Wanted federal offender has ties to northern Ontario

Canada-wide warrant issued for Eric Cardinal, who is wanted for breaching a release order. The 5'0", 160-pound man is known to frequent northern Ontario.

Police are searching for a wanted federal offender currently serving time for convictions of armed robbery and assault with ties to several northern Ontario communities.

Eric Richard Joseph Cardinal, 39, is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for allegedly breaching his statutory release, Ontario Provincial Police said in a news release Monday.

Cardinal “is known to frequent Timmins, Magnetawan, Elliot Lake and Toronto,” said police.

He is currently serving a three-year, three-month for armed robbery, robbery, assault causing bodily harm, criminal harassment, theft and three offences related to failing to comply with court or probation orders – including being unlawfully at large.

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating him.

He is a 5-foot (152 cm), 160-pound (73 kg) man with a fair complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. Cardinal has a dragon tattoo on his right arm and is clean-shaven.

OPP are asking anyone who has contact with this offender or who has information in regards to their whereabouts to contact the Provincial R.O.P.E. Squad, Crime Stoppers or call 911. The R.O.P.E. can be reached toll-free at 1-866-870-7673.

Cardinal was last seen at his community residential facility on Oct. 9 in Barrie, said Det. Const. Morley McGuire in an email to CTV News on Monday evening.