SUNNY HILLS — A fugitive accused of attacking a Washington County woman and stealing her car was arrested Tuesday during a failed bank robbery in Brevard County.
Darryl Wayne Mollett, 29, had been on the run from Washington County Sheriff’s deputies since Friday. At some point during that time, the car Mollett is accused of stealing was abandoned in Springfield.
WCSO deputies had received information Friday that Mollett, a fugitive from Brevard County, was possibly staying at a residence on Bunyon Drive in Sunny Hills and were in en route to the residence around 5:10 p.m. when the suspect spotted them.
Mollett ran a stop sign and wrecked his vehicle after nearly striking a deputy’s patrol car. He then fled on foot, toward the entrance of the Sunny Hills community. During the ensuing chase, deputies came upon a woman near the entrance of the community who had been struck in the head with a brick.
Reports say Mollett attacked 45-year-old Nicole Schmitts, a correctional officer at the Northwest Florida Reception Center who was either beginning or returning from a jog in the area. Mollett then took Schmitts’ red Volkswagen Jetta and fled. Investigators discovered the car parked at an apartment complex in Springfield on Monday, but they believe it had been there longer than overnight.
“We could not be more grateful to our staff and assisting agencies who have worked tirelessly on the apprehension of this violent fugitive,” said Washington County Sheriff Haddock. “Our residents invested personally in this case and assisted with invaluable tips and leads like they have so many times in the past. When a community and law enforcement agencies work together, that is a difference maker.
“This was not only a violent attack on a member of our community, but a correctional officer and a member of our own extended law enforcement family,” Haddock said. “There wasn’t an officer here that wasn’t wholly committed to the apprehension of this guy so he can be held accountable for his crimes.”
Mollett was arrested and charged with prior Brevard County warrants on possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a firearm, armed robbery and the robbery of Branch Banking and Trust Bank in Indian Harbour Beach in Brevard County.
Additional charges from Washington County are expected, authorities said.
Mollett has a long list of offenses, ranging from burglary and grand theft to aggravated assault, according to the Florida Department of Corrections. He was first incarcerated in a state prison in 2002 and was last released in January.
Several other agencies assisted in the search, including K-9 teams from the Northwest Florida Reception Center, Holmes, Walton and Okaloosa counties, and Gulf Correctional Institution.
Mollett remained in jail in Brevard County late Tuesday.