A man connected to crimes in the Cowichan Valley has escaped from custody.
Tyler Desmond Fong had been incarcerated at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre but fled from correctional officers while at Victoria General Hospital for medical treatment on Sunday, Oct. 4.
Fong made his escape shortly before 8 p.m.
He was serving time for a string of property crime offences in the Ladysmith and Nanaimo areas.
“Fong has a history of fleeing from police,” said a press released issued by West Shore RCMP spokesman Const. Alex Bérubé. “During his escape, Fong is alleged to have stolen a vehicle from the VGH parking lot, causing a minor collision with a motorcycle as he fled.”
West Shore RCMP are directing the search.
A Caucasian male, Fong is 31 years old and stands six-feet-one. He’s about 205 pounds and has brown hair and eyes.
The stolen vehicle is a brown 2000 Chrysler Concord four-door sedan, with a B.C. licence plate: 166 RGC.
There is an arrest warrant out for Fong, who will be facing new charges of Escaping Lawful Custody, Assaulting a Peace Officer, Mischief, Theft of Vehicle and Dangerous Operation of a Vehicle. “If you know the location of Tyler Fong, do not engage him, and call 9-1-1 immediately,” Bérubé said.
Those who wish to alert police about his whereabouts anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).