SURREY, B.C. — Two convicted murderers, including a notorious gangland hit man, are facing new charges after an alleged escape attempt at the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre late last year.
Surrey Police Service say correctional officers spotted suspicious activity in the facility’s exercise yard on Dec. 7, 2025. The attempt was stopped before either inmate was able to leave the secure area.
Police have now charged Dean Wiwchar, 40, and Harry Christensen, 34, with attempting to escape lawful custody. Both men remain incarcerated and are awaiting future court appearances related to the new charges.
Wiwchar is serving a life sentence after being convicted of first-degree murder in connection with a high-profile daylight shooting at a Toronto café in 2012. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit murder tied to a separate killing at Vancouver’s Sheraton Wall Centre and an additional planned hit.
Christensen pleaded guilty in 2024 to second-degree murder for the 2018 killing of a man in Chilliwack.
Surrey Police say the investigation into the attempted escape was led by correctional staff, with charges approved following a review of the evidence.
No injuries were reported during the incident, and police have not released further details about how the escape attempt was carried out.
