Brevard County SWAT Standoff Ends In Arrest
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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."