Sunday, March 26, 2000
Fugitive found in Fla. secret room
Hideout had working surveillance cameras
The Associated Press
SIESTA KEY, Fla. — A strange shuffling noise kept Sarasota County sheriff's deputies searching a home for an Ohio fugitive.
They couldn't believe where they found James Savage, 30 — in a hidden room, camouflaged by a movable bookshelf.
“You know, I don't think I've personally ever seen anything like this,” said Cpl. Duane Sims, a 17-year sheriff's office veteran. “This one was a new one for me.”
Authorities went to the $600,000 home near Sarasota Friday to arrest Mr. Savage, who is charged with receiving stolen property, theft and forgery in a 1996 Cleveland case.
They spent three hours searching the two-story home before noticing a scuff mark in a carpeted closet in front of the bookshelf.
Curious, they tugged on it.
“When we pulled on it, it pulled back,” Cpl. Sims said. “We got four or five guys to pull on it, and it opened up, and there he was.”
Behind Mr. Savage was video equipment that provided views from inside and outside the four-bedroom home. On the floor was a deadbolt lock that, if installed, would have prevented deputies from finding Mr. Savage, Cpl. Sims said.
The owner of the home, Margaret Handsman, 29, refused to let the deputies in, but they cut the padlock and entered over her objections, Cpl. Sims said.
Chief Daniel Pukach of the Cuyahoga County sheriff's office coordinated Mr. Savage's arrest with Sarasota authorities.
Chief Pukach said he wants to use the arrest to teach his deputies about secret hiding spots. “I'd love to get photos of this one. You don't see this every day.”
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