LAKE CITY, Fla. – A 24-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after police say he chased his girlfriend into the Lake City Police Department, assaulted her inside the lobby, and drove away in her SUV with her two young children still inside.
According to the Lake City Police Department, officers responded Monday, August 10th, to a disturbance at 6:17 p.m. at the department headquarters, located at 225 NW Main Boulevard.
Assault Captured on Surveillance Video
Investigators said a woman ran into the police department seeking help after a physical altercation with her boyfriend, Branch William Stamper, 24.
Surveillance video allegedly showed Stamper following the victim into the lobby, knocking her to the floor, wrapping his arms around her neck, pulling her backward, and taking her cell phone.
Police said Stamper then entered the victim’s black Kia Seltos and drove away with her two children still inside the vehicle.
Authorities said Stamper has no biological or legal relationship to either child.
Technology Helps Officers Locate Vehicle
Officers immediately began searching for the SUV.
Using the Flock license plate reader network and location data from the victim’s cell phone, officers located the vehicle near NE Lake Drive.
Police found Stamper with the vehicle, the victim’s property, and both children. He was taken into custody without incident, and the children were safely reunited with their mother.
The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified and has opened an investigation.
Victim Declined Medical Treatment
Police said the victim suffered visible injuries but declined medical treatment.
Officers completed a domestic violence packet and conducted a lethality assessment, which indicated the victim was in a potentially life-threatening situation. She was provided information about domestic violence resources and the process for obtaining a protective injunction.
Multiple Charges Filed
Stamper was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility on the following charges:
- Two counts of Kidnapping a Child Under 13 Without Parental Consent
- Domestic Battery by Strangulation
- Grand Theft of a Motor Vehicle
- Tampering in a Misdemeanor Proceeding
- Resisting an Officer Without Violence
- Domestic Battery
- Driving While License Suspended or Revoked with Knowledge
Lake City Police Chief Gerald Butler said the case highlights how quickly domestic violence situations can escalate.
“This case shows how quickly a domestic violence incident can escalate and place multiple lives at risk,” Butler said. “Our officers acted quickly, used the available technology to locate the vehicle, and safely reunited these children with their mother. We encourage anyone experiencing domestic violence to seek help before the situation becomes more dangerous.”
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lake City Police Department at (386) 752-4343, the LCPD Tips Line at (386) 719-2068, or Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at (386) 754-7099.