Stephen Grzyb, 22, who broke free from a custody van outside Liverpool Magistrates' Court, has been arrested following a three-day manhunt, Merseyside Police confirmed on Tuesday, August 4.
Grzyb, of Princess Drive in Dovecot, escaped from a GEOAmey prisoner transport van as it arrived at the court at around 10am on Saturday, August 1. He was seen running along Red Cross Street towards The Strand, police said.
Arrest and return to custody
Police confirmed Grzyb was arrested and returned to custody today, Tuesday, August 4, after three days on the run.
Grzyb had been due to appear before magistrates charged with domestic burglary. It is alleged he stole £400 from a block of flats in Halewood on July 29. He is also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, relating to an alleged incident at the same address on July 26.
Additional charges
Court documents published today also show Grzyb has been charged with criminal damage following his time in police custody. The charge alleges that, while at Belle Vale custody suite, he damaged cell M8 belonging to Merseyside Police, "intending to destroy or damage such property."
Speaking on the day of the escape, Temporary Inspector Bethan Hannon said: "We understand the concern this incident will cause, and it is vital the public can see Grzyb's face so they can report any sightings and help us bring him back into custody as soon as possible. If you have heard from him or know where he is, please do the right thing and come forward. Assisting him in any way will bring police to your own door, so it is not an association worth keeping. If you see Grzyb, please call 999 immediately. We are carrying out extensive enquiries to find him with patrols on foot and CCTV enquiries being made right across the city centre so that we can return him to custody."
Police presence and safeguarding
A Merseyside Police presence remained outside the court building on Saturday with patrols also seen on Red Cross Street. The force also dispatched patrols to the home of the alleged victim in the case to ensure she was safeguarded.
