Local

Suspect surrenders after barricading himself inside home in The Villages

Saturday Update:

WILDWOOD, Fla. — After a standoff that lasted over 20 hours, the man barricaded inside a home in The Villages has surrendered.

We have a crew at the scene and will provide updates on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at noon.

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Previous story:

Marion County deputies said a man suspected of kidnapping a woman is barricaded in a home.

The woman he is accused of kidnapping is safe.

SWAT team members have surrounded a home in The Villages for hours Friday, trying to bring a peaceful end to a case that crossed county lines.

Around 10 p.m. Thursday, Wildwood police said a woman was taken against her will from a home on Hall Place.

Police said the suspect is her boyfriend, James Savage.

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It is unclear what led up to the incident.

When Channel 9 visited the home Friday morning, a resident closed her garage.

During a news conference at noon Friday, Wildwood’s police chief asked for the community’s help finding the woman and Savage.

Residents told Channel 9 that deputies responded to the scene of the standoff hours earlier.

A source connected to the investigation told Channel 9 it took time to establish that Savage and the woman were at the site.

Deputies then blocked off roads in the subdivision.

Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates to this developing story.

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12:54 p.m. update:

Police said a woman is safe after she was violently attacked and kidnapped from a home in Wildwood.

Wildwood police said Marivel Dunn had been safely located and is currently with law enforcement.

Officers said the suspect, James Savage, has been located by an out-of-county law enforcement agency and they are working on apprehending him.

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12:08 p.m. update:

Wildwood police said they had located the suspect’s car, but they were not able to locate Marivel Dunn or James Savage.

Police said they may be traveling in Dunn’s vehicle, a 2020 black BMW 330i with Florida tag CD60JE.

Original report:

Police said Marivel Dunn was kidnapped around 10:11 p.m. Thursday from a home on Hall Place in Wildwood.

Wildwood police released a video of the incident on social media.

Warning: Viewer discretion is advised

Officers said she was punched, pulled by her hair, and slammed on the ground before she was taken from the home.

Police said James Savage is considered a suspect in her disappearance.

Investigators said they were last seen leaving the home in Savage’s 2018 black Mercedes-Benz S series with Florida tag # MNM-BENZ.


Police said the vehicle was last seen heading towards Marion County northbound on US 301, passing CR 102, at approximately 10:23 p.m.

Officers said Savage and Dunn were last known to be in a domestic relationship and living together at multiple unverified locations.

According to police, both individuals have ties to Sumter County, Marion County, and Palm Beach County.

Anyone who knows where they are is asked to call 911 or the Wildwood Police Department at 352-330-1355.

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Jason Kelly

Jason Kelly, WFTV.com

Jason Kelly joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2014. He serves as the station's Digital Executive Producer.