Suspect in Melbourne standoff eludes authorities, police say

Man accused of threatening girlfriend with kitchen knife

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Police are looking for a man who held his girlfriend at knifepoint then barricaded himself inside her apartment, leaving the scene before authorities could make entry, according to officials from the Melbourne Police Department.

The victim said she and her boyfriend, Michael Dudley-Palmer, 25, got into a verbal altercation around 6:20 a.m. Monday when he threatened her with a kitchen knife, took her cellphone so she couldn't call 911 and held her against her will in her apartment on Pineapple Avenue, the news release said.

Police said the victim was eventually able to escape to a neighbor's residence to call 911. When officers arrived, Dudley-Palmer refused to leave the apartment and told officers he would not leave without a fight, officials said.

Eventually, chemical agents were used inside the residence and officers made entry, but Dudley-Palmer had fled by that point, according to the news release.

The standoff ended Monday afternoon and Pineapple Avenue was reopened.

Dudley-Palmer is wanted on several charges including aggravated assault and felony battery.

Watch News 6 and stay with ClickOrlando.com for updates.


Recommended Videos