Calgary Police Cruisers Force Imparied Driver To Stop

On Saturday morning November 2 just after 1:00 AM Calgary Police officers responded to a complaint of a collision in the Market Mall parking lot. Upon arrival officers discovered that a full size pickup truck, which was still running, had driven through a line of shopping carts and then collided with a parked vehicle before coming to a stop. The driver who appeared to be heavily intoxicated would not respond to the officers attempts to get him out of the truck. The driver hit the accelerator, pushing the parked vehicle out of the way, and began driving erractically through the parking lot, over a median and then proceeded southbound on 49 Street NW. Officers did not pursue on ground, however the offender was followed with the HAWC's helicopter. As the vehicle continued it was observed to bounce off both curbs, drove over a median and into a fence off of 32 Avenue NW. The driver then continued eastbound on 32 Avenue. At the intersection with Shaganappi the driver proceeded through a red light narrowly missing T-boning a vehicle that was proceeding lawfully through the intersection on a green light. Given the extreme risk to the public, the Duty Inspector authorized the officers to make intentional vehicle contact using the marked police vehicles to force the offending vehicle to a stop. Utilizing four police cruisers, officers were succesful in physically pushing the truck off the roadway and pinning it thereby immobilizing the truck. Officers managed to take the offending driver into custody without further incident. There were no injuries to the officers, the public or the offender. The four police vehicles and the offenders truck suffered extensive damage. Police currently have a 20 year old male in custody and the investigation continues; numerous criminal charges are pending. readmore