Cops Fear Last Arizona Prison Escapee Won't Be Taken Alive

Last of three Ariz. prison escapees on the run, police predict fatal ending.

ByABC News
August 9, 2010, 8:12 AM

Aug. 10, 2010 — -- Police have captured two of the three "extremely dangerous" Arizona prison escapees but predict a possible deadly end for the final fugitive, an investigator said today.

"We believe they are armed and extremely dangerous," U.S. Marshal chief deputy Fidencio Rivera told "Good Morning America" today of the remaining fugitive, John McCluskey, and his alleged accomplice, cousin and fiance, Casslyn Welch.

"Based on information we're receiving from interviews, we believe they have no intention of being taken alive, information that indicates that they're willing to commit suicide.

"So we are extremely concerned for public safety and for the safety of our law enforcement personnel," he said.

McCluskey and Welch have been on the run since Welch allegedly helped McCluskey and two other men escape from a medium-security prison in Arizona July 30. Although two of the inmates have since been captured, McCluskey and Welch are believed to be on the run, most likely in Montana.

They have been linked to the double-murder of a couple in their 60s in New Mexico last week, according to authorities.

"Desperate people take desperate actions, and based upon that we are concerned," Rivera said. "They've demonstrated their willingness and callousness to commit violent crimes based on their prior convictions and the current allegations of double-homicide."

McCluskey was serving a 15-year sentence for charges, including attempted murder.

The second fugitive to be captured, convicted murderer Tracy Province, was arrested Monday morning outside a church in Meeteetse, Wyo., where he attended the service the day before.

Whether seeking forgiveness or just trying to fit in, Province participated in the service Sunday, praying and singing, witnesses said.

"I talked to him a little bit about faith and God and Jesus Christ forgiving sins and things like that," pastor Ron Kingston said. "He said he had faith in God."

No one knew who Province was at the time.

Province was eventually identified by a church member who recognized him from media reports, leading to a "picture perfect" capture, Rivera said.

"He immediately denied he was Province but later admitted it was him and that he was relieved the manhunt was over," U.S. Marshal David Gonzalez said.

At the time of his arrest, Province was holding a hitchhiking sign that had "Casper" written on it, the name of a city in the center of the state, where he was likely headed. Police said Province also had a 9-millimeter handgun at the time of his arrest.