Car theft at Market Mall sparks police chase

A Calgary police officer was almost run over Wednesday while investigating a stolen car at the Market Mall.

Mall security called in a report of a suspicious person to police. When officers arrived at the mall's parking lot at about noon, they saw the suspicious man get in to a green Honda that they discovered had been stolen.

"One of our officers did get an eye on the vehicle, followed it, attempted to do a traffic stop, get the occupants out of vehicle after it had stopped. A little bit of a scuffle had ensued at that point," Const. Lara Sampson said.

The suspect and another man inside the car tried to run over the officer, but missed. 

The vehicle drove off, with police giving chase on foot. But in their haste, the culprits smashed the car into a fence near the mall, whereupon they jumped out and fled on foot through the northwest Varsity neighbourhood. 

Police kept chase and brought in the canine unit, but the pair managed to elude capture.

Officers found merchandise inside the smashed car that they believe was stolen from another vehicle in the parking lot. Police said it's possible the men spent time prowling the Market Mall's lot looking for goods to snatch.

Vehicle break-ins traditionally spike during the holidays, when packages are often left visible, police said.

"People really have to be careful about what they leave in their vehicles. Anything of any value that's in sight, people will go after. It's become a rash here," Sampson said.

One of the suspects is described as Caucasian, about 35 to 40 years old, five foot seven inches tall with a stocky build. He had grey, scruffy, shoulder-length hair and facial stubble.

The other man is said to be Caucasian, 40 to 50 years old with a slim to medium build. He had thinning, collar-length hair and was wearing a reddish ski jacket.