WEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - A wanted man who made local headlines for months is back behind bars days after he escaped house arrest and went on the run.
Miami Beach Police on Saturday afternoon confirmed they arrested Christopher Pitre, ending a four-day manhunt.
The 35-year-old suspect, who is accused of pointing a gun at Miami Beach Commissioner Joe Magazine back in April, was on the loose after compromising his ankle monitor.
Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Magazine described what he felt when he learned of Pitre’s arrest.
“It’s a reaction of relief, not so much for me, but the entire community,” he said.
Police said Pitre was caught after a theft incident at a Walgreens in Miami Beach, at around 3 p.m. on Saturday.
“He was actually arrested shoplifting from Walgreens. A very alert employee alerted the police, and then he fled from the police,” said Magazine.
Police finally captured Pitre at the Mobil gas station on 71st Street, near Normandy Drive.
“And then he gave a fake name, so it just really brings home the point that this person was just a bad person. He belonged nowhere near society,” said Magazine.
Pitre’s latest arrest comes four months after Magazine said he had his frightening encounter with the suspect.
Magazine told 7News that Pitre broke into his SUV, which was parked in the parking garage of his condominium, April 11. The commissioner said he found the burglar sleeping inside the vehicle.
“It was a Monday morning. I come into my car, open the car door, somebody falls right out,” said Magazine.
The commissioner said he followed Pitre out of the garage, and that’s when things went from bad to worse.
Surveillance video shows Pitre exiting the garage, with Magazine close behind.
“I said, ‘Get back here,’ calling 911 as well. He turns around, he’s about five feet in front of me, and he has a gun,” said Magazine. “He points it at my chest, there’s a red laser beam that’s on my chest. I just put up my hands.”
After a few a seconds, Magazine said, the repeat felon turned around and left.
Days later, police were able to arrest Pitre and attach a rash of other crimes, thefts and other offenses across Miami Beach to him.
“This person pulled a gun on me. In the home where I live, where every morning I walk with my 7-year-old daughter,” said Magazine. “He terrorized this community for weeks on end.”
In court, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Ariel Rodriguez granted the suspect house arrest.
Fast forward to this past Tuesday, when Magazine learned that while Pitre was on house arrest, he disabled his ankle monitor and escaped a treatment facility in Homestead where he was living.
“A lot of people are on edge, especially with school just starting, people coming back into the neighborhood and not knowing this person’s whereabouts,” said Magazine.
Miami Beach officials held a press conference about the fugitive.
“So now we’ve got to use police resources and try to find this person, and pray to God that no one else gets hurt,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner.
Four days later, Pitre was caught and cuffed, once again committing another crime in Miami Beach, investigators said.
“No way this guy comes back here, no way,” said Magazine. “Any other city in the country, in the world would have been safer for him.”
Pitre faces a slew of charges, including petit theft, fleeing from police and tampering with his ankle monitor. Court documents show he is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade.
“It just brings tranquility back to this neighborhood that so much deserved it,” said Magazine.
The commissioner said he also hopes this case brings attention to decisions being made in court.
7News reached out to Judge Ariel Rodrigue. He said he cannot comment on an active case.
Pitre is expected to appear before a judge on Monday.
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