Manhunt After Suspect Escaped Prison Van Moments After It Arrived Outside Court

A manhunt is under way after a suspect escaped a custody van moments after it pulled up outside court.

Stephen Grzyb, 22, was due to appear at Liverpool magistrates’ court this morning charged with a domestic-related burglary.

Merseyside Police released a photo of him as part of an urgent appeal, saying: ‘He remains on the run.’

Grzyb, of Princess Drive, Liverpool, was last seen on Red Cross Street, heading in the direction of The Strand.

He is described as white, with short, dark hair and was last seen wearing a navy T-shirt and navy shorts.

Sign up for all of the latest stories

Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.

Extensive inquiries are currently being taken by officers to locate him and patrols have also attended the home of the alleged victim in the case.

Undated handout photo issued by Merseyside Police of Stephen Grzyb who escaped police custody on arrival at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Saturday. Grzyb, of Princess Drive, Liverpool, made off on foot at around 10am after being transported from a police custody suite by prisoner transport contractor GEOAmey, Merseyside Police said. Issue date: Saturday August 01, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Merseyside Police/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder. — Grzyb, who was charged with a domestic-related burglary, fled down Red Cross Street in the direction of The Strand (Picture: Merseyside Police/PA)

A prison van believed to be transporting Paul Doyle, the 53-year old charged with multiple offences including dangerous driving and causing grievous bodily harm after a car drove into a crowd at Liverpool FC's trophy parade, arrives at Liverpool Magistrates' Court in Liverpool, Britain, May 30, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble — Grzyb made off on foot at around 10am after being transported from a police custody suite by prisoner transport contractor GEOAmey (Picture: Reuters)

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.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Residents evacuated after ‘explosion’ at flats with man, 18, arrested

MORE: Pensioner, 86, with Parkinson’s given conviction over £3.34 car tax bill to DVLA

MORE: 10 unhealthiest cities in UK revealed — and only one is in the south