Calgary police have charged two men after officers prevented a violent assault and kidnapping in downtown Calgary in mid-February.
On Feb. 17, just before midnight, a Calgary police patrol sergeant working in the downtown saw three men assault a person at the intersection of 1 Street and 19 Avenue SW.
When he intervened, the three men fled the scene in a Toyota Camry. The victim, a man in his 20s, was taken to the hospital in stable condition and has since been released.
CPS said that officers located the suspects’ vehicle and deployed a tire deflation device, which brought the vehicle to a stop.
Two of the suspects tried to flee on foot but were chased down by police and the Calgary Police Service (CPS) Canine Unit. Police believe the incident was targeted and related to organized crime in Calgary.
Afterwards, search warrants executed on multiple vehicles uncovered 89 grams of power substances believed to be powder and crack cocaine. It had a street value of $5,000, police said.
“Our patrol officers did an exceptional job intervening quickly to prevent further harm to the victim and safely take the suspects into custody,” said Staff Sergeant Don Campbell of the CPS Organized Crime Unit, in a prepared news release.
“Targeted or not, this kind of brazen violence has no place on our streets.”
Bidong Bang Teny Wang, 23, and Rick Gatwech have both been charged in connection with the incident. Gatwech was also arrested on 40 outstanding warrants, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Calgary police at 403-266-1234.
