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SOUTH GEORGIA (WALB) – A police pursuit that began at a routine road check led to a temporary road closure and the arrest of a wanted felon near the Grady/Thomas County line Friday morning.

Old Thomasville Road near the Grady/Thomas County line was temporarily closed during the incident but has since reopened. Drivers were previously advised to use alternate routes.

According to officials with the Grady and Thomas County sheriff’s offices, the incident began around 10:30 a.m. when a Thomas County deputy was conducting a road check.

A man, later identified as Ryan Nowell, approached the checkpoint but abruptly turned around, prompting the deputy to initiate a pursuit into neighboring Grady County.

The chase came to an end when the deputy successfully performed a PIT (Precision Immobilization Technique) maneuver, stopping Nowell’s vehicle. He was taken into custody without further incident. Investigators said Nowell told deputies he fled the checkpoint because he had been wanted for approximately four years out of Highland County, Florida.

Upon his arrest, deputies discovered Nowell was in possession of a firearm, cocaine and marijuana. As a convicted felon, Nowell now faces multiple charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of illegal substances.

We are working to gather additional information and confirm jurisdictional details.

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