Violent inmate escapes custody while at Vancouver Island hospital
By Contributor
Shortly before 8 p.m. on Oct. 4, an inmate from the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre (VIRCC) escaped from the custody of provincial correctional officers while at the Victoria General Hospital (VGH) for medical treatment.
The West Shore RCMP was notified of the escape, prompting an investigation and search for the inmate, identified as Tyler Desmond Fong. Fong was incarcerated at VIRCC following convictions earlier this year for a string of property crime offences in the Ladysmith and Nanaimo areas. Fong has a history of fleeing from police.
Tyler Desmond Fong is described as:
- Caucasian male
- 31 years old
- 6 feet, 1 inch tall (185 cm)
- 205 pounds (93 kg)
- brown hair
- brown eyes
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. The stolen vehicle is described as a brown 2000 Chrysler Concord four-door sedan, BC License Plate ‘166 RGC’.
A Warrant of Arrest has been obtained for Fong, who will be facing new charges of Escape Lawful Custody, Assaulting a Peace officer, Mischief (x2), 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. To share information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Police will update the public on their search efforts as additional information becomes available.
