POLICE have identified two men who are unlawfully at large after being sprung from a prison van in Salford.
I would like to send a message to those people that there is no hiding place and we will find you
Shortly after 9am on Tuesday 30 April 2012, a GEOAmy prison van carrying prisoners from HMP Altcourse to Manchester Crown Square was attacked on Regent Road, Salford near to its junction with Gloucester Road, by at least three men wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.
The men had arrived at the location in a dark coloured Saab and threatened staff transporting the prisoners with a shotgun.
Five men - believed to be three offenders and the two escaped prisoners - then got back into the Saab, which was driven a short distance to Regent Road near to the M602 roundabout and abandoned.
It is believed three ran towards Phoebe Street in the Ordsall estate and two may have further escaped on a motorbike that was found abandoned on Thurlow Street.
No one was hurt during the incident.
The two men that were being transported in the prison van have been identified as Ryan McDonald (15/04/1993) and Stevie McMullen (21/01/1982).
McDonald was due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.
McMullen was on trial having been charged with conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to commit arson and conspiracy to possess a firearm.
The public are advised not to approach either man and if they are seen to call police immediately.
Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan, said: "Two people are now unlawfully at large as a result of this morning's incident and it is our priority to find them as well as identify those responsible for the break out.
"The public should not approach either man and if anyone knows where they are or saw these men escaping I would urge them to contact police immediately.
"There are a number of police scenes across the area and there will be a heavy and visible police presence in the coming hours and days but the public should be reassured rather than alarmed by this.
"We have specialist teams now dedicated to investigating the incident and finding all involved and I would like to send a message to those people that there is no hiding place and we will find you."
McMullen
McDonald
