A wild scene ensued late last month when Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to an alleged armed kidnapping in progress. Police ended up rescuing a 7-year-old and her family.
The incident took place in Florida on Nov. 26 after armed suspects allegedly entered a home. Police say the suspects then took several victims to a garage. They then tied the victims’ hands, making them sit in the garage, according to a Volusia Sheriff’s Office release.
Volusia Sheriff’s Deputies Save Kidnap Victims
Deputies heard victims screaming in the garage upon arrival on the scene. Officer body cam footage shows the wild scene. Footage shows several suspects seemingly attempt to flee the scene. But officers quickly apprehended each suspect without further incident.
Officers set up a perimeter before finally entering the home. Police say officers found a 7-year-old child hiding inside the house. Police carried her safely outside, returning her to her parents. Several victims suffered minor injuries during the ordeal.
Police identified the suspects as Jermain Oliver, 30, John Anderson, 39, and Derrick Maathis, 32. Each man now faces multiple charges. Those charges include home invasion with a firearm, five counts of kidnapping while armed with a firearm, one count of kidnapping a child under 13 while armed with a firearm. Oliver and Mathis also face one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The entire scene occurred during the cover of darkness, with alleged armed victims running out into the open. The officers clearly handled what could have proven a deadly situation, taking the suspects into custody without incident. Well done.