Pasco Deputies Arrest Winter Haven Man Accused Of Kidnapping Wife

WESLEY CHAPEL, FL – Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies have apprehended a Winter Haven man who reportedly kidnapped his wife at gunpoint.

At about 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13, Pasco Sheriff’s deputies were contacted by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office about an endangered woman who was reportedly kidnapped by her husband, James Austin Rye, 22, during a domestic dispute.

The Polk Sheriff’s Office told Pasco deputies that the couple was heading into Pasco County. Pasco deputies tracked Rye’s car to U.S. 301 and U.S. 98, then to State Road 54 where the car was seen moving west toward Interstate 75.

The car eventually exited onto State Road 56 and began speeding away from deputies at speeds of up to 80 mph. Deputies put down stop sticks in the path of Rye’s car designed to deflate the car’s tires as the car approached U.S. 41.

The stop sticks successfully brought the car to a halt and Rye was taken into custody. His wife was found safe.

A holster and ammunition were found inside the car but deputies believe Rye threw the gun out the car window.

Rye was arrested for possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of ammunition by a felon.

He was taken to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center where he is being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond.

Image via Pasco Sheriff

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