Suspect arrested after stolen car driven wrong way on Deerfoot Trail, Crowchild Trail

A stock photo of a Calgary Police Service cruiser. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh)

Calgary police have laid charges in connection with an early morning carjacking on Sunday that saw a stolen vehicle driven the wrong way on two major roads.

Police say the vehicle was reported stolen from the 900 block of 32 Avenue N.E. just before 2 a.m.

“The suspect assaulted the man, stole the victim’s vehicle – a black Honda CRV – and fled the scene,” police said in a news release.

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The victim suffered minor injuries.

Police say officers circulated the area but were unable to locate the suspect or the vehicle.

Shortly after, police say the vehicle was spotted travelling in the wrong direction on northbound Crowchild Trail near 17 Avenue S.W. at “excessive speeds.”

“HAWCS was able to locate the vehicle driving on Elbow Drive S.W. and continued to follow the vehicle from a safe distance, monitoring the driver’s behaviour and allowing officers on the ground time to get in place,” police said.

Police say the driver took the stolen vehicle into the community of Cranston, where he allegedly attempted to carjack other vehicles.

Police say the suspect then drove the stolen vehicle northbound in the southbound lanes of Deerfoot Trail S.W.

“Due to the elevated risk to public safety demonstrated by the suspect, patrol officers quickly moved in to stop the vehicle,” police said.

“One man was taken into custody without incident.”

No bystanders were injured.

“The suspect’s actions in this incident created an extremely dangerous situation for everyone on the road,” said Staff Sgt. Mike Sushelnitsky.

On Monday, police said multiple charges had been laid against Lawrence Albadawi.

The 20-year-old Calgary man faces the following charges:

• Robbery (x2);
• Failing to comply with a probation order (x3);
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
• Driving while disqualified; and
• Possession of a controlled substance.

Albadawi also faces three additional charges under the Traffic Safety Act.

He remains in police custody.

He is scheduled to appear in a Calgary courtroom on Nov. 24.

With files by Damien Wood