Philadelphia fugitive arrested in Vancouver traffic stop
Halil Abrahim Akbalik, 25, wanted for rape charges in Pennsylvania, caught after police stopped his vehicle on East Hastings Street.
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A 25-year-old wanted in Philadelphia for rape and other offences was arrested in Vancouver on October 2 after Vancouver Police stopped a white SUV with Alberta license plates on East Hastings Street near Hawks Avenue.
The driver, Halil Abrahim Akbalik, was pulled over for using an electronic device while driving. Akbalik was wanted on an international warrant and was also subject to a Canada-wide immigration warrant issued by Canada Border Services Agency. He was also the subject of an ongoing investigation by Toronto Police Service's Fugitive Team.
Akbalik was initially held at Vancouver Jail before being transferred to custody of Canada Border Services Agency. Court documents show Akbalik was convicted in May 2011 in Seattle on five counts of illegally dealing in firearms and lying to border authorities. At that time, he was known as Hamid Malekpour.
The facts
Who was arrested in Vancouver?
Halil Abrahim Akbalik, a 25-year-old wanted in Philadelphia for rape and other offences.
When was Akbalik arrested?
October 2, 2026, after Vancouver Police stopped his white SUV on East Hastings Street near Hawks Avenue.
Why was Akbalik's vehicle initially stopped?
Vancouver Police pulled over the white SUV because the driver was using an electronic device while driving.
What prior conviction did Akbalik have?
In May 2011, Akbalik—then known as Hamid Malekpour—was convicted in Seattle on five counts of illegally dealing in firearms and lying to border authorities.
