Suspect Charged with Theft, Fleeing and Eluding, Illegal Possession of a Firearm, and Drug Distribution: On October 30 at approximately 8:34 p.m., officers with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a Jaguar in the area of Crain Highway and Berry Road after receiving an alert indicating the vehicle had stolen registration plates. The driver refused to stop and continued north into Prince George’s County at a high rate of speed. Officers discontinued their attempts to stop the vehicle in accordance with agency policy in this case and proceeded to the next U-turn to return to Charles County.
As officers made the turn, they discovered the Jaguar had been involved in a single-vehicle crash near Cedarville Road. They observed the driver removing two young children—both under the age of six—from the vehicle before running into the parking lot of a nearby convenience store, where he attempted to enter an unattended car at the gas pumps. Officers quickly intervened, safely secured the children, and took the driver into custody.
The suspect was identified as Khmari Michael Ruffin, 24, of Brandywine. A search of the Jaguar revealed a .357 handgun with the serial number filed off, a large quantity of cannabis, and drug paraphernalia consistent with the distribution of controlled dangerous substances. The registration plates were confirmed stolen, the vehicle was not registered, and there were no car seats in the vehicle for the children.
The Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) responded to assist. They also handled a separate crash involving a responding officer arriving on the scene.
Ruffin was transported to the Charles County Detention Center, where he was charged with fleeing and eluding police, illegal possession of a firearm, possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, theft of registration plates, and child endangerment. The children were placed in the care of a relative. Ruffin is currently being held at the Charles County Detention Center and has bond review on Monday, November 3. The investigation is ongoing.
