An inmate from the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre (VIRCC) is at large, after escaping from custody Sunday at Victoria General Hospital, where he was receiving medical treatment.

West Shore RCMP say Tyler Desmond Fong fled the hospital at roughly 8 p.m. He is alleged to have stolen a vehicle from the VGH parking lot and caused a minor collision with a motorcycle as he left. The stolen vehicle is described as a brown 2000 Chrysler Concord four-door sedan with B.C. license plate 166 RGC.

Fong is a 31-year-old Caucasian male, just over six feet tall, weighing roughly 200 pounds. He has brown hair and eyes.

He was incarcerated after being convicted earlier this year on a string of property crime charges stemming from incidents in the Ladysmith and Nanaimo areas. He also has a history of fleeing from police.

A warrant has been issued for Fong's arrest and he will be facing new charges including escaping lawful custody, assaulting a peace officer, theft of a vehicle and dangerous operation of a vehicle as well as two counts of mischief.

West Shore RCMP are asking anyone with information on Fong's whereabouts to call 9-1-1 immediately and to not engage him.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com