The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) says a high-risk registered sex offender who was unlawfully at large has been arrested in the Hamilton area after officers located his vehicle in Burlington.
66-year-old Christopher Watts was taken into custody on the evening of Tuesday, June 9th after officers found his unoccupied vehicle parked at LaSalle Park earlier in the day. Investigators established surveillance on the vehicle and arrested Watts when it was safe to do so.
Watts’ vehicle (courtesy of Halton Police)
Watts was wanted on a Canada-wide warrant after allegedly breaching the conditions of his long-term supervision order.
According to police, Watts was released from custody on May 28th and was required to immediately report to a halfway house in the Montreal area. While he initially reported as directed, police say he later escaped from the facility. A Canada-wide warrant was issued on June 4th.
Watts completed a 12-year prison sentence in 2015 after being convicted in connection with the 2001 death of a 13-year-old girl in Ontario. His convictions included manslaughter, sexual assault and sexual interference.
Following his release from prison, Watts was subject to a long-term supervision order.
Investigators are now working to determine his whereabouts and activities during the five days between the issuance of the warrant and his arrest.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online.
