HAMMOND - An 18-year-old man accused of kidnapping and raping a woman outside of a Target parking lot in Hammond has been captured, according to police.

Tangipahoa Sheriff's Office officials said Donnie Lee Stevenson, 18, followed a woman inside a Target store, kidnapped and then assaulted her outside in the parking lot Thursday night.

Officers were called to a hospital and spoke to the victim. The Hammond Police Department obtained video footage of Stevenson, and his vehicle, believed to be a red Honda Accord. 

According to Chief Edwin Bergeron, Stevenson stole a car in Independence before coming to Hammond to stalk women at local stores. Stevenson ended up at the Hammond Target, followed a woman, held her at gunpoint, kidnapped her by forcing her into her car, and sexually assaulted her in the car.

Afterward, Stevenson allegedly made the victim drive back to Target, where she flagged down people and eventually got into contact with Hammond Police officers.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office later received a call from a resident saying that Stevenson was in Independence. When deputies went to the residence provided by the caller, they found the stolen car and Stevenson before he got out of the car and ran into the woods. 

On Friday morning law enforcement found Stevenson near Mashon Road just outside Independence.

Bergeron also said he believed that Stevenson followed other women within the store before choosing the victim.