Halton police arrest high risk, wanted sex offender after country-wide warrant

Halton police arrested a high-risk registered sex offender Tuesday after a warrant was issued country-wide for his arrest last month.

Officers say they found an unoccupied vehicle registered to a 66-year-old Christopher Watts parked at LaSalle Park in Burlington.

Police later arrested the suspect Tuesday evening in Hamilton.

Watts finished a 12-year prison sentence in 2015, after being found guilty of manslaughter, sexual assault and sexual interference in the 2001 death of a 13-year-old girl in Ontario.

After completing his sentence, Watts was placed on a long-term supervision order.

Watts was released from custody on May 28, and was to report immediately to a halfway house in Montreal where he was to live.

He reported as scheduled, but escaped from the house, and on June 4, a Canada-wide warrant was issued for his arrest.

Investigators are working to establish Watt’s activities during the five days between his escape and his arrest.

Anyone with information on his activities are encouraged to contact police at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316.

Tips can also be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

READ MORE: Convicted sex offender released from prison