Update

Investigators with the VPD High Risk Offenders’ Unit are hunting for a wanted sex offender on statutory release.

Thirty-six-year-old James Patrick Benson is a two-time federal offender with a history of violent offences including attempted murder and sexual assault with a weapon.

The offender was granted statutory release yesterday and is serving a long-term supervision order with several conditions. He fled from his Vancouver halfway house and a Canada-wide warrant has been issued for his arrest.

James Benson has been the subject of a previous public warning by the VPD, and is described as white, 5’10” tall, 200 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. He has several tattoos, including the numbers 011707 on his left wrist, the word “MORBID” on his left forearm, “LOST SOUL” on his chest, and red stars on both shoulders.

Benson has ties to both Calgary and Vancouver.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of James Patrick Benson, or who sees him, is asked not to approach him and call 9-1-1 immediately.