Armed Convicted Felon Identified and Arrested from a Traffic Stop

By Carol A. Gasser Moore

 

VALDOSTA, Lowndes County, Georgia – A Valdosta Police Department (VPD) Officer contacted a traffic stop on Monday, September 16.  The stop occurred about 1:55 a.m. when the officer observed that a vehicle did not have operating headlights or taillights.

Ricky Hill, Jr. was later identified as the driver of the non-illuminated vehicle. Hill is said to have provided the officer with his driver’s license.  The VPD officer observed a magazine from a handgun showing from underneath the front seat in which Hill was sitting as the officer and driver talked.

According to the VPD report, when the officer asked Hill to step out of the vehicle, Hill put the car in drive and sped off from the traffic stop at a high speed.  Shortly after the traffic stop location, Hill lost control of the vehicle, struck a power pole, and ran from the car.  Hill was located by officers.  He was found hiding at a closed business location where he was taken into custody.

VPD Officers located a handgun under the front seat driver’s seat, during the search of the vehicle.

Hill was transported to Lowndes County Jail.  He has been charged with

• possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (felony),
• obstruction of an officer (misdemeanor), and
• several traffic violations.

The Valdosta Police Department asks that if anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department/.