Images of suspected accomplices in BC prisoner's escape were stock images, confirm RCMP

As the search continues for 35-year-old Rabih “Robby” Alkhalil, who escaped from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre on July 21, police in the Lower Mainland are retracting images they shared of two alleged suspects who helped him escape.

The Coquitlam RCMP have confirmed that previously released images were stock images are not the two men believed to be associated with Alkhalil.

“It is believed that the suspects who helped Alkhalil escape bear a close resemblance to the photos they left behind, but those images are not them,” explains Cst. Deanna Law with Coquitlam RCMP.

"For this case, time is crucial and it’s important to keep the public as informed as possible even though the facts could change as we go."

Alkhalil, who is charged with first-degree murder, is still at large and considered dangerous.

He is described as a Middle Eastern man who is 5’10” and 166 lbs with short black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information about Alkhalil’s whereabouts or the people who helped him escape are asked to call the Coquitlam RCMP at (604) 945-1550, reference file number 2022-18693 and ask for the Major Crime Section.

In their update, police confirmed that the white Ford Econoline van that was used in the escape has been recovered and is being examined.

The van was seen driving away from the centre at about 6:50 pm on July 21.

The two suspects who helped with the escape allegedly posed as contractors there for a job and used a plasma torch to cut a hole in the fence.

Coquitlam RCMP continue to work with other law enforcement agencies throughout Canada, North America and even internationally to track down the trio.