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| Arrested: Stevie McCullen |
Sleepy Galgate was the centre of a major police operation at tea time yesterday, when an escaped prisoner – one of the two men who escaped from a prison van in Salford last week – was captured after a dramatic chase.
virtual-lancaster readers reported events on twitter, Instagram and our own facebook page, posting pictures of the police action at around 5.00pm on various social media, as Stevie McMullen, 31, from Salford, was arrested along with two other men suspected of helping his escape.
Later, BBC News and other mainstream media reported the arrest, and that 20-year-old Ryan McDonald, the other escapee, remains at large.
McMullen escaped on Tuesday when the van taking him from prison to court was rammed by a car and ambushed by armed men. He was arrested in Galgate on suspicion of evading lawful custody. The two other men, aged 27 and 25, were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
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| Still at large: Ryan McDonald |
Mr McMullen was being transported from HMP Altcourse in Fazakerley, Merseyside to court before his escape, to face charges of conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit arson, possession of a firearm, and other offences. Mr McDonald was was facing sentencing for conspiracy to commit robbery.
A £10,000 reward was put forward for information leading to the capture of both men last week and still stands for anyone who gives us information that leads to McDonald’s arrest and will be paid when he is back behind bars.
Greater Manchester Police are urging members of the public not to approach McDonald, who was sentenced in his absence on Friday to seven years and 10 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery following his role in a series of raids on pawnbrokers’ shops. Instead they should contact police.
• Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161 856 5237, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or, in an emergency, call 999.