British Columbia

Violent sex offender arrested in Quebec after fleeing Vancouver halfway house

Joseph Davis was living in a Vancouver halfway house when he skipped town Monday in a newly-purchased Mercedes and attempted to flee across country. He was arrested in Quebec and is back in police custody.

Joseph Davis is back in custody after buying a Mercedes and fleeing east

Joseph Davis is a violent sexual offender who has twice escaped from his halfway house. He is now in custody after his second attempt. (Vancouver Police Department)

Quebec police have arrested a violent sex offender who went missing from a Vancouver halfway house earlier this week.

Joseph Davis, 47, was on release under a long-term supervision order when he missed his curfew on Monday night, according to the Vancouver Police Department.

Davis served four years in jail for sexual assault after luring a real estate agent into his Winnipeg home and attacking her in 2007.

In 2001, Davis was convicted of forcible confinement and assault causing bodily harm after attacking a sex trade worker at his house.

Police initially believed Davis was heading to Winnipeg from Vancouver in a Mercedes SUV he purchased, but was arrested Sunday morning in Quebec.

This is the second time Davis has breached his release conditions and been unlawfully at large. 

Davis also went missing from his halfway house in April 2017 and was arrested a few days later in Langenburg, Saskatchewan.