Miami Beach commissioner says arrest of fugitive who held him at gunpoint ‘brings calm back’

MIAMI BEACH, Florida. — A Miami Beach commissioner breathed a sigh of relief after the convicted Texas felon who held him at gunpoint was arrested on Normandy Island on Saturday.

Detective Joe Magazine reported that Christopher Pitre was found in his parked car on April 11. He was one of Pitre's numerous victims. According to court records, prosecutors have filed 15 counts against him in Miami-Dade County court.

Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne A. Jones announced Saturday that Pitre, 35, was in custody. Miami Beach police Officer Victor Palacios discovered Pitre when he happened to spot a shoplifting incident at a Walgreens store in Normandy Isle.

According to the police report, a woman working at Walgreens took a photo of Pitre, 35, with her cellphone as he ran up Verdun Court toward Normandy Drive.

Palacios shouted: “Police! Stop!”

According to police, Pitre ignored him, broke into a building, ran up to the second floor, ran back down, across Normandy Drive and into a Mobile gas station at the corner of 71st Street and Biarritz Drive.

Sergeant Vincent Stella responded to the pursuit and held Pitre at gunpoint while other officers subdued and handcuffed him.

Pitre identified himself as Christopher McMillan, but police officers discovered who he was and returned $30.26 worth of stolen merchandise to Walgreens.

Jones praised the officer’s “quick action.”

Pitre's alleged crime spree includes a car break-in on March 14, a bicycle theft on March 17, an e-bike theft on March 20, a car theft on April 8 and a break-in into Magazine's car on April 11.

A Miami Beach police officer arrested him on April 15.

Six cases were closed. One grand larceny case was closed on May 6. Another grand larceny case was closed on May 7. Four burglary cases were closed on May 28. Additionally, Miami Police Department cases were still pending before Miami-Dade County District Judge Ariel Rodriguez.

According to Miami Beach police, Pitre damaged a GPS ankle bracelet and escaped from a treatment facility on Tuesday, police said.

Following his arrest on Saturday, Pitra faced new charges of shoplifting, resisting an officer without violence and providing a false name or identification after arrest.

Local 10 News Assignment Desk Editor Mercedes Cevallos contributed to this report.