A manhunt is underway after a convicted murderer escaped from a federal prison in Mission Sunday afternoon.
Norman Gilbert Riel, 41, is believed to have broken out of the minimum security facility Mission Institution by climbing over a fence. He was last seen getting in to a white SUV that was apparently waiting for him outside.
Mounties are advising anyone who sees Riel to call 911 immediately, but not to approach him.
“We don’t believe there’s an imminent threat to the public. Having said that, if he was approached or cornered he definitely has the potential for violence,” Sgt. Shaun Wright said.
Riel has been known to try to escape the law by travelling into the United States, according to the RCMP.
Neighbours living across from Mission Institution told CTV News they didn’t hear about the escape until the next day, and were never notified by corrections.
“It would be nice to know if they are missing somebody,” one area resident said.
Riel was serving an indeterminate sentence after being convicted of the second-degree murder of Patrick Pugh, who was shot in the head during a home invasion at his East Vancouver penthouse in September 1994.
Riel also has convictions for robbery and firearms offences, and police said he was previously known to have gang ties.
The Union of Canadian Correctional Workers told said Mission Institution needs better inmate screening, claiming 42 per cent of prisoners at the minimum security prison are convicted killers.
“Yesterday’s escape is just a wake-up call,” union president Gordon Robertson said.
Riel is described as Metis, 5 foot, 8 inches tall, 210 pounds with long brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact the Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
