A 32-year-old convicted felon from Ocala was arrested on drug trafficking and weapons charges after allegedly fleeing a traffic stop and leading Marion County deputies on a high-speed chase that ended in Belleview.
On Sunday, at approximately 10:30 p.m., a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy was patrolling an area near the 1400 block of SE 58th Avenue when a silver Nissan was observed traveling southbound on SE 58th Avenue.
The deputy noted in the MCSO report that the patrol car’s headlights illuminated the driver’s side windows of the Nissan, and the deputy was unable to see into the vehicle due to the window tint being “too dark.”
The deputy maneuvered the patrol car behind the Nissan and observed that it was a rental vehicle. The Nissan began to increase speed, and the deputy activated the patrol car’s emergency lights and siren in order to conduct a traffic stop, according to the MCSO report.
The Nissan continued to travel at high speeds and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The deputy noted in the report that the Nissan “ran at least one red light,” traveled at speeds exceeding 110 miles per hour, and maneuvered around multiple vehicles with a “wanton disregard for public safety.”
During the high-speed pursuit, several deputies maintained visual contact of the Nissan. When the vehicle neared the 11000 block of SE 56th Avenue in Belleview, the driver – identified in the report as Chadrick Antwan Ruffin – exited the vehicle and began running away from the deputies.
An MCSO K-9 deputy ran after Ruffin and released a canine partner. While Ruffin ran from law enforcement, he was observed dropping a dark cooler and a small black box, according to the MCSO report.
The deputy’s canine partner apprehended Ruffin, and he was detained in handcuffs. Deputies then searched the Nissan and located a loaded firearm in the driver’s door pocket, which was concealed underneath a rag and pill bottle.
The cooler that Ruffin had allegedly dropped was located. Inside the cooler, deputies found a large bag containing approximately 355 grams of a green leafy substance that field-tested positive for marijuana. A scale was also found in the cooler, along with other small baggies, and the MCSO report stated that deputies believed Ruffin intended to sell the marijuana.
Deputies also recovered the small black box that Ruffin had allegedly dropped. Inside the box, deputies located two baggies containing approximately 39 grams of a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for fentanyl and cocaine. Another baggie was also found in the box that contained approximately 15 grams of a clear and crystal-like substance that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the MCSO report.
A criminal history search of Ruffin revealed that he was previously convicted of a felony in 2017 in Sumter County.
The MCSO report stated that a deputy contacted Enterprise Rent-A-Car and confirmed that Ruffin was the listed renter of the Nissan.
Ruffin was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $70,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for trafficking in fentanyl (4 grams or more), trafficking in methamphetamine (14 grams or over), possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of a vehicle for drug trafficking, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, using or displaying a firearm during the commission of a felony, and fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer with disregard of safety to persons or property.
Ruffin is also facing misdemeanor charges for possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer without violence.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.