Dean Wiwchar and fellow killer charged after trying to flee Surrey Pretrial Centre, remaining in custody as new court dates loom.
Notorious Hit Man and Murderer Foiled in B.C. Prison Escape
SURREY — A daring prison break in British Columbia was stopped in its tracks last month when gangland hit man Dean Wiwchar and fellow murderer Harry Christensen were caught trying to flee the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre.
According to the Surrey Police Service, correctional officers noticed the pair attempting to escape from the exercise yard on December 7. Both men were charged on Tuesday and remain behind bars, serving their original sentences while awaiting new court dates.
Wiwchar’s Dark History
Dean Wiwchar, 40, has a long and violent criminal record. Convicted of first-degree murder, he was one of four men sentenced to life in prison for a brazen 2012 shooting at Toronto’s Sicilian Sidewalk Café. The attack, linked to a drug feud, left John Raposo dead as soccer fans watched a Euro Cup match. Wiwchar was accused of directly carrying out the killing, and he, along with his co-conspirators, was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.
In 2025, Wiwchar pleaded guilty to two more counts of conspiracy to commit murder in connection with a Vancouver killing and a separate assassination plot. In December, the BC Prosecution Service confirmed he received concurrent sentences of 20 and 18 years, along with a lifetime firearms ban, a DNA order, a no-contact order, and asset forfeiture.
Christensen’s Conviction
Harry Christensen, 34, pleaded guilty in March to second-degree murder for the 2018 execution-style killing of Kyle Cromarty in Chilliwack. Court documents revealed that Christensen shot Cromarty twice from behind in broad daylight. The case gained notoriety because Christensen did not know his victim and managed to evade capture for four years until DNA evidence linked him to the crime.
He is serving a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 13 and a half years.
Swift Action Prevented a Breakout
The failed escape highlights the vigilance of correctional staff and the continued threat posed by violent offenders. Both Wiwchar and Christensen remain in custody, with authorities tightening security as they await additional court proceedings.
This incident serves as a stark reminder that even convicted murderers may attempt bold moves, but law enforcement is prepared to act quickly to maintain public safety.
