AMERICUS — At around 3 p.m. Tuesday, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on U.S. Highway 19 South near Old Dawson Road. The driver of the vehicle, Autumn Manriquez was charged with driving on suspended registration, suspended license and other traffic violations. According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, the Georgia State Patrol Post 10, Americus, also assisted with the traffic stop.
During the course of the investigative stop, the passenger, identified as Robert Lee Edwards, jumped into the driver’s seat and attempted to flee the scene, leading authorities on a chase. Edwards crashed the vehicle in a nearby wooded area and fled the scene on foot. but was quickly apprehended by Sumter County Sheriff’s personnel.
Edwards was found to be in possession of three controlled substances identified as hydrocodone, dilaudid and marijuana. The sheriff’s office said the street value of the drugs is approximately $2,000. Additional drug charges are pending further investigation.
Both Mariquez and Edwards were jailed in Sumter County Tuesday.
After obtaining Edwards’ correct identification, it was found that he was wanted in Dougherty County.  The traffic charges relative to this incident are being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol and the drug offenses are being investigated by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Division.
— Beth Alston