PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – Putnam County deputies arrested a 27-year-old Interlachen man after a nearly seven-hour armed SWAT standoff early Monday morning, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
The situation happened at a home off South CR 315, not far from Robert Jenkins Elementary.
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The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said James Lewis refused to exit the residence after deputies were called to the home at 12:11 a.m.
Lewis was reported to have stolen a firearm two days earlier from a locked safe belonging to another person. Someone within the same location called police to say they spotted him with the stolen gun prior to entering the house.
When deputies arrived, they were able to get the other occupants of the home outside, but Lewis, a multiple-time convicted felon, refused to exit, stating he “wasn’t going back to prison.”
Lewis was released on April 1 from the Department of Corrections following a two-year sentence for domestic battery with strangulation in Alachua County.
Sunday morning deputies responded to a home in Melrose after Lewis struck a family member in the face with a closed fist and choked the victim. Deputies attempted to locate Lewis and when unsuccessful requested a warrant for his arrest for domestic battery by strangulation.
“After several attempts to ask Lewis to leave the residence, the sheriff’s office SWAT team and crisis negotiation team responded with equipment including the armored Bearcat,” PCSO said. “They continued attempts throughout the early morning hours to encourage Lewis to leave the home.”
Due to Lewis possibly having a firearm, as well as his violent and erratic behavior, deputies deployed pepper spray canisters into the home twice.
After the second deployment, Lewis voluntarily walked out of the residence at 7:19 a.m. and was arrested. He was taken to the hospital and then taken to the Putnam County Jail.
Lewis is being charged with domestic battery by strangulation. Additional charges are pending.