This story has been updated to include new photos of the suspects.
A Canada-wide arrest warrant is being prepared as police attempt to track down Rabih “Robby” Alkhalil following his escape from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam.
Alkhalil, who faces murder charges for gang related killings, broke out on July 21 with the help of two suspects in a white Ford Econoline van, according to police.
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Writing in the Vancouver Sun, crime reporter Kim Bolan described two suspects arriving at the pretrial centre and pretending to be contractors hired to do repairs. Once inside they used a plasma torch to break Alkhalil out of the centre, Bolan reported.
Newly-released images show the first suspect wearing a white hard hat, a face mask, black shirt with a high visibility vest, black pants, black gloves, and black boots.
The second suspect was wearing a black ball cap, black shirt, black pants, black boots, black gloves, a face mask, and glasses.
Investigators found the getaway vehicle, a white Ford Econoline van, and have begun forensic examination, according to police.
“Time is of the essence and we need your help to get Alkhalil’s face in every airport, train station, taxi, rental car or anywhere else that he may be hiding, stated Coquitlam RCMP media relations officer Const. Deanna Law. Police have emphasized that has connections across Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia.
Alkhalil is described as 35 years old, five-foot-ten and 166 pounds.
His accomplices were both described as bald Caucasian men in their 30s.
Police released photos that were said to resemble the two suspects. However, the photos were not pictures of the suspects.
The suspects likely “bear a close resemblance” to the men pictured in the stock photos, Law explained in a release.
Those photos are available to be bought online, according to Bolan.
Suspect #1 was described as having a narrow face, arched eyebrows and a slightly crooked nose, similar to the photo below.
Suspect #2 was described as having an oval face, light eyebrows and close-set eyes, similar to the photo below.
If you see Alkhalil or either suspect, police recommend calling 911 immediately.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and ask for the Major Crime Unit.
