Authorities arrest suspect in Sarasota 7-Eleven crash

A 28-year-old Tampa man who deputies say fled after crashing into a 7-Eleven store in Sarasota last week has been arrested, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

The U.S. Marshals Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force on Friday arrested Maurice A. Betard Jr. at a home in Tampa, according to a news release and the Hillsbourough County jail website.

On May 8, Sarasota deputies tried to make a traffic stop on Betard as he was driving eastbound on Stickney Point Road, near Gateway Avenue. Betard fled and eventually crashed into the gas pumps at the 7-Eleven store at 3156 Clark Road. Betard then ran, leaving two children and an adult passenger, according to the Sarasota sheriff’s office.

The two children were injured in the crash, and had to be airlifted to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg for treatment.

In Sarasota, Betard faces charges of fleeding to elude, leaving the scene of an accident with injury and without rendering aid and two counts of child neglect.

At the time of the chase and crash, Betard was wanted in Hillsborough County for aggravated batter on a pregnant person. He has a criminal history that includes eight felony charges with five felony convictions, along with 11 misdemeanor charges and six convictions.

This story was originally published May 16, 2016 at 9:43 AM with the headline "Authorities arrest suspect in Sarasota 7-Eleven crash."