items.

Hernando Sheriff | Crime | Burglary | Resisting Arrest | Career Criminal | Arrests | Tampabay News

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