A Blacksburg man has been arrested and charged with multiple felonies following an alleged breaking and entering attempt, according to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith.
Patrick County Sheriff’s deputies Cody Fortner and Jesse Pickerel responded shortly after 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 13, to the area of Dan River Grocery, in Ararat, to a call reporting a suspicious person.
Upon arrival, the deputies determined that a break-in had been attempted at the store. Shortly after, Fortner located a white man walking near Homeplace Road. The man was questioned, and Fortner determined the man was a suspect for the alleged attempted break-in, Smith said in the release.
Fortner tried to take the man into custody, but the man allegedly began to fight with the deputy, the release stated.
During the altercation, Fortner lost control of his issued metal flashlight. The man allegedly tried to strike Fortner with the flashlight while both men were on the ground. Fortner delivered multiple fist-strikes, both to gain compliance and ultimately handcuff the man, according to the sheriff.
Subsequent to being transported to the jail and during the booking process, the man allegedly punched Patrick County Sheriff’s deputy Isaac Wood in the neck, the sheriff said.
All involved in the fracas received minor injuries that did not require outside medical attention, Smith said.
Ronald Scott Richards, Jr., 30, of Blacksburg, was charged with two counts of assaulting a law enforcement officer, and one count each attempted break and enter, and destruction of property. He is being held without bail in the Patrick County Jail.