2nd inmate who escaped N.J. youth correctional facility captured

HARDYSTON— One of the two inmates who escaped from a youth detention facility in Hunterdon County and fled using a stolen red Mercedes-Benz was captured early this morning, according to authorities.
Michael Bentley, 23, was taken into custody around 4:45 this morning in Hardyston Township in Sussex County, according to a state Department of Corrections spokesman.
He was tracked by K-9 units from the Passaic County Sheriff's Office and State Police, said State Police spokesman Sgt. Brian Polite.
Bentley and another inmate, 21-year-old Corey Agostarola escaped from the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Annandale in Clinton Township May 20. Agostarola was captured Friday night in Pine Hill, according to the Department of Corrections.

Corey Agostarola

Around 1 a.m., State Police received word from the Department of Corrections that Bentley was traveling in a stolen Mercedes in the area of Highway 46, Highway 3 and Highway 23 in Passaic County and heading towards Franklin Borough in Sussex County, according to Polite.
Bentley is a borough resident, he said.
Polite said Bentley was "traveling at a high rate of speed" in the stolen sports car and State Police lost track of the vehicle.
A short while later, Hardyston police reported relocating the Mercedes but then lost sight of it as well, according to Polite.
Authorities received a report that the car was abandoned in a wooded area and then set up a perimeter in the area involving several agencies including State Police, Vernon, Franklin, Hardyston and Butler police departments, as well as assistance from Passaic County Sheriff's officers.
K-9 units from the Passaic County Sheriff's Department and State Police tracked Bentley's scent to behind a rock wall near the railroads where he was hiding, Polite said. He was found about three to four miles from the abandoned vehicle.

Google MapsAuthorities captured Michael Bentley, 23, of Franklin in Sussex County early this morning after he and another inmate at the Mountainview Youth Correctional Facility in Annandale in Clinton Township May 20.

A dog from the Passaic sheriff's unit located Bentley, who was arrested and charged by State Police with eluding, receiving stolen property and being a fugitive from justice, said Polite. Polite said Bentley could face additional charges with the corrections department, however department officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Bentley suffered some dog bites during the apprehension and was taken to Newton Medical Center, said Polite.
Hospital spokeswoman Janina Hecht said Bentley was treated and released this morning. He is now in the custody of the corrections department.
Bentley was alone in the vehicle and it was unclear whether he was armed at the time. The escape is still under investigation.
At the time of their escape from the Hunterdon County facility, Agostarola had been in custody on burglary and weapons charges, while Bentley was being held on theft and burglary charges.