A suspect wanted for murder in a 14-year-old cold case has been arrested by police in Florida after making the simplest of driving mistakes.
Timothy Hickerson, 43, was stopped by officers in Palm Coast after running a red light on Old Kings Road.
Hickerson’s arrest was captured on police body camera as Flagler County Sheriff’s Office officers ordered him out of his white pickup truck.
The shock on Hickerson’s face was evident when police told him that not only had he been ticketed for running a red light, but he had been arrested on an outstanding warrant for a 2010 murder in Virginia.
Timothy Hickerson, 43, was stopped by officers in Palm Coast after running a red light on Old Kings Road in Palm Coast, Florida.
Hickerson’s arrest was captured on police body camera as Flagler County Sheriff’s Office officers ordered him out of his white pickup truck.
Over the years, Shane Donahue’s family and friends never stopped searching for him, putting up posters, holding vigils and celebrating his birthday every August.
Hickerson is the prime suspect in the murder of 23-year-old Shane Donahue in Nokesville, Virginia.
Donahue had last been seen leaving his parents’ home about an hour southwest of Washington, D.C., about 14 years earlier, in March 2010.
Donahue was presumed dead, but his body was never found and the case went cold.
But the case was recently reopened after new information was provided to investigators.
The sheriff’s office says Hickerson was seen leaving Donahue’s parents’ home and then returning to the victim’s home.
Hickerson appears in a Flagler County Jail booking photo.
Police told Hickerson that not only did they ticket him for running a red light, but they arrested him on an outstanding warrant for a 2010 murder in Virginia.
Even though the case has gone cold, friends and family have long hoped for a breakthrough.
He was also linked to a robbery at Donahue’s home just days before the victim disappeared.
No motive has been given as to why Hickerson might have killed Donahue, nor is there any further information about where her remains might be.
Hickerson will remain in custody at the Flagler County Jail until he can be extradited to Virginia.
“This shows that there’s no such thing as a simple traffic stop. This time, a fugitive who was wanted for a murder that occurred more than 14 years ago met with justice,” said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly.
“If you are a fugitive, we will catch you no matter where you ran from and we will take you to jail.”
