Watch CBS News

Bond Denied For Man Who Fled Traffic Stop, Left Kids In The Car

FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A Deerfield Beach man who turned a traffic stop into a SWAT stand-off won't be getting out of jail anytime soon.

Ricardo Ilus, who faces more than two dozen charges, was denied bond Tuesday morning.

Monday morning when deputies tried to pull Ilus over for a traffic stop, Ilus reportedly jammed his car into park and took off on foot.

"They said they chased you back to your house. They said you ran to the back of your residence, left the engine running in the vehicle and there was a toddler standing on the front passenger seat and there was another toddler, or child it doesn't say how old, under the driver's seat on the floor board while the vehicle was running and you had allegedly run away," said Circuit Judge John "Jay" Hurley reading from the arrest report during Ilus' bond hearing.

The sheriff's department said the children, a 4-month-old and a 1-year-old, were not injured but were taken to the hospital as a precaution.

CLICK HERE to watch Joan Murray's report

Ilus, wanted on two felony warrants and considered dangerous by police, refused to come out. A SWAT team was called in and police tried to talking him into giving up. Around 11 a.m., he was taken into custody.

The mother of the children, Crystal Chapman, faced a judge herself at a shelter hearing a few hours later.

Ilus was brought to the hearing too, in shackles, shielding his face from the cameras.

"I'm gonna admonish both parents that you must give the names of family members who could care for the children during the course of this case," said the judge during the hearing.

Chapman said little during the hearing but got the best news possible.

"The children are with the mother and will remain with her. I presume she has all school and health records," said the judge.

A woman, who did not want to be identified, said she's related to Ilus and that she couldn't believe the news. She said "he's the best father in the world."

"The suspect has a history of fleeing from police, he also has a history of cocaine possession, aggravated assault, domestic violence," Carter said.

Charges against Ilus include two counts of child neglect, aggravated assault on an officer, resisting with violence, fleeing, two counts of child car seat violations and several traffic violations.

The judge said Ilus could visit his children, supervised once a week, when he gets out of jail.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.