Accused Meth Dealer Arrested After Road Rage Confrontation With Teens

The suspect allegedly pulled a gun on a teenager at an intersection in Aurora.

John J. Berry, Jr. Photo by Dearborn County Sheriff's Office.

(Aurora, Ind.) - A road rage incident in Aurora ended with an accused methamphetamine dealer’s arrest.

Ralph Berry Jr., 46, of Aurora, was tailgating another vehicle driven by a teenager on North Hogan Road on Saturday, June 8, according to an affidavit filed in court. He pursued the teen’s vehicle until it reached the intersection of North Hogan Road and State Road 350 in Aurora.

Two teens in the first vehicle told officers that Berry exited his vehicle at the intersection. He allegedly pulled a gun from his waistband and pointed it at one of the teens.

The teens called police. A Dearborn County Sheriff’s deputy responded and located a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle’s description at the CVS Pharmacy on U.S. 50 in Aurora. The deputy met Berry and placed him in handcuffs. He allegedly admitted to showing his handgun to the teenagers

Officers searched Berry’s vehicle, allegedly locating a meth pipe and a loaded .45 caliber handgun. Bags containing a crystal-like substance were also located in the vehicle – believed to be methamphetamine, it weighed 26 grams. In Berry’s pants pocket, police found $316 in cash.

Berry told police he followed the teen’s vehicle because it had almost hit him head-on on North Hogan Road, so he turned around and followed them. He said he was tired of kids driving terribly on the road.

He told police he showed the weapon after one of the teens got out of the vehicle and confronted him, according to the affidavit.

Berry was placed under arrest. He has been charged with Dealing in Methamphetamine (level 2 felony), Possession of Methamphetamine (level 3 felony), Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon (level 5 felony), Pointing a Firearm (level 6 felony), Possession of a Syringe (level 6 felony), and Possession of Paraphernalia (class C misdemeanor).

Berry is also accused of being a habitual offender, which could result in him getting a longer sentence, if convicted. He was convicted of Perjury (class D felony) in 2001 and Forgery (class C felony) in 2006.

He is out of jail after posting bond of $100,000 surety and $2,500 cash. A judge has ordered Berry to have no contact with the victims.