By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE — A 36-year-old man was arrested Tuesday afternoon after deputies used a K-9 to search a wooded area near Miller Road when the man fled from authorities.
According to a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report, Ryan Neil Hudson drew a deputy’s attention after he pulled out of his driveway at 2655 Miller Road at about 5 p.m. into traffic, forcing two vehicles to slam on brakes.
A deputy activated her emergency lights and ordered the man to pull his 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada back into the driveway.
After the order, the report said, Hudson backed into his driveway, but continued in reverse until he had circled the home and stopped in the front yard.
Hudson then fled through the Miller Road house and seconds later a green van slowly drove toward officers from the back of the home.
Authorities ordered the van to stop and asked the man driving it if the driver of the Bravada driver was in the vehicle.
Deputies opened the van’s sliding side door and found Hudson lying on the van’s floor.
Hudson then fled into a nearby wooded area, losing his shirt in a struggle with officers, the report said. A deputy shot at Hudson with a Taser, but Hudson was out of range.
Authorities set up a perimeter around the wooded area and began a K-9 track.
The report said the dog located Hudson in the woods near Grace Lutheran Church Road.
Through witness statements, deputies determined that Hudson was driving his girlfriend’s SUV and had been living in a barn beside the Miller Road home since September.
Hudson was transported to a deputy’s car in handcuffs and shackles, the report said.
Deputies said they also found a small bag of marijuana in Hudson’s pocket.
Hudson maintained, according to the report, that the bag contained tobacco.
He also told authorities, the report said, that he was not going to be charged with driving while impaired “because he was not going to cooperate.”
Authorities said Hudson had a strong odor of alcohol and was taken to Rowan Regional Medical Center for a blood test.
Hudson was charged with simple possession of marijuana, driving while impaired, resisting, obstructing or delaying a public officer, driving while license revoked and careless and reckless driving.
He was also wanted on two outstanding warrants on driving while license revoked charges.
He was given a $12,500 bond and was in jail today.
The report said Hudson was placed in a restraining chair at the Rowan County Detention Center “because he continued to cause problems.”