A woman from Lee County, Florida, escaped a violent three-week kidnapping after her ex-boyfriend allegedly held her captive and drove her across the country, ending with her dramatic leap from a California balcony to save her life, authorities announced Thursday.

According to Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, the ordeal began on April 20, when Floyd Stuck, 41, convinced his former girlfriend to join him on what was supposed to be a brief trip to New York. Instead, Stuck began acting erratically and informed the victim that their plans had changed, threatening her family if she did not comply with his demands.

Deputies say Stuck confiscated her phone and wallet, then drove her through several states, including Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Nevada, all while reportedly threatening violence and physically assaulting her. Marceno said, "What was supposed to be a three-day flight turned into a three-week long nightmare of fear and violence." Authorities allege Stuck choked the victim hard enough to leave injuries and repeatedly threatened to kill her or harm her family if she tried to escape.

The journey ended in San Diego, California, where, according to investigators, Stuck bound the victim with zip ties and duct tape, holding a knife to her throat and threatening to kill her by morning. While Stuck was distracted by a food delivery, the woman managed to jump from a balcony, run to a neighbor’s residence, and call police. She was taken to a hospital and later returned to Lee County in mid-May.

However, the threats continued. On Tuesday (June 2), the victim’s home security camera captured Stuck allegedly trying to install a tracking device on her vehicle. When deputies responded, they launched a multi-agency manhunt. Stuck was spotted in Bonita Springs, Florida, where he fled a traffic stop. He abandoned his car in a parking garage and escaped using a rideshare service before being apprehended in Collier County after a vehicle and foot chase.

Stuck faces charges of 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 a lengthy criminal history, including fraud, grand theft, burglary, armed robbery, arson, and using fake bombs in Maryland jewelry store robberies. At the time of his arrest, Stuck was out on bond in a separate Collier County fraud case involving over $100,000.

Authorities say the investigation remains active and more charges could be filed in multiple states. Stuck’s arraignment in Collier County is scheduled for June 29.

Operation Stormwatch: New Orleans