Calgary police on hunt for suspect in carjacking spree covering several city districts
Calgary police were on the run Wednesday, trying to catch a car thief who stole – and then ditched – vehicle after vehicle.
The suspect managed to stay just one step ahead of pursuing officers.
Police tell CTV News that officers responded to multiple carjackings on Wednesday morning coming from several districts.
As of 3:30 p.m., there had been 13 stolen vehicles and one attempted theft.
According to police, six of these incidents, plus a collision and subsequent failed carjacking, are being investigated as the result of just one person.
The seven incidents thought to be all from one perp are:
- A truck taken by carjacking at 9:30 a.m., at Glenmore Trail and Elbow S.W.;
- Another carjacking at 11:14 a.m., in the 4500 block of 13 Avenue S.W.;
- A truck with a plow attached stolen at 11:30 a.m., at Glenmore Trail and 37 Street S.W.;
- A collision in which a stolen truck was involved at 11:50 a.m., at 14 Street and Heritage Drive, in which the suspect fled and attempted another carjacking, failed but got away;
- A truck stolen while running at 12 p.m., at 269 Wildwood Dr. S.W.;
- A break-and-enter into a house in which car keys were stolen and used to take a vehicle at 12:15 p.m., in the 8200 block of Churchill Drive S.W.; and
- A vehicle stolen while running at 1:30 p.m., in the 500 block of Lysander Drive S.E.
Police say the cold weather provides a common and prime scenario for thieves.
"Even if you have a second set of keys, I know some people have done that before as well. They'll start the car with one set of keys, lock it with the fob, go in the house. There's instances where, you know, offenders will actually break a window to steal the car," said Acting Sgt. Chris Terry with the CPS crime prevention team.
"If they want the car, they're going to get it, so just don't leave the keys in the car running without you in it."
Police say several units throughout Calgary are on the lookout for the suspect.
No suspect description has been provided by police at this time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Liberals table bill delaying assisted dying expansion to March 2024
The federal government is seeking to delay the extension of assisted dying eligibility to people whose sole condition is a mental disorder until March 17, 2024. Justice Minister David Lametti introduced a bill seeking the extension in the House of Commons on Thursday.

EXCLUSIVE | Gay man taking Canadian government to court, says sperm donation restrictions make him feel like a 'second-class citizen'
A gay man is taking the federal government to court, challenging the constitutionality of a policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned.
Six more weeks of winter? Here are the predictions of groundhogs across North America
Will we see six more weeks of winter, or an early spring? Here’s what some of the groundhogs (and one human) have predicted so far, from coast-to-coast.
Nestle Canada to wind down frozen meals and pizza business including Delissio
Nestle Canada says it is winding down its frozen meals and pizza business in Canada over the next six months. The four brands that will no longer be sold in the freezer aisle at Canadian grocery stores are Delissio, Stouffer's, Lean Cuisine and Life Cuisine.
Ukraine's new weapon will force a Russian shift
The United States has answered President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plea for rockets that can strike deep behind the front lines of the nearly year-long conflict with Russia. Now Russian forces will need to adapt or face potentially catastrophic losses.
China accuses Canada of 'politically manipulating' with Uyghur refugee vote
The Chinese government says a motion MPs passed Wednesday to provide asylum to persecuted Uyghurs amounts to political manipulation by Canada.
Australia is removing monarchy from its bank notes
Australia is removing the monarchy from its bank notes. The nation's new $5 bill will feature an Indigenous design rather than an image of King Charles III. But the king is still expected to appear on coins that currently bear the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Organization regulating medical care in Manitoba apologizes for Indigenous-specific racism in health care
The organization regulating medical care and services in Manitoba is apologizing for racism directed towards Indigenous people when accessing health care in the province.
Quebec woman shocked to find stolen Audi driven through Ontario mall in 'insane' robbery
A Quebec woman said she was very surprised to find her stolen Audi had been used in what’s being described as an “absolutely insane” Ontario mall robbery.