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Escaped armed robber still on run Escaped armed robber still on run
(10 minutes later)
A 24-year-old armed robber who escaped from a prison van after staff were threatened by two masked men with a gun is still on the run.A 24-year-old armed robber who escaped from a prison van after staff were threatened by two masked men with a gun is still on the run.
Craig Hickinbottom, who was being taken to Blakenhurst Prison, Worcestershire, and the other two remain at large after operations to find them overnight. Craig Hickinbottom, who was being taken to Blakenhurst Prison, Worcestershire, and the other two, remain at large after attempts to find them overnight.
Hickinbottom, serving a five-year and 11-month term, had been in court on Wednesday on a motoring charge.Hickinbottom, serving a five-year and 11-month term, had been in court on Wednesday on a motoring charge.
He has criminal and family connections in the West Midlands, police said.He has criminal and family connections in the West Midlands, police said.
'Clean-shaven''Clean-shaven'
But they dismissed speculation that the fugitive had links to high-profile Birmingham-based drugs gangs.But they dismissed speculation that the fugitive had links to high-profile Birmingham-based drugs gangs.
Det Ch Insp Kevin Purcell said: "He's got contacts within the Black Country area.Det Ch Insp Kevin Purcell said: "He's got contacts within the Black Country area.
"With that in mind we've obviously alerted Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Police.""With that in mind we've obviously alerted Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Police."
The prison van was forced to a halt by an Audi shortly after 1300 BST, and Hickinbottom was released in Hewell Lane.The prison van was forced to a halt by an Audi shortly after 1300 BST, and Hickinbottom was released in Hewell Lane.
The van was returning Hickinbottom to Blakenhurst PrisonThe van was returning Hickinbottom to Blakenhurst Prison
The Audi was last seen going north on the M5.The Audi was last seen going north on the M5.
Hickinbottom was jailed for two armed robberies committed in Stourbridge and Kingswinford in 2002.Hickinbottom was jailed for two armed robberies committed in Stourbridge and Kingswinford in 2002.
He was released from prison on licence in June but was recalled a few days later.He was released from prison on licence in June but was recalled a few days later.
The convict is described as white, of medium build and about 5ft 11in tall.The convict is described as white, of medium build and about 5ft 11in tall.
He has blue eyes and close cropped ginger hair and wears a beard at times but was believed to be clean-shaven at the time of his escape.He has blue eyes and close cropped ginger hair and wears a beard at times but was believed to be clean-shaven at the time of his escape.