A manhunt is underway after three inmates escaped from an open prison, as police warn the public not to approach them.
Jason MacDonagh, 34, Daniel Harty, 34, and Barney Casey, 24, broke out of Springhill Open Prison near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, on Monday evening.
All three, originally from Ireland, were serving time for their roles in a high-value burglary spree in which they stole £300,000 worth of jewellery and cash from more than 50 homes across the UK in 2023.
At the time of their escape, the men were wearing standard-issue grey tracksuits or jogging bottoms.
MacDonagh is described as a white man with ginger hair, approximately 5ft 9in tall and of medium build. Casey is also white, around 5ft 9in, of small build, and has black hair. Harty is a white man, 5ft 9in tall, of slim build, with black hair and a black beard.
The trio were part of a masked gang that would target mostly unoccupied homes, breaking in by smashing windows or forcing open doors and gates.
Chilling CCTV footage captured the group in action, showing them storming properties in broad daylight.
In one clip, two members of the gang are seen removing a bay window from a house while traffic drives past just yards away.
Another disturbing video shows the gang breaking into a home while a woman was inside. She is seen screaming in terror before the intruders flee empty-handed.
Police are urging anyone who sees the escapees not to approach them and instead call 999 immediately.
The gang were finally caught after detectives scoured hours of CCTV which captured them using two getaway cars, an Audi R3 and a VW Golf, on false plates.
Jason MacDonaugh was identified as the buyer and seller of the Audi. Police were then able to connect his associates to the crimes which also saw them strike near Bristol and Warwickshire.
Phone records also linked the gang to the location of the burglaries.
Police also identified fellow gang members Darren O’Halloran, 38, and Barney Casey, 22, to Yorkshire where they were arrested in early February.
The fourth member of the gang, Daniel Harty, 32, was arrested in Wales later the same month.
The four, originally from Ireland, were convicted of conspiracy to burgle following a trial.
They were jailed for a total of almost 50 years at Birmingham Crown Court.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said that the trio of men had connections with many addresses in the UK and even the Republic of Ireland.
‘Investigators are appealing for the public’s help in tracing three prison absconders,’ said the spokesman.
‘Jason MacDonagh, aged 34 years, Daniel Harty, also aged 34 years and Barney Casey, aged 24 years, all absconded from HMP Springhill at around 6pm on Monday.
‘MacDonagh is a white man, at around 5ft 9ins tall, of medium build and has ginger hair. He has facial hair and was last seen wearing grey tracksuit trousers and a white vest.
‘Casey is also a white man, at around 5ft 9ins tall, of small build and has black hair. He has slight facial hair and a moustache and goatee beard. He was last seen wearing a grey tracksuit.
‘Harty is a white man, at around 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build with black hair and a black beard. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket and grey joggers.
‘They are known to frequent Bristol, West Midlands, Leicestershire, Leeds, Bradford, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.’
Police staff investigator, Claire Busby said: ‘We are appealing to the public for any information around MacDonagh, Casey and Harty’s whereabouts, or anyone who may see them to get in touch.
‘We would advise members of the public not to approach them, but to call 999 instead. If you have any information as to where they may be, you can call 101. Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity, Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.’
