Police are warning residents in the Halifax area about a violent offender who has been released into the community.
Police say Damien Christopher Clyke, 27, has completed his four-year sentence for armed robbery in a federal penitentiary and was released Thursday.
Clyke and another man entered a Halifax corner store wearing masks and armed with a small handgun in 2004. Clyke demanded money from the clerk and, when he refused, Clyke struck him in the face.
Clyke also has past convictions for a number of other violent crimes, including assaults on three correctional officers while in custody.
He has more than 40 convictions and his victims include family members, strangers and peace officers.
Parole board documents indicate Clyke is likely to commit an offence causing death or serious harm to another person after being released from prison.
“Your offences are escalating in severity and frequency,” they read. “It is more good luck than good management that victims have not endured more serious harm given your reckless and impulsive behaviour.”
Police say citizens should use caution when dealing with Clyke, who is described as a black man, five-foot-seven, with a medium build.
“It is important to say as well that Mr. Clyke is now a free man and has served the time he was sentenced to for the armed robbery back in 2004,” says Halifax Regional Police Const. Pierre Bourdages.
“However, because of his assessment by professionals of his high risk to reoffend in a violent manner, Halifax Regional Police decided to release the information about Mr. Clyke’s intention to relocate back to Halifax along with his picture.”
Privacy laws prevent police from disclosing where Clyke will be living; parole documents state Clyke suffers from mental illness, has difficulty controlling his emotions and is known to have angry outbursts.
The parole board also said in Clyke’s assessment that he continues to possess violent tendencies, has gained no insight into his offences and has expressed no motivation for change.
