Florida Man Arrested For Bringing Son During His Crime Spree

A man was arrested in Florida last week after involving his eight-year-old son in his recent crime spree. Ernest McKnight III said he tagged his son along because he wanted to “toughen him up.”

Deputies arrested Ernest McKnight III on Thursday for allegedly contributing to the delinquency of his son. The arrest came after the cops discovered that the man had brought his son along with him during his recent series of crimes, including burglary and car theft.

According to the arrest affidavit, McKnight led the deputies on a high-speed chase after he realized he was being pursued by police. McKnight was riding a red Hyundai he had stolen from a road surveyor at the time of his arrest.

Deputies said they clocked the suspect going 120 mph during the chase. They only discovered he was with his son when they caught up with him after a few minutes.

Asked why he always brought his child with him, Ernest McKnight IIII said, “I was trying to toughen him up.” “I don’t want him to be soft,” he added.

Brian Bruchey, a spokesman for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, said McKnight’s son was with him last week when his father broke into three unoccupied homes, stole a car, and made off with a stolen package from a porch. All the crimes took place in the City of Lake Wales.

Sheriff Grady Judd said no child psychologist would agree with McKnight’s way of toughening up his child. “Taking a child out with you while you’re committing felonies is not the proper way to create a positive influence,” he said. “I’m quite confident that there is not a child psychologist out there who would agree with this guy’s idea of proper activity for a child,” she added.

Ernest McKnight III is facing multiple charges, including burglary, grand theft auto, tampering with evidence and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. His son has been safely returned to his family since McKnight’s arrest.