A corrections officer in B.C. has been charged with helping a gangster escape from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre last Thursday.
Edwin Ticne, a corrections officer for more than 10 years, appeared briefly in a Port Coquitlam Provincial Court on Monday.
He is facing two charges in relation to the escape and one of obstruction of justice.
RCMP Cpl. Brenda Gresiuk told CTV British Columbia that the 35-year-old was arrested on Nov. 16 in Coquitlam.
Last Thursday night, Omid Tahvilli became the first person ever to escape from the centre. Officials said they discovered he was missing following a head count.
Tahvilli, 37, has been at the centre since July 2005 and was awaiting sentencing on charges including kidnapping, unlawful confinement, sexual assault, uttering threats, and assault causing bodily harm.
The RCMP says "Tahvilli is ranked high in the Persian Gang hierarchy."
He was also facing extradition to the U.S. for telemarketing frauds.
BC Corrections spokeswoman Lisa LaPointe told CTV British Columbia that it was "very disappointing" to hear that a corrections officer had been arrested.
"I think that is probably the only way that somebody could get out of North Fraser Correctional Centre because it is such a secure centre," said LaPointe.
The maximum-security centre operated by the provincial government's public safety ministry is where accused serial killer Robert Pickton is being held.
Gresiuk urged anyone with information about Tahvilli to contact police. Ticne is due back in court on Wednesday.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Jina You
