21 Aug 2010

Couple captured after three-week manhunt

8:01 pm on 21 August 2010

Police in Arizona have captured an armed fugitive couple after a three-week manhunt in the United States.

Escaped prisoner John McCluskey and his fiancee Casslyn Welch were arrested after being spotted by a forest ranger at a campsite.

State officials say McCluskey told officers he would have shot them if he had been able to reach a gun in his tent. The pair are now in a county jail.

McCluskey, 45, escaped from prison with two others on 30 July.

He was serving a sentence of 15 years for attempted murder, aggravated assault and discharge of a firearm.

The BBC reports the other two escapers have already been arrested. Both were serving time for murder.