Alberta man faces charges after road rage and purse snatching spree in Richmond and Vancouver

A 36-year-old Alberta man arrested Wednesday afternoon after a bizarre series of incidents in Richmond and Vancouver is now facing a number of charges.

It started at 8 a.m. Wednesday when a grey Acura was stolen in Richmond. Shortly after, the driver got into a road rage altercation, allegedly pointing a firearm at the other vehicle.

From there, the car made its way to Vancouver, with the driver allegedly trying to steal a purse from a woman at Glen Drive and Terminal Avenue at 11:30 a.m.

Forty-five minutes later, the driver then allegedly pointed a gun at a woman on West 18th Avenue and Laurel Street and stole her purse.

Thirty minutes later, police officers spotted the stolen car at Kingsgate Mall. The driver rammed a police car, drove away at a high rate of speed, but was eventually pinned and arrested at Quebec Street and 1st Avenue.

None of the victims were physically injured. A weapon found in the vehicle after the arrest turned out to be a replica handgun.

Thirty-six-year-old Abbas Saeed Abbas has now been charged with robbery, use of a firearm during the commission of a crime and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Abbass is from Alberta and is wanted in Calgary. He has a lengthy criminal record in that province.

The charges that Abbass is facing are related to the crimes that took place in Vancouver only. The Richmond RCMP are also investigating incidents linked to the accused and the stolen Acura and additional charges are expected.

It is believed Abbas has only been in the Vancouver area for a few days.

Vancouver Police say investigators in multiple jurisdictions will be working together to trace the accused’s movements and actions during his recent travels from Alberta to B.C. and the Lower Mainland to look at any possible links to other offences.