CHARLES CITY COUNTY, Va. -- Richard Nice said when he saw a man on his Charles City farm wearing nothing but his underwear, he knew something was amiss.
"He didn’t look too great after coming through the woods. He looked a little dirty and rough looking," Nice said. "There was no doubt in my mind that he was the guy."
The guy, according to law enforcement, is Andrew Leroy Williams. Williams is a convicted sex offender who fled Charles City County deputies during a traffic stop Tuesday afternoon on Route 5. While pursuing Williams, two sheriff's cruisers crashed into each other. Williams' SUV then ran off the road and he escaped on foot into the woods, according to investigators.
A massive manhunt was launched to find Williams. He was arrested hours later after he made his way to Nice's farm.
"I got what I needed in my hands to feel safe about it," Nice said. "I just told him, best sit down on the ground and wait till the law gets here."
Williams, who is being held at the Riverside Regional Jail, was charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, a felony. Williams was driving an SUV his roommate had reported as stolen, sources said. Williams was wearing only his underwear when he was taken into custody, sources added.
Andrew Leroy Williams
Williams was convicted of second-degree rape in Baltimore County, Maryland in 2006, according to the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry. He served six years in prison for the crime. Charles City County Sheriff's Office investigators said they were unsure of how long Williams had lived in the county.
Deputies in Stable Condition
Charles City County Sheriff Javier Smith said the deputies injured in the wreck were making a "positive recovery." Cpt. Jason Crawley and detective Charlie Hargis were both taken to VCU Medical Center with serious injuries Wednesday afternoon; however, Smith said both could be released from the hospital as soon as Thursday evening.
Crash in Charles City County (PHOTO: Jon Burkett)
Sheriff Smith said he would also like to thank the farmer, Richard Nice, who held Williams captive until police arrived.
Richard Nice
Williams was scheduled to be arraigned in Charles City County General District Court on May 27.
