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VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) – What began as a hit-and-run investigation led to the narcotics arrest of a 17-year-old in Valdosta.

On April 24, around 6 p.m., a citizen called E911 to report being involved in a traffic accident in the 1800 block of North Ashley Street. The other driver reportedly fled the scene, and the caller began following the suspect vehicle.

According to the Valdosta Police Department (VPD), officers located and stopped both vehicles in the 400 block of West Gordon Street. During the stop, officers identified the driver of the suspect vehicle as 17-year-old Harvey Caleb Freeman. They discovered he did not have a valid driver’s license and noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from his vehicle.

A search of Freeman’s vehicle revealed over 53 grams of marijuana, a bag of loose Acyclovir pills, and items consistent with narcotics distribution.

Freeman was arrested and taken to the Lowndes County Jail. He is facing multiple charges, including:

• Felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
• Misdemeanor possession of dangerous drugs
• Misdemeanor drugs not in original container
• Misdemeanor possession of drug-related items
• Misdemeanor hit-and-run
• Additional traffic-related misdemeanors

Anyone with information regarding this case or others is urged to contact the Valdosta Police Department’s Bureau of Investigative Services at (229) 293-3145, the crime tip line at (229) 293-3091, or submit a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.

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