Painesville man admits breaking into apartment

A Painesville man who was accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment in Willoughby to assault her now faces up to three years in prison.

Aaron Berry, 25, pleaded guilty Dec. 19 in Lake County Common Pleas Court to two felonies — trespassing in a habitation when a person is present or likely to be present and attempted abduction.

He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor domestic violence count.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 14 by Judge John P. O’Donnell.

Willoughby police said they received a call around 12:20 p.m. Aug. 13 from a woman who provided only an address for Fox Run apartments to the dispatcher.

Police went to the scene and found the 21-year-old inside her apartment.

She told police that she was assaulted and held against her will for over an hour by Berry.

The victim told police she had come home to her apartment at 11 a.m. that day and once inside, Berry came running out of the bedroom and attacked her, throwing her to the ground and choking her.

She told police he refused to leave and held onto her phone for over an hour. She was eventually able to gain control of the phone and call 911 after Berry fell to the ground while pacing inside the apartment.

Berry allegedly fled the scene when the victim called 911, police said.

The victim said she was unsure how he got into her apartment.

Officers searched the surrounding area for Berry, but were unable to locate him.

Search warrants were issued for his arrest.

On Aug. 16, Berry appeared in Mentor Municipal Court for a criminal case.

Once the case was completed in court, he was detained in reference to the Willoughby police warrants.

Berry is being held in Lake County Jail without bond.

Berry