By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
KANNAPOLIS — Deputies seized a liquor still following a traffic stop on Park Edwards Road Sunday night.
According to a Rowan County Sheriff’s Office report, Deputy Billy Basinger stopped a Chevrolet van near Unity Church Road when a license plate check showed outstanding warrants for the driver.
When the deputy activated his blue lights, the driver, believed to be Gregory Daniel Moore, fled on foot into the woods.
Basinger, a K-9 handler, released dog Luke, who immediately locked onto a female passenger in the van, the report said.
When additional units arrived, deputies ran a K-9 track into the woods. The trail ended at a home on Dogwood Lane, but authorities could not locate the suspect.
Deputies found two green plastic containers with Mason jars inside. They also found “a gallon glass jar, which contained a clear alcoholic liquid,” the report said.
Authorities have obtained warrants for Moore on charges of resisting, obstructing and delaying a public officer and possession of non-tax paid liquor.
“Evidence collected from the van,” Capt. John Sifford said, led officers to a home on Bostian Oaks Lane.
Deputies spoke to the homeowner, Anthony Hardin, who admitted to officers he had a liquor still in an outside storage building.
The report said Hardin “advised that he made it for personal consumption and did not sell any of it.”
He later told deputies he had given some alcohol to Moore.
Inside the storage building, officers found “numerous Mason jars that appeared to be new,” and vodka bottles.
The liquor still was in pieces near a set of cabinets and was not in operation when deputies entered. The still was seized during the investigation.
Sifford said deputies will speak with the District Attorney’s Office this week and charges are expected.
Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246.
Twitter: twitter.com/SalPostCrime
Facebook: facebook.com/Crime.SalisburyPost