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
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.