News release

Photo of Offender

Justice

A photo of the man who escaped from a sheriff's van today, Feb. 15, in Halifax Regional Municipality is available.

The photo can be found at gov.ns.ca/just

Thomas Arnold Jones, 48, was being taken to Dartmouth provincial court this morning when the incident occurred. He was to be sentenced today on a break and enter charge. He also faces a number of other charges, including assault, unlawful confinement, arson, uttering threats and breach of conditions, from 2011.

Mr. Jones is described as white, five-foot-eight, 160 pounds, black hair and blue eyes. He has a tattoo over his left eye. He is wearing jeans, cowboy boots. He was last seen wearing leg shackles.

The public is asked not to approach the man, but to call police immediately.

The offender escaped from sheriff's custody at approximately 9:30 a.m. while being transported to Dartmouth provincial court.

He was last seen in the area of the Dartmouth courthouse and Dartmouth General Hospital on Pleasant Street.

More details will be released as they become available.