CALGARY — Police in Calgary spent Sunday afternoon chasing a suspect who appeared to be playing a real-life version of the video game Grand Theft Auto.

In total, the man is suspected of snatching up to seven different vehicles at gunpoint before eventually crashing and being nabbed by police.

Police were just a half-step behind the suspected carjacker during the ordeal, said Insp. Vic Trickett, thanks in large part to help they got from witnesses who were able to point them in the right direction.

“We were, perhaps, throughout this whole situation, at the most, one or two minutes behind a suspect at any time. But unfortunately, we were always behind,” he said.

The spree started at about noon when a man forced a car to stop at gunpoint. He took the car and raced to a supermarket where he jumped out and swiped another car, also at gunpoint.

“Ten to 15 minutes later we received a call of a third carjacking with a potential weapon involved, so all of a sudden we’re looking for a different vehicle all together,” said Trickett.

“Approximately five to seven times, this situation with similar circumstances occurred.”

As the chase continued, Trickett said, motorists pulled over and pointed officers in the correct direction.

The chase eventually came to an end when the suspect lost control and crashed into a signpost, ending up on the front lawn of a school.

There were two people in the vehicle when it stopped, leading to speculation the suspect may have taken a hostage at some point.

Trickett would only say that one individual was arrested at the scene, while a second person was not arrested.

“I’ve been a police officer now for 27-and-a-half years and I’ve never encountered a situation like this in my career as of yet and I don’t really want to encounter another one, either,” he said.

The suspect was taken to hospital in serious but guarded condition, suffering from trauma to his head, face and chest, said EMS spokesman Dave Buxton.

Police say they aren’t sure if drugs or alcohol were involved.