London police are on the lookout for an escaped inmate from the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre.
Justin Kunz, 19, escaped from the jail on Wednesday. Police say he altered his appearance to look like his cellmate, who was about to be released. It's alleged he threatened the cellmate in order to keep him quiet when a corrections officer came to retrieve him. The ruse was completed when Kunz was mistakenly released from custody.
Arrest warrants have now been issued for Kunz on charges of impersonation, uttering threats, and being unlawfully-at-large.
When asked why it was more than 24 hours after the escape that police alerted the media and the public, a police spokesperson replied they did not believe public safety was at risk.
"At this point and time there's no indication this individual poses a threat to the community," says Constable Amanda Corsaut.
Despite that, Constable Corsaut says anyone who spots Kunz should not approach him, but instead should call 911.
Kunz was arrested in November 2014 after a guns and drugs raid at a home on Ernest Ave.
Anyone with information as to where he might be is asked to call London police at (519) 661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Information can also be sent in on-line anonymously to www.londoncrimestoppers.com.