‘Dangerous’ inmate back in custody in Halifax after mistaken release

HALIFAX – A dangerous inmate is back in custody one day after being mistakenly released from the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility.

Eliahs Knudsen Kent, 22, was arrested at about 2 p.m. Saturday.

Police said Kent was located at an address in the Spryfield area, but fled when he saw officers. He was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.

“Since he did escape, we’ve been checking all of our leads, checking a variety of addresses,” said Staff Sgt. Reid McCoombs of the Halifax Regional Police.

“This was just another one on the list we were checking and it happened to be the right one.”

McCoombs said Kent will be taken back to the correctional facility and will be scheduled for a court appearance.

“He’ll be facing additional charges of escaping lawful custody,” McCoombs said.

Kent was on remand and awaiting trial next week on charges that included attempted murder, robbery and weapons offences.

The charges stemmed from an incident in September, where an elderly man awoke to find two intruders in his home stealing his guns. The man was struck in the head several times during the robbery.

READ MORE: Residents concerned after violent break and enter in Dartmouth

Kent was mistakenly released Friday morning, prompting police and justice officials to issue a warning to the public.

Justice minister Lena Diab said an investigation has been launched into how the mistake occurred.

“I’m angry and appalled at how this could have happened,” she told Global News on Friday.

With a file from Mayya Assouad