The third times the charm
The third times the charm
A warrant was issued for the arrest of a Lake City man after he allegedly hit his girlfriend and then evaded police. Jamie Lee Benton, 21, was arrested late Tuesday night without incident after evading law enforcement officers on two occasions.
Columbia County Sheriff’s deputies were first called to a residence on Northwest Turner Road Monday morning about 8:30 in reference to a domestic violence battery. When deputies arrived,
they found the 26-year-old victim with marks consistent to being battered. The suspect, Jamie Lee Benton, 21, had left the scene in the victim’s truck.
The victim’s child was slightly injured as Benton was holding the baby when he repeatedly struck her. In addition to striking and pushing the victim, Benton also allegedly drove his truck toward her at a high rate of speed, forcing her to jump out of the way or risk being struck by the vehicle.
About an hour later, deputies were called back to the residence and told Benton had returned. When they arrived on scene, Benton ran into a wooded area. With the help of tracking K-9s from neighboring agencies, deputies searched the neighborhood and wooded area around the home until about 1 pm.
On Tuesday morning, the victim again called 911 at 8:45 am and told operators Benton had returned to the home. When deputies arrived at the residence, Benton resisted deputies with violence and again ran into the wooded area.
A second search was underway until about 2 pm Tuesday afternoon. When Benton was not located, the search was called off. A warrant was issued by the State Attorney’s Office on the following charges:
Battery – Domestic Violence
Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
Child Abuse
Benton also faces additional charges of evading police.
