Canada-wide warrant issued for B.C. high-risk sex offender

A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for notorious high-risk sex offender Randall Hopley after he failed to return to his halfway house.

Vancouver police said Hopley has a history of sexual assault, assault and property crime convictions.

The 58-year-old made international headlines in September 2011 after he kidnapped a three-year-old boy from his home in Sparwood, triggering an Amber Alert and a Canada-wide search for the child.

Hopley returned the boy unharmed four days later and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to six years, serving his full term until October 2018.

Hopley was then released to a residential facility in the Lower Mainland, under a long term supervision order with numerous conditions, including obeying a curfew and to stay away from children.

According to court records, he was due back in Vancouver court on Monday, Nov. 6.

In a release, Vancouver police (VPD) said he has committed three offences of a sexual nature against children in the past.

He was last seen Saturday at 3 p.m. wearing a black coat, black pants and black hat.

VPD describe Hopley as five-feet-nine-inches tall, weighing 176 pounds with brown hair and hazel-coloured eyes.

Police said to call 911 immediately if he is spotted.