A man accused of assaulting a driver, stealing his SUV, and speeding through Calgary streets — at times into oncoming traffic — has now been formally charged following his arrest over the weekend.
Police say the incident began around 2 a.m. Sunday, when a suspect approached a man along 32 Avenue NE near Deerfoot Trail, assaulted him, and fled with his black Honda CR-V.
The victim sustained minor injuries.
Witnesses later reported seeing the stolen vehicle near Crowchild Trail and 17 Avenue SW, driving southbound into oncoming traffic at what officers described as an “excessive speed.” The Calgary Police Service’s HAWCS helicopter tracked the SUV as it continued along Elbow Drive SW and eventually into the southeast community of Cranston, where investigators believe the suspect was preparing to carjack another vehicle.
The chase escalated when the driver sped northbound in the southbound lanes of Deerfoot Trail, posing what police called “an active threat to public safety.” Patrol officers intervened and stopped the vehicle just before 3 a.m. after it left the roadway along Deerfoot Trail.
Police have now identified the suspect as Lawrence Albadawi, 20, of Calgary. He has been charged with two counts of robbery, three counts of failing to comply with a probation order, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, one count of driving while disqualified, one count of possession of a controlled substance, and three Traffic Safety Act offences.
Albadawi remains in custody and is scheduled to appear in court next week.