Florida kidnapping suspect arrested after 34-hour manhunt, deputies say

THE VILLAGES, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida man who was wanted in the violent abduction of his girlfriend has been arrested after a nearly day-long standoff, deputies said.

Wildwood police first announced that they were looking for suspect James Savage, 54, after he attacked his girlfriend and forced her into a car Thursday night.

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Marion County deputies later found the victim and the suspect in the Villages. While the victim was rescued, Savage remained barricaded in a home for hours, lasting all the way into Saturday morning.

Deputies said at 10:30 a.m., Savage finally surrendered peacefully. He was then arrested on kidnapping and domestic battery charges, as well as charges related to the standoff.

“It’s been a long night for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and we cannot thank them enough for bringing this barricaded suspect, James Savage out without injury putting an end to this case that began 34+ hours ago,” the Wildwood Police Department said. “Thank you from our Wildwood Police Department team to yours!”

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