Iredell County Deputies Arrest Suspect After Chase

An Iredell County man is charged with assaulting two women with a knife and leading police on a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle.

Robert John Mazzullo, 31, of Mooresville, is charged with felony flee to elude arrest in a motor vehicle two counts of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor reckless driving to endanger, driving while license revoked, improper passing, felony malicious conduct by a prisoner and two counts of misdemeanor resist, obstruct and delay a public officer.

Iredell County deputies were called to a residence on Woodwinds Drive in Mooresville around 4:30 a.m. on Monday, One of the victims told deputies Mazzullo became enraged during an argument and threatened her and another victim with a knife. Mazzullo then took one of the victims’ vehicles and fled according to a press release from Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell.

The stolen vehicle was spotted along U.S. Highway 70 in Statesville later Monday. When a traffic stop was attempted, the vehicle continued driving and fled south on Interstate 77, Campbell said. Court documents said Mazzullo was going 110 mph in a 65 mph zone. The pursuit was halted due to safety concerns.

Morresville Police attempted to stop the vehicle but that chase was also halted.

Court documents said the RAV4 passed other vehicles using the emergency lane and was driving between cars. During one of the chases, the RAV4 was driven across a median and caused a crash with another vehicle. While on West Plaza Drive in Mooresville, the RAV4 hit another vehicle on the front left side.
The stolen RAV4 was found abandoned along Oak Brook Drive by deputies and Mooresville police officers. Iredell County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Nathan Hodges used K-9 Levi to track Mazzullo into a wooded area, where he was arrested.

While being taken out of the woods by deputies, Mazzullo had a medical emergency. Deputies administered naloxone and performed CPR until Iredell County EMS arrived. Mazzullo regained consciousness and was taken to a local hospital, Campbell said.

After being released from the hospital, Mazzullo was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center, Campbell said. Court documents said Mazzullo fought deputies trying to take him to jail after being released from Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital. The court documents said Mazzullo directed bodily fluid onto a staff member at the jail.

Mazzullo was also served with the outstanding warrants issued by the Mooresville Police Department, including felony fleeing to elude arrest, hit and run causing property damage and additional traffic-related offenses. He was already on probation for injury to personal property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Iredell County Sheriff’s Office