CALGARY – A man is facing charges related to dangerous driving and theft after a dramatic taxi hijacking Tuesday afternoon.
Raymond Edward Bennett, 23, has been charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, motor vehicle theft, driving without insurance, and hit and run causing property damage. Calgary Police say additional charges could be laid and the investigation is ongoing.
Police were called to the 5500 block of Deerpoint Gardens S.E. for a complaint of three men removing parts from a vehicle just after 12:20 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
The men fled and one drove a vehicle through a fence onto Bow Bottom Trail when police arrived. Police believe Bennett then abandoned the vehicle and asked a bystander to call him a taxi.
The stolen taxi reached speeds of up to 150 km per hour, drove over curbs and sidewalks, and hit several vehicles.
Police were called and tried to pull over the taxi in the Lake Sylvan Drive S.E. area. At that time, the taxi driver got out of the car and Bennett drove off.
A police helicopter tracked the taxi until it entered Forest Lawn and collided with another vehicle, at which point Bennett was arrested.
READ MORE: Calgary taxi hijacking ends in foot chase, suspect in custody
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