A Lee County, Florida, woman escaped a three-week kidnapping ordeal by jumping from a California balcony to save her life, leading to the eventual arrest of her ex-boyfriend following a multi-agency manhunt, authorities announced Thursday.
The incident began on April 20 when 41-year-old Floyd Stuck convinced his former girlfriend to go on what she believed would be a brief trip to New York, according to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno. Instead, Stuck allegedly altered the plans, acted erratically, and threatened the woman’s family to force her compliance.
Deputies stated that Stuck confiscated the victim’s phone and wallet before driving her through Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Nevada. Throughout the trip, Stuck reportedly assaulted the woman and threatened her with violence.
“What was supposed to be a three-day flight turned into a three-week-long nightmare of fear and violence,” Sheriff Marceno said. Investigators allege Stuck choked the victim, causing visible injuries, and threatened to kill her and her family if she attempted to flee.
The cross-country journey ended in San Diego, California. According to investigators, Stuck bound the woman with zip ties and duct tape, held a knife to her throat, and stated he would kill her by morning. The woman managed to escape when Stuck became distracted by a food delivery. She jumped from a balcony, fled to a neighboring home, and contacted the police. After receiving medical treatment at a hospital, she returned to Lee County in mid-May.
The threats resumed on Tuesday, June 2, when the victim’s home security camera captured Stuck attempting to place a tracking device on her vehicle. Responding deputies initiated a manhunt involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Police spotted Stuck in Bonita Springs, Florida, where he fled a traffic stop, abandoned his vehicle in a parking garage, and escaped using a rideshare service. Following a subsequent vehicle and foot pursuit, authorities apprehended Stuck in neighboring Collier County.
Stuck faces multiple charges, including kidnapping, aggravated stalking, installing a tracking device without consent, fleeing and eluding law enforcement, and interfering with law enforcement.
Sheriff Marceno described Stuck as a “calculated maniac” with an extensive criminal background that includes fraud, grand theft, burglary, armed robbery, arson, and using hoax bombs during jewelry store robberies in Maryland. At the time of his arrest, Stuck was out on bond for an unrelated fraud case in Collier County involving more than $100,000.
Law enforcement officials stated that the investigation is ongoing and Stuck could face additional charges across multiple states. His arraignment in Collier County is set for June 29.
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