Man wanted on felony warrants held on $1,000 bond

Ricardo Ilus, 22, accused of fleeing from deputies, leaving children inside car

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. – A man accused of fleeing from deputies and leaving his two young children inside of his car appeared in bond court on Tuesday.

Ricardo Ilus, 22, told a Broward County judge that he had a job at Five Guys and money in the bank. The judge then ordered that he be held in jail in lieu of $1,000 bond.

Broward Sheriff's Office deputies said a 4-month-old baby and a 1-year-old were inside the car, not properly restrained in car seats.

"The 4-month-old was actually discovered underneath the driver's seat," BSO spokeswoman Gina Carter said Monday. "When the suspect jammed his car into park, the children just flew forward and landed on the floor underneath the driver's seat."

Ilus then ran into his parents' house at 4070 NW Third Terrace in Deerfield Beach and barricaded himself inside, Carter said. There was nobody inside the home at the time.

The SWAT team was called.

Carter said Ilus, who was wanted on two felony warrants, eventually surrendered.

"This suspect has a history of fleeing from police," Carter said. "He also has a history of cocaine possession, aggravated assault, domestic violence, so this man is considered dangerous."

According to the state attorney's office, Ilus violated his probation for two cases that included charges of fleeing from law enforcement and possession of cocaine, cannabis and drug paraphernalia.

A woman, who only identified herself as a relative, told Local 10 News that Ilus is "the best father in the world."

"He took his kids to the doctor the other day," she said. "He's the best father in the world."

The suspect's children were taken to Broward Health North as a precaution and were later released. They are now in the custody of their mother.

Officials will the Department of Children and Families said a hearing is scheduled for Thursday to determine the future contact Ilus will be permitted to have with his children.

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About the Authors:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.