Vancouver police are asking the public to help find a 21-year-old man wanted Canada-wide on warrants for assault and extortion.

Anthony James Scotchman, also known as "A.J.," is believed to be in Metro Vancouver.

"He does have contacts in northern B.C., in the Prince George area. We don't know if he's going up there," Const. Lindsey Houghton said.

Scotchman is also accused of uttering threats and obstructing justice.

"He is well known to police," Houghton said. "He can be violent, which is one reason we put his picture out there."

He is described as a 5-8 tall Aboriginal man, 186 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone who sees Scotchman is asked not to approach him, but to call 911 immediately.