Ferguson Township Police Chief Edward Connor said it is only a "matter of time" until his department apprehends the carjacker who threatened a University student Friday night.

A male student, whose name was not released for safety reasons, picked up a hitchhiker at the intersection of West College Avenue and South Atherton Street about 10 p.m. Friday, police said. The hitchhiker asked the driver for a ride to a friend's house further west on College Avenue, police said.

But when the student stopped his car at the hitchhiker's request near Rider Auto Inc., 1703 W. College Ave., the man indicated that he had a gun in his pocket and ordered the driver to get out of the vehicle, police said.

Police said the victim then exited the car and the hitchhiker drove away, heading westbound on West College Avenue.

But after information was obtained from law enforcement officials and about six community residents, police have been able to guess about where the suspect will turn up, said David Mulfinger, a Ferguson police investigator.

"I know the person's movements before this and there were a lot of people who saw him," he said. "His movements beforehand are ultimately going to be what will lead us to him."

Connor said the suspect had spoken with patrons at a nearby bar prior to the carjacking.

"Everyone I've talked to has given me another piece of the puzzle," Mulfinger said. He added that he has no information that leads him to believe the suspect is a University student.

Connor said the suspected hitchhiker also approached two other male drivers -- one of whom was also a student -- before the carjacking victim agreed to give him the ride.

"(The suspect) behaved in an aggressive manner toward one individual," he said, adding that the hitchhiker did not threaten the men physically but did exhibit a hostile attitude.

Connor said other police departments are assisting Ferguson police in the search, adding that the search extends into at least one other state.

Friday's incident was the first reported carjacking in Ferguson Township, police said.