A Quebec fugitive who had been on the lam for months after pleading guilty to child pornography-related offences has been arrested by investigators on Vancouver Island.
Jimmy Pieschke, 39, was arrested in Parksville Wednesday. Mounties say they received a tip that led Oceanside RCMP officers to make the arrest.
Police say Pieschke is in custody and is being transported back to Quebec to appear in court.
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Pieschke was originally arrested three years ago in Montreal and was charged with having, distributing, and producing child pornography. At the time, he pleaded guilty to the charges.
In late January of this year, Pieschke failed to appear in court. Shortly thereafter, an arrest warrant was issued for the man and at one point he was featured on a list of Quebec’s most-wanted criminals.
Then, Salt Spring RCMP put out a statement for the public to keep an eye out for Pieschke, who was believed to be hiding out in the small Gulf Island community.
Oceanside RCMP credited the public for sending them tips as to Pieschke’s whereabouts, which helped investigators finally track him down in nearby Parksville.
They also thanked Quebec’s Internet Child Sexual Exploitation Investigation Division, E Division’s Fugitive Return Program and the B.C. Sheriff’s Service for the joint investigation ending successfully with the fugitive being arrested.
“Jimmy Pieschke was successfully arrested and is being held in custody to be escorted to Quebec to appear in court,” said Sgt. Shane Worth, spokesperson for Oceanside RCMP.
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