A few days ago, we alerted you of a dangerous situation regarding escaped Arizona prison inmates. Those inmates are linked to the recent murder of an RVing couple (Gary & Linda Haas) in New Mexico. They were suspected of staying at campgrounds as they fled police.
McCluskey arrested!
After many days of silence, we finally have some good news. The final escaped convict (John McCluskey) and his female companion (Casslyn Welch) have been apprehended at an eastern Arizona campground on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, authorities said late Thursday.
According to the Apache County Sheriff’s Office, a member of the public called 911 after spotting a couple matching their description at the campground, 15 miles from the New Mexico state line.
The fugitives’ ruse began to crumble about 4 p.m. Thursday when a U.S. Forest Service ranger investigated what appeared to be an unattended campfire, Gonzales said. He found a silver Nissan Sentra backed suspiciously into the trees as if someone were trying to hide it.
The ranger had a brief conversation with McCluskey, who appeared nervous and fidgety. A SWAT team and surveillance unit surrounded the campsite and swarmed on the fugitives, Gonzales said.
McCluskey told officers he wishes he would have shot the forest ranger when he had the opportunity, authorities said.
Welch, who is McCluskey’s fiance and cousin, reached for a weapon but dropped it when she realized she was outgunned by a swarming SWAT team, said David Gonzales, U.S. marshal for Arizona.
Officers apprehended McCluskey without incident after finding him lying in a sleeping bag outside a tent. He told authorities he had a gun in his tent and would have shot them if he had been able to reach for it.
He and Welch are now held at the county jail in St. Johns.
“The nightmare is over, but it is still continuing. There’s a lot more for law enforcement to do,” Gonzales said, referring to investigations into crimes the pair may have committed while on the road, including the slaying of the Haas couple in New Mexico.
“We want to tie them to as many crimes as we can,” Gonzales said. “We want to ensure that the New Mexico murders are looked at carefully, working with those agencies. And if there are any more crimes that were committed while they were out, we want to make sure we tie those to them.”
“That’s the best news we’ve had in 10 days. Everybody just broke down and cried for a little bit,” said Sheila Walker, one of the Haases’ best friends. “That was the one thing we wanted to hear.”
The family was grateful that their prayers had been answered and that no one else was hurt during the hunt for the fugitive and his accomplice.
“That was one of our main fears, that they would get desperate and someone else would get hurt,” Walker said. “We are just thrilled they are back behind bars.”
So are we.
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Gary
I used ti think that the “ricky” Rangers were useless. Thank you for changing my mind. It’s been years since they were anything other than “money takers”. This experience has shown me that they really do count. KUDOS nto the Rangers for being alert!!
Manuel Enos
I carry a gun everywhere I go and I know how to use it and how to keep control of it. I’m sure these idiots overpowered the Haas family before they could every get to their weapons. Having your sense about you at all times is 99.9 per cent of the game…If you are gonna carry you should be well schooled in how to use the weapon…All law enforcement people will tell you you should leave it to the cops. Well — as you can see it didn’t do much good in this case..Watch where you camp and watch the people around you. This world is not like it was in the 50’s and 60’s, unfortunately not everyone wants to be your friend..Thanks..
John Grimm
My comment on catching the bad guy’s is that they should have the same punishment they gave to the Haas Family.
My comment on people who don’t like guns……..Carry a can of wasp spray, the type that shoots 20 feet or more…… Shoot for the eye’s (It’s a temporary burn to the eyes) It will give you enough time to run away from your assailants. My personal choice is a 38 caliber to the head.
My prayer’s go out to The Haas Family. May God rest their souls.
Thank you for the update.
Paul
“Thousands and thousands of potential crimes are thwarted by law-abiding gun owners…”
This figure seems highly unlikely. I would sure like to see the government source data (and not one author’s book).
Jim G
Just as I predicted
Barry S
Thousands and thousands of potential crimes are thwarted by law-abiding gun owners…without shots being fired. Of course, the mainstream media never report the stories, resulting in much misinformation and non-information that is constantly parroted by the media and anti-gun groups. Check out the latest edition of “More Guns, Less Crime,” by John Lott. The gun-grabbers hate the book because it tells the non-biased truth.
Jim G
Sean
Before I read your post somehow I knew that you would be getting comments about packing handguns. While I respect the right to bear arms as afforded in our constitution, I full agree with your caveat that any weapon must be properly and legally controlled. As a former law enforcement professional I can recall all too many sad situations in which a weapon was either used against the owner and also numerous sad memories when a gun was discharged in a situation in which it should never have been used at all. Now that I have expressed my opinion I am sure that many counter opinions will be offered and I respect the right to do so but nevertheless guns are lethal weapons and carrying a gun in an RV should be very carefully considered.
Sean Michael
Nothing wrong with carrying a weapon! Just make sure that you always maintain control of it. The murdered couple were both registered gun owners and there’s reason to believe that their own weapons were used against them. (One of the fugitives was caught with a 9mm handgun; according to his daughter, Mr. Haas owned a 9mm handgun.)
Gus Jones
You have given me another reason to carry a weapon in my MH.
Sean Michael
I have updated the article with the latest details.
It looks like these two were tent camping.
Strangely, they were using the license plate of the murdered couple on their car.
McCluskey repeatedly said he would have shot the arresting officers if given the chance.
Prison is too good for these people.
Carl C
Good riddance to the trash!
Ken Lane
Great news—-first Bonnie & Clyde weren’t that much fun either!
Guess campgrounds with the changes wrought by the cost cutting of the eighties have become good places to hide out—thanks Ronnie!
MJB
Thanks for the update.Any other details available? Were they in another RV?