VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) — A man was arrested on Sunday, Dec. 21 in Valdosta after reportedly physically assaulting a woman and stealing her car, according to the Valdosta Police Department (VPD).

The woman was taken to South Georgia Medical Center to be treated for her injuries and has since been released.

The incident occurred on Sunday at about 5 p.m. on the 3900 block of Macey Drive, police said.

The woman told police that she was driving her car on Bemiss Road with 22-year-old Desmond Morales in the vehicle with her. He reportedly began to physically assault the woman, so she pulled into a parking lot to exit the car and call for help. Morales then took the woman’s cell phone and drove away in her car without her permission, VPD said.

Valdosta Police reportedly found the woman’s vehicle parked outside of Morales’ residence. They arrested Morales and recovered the woman’s keys and cell phone. Police then discovered that Morales was also in possession of a firearm.

Morales was taken to the Lowndes County Jail and charged with the following:

• Theft by taking motor vehicle (felony)
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (felony)
• Battery - family violence (misdemeanor)
• Theft by taking (misdemeanor)
• Tampering with evidence (misdemeanor)

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