Brevard County SWAT Standoff Ends In Arrest

Kenneth Wood

MERRITT ISLAND, Florida -- The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a violent fugitive wanted on a Delaware arrest warrant for Escape after Conviction.  

Yesterday, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office GAMEOVER Task Force received information that 40-year-old Kenneth Wood, an inmate from the Delaware Department of Corrections, was wanted for escape and was believed to be heading towards the Merritt Island area.   

Wood was serving a sentence related to a rape conviction. After conducting further investigation, it was discovered that Wood was suspected of two armed robberies in Alabama and one armed robbery in North Florida since the escape.  Wood escaped on December 22, 2012, and the last armed robbery suspected to be committed by Wood occurred last night.  Wood is also suspected of multiple auto thefts during the crime spree.  

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the GAMEOVER Task Force located Wood at a residence on Merritt Island.  As the agents attempted to take Wood into custody, he barricaded himself inside a residence located at 471 East Merritt Island Causeway, Trailer #13 which is near the west parking lot of the Merritt Square Mall and Mike Erdman dealership.   

Based on Woods actions, the seriousness of the crime spree allegations, and the belief that he was armed; the trailer park was evacuated by Sheriff's deputies.  The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team was then activated and responded.   

As the SWAT Team attempted to engage in conversation with Wood, he attempted to escape the area by crawling through the bottom of the trailer. Wood was immediately engaged by deputies and Wood withdrew back into the trailer. Wood ultimately surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident just after 8 p.m. 

Wood was transported to the Brevard County Jail in Sharpes, Florida under a no bond status for the active Escape Arrest Warrant.  GAMEOVER Agents are currently working with the Law Enforcement jurisdictions impacted by Woods alleged violent crime spree. Deputies say that additional charges are expected.  After the arrest, agents discovered a stolen vehicle and items believed to be associated with the robberies at the residence.  A search warrant will be conducted later tonight at the residence for additional items of evidence.

“I am very proud of the efforts of the GAMEOVER Task Force and our deputies," newly-sworn Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.  "They addressed a very dangerous fugitive today and safely removed him from our community."