Police: Man fled Tampa officers with boy, 12, in the car

TAMPA — Police say a 36-year-old man was jailed after he tried to flee from officers in Belmont Heights late Tuesday night with his 12-year-old son in the car.

About 8:45 p.m., officers said they saw Eric Bentley of 1605 E 29th Ave. speeding on 24th Avenue near 20th Street in a 1971 Chevrolet.

Bentley was going more than 75 mph in a residential area, according to the arrest affidavit. Police said a check of Bentley's driving record showed that his license had been suspended since May for failure to pay child support.

Two officers tried to pull him over, but Bentley ran, passing several marked police cars along the way, said Tampa police spokeswoman Andrea Davis. The officers alerted other undercover officers in the area, who finally boxed Bentley in at 18th Street and 12th Avenue and found the 12-year-old boy inside.

Davis said Bentley jumped out of the car and tried to run, but officers caught him and arrested him.

Bentley was arrested on charges of fleeing to elude arrest at a high speed, reckless driving, driving without a license and child neglect. He was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail, and bail was set at $15,500.

The son's grandparents took the boy home, and the Department of Children and Families was notified.

This is Bentley's 13th arrest in Hillsborough, according to jail records. Previous offenses include cocaine, marijuana and alcohol charges, opposing an officer without violence, trespassing, leaving the scene of a crash, reckless driving, aggravated battery, fleeing officers, and false imprisonment.

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