An arrest warrant has been issued for an alleged Vernon firebug after he was mistakenly released from jail.
Richard Anthony Jacobs, 33, is charged with arson damaging property and mischief stemming from an alleged incident in Vernon last September. He is also facing an unrelated charge alleging he breached the conditions of his bail in February.
Jacobs was a no-show Wednesday in Vernon Provincial Court, where lawyers said they were surprised to learn he had been released from jail.
Vernon Provincial Court Judge Jeremy Guild was told Jacobs was supposed to stay in jail after having his bail revoked, but he was somehow released.
"I’m not sure how or why he was released from custody," Crown prosecutor Tiffany Zanatta said in court. "We had applied to revoke his bail, but he is no longer in custody.”
Guild issued a public interest warrant for Jacobs' arrest.
Defence lawyer Laura McPheeters said she doesn't think he will be too hard for police to track down.
“I think, probably, Mr. Jacobs is downtown where he normally lives, and will be found," she said.
It's not clear when Jacobs was inadvertently released. He will appear in court after his arrest.
