By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
A man known to live in barns was found in a home early Monday and charged with robbery.
After a week of searching, Rowan County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Gerald Ridenhour in a home on Dalton Drive.
He was charged with a Nov. 28 robbery at the home of Terri Eller, 106 Sage Lane, Rockwell.
According to investigators, Ridenhour forced his way into the Eller home behind Marcia Hess.
Ridenhour held Eller at gunpoint and threatened to kill her if she didn’t give him prescription medication.
Hess was arrested earlier on multiple charges and is being held in the Rowan County Dentition Center.
Capt. John Sifford said Monday deputies went to a home on Second Street in Salisbury but failed to find Ridenhour.
Acting on information, deputies then went to the Dalton Drive residence. They encountered a man at the back door who confirmed that Ridenhour was in the house.
Sifford said the 35-year-old Ridenhour did not offer any resistance.
Ridenhour, who investigators say has lived in barns on Lower Palmer Road, was placed in the Rowan County Detention Center under $80,000 bond on charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, breaking and entering, trafficking in heroin and possession with intent to sell and deliver.
Ridenhour’s prior record includes a conviction on desecrating a grave. According to records, Ridenhour stole an angel off a child’s grave on Dec. 3, 1993.