VALDOSTA, Ga. – On Saturday, December 28, 2019, at approximately 9:56 a.m., patrol officers with the Valdosta Police Department responded to the 1800 block of West Hill Avenue in reference to locating a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of West Palm Beach, Florida.

Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle in the parking lot of a motel. While investigating the case, a subject later identified as Saif Hamtini, 29, exited a motel room and started walking away from the officers. As the officers approached, Hamtini ran from them ignoring orders to stop.

When caught Hamtini continued to resist arrest but was eventually detained. Hamtini was found to be carrying a handgun which turned out to be a BB gun. Hamtini also had the key to the stolen car in his possession.

Hamtini was arrested on two counts of theft by bringing stolen property into Georgia (felony) and obstruction of an officer (misdemeanor). Hamtini was transported to the Lowndes County Jail.

“Our officers did a great job getting this offender off the streets most likely preventing him from committing further crimes,” commented VPD LT. Scottie Johns. “The way he was carrying this BB gun like it was a real gun, leads us to believe that he had the intent to commit more crimes.”