The search is on for 34-year-old Howard O’Soup, a prisoner at the Nanaimo Regional Correctional Centre (NRCC), after he walked away from escorted visitation in Nanaimo.
O’Soup, along with several other inmates, had been escorted to a meeting in central Nanaimo at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 29.
Shortly after the meeting began, the correctional officer escorting the inmates, checked on him but could not locate O’Soup. All of the other inmates were accounted for. A search was commenced immediately by NRCC officials and the Nanaimo RCMP but he was not found.
O’Soup has friends and family in the Nanaimo area and officers are following up on this. O’Soup has an extensive criminal record extending back 20 years, primarily for property related offences and was considered low risk at the time of his escape.
He had been sentenced to 547 days for three counts of break and enter and one count of mischief. His release date was set for Sept.16.
O’Soup is described as a First Nations male who is approximately six feet, 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He has a sleeve tattoo on his left arm and a tattoo of a rose on his right shoulder.
A Canada-wide warrant was issued for escaping lawful custody.
Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Howard O’Soup is asked not to approach him and call 9-1-1 immediately or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or go online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.