Lee County woman escapes alleged cross-country kidnapping, only to find suspect back outside her home weeks later

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — What was supposed to be a three-day couple's trip to New York turned into what investigators describe as a three-week nightmare spanning multiple states, ending with a woman escaping from captivity in California and a massive manhunt back in Southwest Florida.

Lee County deputies say 41-year-old Floyd Stuck is now behind bars after allegedly kidnapping his ex-girlfriend, threatening her family, and forcing her on a cross-country trip against her will.

According to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, the kidnapping began on April 20 when Stuck asked the victim to travel with him to New York to visit family.

"The morning they were set to leave, Stuck started acting erratically while driving," Marceno said during a Thursday news conference.

Investigators say the victim quickly realized they were not headed to the airport. Instead, deputies say Stuck handed her documents containing information about her family members and threatened to harm them if she did not comply with his demands.

What was supposed to be a short trip became a three-week journey through multiple states, including Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Nevada.

Deputies say Stuck took the victim's phone and wallet, threatened to kill her, dump her body, or retaliate against her family if she tried to escape.

Along the way, investigators say the abuse escalated.

According to the sheriff, the victim was eventually taken to San Diego, where Stuck allegedly restrained her with zip ties and duct tape and held a knife to her throat.

"The victim was tied up with zip ties and duct tape. Stuck held a knife to her throat, promising that she would be killed by the next morning," Marceno said.

 After several days in captivity, investigators say the victim escaped by jumping from a balcony while Stuck was away making a food delivery.

Alone, without money or a phone, she ran to a nearby resident for help and was later taken to a hospital in San Diego.

The victim eventually returned to Lee County in mid-May.

But investigators say the ordeal was not over.

On Tuesday morning, the victim's home security camera detected someone outside her home. Deputies say the footage showed Stuck attempting to place a tracking device on her vehicle.

Marceno said that the discovery triggered an immediate multi-agency effort to locate him.

Using surveillance, technology, and investigative intelligence, deputies tracked Stuck to Bonita Springs on Tuesday night. Investigators say he fled from a traffic stop before abandoning his vehicle and using a rideshare service to escape into Collier County.

Detectives later learned Stuck had rented a U-Haul van.

On Wednesday, deputies with the Collier County Sheriff's Office located the vehicle and arrested Stuck after a pursuit and foot chase.

Stuck is charged with kidnapping, aggravated stalking, installing or using a tracking device without consent, and fleeing and eluding law enforcement. Investigators say additional charges could follow.

Marceno described Stuck as a "calculated maniac" with a lengthy criminal history that includes fraud, grand theft, burglary, armed robbery, arson, and fleeing law enforcement. The sheriff also said Stuck was out on bond in Collier County on fraud charges involving more than $100,000 and dozens of alleged victims.

 For domestic violence advocates, the allegations highlight a reality many survivors face even after escaping abusive situations.

Tama Caldarone, legal programs director for the Shelter for Abused Women & Children, said the allegations involving the tracking device point to a desire for power and control.

"He's controlling. He wants to know where she is at all times, especially if he's putting a tracker on her vehicle," Caldarone said.

She said survivors often remain in dangerous situations because they fear retaliation against themselves or their loved ones.

In this case, investigators say threats against the victim's family were used throughout the ordeal.

"Survivors feel any threats to their family members are a threat that needs to be taken seriously," Caldarone said. "They don't want anything to happen to them, so they decide to stay in dangerous situations to protect those that they love."

Caldarone said warning signs of domestic violence can include controlling behavior, threats, isolation from family and friends, monitoring cell phone use, controlling finances, and previous acts of physical violence.

She encourages anyone experiencing domestic violence to seek help from law enforcement, local shelters, or advocacy organizations.

The Shelter for Abused Women & Children operates a 24-hour crisis hotline at 239-775-1101.

Watch the entire press conference linked above.