A fugitive from Virginia was apprehended in Florida on Tuesday, September 17, on outstanding warrants for Second Degree Murder and Burglary.
After a truck ran a red light, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a routine traffic stop on Old Kings Road in Palm Coast.
During the stop, they identified the driver as 43-year-old Timothy Hickerson, who had an active warrant from Virginia. Hickerson was immediately arrested and transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility.
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Hickerson is wanted in connection with the murder of Shane Donahue, 23, from Nokesville, Virginia. Donahue was last seen on March 24, 2010, leaving his parents’ home in Nokesville, about an hour from Washington, D.C. He was reported missing, and despite an initial investigation, he could not be found, and the case went cold.
Virginia investigators recently reopened the case after receiving new information. Detectives discovered that Hickerson had been seen with Donahue shortly before his disappearance. The two were seen leaving Donahue’s parents’ home and returning to Donahue’s residence nearby. Donahue has not been seen since, and Virginia authorities presume he is deceased, although his remains have never been located.
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During the investigation, Hickerson was also linked to a burglary at Donahue’s home, which occurred just days before the young man’s disappearance. Based on this information, Prince William County detectives in Virginia obtained a warrant for Hickerson’s arrest.
Hickerson, who had been living in Palm Coast since 2022, will remain in custody at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility without bond until he is extradited back to Virginia to face charges.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly commented on the arrest, saying, “This shows there is no such thing as a simple traffic stop. This one ended with a fugitive meeting justice, wanted for a murder that occurred more than 14 years ago. If you’re a fugitive, we will catch you regardless of where you ran from and take you to jail.”
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The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a decade-old cold case, bringing Hickerson one step closer to facing justice for the crimes he is accused of.
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