Clearwater Officer Accused Of Holding Woman Captive Several Days

CLEARWATER, FL — A 42-year-old off-duty Clearwater police office was arrested Thursday after being accused of battering his ex-girlfriend, threatening her and holding her captive for several days.

Pinellas County sheriff's deputies were called to a Dunedin home around 2 a.m. on Thursday for a domestic incident.

There, deputies encountered Officer Jason Lambe outside the home. They said they arrested him when he refused to obey verbal commands and physically resisted deputies.

The 43-year-old woman inside told deputies that she previously dated Lambe, but broke off the relationship.

She said Lambe arrived at her home uninvited on Jan. 23, took her cell phone and refused to allow her to leave the home for several days, during which he battered her and threatened to kill her and then himself.

The woman had minor injuries but did not require medical attention.

Lambe was taken to the Pinellas County Jail where he was charged with domestic battery, false imprisonment, resisting an officer without violence and assault on a law enforcement officer.

Lambe joined the Clearwater Police Department in 2006.

"Upon learning of the arrest, the department immediately initiated the process required to separate employment. The employee will be placed on administrative leave without pay while the process to separate is underway," said Clearwater Police Chief Dan Slaughter. "We are deeply troubled to learn what the victim and her family experienced. There is nothing that excuses that kind of behavior. We hope Mr. Lambe gets the help that so many people have encouraged him to receive."