Calgary police took one man into custody on Monday after he climbed a construction crane in the downtown core.
Officers were called to the crane, located in the 600 block of 10 Avenue S.W., just before 7 a.m. MDT.
According to police, a construction worker had arrived at the crane to start his shift when he noticed an unknown man sitting in the cab.
The suspect had scaled the 26-storey crane, but investigators said power to the structure was cut so the man had “no means” of operating the equipment.
“Calgary Police Service negotiators were quickly called to the scene and were talking to this unknown male,” acting Staff Sgt. Mike Saad said. “They were using a loudspeaker to negotiate with the individual.”
“Once negotiators were at scene, he was cooperative and he came out willingly.”
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Members of the Calgary Police Service’s tactical unit scaled the crane and were able to take the suspect into custody by 11 a.m.
Carol Henke with the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) said the man was lowered to the ground with help from the high-angle rescue team.
“It is not yet known why the man may have climbed the crane, or if charges will be laid,” police said in a news release. “An investigation into the incident will continue.”
The incident caused the temporary closure of 10 Avenue S.W. between 9 Street and 6 Street S.W.
“For the safety of Calgarians, we asked all the construction crews in the area – as well as the adjacent businesses, including media – to step back away, in the event that any debris would fall,” Saad said.
The road was reopened shortly after noon.
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