JACKSONVILLE, Fla — An arrest report and details discussed in a suspect's first appearance Wednesday revealed what happened in a suspected kidnapping Tuesday.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, a female caller, later identified as 22-year-old Elizabeth Miller, the victim in the case, called police "screaming that someone was breaking into her house and to please hurry.
JSO said officers responded to a "kidnapping in progress" in the 300 block of Caravan Circle around three a.m. Tuesday. Miller's boyfriend, 27-year-old Josh'uan Stripling, is arrested and charged with false imprisonment of an adult, battery and criminal mischief.
"A male’s voice later determined to be the suspect, Mr. Stripling, can be heard yelling at the female to get up and get into the car. The suspect threatens to shoot the victim in the face if she tries to get out of the car," the state said during Stripling's first appearance Wednesday.
Witnesses said they saw Stripling try to kick in the apartment door, then bust in the window where the suspect and the victim said they live together, according to the state.
The state said Miller then ran out of the apartment towards the back of the building and around to the next building before getting to the parking lot. It was there, witnesses told officers, that Stripling grabbed Miller and put her into a white sedan.
"Witnesses say the victim was screaming for help and trying to get her way free of the suspect," the state said Wednesday.
According to the arrest report, officers stopped a car that matched the description witnesses gave in the 400 block of East 44th Street. The report said the driver told officers she didn’t know the victim or suspect, but brought them to her house to talk with her husband. The homeowner told police both Stripling and Miller were in the home.
A man at the home Wednesday confirmed Stripling is a family member, but wouldn't comment further.
The state said Stripling admitted to trying to force his way into the apartment but told officers he was acting like that because he was high on the drug Molly.
"That is a lie," Stripling said in court Wednesday as the state read the narrative. "She is right here."
"Do not interrupt me," the judge replied. "Listen to Ms. Alexander [public defender]. You think you’re helping your situation, but you’re not."
Stripling interrupted earlier in the hearing saying, "Your honor, she’s right here. Right now, we could get all the facts right now. Forreal your honor.”
“I’m not violent. I never had a gun. None of that,” he said.
"Mr. Stripling, I want you to keep in mind that everything you say is recorded, so don’t say anything to incriminate yourself, Ok," his public defender Jasmine Alexander said.
Miller also made her first appearance Wednesday.
When police found the two Tuesday, police had a warrant out for her arrest on unrelated charges, driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of an accident.
Miller's bond was set at a total of $15,006. Her next court date is set for June 30.
Stripling's bond was set at a total of $550,009.
His next court date is scheduled for July 14.
The investigation is ongoing.
