Vancouver/Harrison (with files from CBC/Global/Postmedia-Van Sun/CityNews) — The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) and the Federal Policing – Pacific Region (FP-PR) confirm charges have been laid against three men who allegedly assisted in the escape of Rabih Alkhalil from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre three years ago.
On Monday September 8, CBC reported that RCMP have announced charges against three men who allegedly helped Rabih (Robby) Alkhalil escape from a B.C. jail (North Fraser Pre-Trial) in 2022. He’s been on the loose ever since. The 38-year-old has an extensive criminal record and was convicted in a 2012 Toronto murder, as well as a murder in Vancouver that same year, and was a member of Canada’s most wanted list after the escape. Alkhalil, originally from Montreal, was being held in the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam, B.C., on murder charges when he escaped on July 21, 2022. Police said Monday that three men have been charged for their roles in Alkhalil’s escape. They did not confirm whether Alkhalil himself had been arrested.
From Rogers.CityNews:There have been multiple reports that Alkhalil was arrested in Qatar and that the RCMP will be attempting to bring him back to Canada. However, Mounties could not confirm Monday whether Alkhalil was, in fact, arrested. For the past two years, Alkhalil has been on Canada’s Bolo 25 Most Wanted list with the reward for information leading to an arrest as high as $250,000. As of Monday morning, $50,000 was being offered to potential tipsters.
On July 21, 2022, Coquitlam RCMP responded to an incident at the pretrial centre after two men posing as contractors aided in the escape of Alkhalil, who remains at large.
In February 2023, the Alkhalil investigation was transferred to CFSEU-BC with FP-PR joining the investigation in December 2023. This investigation has led to three counts of conspiracy to commit a prison breach and three counts of a prison breach. The BC Prosecution Service has approved charges against the following three men:
- Conspiracy to commit prison breach:
- Edward Ayoub, 48, of Ottawa;
- John Potvin, 49, of Ottawa;
- Ryan Van Gool, 46, of Harrison Hot Springs.
- Prison breach:
- Edward Ayoub;
- John Potvin;
- Ryan Van Gool.
Further, during the Alkhalil investigation, police uncovered information that has now led to charges against Ryan Van Gool and two more men allegedly involved in a conspiracy to murder an individual in Kamloops in March 2024. They are also facing two counts each of possession of a loaded restricted firearm and possession of a loaded prohibited firearm. The following individuals have been charged with these offences:
- Ryan Van Gool;
- Bryce Telford, 28, of Surrey;
- Scott Telford, 61 of Surrey.
In addition, Ryan Van Gool has been charged with discharging a firearm with intent and possession of a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm in relation to an incident that took place in Maple Ridge in January 2024.
Ryan Van Gool, Bryce Telford, and Scott Telford were arrested on September 5, 2025 and remain in custody. Their next court appearance is on September 10, 2025 at Vancouver Law Courts.
Edward Ayoub is in custody on another matter in another province and will be facing these new charges.
John Potvin is currently wanted on a Canada-wide warrant on these charges. If you have any information about his whereabouts or if you see him, call your local police immediately.
All seventeen (17) charges against the five individuals are by direct indictment, meaning the charges will go straight to trial without a preliminary inquiry.
CFSEU-BC and FP-PR would like to acknowledge and thank the Ottawa Police Service for their vital role in this investigation as well as the Coquitlam RCMP, Kamloops RCMP and Ridge Meadows RCMP.
I want to thank our CFSEU-BC investigators for their dedication and perseverance during this investigation. I also wish to thank our provincial and national policing partners for their unwavering commitment and support,
said Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, Chief Officer of CFSEU-BC.
This outcome reflects the strength of unified policing working side-by-side with domestic and international partners as it is a testament to the benefits of the RCMP’s unique multi-layered policing capabilities and Federal Policing’s international reach. I want to recognize the tireless work of our Federal Policing investigators who in collaboration with CFSEU-BC have demonstrated that borders are no barrier to accountability,
said Assistant Commissioner Dave Teboul, Regional Commander in Charge of FP-PR.
The Ottawa Police Service firmly believes to effectively combat organized crime we must engage and work with all law enforcement partners and assist with requests when that investigation comes to our city. Criminals know no boundaries and do not respect jurisdictions. We, in law enforcement, government and other public institutions, must be ready to assist and operate in joint forces operations to ensure the safety of all our citizens. It is under this belief that Ottawa Police Service was proud to assist the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia with resources and expertise as they operated in our city,
said Chief Constable Eric Stubbs of the Ottawa Police Service.
This investigation remains active and ongoing.
If anyone has information that could assist the police in the capture of John Potvin and Rabih Alkhalil please call your local police and or Crime Stoppers. You can also call the Bolo (Be On the Lookout) Program tipline at 1-877-687-3377.
