TORONTO — A 28-year-old London, Ont. man with an extensive criminal history was “mistakenly released” from a city courthouse on Wednesday. Police say he poses a risk to public safety.
Raymond Versteeg was in court at 80 Dundas St. in London at about 3 p.m.
Police declined to comment on the specifics of how Versteeg was mistakenly released, but said they “believe that he poses a risk to public safety” based on his criminal record.
Versteeg was charged in connection with a 2010 break-and-enter in which his co-accused pulled a shotgun on police officers, Const. Amy Phillipo told Global News.
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She added that he plead guilty to break-and-enter charges and served 90 days, while the other charges in that case were withdrawn.
Phillipo said Versteeg was in court Wednesday facing breach of probation charges and was to be remanded into custody until tomorrow.
Police said on Feb. 28, 2010 at about 2 a.m., three men — one holding a shotgun and another holding a knife — attempted to enter a house on English Street.
They say a suspect who pointed a shotgun at police, then fled was found hiding under a vehicle nearby and arrested.
Versteeg and two 24-year-old London men – Darwin Woodruff and Darcy Woodruff – were charged with break and enter, property damage and masking their faces intending to commit an indictable offence.
Woodruff was additionally charged with the use of a firearm in commission of an indictable offence, careless use of a firearm, five counts of pointing a firearm, possessing a firearm with no authority, possessing a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm while prohibited, uttering threats and assaulting police.
Police say Versteeg is white, 5’9″ and 200 pounds with a shaved head and scar on his right cheek. He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information on Versteeg’s whereabouts is asked to contact London police or Crime Stoppers.
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