Warrant issued for arrest of Thunder Bay jail escapee

An arrest warrant has been issued for a 48 year-old man who escaped from the Thunder Bay District Jail earlier this month, according to city police.

Philip Robert Crosby, an inmate at the jail, escaped from the facility around 9:00 a.m. Tuesday Oct. 11, prompting a lockdown at nearby schools, police in the city said. He remains at large.

• Police in Thunder Bay, Ontario stop search but continue watching for escaped inmate

A search of the immediate area with the assistance of the Ontario Provincial Police did not locate Crosby at the time and the search was terminated. However, investigators will follow up on any new leads, police said.

Police are asking the public's assistance in locating the man, but Cst. Julie Tilbury with the police service, said people should refrain from approaching him.

"Just call 911 immediately if you have any information to offer, or if you see this male and we will have officers attend immediately and deal with the situation," she said.

According to police, the 48-year-old Crosby escaped through a service entry as deliveries were being made.

Police said Crosby was in custody for driving offences, resisting arrest offences and breach of court orders.