Williston felon, wanted in three counties, arrested while armed during stakeout

Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO)

Williston, Florida resident, Malik Hayes, age 21, has been wanted since March 2024 on outstanding felony warrants from Levy, Alachua and Marion (Florida) counties, but he'd managed to avoid capture - until Tuesday night, July 9, 2024 - when detectives from the Levy County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) acted on a tip and took him into custody. Detectives received a tip that Hayes had been a passenger in a white car, driven by a woman to the Arbours Apartments, located at 13 SW Eighth Place in Williston, and he was currently at that location.

Detectives with the LCSO, assisted by officers with the Williston Police Department, set up surveillance of the apartment, and as the white car under surveillance exited the apartment complex, they attempted to conduct a traffic stop of the vehicle. The female driver did not immediately stop, and detectives noticed that she was looking toward the vehicle's back seat as she veered closer to the shoulder of the road. Meanwhile, a detective used his vehicle to block the white car, which forced it to a stop. Hayes immediately sat up in the back seat and dove over the seat, intentionally forcing the driver’s foot down onto the accelerator, while shouting at her, “Go! Go! Go!” The acceleration of the white car caused it to crash into the detective's agency vehicle.

According to a press release, Hayes did not surrender peacefully as he was taken into custody. In the door panel of the back seat where Hayes had been seated, detectives found a loaded, semi-automatic pistol with an extended capacity magazine.

Hayes was booked into the Levy County Detention Bureau, charged with aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest, with his bond set at $125,000. He was also charged with violation of a condition of pretrial release, due to possession of the firearm, with his bond set at none.

Hayes will be held in Levy County on the charges listed above before being transported to Marion
County and then Alachua County to face justice for charges in those counties.

"A special recognition must be mentioned to the Williston Police Department for their participation in the apprehension of this dangerous felon," said LCSO Lieutenant Scott Tummond.