Calgary Carjacking Chaos: Dangerous Pursuit Highlights Public Safety Concerns
Brazen Carjacking Ignites City-Wide Pursuit
A brazen carjacking early Sunday, November 16, 2025, in Calgary's northeast quickly escalated into a dangerous, city-wide pursuit, culminating in an arrest in Cranston. The incident, originating at approximately 2 a.m. in the 900 block of 32 Avenue N.E., saw a suspect assault a man and steal his black Honda CRV. The victim sustained minor injuries during the theft, which sparked an urgent response from the Calgary Police Service.
High-Stakes Chase Across Calgary
The stolen CRV soon reappeared, with citizens reporting it driving dangerously, including into oncoming traffic on northbound Crowchild Trail near 17 Avenue S.W. The Calgary Police Service's HAWCS unit was swiftly deployed, tracking the vehicle from a safe distance as it continued its reckless journey. The suspect's disregard for public safety escalated further as they attempted additional carjackings in the southeast community of Cranston and even tried to drive into oncoming traffic on Deerfoot Trail. S/Sgt. Mike Sushelnitsky of the Real Time Operations Centre commented that the suspect's actions created "an extremely dangerous situation for everyone on the road." Patrol officers intervened to stop the vehicle, taking one man into custody without further incident. Charges are pending.
Broader Implications for Public Safety
This high-risk event underscores persistent challenges facing Calgary's public safety and traffic enforcement. The swift and coordinated CPS response, involving HAWCS and patrol officers, aligns with their 2025 Annual Policing Plan and the City's broader "Safer Mobility Plan." It also reinforces the urgency behind initiatives like the new Traffic Safety Team, launched in March 2025, and the "Drive to Zero" campaign from September 2025, both aimed at combating an alarming trend of rising traffic fatalities on Calgary roads.
Policy and Economic Impact of Auto Theft
Such brazen acts contribute to Alberta continuing to lead the country in per-capita auto theft, often linked to organized crime, which can result in increased auto insurance premiums for residents. On a policy front, recent provincial approval (September 2025) for Automated Traffic Enforcement at specific high-risk intersections and the federal "National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft" reflect a concerted effort to address these issues, with Alberta seeing a 10.1% decrease in auto theft year-over-year as of March 2025.
