La. woman accused of stabbing gas station clerk before flipping truck and threatening to kill herself

PONCHATOULA, La. (TCD) -- A 32-year-old woman was taken into custody after allegedly stabbing a convenience store clerk, flipping her truck, and threatening to kill herself.

According to a news release from the Ponchatoula Police Department and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, on Friday, Aug. 26, at around 10:30 p.m., officers and detectives responded to Shan’s Quick Stop due to a "holdup alarm." At the scene, authorities reportedly found a male victim suffering from multiple stab wounds.

Police said the suspect fled the scene by the time authorities arrived.

Using surveillance video, detectives were able to review the suspect, Tabatha Mielke, going behind the counter and stabbing the store employee. In their release, authorities posted a photo of the suspect, and she was located on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the suspect’s Nissan Frontier pickup truck was found flipped over near Highway 1088 and Highway 36. A sheriff’s patrol sergeant reportedly offered to help Mielke, and she was "wielding a knife and threatening to kill herself."

The Sheriff’s Office said the sergeant called for backup, and more deputies arrived on scene.

Deputies reportedly had to use "non-lethal means to subdue" Mielke after she stabbed herself multiple times. She was transported to a local hospital and will be charged with second-degree attempted murder, vehicle burglary, and terrorizing upon her release.

The victim was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover.

MORE:

• News Release - St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office/Ponchatoula Police Department