On February 22, at approximately 2:01 pm, the Hammond Police Department began investigating a report of a carjacking on Southwest Railroad Avenue.
Upon arrival, HPD officers learned the suspect entered Gateway Ford, located at 1133 Highway 51 in Ponchatoula, and expressed interest in a vehicle. While on a test drive with the suspect, the salesman became suspicious and took a photo of the driver. As they approached the intersection of Southwest Railroad Avenue and Minnesota Park, the salesman asked the suspect to pull over at a local business so he could get a cup of coffee. It was then the suspect allegedly drew a gun from his pocket and ordered the salesman to exit the vehicle. The suspect fled the area.
HPD immediately circulated photos of the suspect. The Ponchatoula Police Department responded that he matched the description of a man who abandoned a car behind the Little Caesars Pizza on Pine Street earlier that day.
The suspect was quickly identified as 37 YO Timothy Pierre of Ponchatoula and a regional alert was sent to Mississippi, Alabama and Florida through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC). HPD learned the suspect was headed to Florida.
At approximately 5:30 pm, Santa Rosa Sheriff’s Office in Navarre, Florida, located the vehicle travelling on U.S. Highway 98. Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop, and a brief pursuit ensued, resulting in the vehicle crashing.
Pierre will face charges in Florida and also stand trial for charges in Hammond.
