Three men are facing charges from the RCMP for their alleged involvement in aiding the escape of Rabih (Robby) Alkhalil from a B.C. jail in 2022. Alkhalil, a 38-year-old with a significant criminal history, including convictions for a 2012 Toronto murder and a murder in Vancouver the same year, had been on the run since the escape. Originally from Montreal, Alkhalil was incarcerated at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam, B.C., on murder charges when he fled on July 21, 2022.
The police disclosed on Monday that Edward Ayoub, 48, and John Potvin, 49, both hailing from Ottawa, along with Ryan van Gool, 46, from Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., have been charged with conspiracy to commit prison breach and prison breach in connection to Alkhalil’s escape. RCMP Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha mentioned that surveillance footage from the prison break was instrumental in identifying the individuals who allegedly assisted Alkhalil in his escape.
Two individuals posing as contractors in a white Econoline van facilitated Alkhalil’s breakout from the pretrial center in July 2022 while he awaited trial for murder. Subsequently, the Bolo Program, which highlights wanted criminals, elevated Alkhalil to the top of its list of 25 most wanted fugitives in Canada.
Ayoub and van Gool are currently in custody, whereas Potvin is being sought on a nationwide warrant for the mentioned charges. Additionally, the police have levied further charges related to murder plots and shootings in British Columbia involving van Gool and two other individuals, distinct from the jailbreak case.
Sgt. Tammy Lobb stated that van Gool, along with Bryce Telford, 28, and Scott Telford, 61, originally from Surrey, have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and weapon possession. The investigation into Alkhalil led to the discovery of additional information regarding murder conspiracies, resulting in a total of 17 charges against five men, including those related to the jailbreak.