Deputies: Man kidnapped another at Redbox

Deputies in Columbia County have arrested a man they said kidnapped another man at gunpoint about midnight Sunday.

Investigators said Stanley Freeman, of Lake City, stopped at a CVS store in the 2200 block of U.S. Highway 90 West. They said he left his vehicle and was browsing a Redbox movie rental machine outside of the store when he was approached by a man he didn't know, whom investigators later identified as 33-year-old Scott Monroe.

Deputies said Monroe asked Freeman for a ride, and when Freeman refused, Monroe pulled a gun and ordered Freeman to get into his vehicle. Monroe got into the vehicle with Freeman and told him to drive, deputies said.

They said Freeman drove to a location in southern Columbia County, following directions given by Monroe, who held Freeman at gunpoint for the drive.

When they arrived at a camper on Southwest Ichetucknee Road, Monroe got out of the vehicle and went inside the camper, deputies said. They said Freeman waited for Monroe to leave and fled the scene. As Freeman drove away, Monroe ran back outside and fired several rounds at Freeman's vehicle, deputies said.

Freeman returned to Lake City, where he contacted the Lake City Police Department.

Columbia County deputies also responded to the 3800 block of Southwest Ichetucknee Road and tried to make contact with Monroe, who barricaded himself inside his home.

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office's SWAT team forced their way into the home, and Monroe was arrested.

Monroe was booked into the Columbia County Jail on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, improper exhibition of a firearm, discharging a firearm while intoxicated, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was being held without bail.

Channel 4 Crime Analyst Ken Jefferson said one way to avoid becoming a victim in a crime similar to this is to avoid isolated areas late at night.

"At that hour of the night, there are not very many people out. It's kind of like going to the ATM machine in the wee hours of the morning. You're making yourself very vulnerable for those who would do evil," said Jefferson.