VALDOSTA, Ga. (WCTV) – Five people, including teenagers, were arrested in Valdosta Sunday after a traffic stop in the Ora Lee West, according to a Wednesday press release from the Valdosta Police Department.
On Monday, Valdosta Police addressed a video circulating on social media that was “depicting officers making several arrests,” according to the police department.
The police department went on to say in its post that VPD “takes all complaints, including allegations of excessive force seriously and is committed to transparency and accountability.”
According to the press release, VPD officers working an extra shift for the Valdosta Housing Authority were investigating possible narcotics inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Ora Lee West Homes.
VPD said a crowd started to gather as officers were conducting the traffic stop. As a result, VPD said more officers were brought to the scene to walk people away from the situation.
VPD said officers then attempted to arrest an 18-year-old male, who they say was interfering with their investigation. “The subject ran from the scene and entered an apartment that was not his residence. When the officer caught up, inside of the apartment, the subject physically resisted despite being given multiple commands and opportunities to comply,” per the VPD press release.
More News out of South Georgia
Police said they called for backup inside the home, as many from the traffic stop also gathered there to “hinder his efforts.” When other officers arrived, police said people continued to interfere by pulling offenders away, pushing officers, and stepping between them.
Five arrests were made due to the incident.
An 18-year-old man was charged with two counts of felony obstruction and misdemeanor marijuana. Another man and woman, both 18, were charged with misdemeanor obstruction. A 17-year-old and a 15-year-old boy were charged with felony obstruction.
Due to a video circulating on social media of the incident, Valdosta Police said they requested that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) conduct its own investigation.
VPD also said the incident has been referred to the department’s Office of Professional Standards to conduct “an independent, internal investigation and in review, in accordance with departmental policy.”
WCTV is currently working to obtain copyright permission to share videos of the incident.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2026 WCTV. All rights reserved.