Fugitive back in police custody

Agencies/London

A fugitive who went on the run after he was sprung from a prison van is back in police custody.

Ryan MacDonald, 19, and Stevie McMullen, 31, were being taken to court when they were freed in Salford on Tuesday by three masked men, two armed with guns, who attacked the GEOAmey prison transport vehicle.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said that McMullen was arrested on Sunday afternoon with two other men in a car that was travelling on the A6 in Lancashire, near Lancaster University.

MacDonald is still at large and there is a £10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

McMullen was arrested on suspicion of escaping from lawful custody. The other two men, aged 27 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and were taken into police custody for questioning.

Assistant chief constable Steve Heywood said: “Since two prisoners were sprung from a GEOAmey prison van on Tuesday, our officers have been working round-the-clock to trace these fugitives and bring them back into custody. We have arrested a 31-year-old man in the Lancashire area as part of this operation, but our efforts will continue to trace 19-year-old Ryan MacDonald, who is still wanted by police.

“On Friday, a £10,000 reward was put forward for information leading to the capture of these two men. This full £10,000 reward still stands for anyone who gives us information that leads to MacDonald’s arrest and will be paid when he is back behind bars. I would ask members of the public not to approach this man due to the potential danger he poses, but if you see him then please call the police immediately.

“We continue to follow up on a number of leads but I would also like to offer MacDonald the opportunity to hand himself in, which he can do either by calling police himself, or by contacting a trusted family member, friend or his solicitor.”