Police have raided five homes as they search for a man accused of a murder in Chasetown who escaped from a prison van.
Armed officers executed search warrants on the properties in the Tipton area as part of the search for John Anslow.
The 31-year-old is one of five men accused of the murder of Richard Deakin, who was shot dead in his Meadway Street home in 2010.
Anslow was on his way to Stafford Crown Court from HM Prison Hewell Grange in Worcestershire yesterday (January 23) when three men wearing balaclavas threatened escort staff before fleeing with the 31-year-old.
Det Supt Martin Evans said: “The search of these addresses is just one element of this fast-moving investigation.
“Police have also arrested a male from the Tipton area in connection with the escape of John Anslow. He remains in police custody while the investigation progresses.
““We have received a number of calls into the dedicated incident room but we are continuing to appeal to the public for information about John Anslow and those involved in his escape. Members of the public are urged to call our incident room on 01785 235051 if they know anything that could help the police locate Anslow.”
Anslow is white, 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build, with short straight dark brown hair. The public are urged not to approach him.
