A Mooresville man is now facing a stack of charges after deputies say he held a butcher knife to a woman's neck, stole her vehicle and led law enforcement on a highway chase Monday that ended with a K-9 tracking him down in nearby woods. According to law enforcement accounts, the suspect surrendered, then suffered a medical emergency. Deputies administered naloxone and performed CPR until emergency medical services arrived. He was treated at a hospital and later released to the Iredell County Detention Center, authorities said.
Alleged knife threat and pursuit
Deputies were called to a Mooresville home after a report that a man had pressed a butcher knife to a woman's neck, threatened another person and then took the victim's vehicle without permission. Lieutenant J. Stutts later spotted the vehicle on Highway 70 in Statesville and tried to pull it over, but the driver took off, heading south on Interstate 77, according to a report from Queen City News.
Deputies called off the pursuit for public safety because of heavy traffic and what they described as reckless driving. The vehicle was later found abandoned on Oak Brook Drive, and a sheriff's K-9 tracked the suspect into a wooded area, where he was taken into custody, Queen City News reported, citing the Iredell County Sheriff's Office.
Suspect's prior run-ins with police
Court records and local reporting show Robert John Mazzullo was already on probation at the time of his arrest, with previous counts that included injury to personal property and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The Mooresville Police Department charged him in November 2025, according to Iredell Free News.
Charges and booking
Law enforcement officials say Mazzullo is now facing a lengthy list of charges. According to Queen City News, those counts include two counts of misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, misdemeanor unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, felony fleeing to elude arrest, reckless driving to endanger, speeding, driving while license revoked, improper passing and felony malicious conduct by a prisoner, among other charges.
Officials say additional felony and misdemeanor counts were added while he was being processed. Online arrest listings show he was booked on Monday and is being held at the Iredell County Detention Center, records posted on Iredell County Mugshots indicate.
Investigation continues
The Iredell County Sheriff's Office, which provided the account to local reporters, says the case remains under active investigation and that warrants have been issued in connection with the incident. For official updates and sheriff's office releases, visit the Iredell County Sheriff's Office News Flash.
