The decision not to stop at a Jones County check point was not a good one for a Warner Robins man who is now a guest of the sheriff.
Jaxavier Ledarius Hicks, 25, was arrested March 15 and charged with possession of firearm by convicted felon or first offender, cruelty to children first degree, no insurance, reckless driving, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer for felony offense, driving on wrong side of roadway and no insurance.
He is currently being held without bond. A report of the incident leading to the arrest by Jones County Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Reno states he was working with multiple units at a check point on Highway 49 and Bowen Hill Road at 11 p.m. March 14 when he heard multiple deputies yelling for a white Jeep to stop.
Reno said as the vehicle approached him, he stepped in front of it, shining his light into inside of the vehicle. The deputy said he saw a black male driving and yelled for him to stop.
He eventually had to step back after realizing he was at risk of being struck.
Reno ran to his patrol car and led the pursuit.
He said while traveling northbound on Highway 49, he heard there was a child in the vehicle. Soon after the chase began, the deputy reported seeing an object thrown out of the jeep, which slid across the roadway, throwing sparks. The speeds in the chase topped 90 mph in 55 mph zones. Reno said he was told by Lt. Kasey Carr to get in front of the Jeep in order to slow it down.
He was able to do that, and working together with Carr and Deputy Dan Ribeiro to block the vehicle in, the Jeep was stopped.
The chase was captured on Reno’s dash cam.
The driver was identified as Hicks, and he was taken into custody. Reno said the 4-year-old was visibly shaken and crying when he removed the child from the car. He kept the child under his care until the mother got to the scene.
Hicks was transported to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center.
Reno said evidence was collected from the Jeep, including an iPhone, cash, debit cards, multiple photo IDs, a bottle of tequila, a 9mm pistol magazine and two large satchels wrapped in duct tape.
The deputy said it appeared the contents of the vehicle were for a prison drop. He was later notified the object thrown from the Jeep had been located, a black AR-style firearm.
Jones County Sheriff Butch Reece announced the arrest on a March 17 Facebook post. He said as a result of the checkpoints, deputies issued 30 citations for various traffic violations, such as suspended license, no insurance, suspended registration and seatbelt violations. Eight arrests were made, including four for drug offenses and three for probation warrants.
“Great job to all our deputies for their hard work in keeping our roads and community safe,” Reece said.
