Four people have been charged in connection with the armed carjackings of three Amazon delivery vehicles in Calgary over the past couple of months.
Three Amazon vehicles were carjacked by men with either a gun or bear spray in December 2021 and January of this year, the Calgary Police Service said in a news release Wednesday.
In each case, police said the drivers were forced into their vehicles and driven around for some time before being dropped off unharmed.
Police believe the suspects worked with other people in a coordinated effort to steal Amazon packages and then abandon the vehicles.
After a two-month investigation, police searched a home and vehicle in the 100 block of Coral Springs Boulevard N.E. Police said 70 items “directly tied to the robberies” were recovered. In addition to those items, police also seized:
- 71 x .22 calibre rounds
- Two .20-gauge shotgun shells
- One 16-gauge shotgun shell
- 14 .45 calibre rounds
- Browning 20-gauge shotgun
- Ruger .22 calibre LR
- Three cellphones
- A 2017 Audi A4 that had previously been reported stolen
“This was a complex investigation whereby the impacts of criminal behaviour were felt by the victims of the carjackings, as well as community members near the residence where we conducted the search warrant,” said CPS Det. Shelby Stewart.
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Stewart said the armed, coordinated carjackings were unlike anything she had seen in her 14-year policing career.
She also said the Amazon drivers involved in the incidents have since left the company, noting they have likely suffered “significant psychological trauma.”
“It’s not something you expect when you’re out doing your job, that the next time you get in a vehicle someone is pointing a gun at you.”
Police confirmed that during the arrest involving the tactical team, neighbours were told via loudspeaker to shelter in place.
“We are pleased this was brought to a successful conclusion thanks to the coordinated efforts of several areas of the Calgary Police Service,” Stewart said.
In a statement, Amazon spokesperson Alisa Carroll said the company is committed to the safety of its drivers.
“We’re grateful that none of our drivers were harmed as a result of these incidents and that police were successful in completing their investigation.”
Kyle Levi Patrick Layton, 37, Abdul Rahman Sesay, 28, Salfa Omal Rex, 24, and Mahad Ahmed, 25, are all charged with possession of stolen property under $5,000 and numerous firearms-related offences.
All four of the men were previously known to police and there have been previous police calls to the home.
Global News spoke with Layton recently as a spokesperson with Black Lives Matter YYC.
The group confirms he was once affiliated with BLM YYC and a vocal supporter following his involvement.
“As always, we at BLM YYC stand amongst the Black community and its members. As we do not have any first-hand knowledge regarding these charges, we cannot make any specific comments on this case,” a statement from Black Lives Matter YYC reads.
–with files from Lauren Pullen, Global News
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