HAMMOND — The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested two of three suspects following a pursuit in a vehicle with a fake license plate last week. They are asking for the public’s help in identifying and finding the third person involved.
Thanks to tips from the public, deputies arrested Vondale Thomas, 27, and Rhiheem Williams, 30, who have been booked in connection with this case. Thomas, who was on active parole and wanted as a fugitive by the Department of Probation and Parole, was also booked on an outstanding warrant in connection with a drive-by shooting last month in the Independence area.
It was on Thursday, August 7 when a vehicle crashed at a gas station on Wardline Road in Hammond. That’s when witnesses called 911 reporting the crash and reported “three black males ran from the vehicle with what appeared to be ‘machine guns’,” according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The gas station’s surveillance video showed one of the three left an “AR pistol” in the store’s outdoor Reddy Ice Machine.
During the investigation, TPSO detectives learned the vehicle was reported stolen from the Independence area a year ago. Inside that vehicle, deputies say they found drugs and firearm accessories.
Detectives added that “some or all of these individuals may also be involved in a shots-fired incident from last month in the Independence area.”
Vondale Thomas is charged with the following:
- 1 count aggravated assault by drive-by shooting
- 3 counts possession with intent to distribute schedule II narcotics
- 1 count possession with intent to distribute schedule I narcotics
- 1 count possession of stolen things
- 1 count conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances
- 1 count parole violation
Riheem Williams is charged with the following:
- 3 counts possession with intent to distribute schedule II narcotics
- 1 count possession with intent to distribute schedule I narcotics
- 1 count conspiracy to possess narcotics with intent to distribute
- 1 count possession of stolen firearm
- 1 count convicted felon in possession of a stolen firearm
- 1 count possession of weapons while in possession of controlled dangerous substances
- 1 count obstruction of justice
Anyone with information on the third individual and/or their whereabouts, is asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Office at 985-402-2088.
If you’d prefer to share information anonymously, you can do so through Crime Stoppers of Tangipahoa’s tip line at 1-800-554-5245 or visit www.tangicrimestoppers.com and click on the P3 Tips icon or Submit A Tip! Tips submitted directly to Crimestoppers may be eligible for a cash reward.
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