THUNDER BAY - The search for an escaped inmate from the Thunder Bay District Jail has been terminated, and Thunder Bay Police are asking for the public’s assistance in apprehending the inmate who is still at large.
Philip Robert Crosby, 48-years-old, escaped from the Thunder Bay District Jail through a service exit at approximately 9:16 a.m. on Tuesday morning. Police were on the scene within 15 minutes and searched the immediate area around the District Jail.
The Ontario Provincial Police K9 unit and the ERT team also assisted in the search, which included the area around Boulevard Lake and behind the Lakehead Psychiatric Hospital.
“After approximately three hours, the search was called off, however, our officers remain vigilant and are still checking the area,” Thunder Bay Police spokesperson, Julie Tilbury said. “At this point we are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Philip Crosby.”
Crosby is a Caucasian male, 5-foot-9 with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a T-shirt, blue boxing shorts, and socks.
According to Tilbury, the search was terminated because the area was thoroughly searched and Thunder Bay Police did not have the resources to remain on scene indefinitely.
“We used the resources that we had at hand, however, we have other incidents that go on around the city on a daily basis that we have to have our officers available for,” she said.
Tilbury said that officers will remain on the lookout for Crosby and patrols will be increased in the area he was last seen.
As a result of the escape, several schools in the area were put under hold and secure for several hours. Four schools with the Catholic Board, St. Paul, St. Margaret, St. Bernard, and Bishop Gallagher, and St. Ignatius High School have since had the hold and secure lifted.
“We’ve been assured that there will be ample police presence in those neighborhoods surrounding our elementary schools,” said director of education with the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, Pino Tassone, in a release.
St. James, Vance Chapman, Claude E. Garton, and Superior CVI with Lakehead Public School Board were also placed under hold and secure, but have also lifted the protocol.
“At this point in time we are putting this out as a public safety incident,” Tilbury said. “We are concerned for the public because you have someone out there who knows he is wanted by the police and probably doesn’t want to go back to the district jail, however, he was in custody on driving offences, resisting arrest offences, and break of court orders. These are not violent offences, but we are still wanting to get him back into custody.”
Tilbury said it is likely that Crosby is still in the city. She added someone may have run into him without knowing or realizing he had escaped from the District Jail and provided assistance.
“Within three hours of an incident starting, an individual could be right across town,” Tilbury said. “We have to reach out to the public like we are. We have had great success in the past when asking the public for assistance.”
Anyone who may have seen Crosby, who was in custody on driving offences, resisting arrest and breach of court, is asked to immediately call 911.
