Missing inmate found three days after motorway escape from prison van in Lancashire | UK News

An inmate who escaped from a prison van on a motorway has been found after a three-day search.

Jamie Cooper, 33, fled from the vehicle on the M55 motorway near Catforth, Preston, as it was travelling to Lancaster Magistrates’ Court shortly before 9am on Wednesday, Lancashire Police said in a statement.

He was found in Blackburn on Saturday afternoon after officers stopped a car that had travelled from Bolton, the force said.

He has been arrested on suspicion of escaping from lawful custody.

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“Over the last few days we had asked for your help to find wanted Jamie Cooper who absconded from a prison van on the M55 near Preston,” Lancashire Police said in a post on Facebook on Saturday afternoon.

“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.”

Officers thanked those who shared the appeal to find Cooper.