An individual suspected of aiding fugitive Rabih (Robby) Alkhalil in his escape from prison has been apprehended in Spain, as reported by British Columbia’s anti-gang police unit. John Potvin, a 49-year-old resident of Ottawa, was one of three men who faced charges earlier this month in connection with Alkhalil’s breakout from North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam on July 21, 2022.
Alkhalil, originally hailing from Montreal, has an extensive criminal background, including convictions for a 2012 Toronto murder and a Vancouver homicide the same year. Despite the escape, he remains on Canada’s most-wanted list. Potvin, charged with conspiracy to commit prison breach and actual prison breach related to Alkhalil’s evasion, had been evading authorities and was subject to a Canada-wide warrant and an Interpol Red Notice.
The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia (CFSEU-BC), comprising officers from various police departments in the province, including the RCMP, disclosed that Potvin was arrested in Spain on September 19. Plans are underway to bring him back to Canada. Cpl. Sarbjit Sangha from the CFSEU praised the international law enforcement cooperation that led to Potvin’s capture.
During a recent press briefing, Sangha mentioned that video footage from the prison escape was instrumental in identifying the individuals involved in aiding Alkhalil’s getaway. Two individuals, disguised as contractors driving a white Econoline van, facilitated Alkhalil’s escape from the pretrial center in July 2022 while he awaited trial for a murder case. Subsequently, the Bolo Program, which highlights the 25 most-wanted fugitives in Canada, elevated Alkhalil to the top of its list following the incident.
