2 face gun, drug charges in Tri-City traffic stop

SPINDALE, N.C. (WSPA) – Two people are facing gun and drug charges following a traffic stop in Spindale.

The Tri-City Violent Crimes Task Force (VCTF) said investigators initiated a traffic stop on College Avenue after receiving complaints about a man selling narcotics in a parking lot. Reports state the complaints come from callers suggesting Kendell Elijah Moore was selling methamphetamine and fentanyl from the Town and Country Motel. They also suggest Moore is frequently armed despite being a convicted felon in Spartanburg for drug-related charges.

Investigators said they had previously seen Moore standing by the driver’s side door of the vehicle in question.

According to investigators, Moore and a passenger in the car, identified as Angelica Dawn Ruppe, began to move “in an abnormally animated manner” when the stop was initiated, ignoring blue lights and sirens for approximately .5 miles before coming to a stop just before the intersection near Skyla Credit Union and White Oaks Plaza.

Still, Ruppe and another passenger were detained on scene.

Further investigation of the vehicle led to the discovery of a loaded shotgun by the passenger door and a loaded pistol in an unlocked safe in the backseat. The pistol had a defaced serial number, according to reports.

Inside the safe, investigators found a small amount of methamphetamine and several items of drug paraphernalia.

According to reports, Still attempted to flee while handcuffed but was unsuccessful. Ruppe admitted to having a pistol when being taken into custody.

Still is charged with the following:

• Possession of firearm by felon
• Possession of methamphetamine
• Failure to heed blue lights/siren
• Resist/Obstruct/Delay

Ruppe is charged with the following:

• Possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number
• Carrying a concealed gun

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