Florida Man Returns Stolen Car After Discovering Baby Inside

A mother’s quick trip into a Brevard County gas station turned into a terrifying ordeal when a man stole her car with her 1-year-old child still inside.

Terrifying Moments at a Cocoa Sunoco

According to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened Tuesday at a Sunoco station off U.S. Highway 1 in Cocoa.

The woman told deputies she ran inside the store for a moment before realizing her blue Toyota Camry was being driven away with her baby in the back seat. “He literally about left with my child when I ran into the gas station,” she said in a 911 call released Thursday. “He tried to steal my car.”

Suspect Returns Car After Seeing the Child

In the 911 recording, the woman described how the man quickly turned back once he noticed the child inside. “He literally about left with my child,” she repeated, still in shock. “I’m so grateful he stopped because my son was in there, but this is wild.”

She told dispatchers that the suspect, a white man in his early 40s, wore a black long-sleeve Nike shirt, black basketball shorts, and black socks. He had dirty blonde hair shaved on the sides with longer hair on top. The caller added, “He’s just walking around saying, ‘I never would have taken it.’”

Suspect Arrested Near Social Security Office

Deputies said the suspect, later identified as 53-year-old William Mullis, was found walking near a nearby Social Security office, reportedly peeking into windows. The mother told dispatchers Mullis claimed “someone was coming to shoot me” when confronted.

Authorities arrested Mullis shortly after. He now faces charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and kidnapping of a child under 13. A judge has denied him bond.

Get our free mobile app