Police in British Columbia are asking Moncton residents to be on the lookout for a dangerous fugitive.

Stephen Edgar McCreary, 61, a long-time resident of the Fraser Valley, is wanted by the Abbotsford Police in connection with 18 serious charges, including sexual offences, aggravated assaults and forcible confinement.

Officers have been trying to track McCreary down for three months, but their Canada-wide manhunt has suddenly narrowed to Moncton, said Const. Ian MacDonald.

"This weekend our major crime detective received some recent information that we believe to be valid and accurate that Mr. McCreary is actually in Moncton, or at least was in Moncton on the weekend," MacDonald told CBC News.

Police believe McCreary is staying with friends or relatives, who may not be aware that he is wanted.

Works as a truck driver

McCreary works as a truck driver and may be working under an alias, or under the table, said MacDonald.

He is described as being about five feet, nine inches tall, 180 pounds, with brown eyes and short grey hair.

Police believe McCreary fled British Columbia on July 17, just before he was going to be picked up on the 18 charges, said MacDonald.

There is a publication ban on the details of the charges, but they include 13 sexual offences, four counts of aggravated assault and one of forcible confinement, he said.

"It's not somebody you would want to be unleashing on your family," MacDonald said.

Police have been chasing tips and sightings of McCreary in Ontario and Quebec. About two weeks ago, they started getting evidence he might be in Nova Scotia or New Brunswick.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact their local police department, the Abbotsford Police at 604-859-5225, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.