By Meagan McGone
mmcgone@hometownnewsol.com
BREVARD -- Last week, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office's GAMEOVER Task Force arrested a Delaware fugitive, who caused a six-hour standoff inside a Merritt Island trailer park.
Kenneth Wood, a 40-year-old inmate from the Delaware Department of Corrections, was wanted for escape and was believed to be heading for the woods of the Merritt Island area, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office stated in a press release.
Police said Mr. Wood escaped from the Delaware Department of Corrections, where he was serving a sentence for a rape conviction, on Dec. 22.
The Delaware Department of Corrections issued a warrant for his arrest for escape after conviction. After conducting further investigation, police discovered Mr. Wood was suspected of two armed robberies in Alabama and one armed robbery in North Florida since his escape. Mr. Wood was also suspected of multiple auto thefts during this time.
On Jan. 8, the GAMEOVER Task Force located Mr. Wood at a residence on Merritt Island. As the agents attempted to take Mr. Wood into custody, he barricaded himself inside a residence, located at 471 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Trailer #13.
Based on Mr. Wood's actions, the seriousness of his crime and the belief that he was armed, the trailer park was evacuated. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office SWAT Team responded and attempted to engage in conversation with Mr. Wood, and he attempted to escape the area by crawling through the bottom of the trailer. After a six-hour standoff, Mr. Wood ultimately surrendered and was taken into custody.
In a press release, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said he was proud of the efforts of the GAMEOVER Task Force and deputies.
"They addressed a very dangerous fugitive today and safely removed him from our community," Sheriff Ivey said.
Mr. Wood was transported to the Brevard County Jail under a no-bond status for the active escape arrest warrant. GAMEOVER Task Force agents are currently working with the law enforcement jurisdictions impacted by Mr. Woods' other crimes, and additional charges are expected.
Following the arrest, agents discovered a stolen vehicle and items believed to be associated with the robberies at the residence.