Escaped inmate caught after faking emergency and spending three days on the run
An escasped prisoner has finally been caught after three days on the run. Jamie Cooper, 33, was on his way to Lancaster Magistrates’ Court after being charged with assaulting a police officer and criminal damage on Wednesday morning (March 18) in a GEOAmey prison van when he absconded on the M55 near junction two by Catforth, Preston.
The van pulled over to deal with an “on-board medical emergency” but Cooper “overpowered and evaded” escort officers and was on the run with police urgently trying to locate him.
Police received a report of the escape at about 8.54am on Wednesday and asked members of the public to try to help find the wanted prisoner.
He was described as 5ft 7ins tall, of medium build with short, cropped hair, and is thought to be wearing a blue coat, blue jeans and black trainers.
But the search is finally over and Cooper has been found, police have confirmed.
He was found in Blackburn, Lancashire on Saturday afternoon after a car which had travelled from Bolton was stopped by police. He has now been arressted on suspicion of escaping from lawful custody.
Lancashire Police said Mr Cooper, who was facing charges for assaulting a police officer and criminal damage, remains in police custody.
A spokesman said: “Over the last few days Lancashire Police had asked for the public’s help to find wanted Jamie Cooper who absconded from a prison van on the M55 near Preston.
“At 8.54am on Wednesday 19th March, it was reported to us that Cooper had escaped from a GEOAmey van which was taking prisoners from Blackpool custody to Lancaster Magistrates Court.
To update you, Cooper, 33, was found in Blackburn this afternoon after a car which had travelled from Bolton, was stopped by officers. He was arrested on suspicion of escaping from lawful custody and is now in custody.”
At the time of his escape Cooper was on his way to appear before magistrates to face charges of assaulting a police officer and criminal damage.
Following his escape a spokesman for GEOAmey said he faked an “on-board medical emergency” and the van was forced to pull over.
They added: “The detained person involved in this emergency then overpowered and evaded the escort officers and escaped the vehicle.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
