Detroit Felon Who Fled Cops With Cocaine In Car Sentenced

A convicted felon from Detroit who tried to get away from Riverside, California, police seeking to arrest him for a traffic-related offense, culminating in a chase that ended on a high school athletic field, was sentenced Wednesday to four years and four months in prison.

Maurice Monroe Ruffin, 51, pleaded guilty last month to evading arrest and possession of controlled substances for sale. In exchange for his admissions, prosecutors dropped a charge of transportation of narcotics for sale.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Bambi Moyer certified the terms of the plea agreement and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense. Moyer initially imposed a 64-month prison term, but after the defendant's jail credits were factored, the sentence was reduced.

On the morning of last Oct. 23, a patrol officer spotted Ruffin leaving the parking lot of a motel at Magnolia Avenue and Overland Street. The defendant committed several infractions while exiting the lot, prompting the officer to initiate a traffic stop, police said.

Ruffin disregarded the patrolman and sped away, triggering a pursuit. He crashed the vehicle into a light pole at the intersection of Magnolia and Jefferson Street, then drove onto the athletic field at nearby Ramona High School, where he bailed out on foot and fled into the bleachers.

Officers quickly located Ruffin hiding underneath the bleachers and arrested him without further incident. No students, officers or bystanders were injured.

A police spokesman said an ounce of cocaine was found in the car, as well as a wad of cash, and more of the drug was seized when officers searched the defendant's motel room.

No information was available regarding Ruffin's prior conviction.

Written by City News Service

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