Suspect in Walmart theft, assault caught after chase

Walmart staff told police that that they confronted Darrell Braswell, 40, and Susan Hunter, 43, about the theft of various items from the store at 2908 U.S. 70. Police said that Braswell charged at staffers with a utility knife and ran into a vehicle in the parking lot, carrying the stolen items.

Staffers flagged down Officer Dillon Fleming, who was in the parking lot. Hunter was arrested at the store, but Braswell refused to stop for Fleming and sped off to the east on U.S. 70, police said.

Braswell sideswiped a vehicle at West Grantham Street and Claridge Nursery Road and then damaged his vehicle on railroad tracks in the 600 block of West Oak Street, police said. Police and Wayne County sheriff's deputies apprehended him in the 100 block of Rockefeller Court.

Braswell, of 602 Poplar St., was charged with armed robbery, conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon, hit-and-run, larceny, careless and reckless driving, speeding, driving with a revoked license, driving left of center and a fire-lane violation.

Hunter, of 202 E. Elm St., was charged with aiding and abetting a felony, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both suspects were placed in the Wayne County jail. Braswell was given a $290,000 bond, and Hunter a $75,000 bond.

Braswell has spent approximately seven years of the past 16 in prison, according to state Department of Correction records. His previous convictions include assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, common-law robbery, assault on a policeman and 15 counts of larceny.

Hunter served two months in 2007 after her probation from violating a protective order was revoked, DOC records say.