Huge manhunt after criminal uses tissue to help him escape from prison van
09.02.2024 - 13:04
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A huge manhunt was sparked after a shoplifter escaped from a prison van following an appearance in court.
Paul Lupu stole more than £3,000 worth of 'high-value' items from two stores at the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet on December 5 last year, Cheshire Live reports. The 20-year-old then returned to the shopping park three days later with a plan to target a third store.
But security recognised him, and he was arrested then subsequently charged with two counts of theft. Lupu, from Chadderton in Oldham, was remanded into custody after appearing at Chester Magistrates' Court on December 11.
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After the hearing, he was placed in a cell in a prison van to be taken to Altcourse Prison. During the journey he started to cover a CCTV camera with tissue, Chester Crown Court heard.
The prison officers stopped the van and opened his cell door, when Lupu forced himself past them and fled on foot after a struggle. An extensive search for him was launched.
Officers scoured the area with with support from the National Police Air Service, police dogs and the drone unit. Lupu was arrested by officers at around 6.45pm in the Fairford Road area of Hoole.
He was subsequently charged with escaping from lawful custody and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker. This week, he appeared at Chester Crown Court where he was sentenced to one year and ten months in prison.
Chief Inspector Paul Fegan said: "Lupu stole quantities of high value items on a number of occasions, and his reckless behaviour since his initial arrest shows he holds no regard for the law. I welcome the sentence to Lupu, who is now behind bars where he belongs.
"This case demonstrates our