Facebook friendship leads to carjacking and stabbing

Published 7:00 am Tuesday, May 6, 2014

A friendship formed on Facebook ended in the carjacking and attack of a Pearl River County man, said Chief Deputy Shane Tucker.

At 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department received a call indicating that a Pearl River County man had been stabbed while his car was being stolen from him, Tucker said.

The caller said that Gabrielle McTaggart, 25, of 19023 Pin Oak Way, in Kiln and Jacob McTaggart, 40, of 359 Menge Ave., in Pass Christian had contacted the victim and asked for help with a tire blowout on Gabrielle McTaggart’s car, Tucker said.

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The victim drove to West Side Park on 42nd Ave. in Gulfport to provide assistance. He then allowed the suspects to accompany him to his residence in Pearl River County in order to retrieve a spare tire to put on their car, Tucker said.

The couple allegedly called someone to pick them up with their tire, but claimed the contact could not locate the residence. They then asked the man to drive them to a local truck stop to meet their contact, Tucker said.

“Somewhere between his home and the truck stop, Jacob McTaggart allegedly informed the man that the couple was taking his vehicle. Jacob McTaggart allegedly then pulled a knife and cut the man on his abdomen, then left him on the side of the road while Gabrielle McTaggart took the wheel of the car and drove,” Tucker said.

The McTaggarts are both wanted for questioning in this incident and have not been seen since, Tucker said.

The vehicle involved in the carjacking is also still missing. It is a 2007 black Mitsubishi Endeavor with a Mississippi disabled tag number DB28334, Tucker said.

“We are in communication with Gulfport police department to alert them that these two individuals may be in their area,” Tucker said. “They are both wanted for questioning in the matter. Anyone with information can contact dispatch at 601-795-2241.”