AP - PHOENIX - An unattended campfire and a suspicious forest ranger led to the arrest of two of the most wanted fugitives in the U.S., ending a three-week nationwide manhunt that drew hundreds of false sightings, authorities said.
John McCluskey fled July 30 with two other inmates from a private prison in northwest Arizona and evaded authorities in at least six states before being caught Thursday evening just 300 miles east of the prison.
Authorities arrested McCluskey, 45, and his alleged accomplice Casslyn Welch, 44, at a campsite in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in eastern Arizona.
In this image provided by the U.S. Marshals Service fugitive John McCluskey is shown being taken into custody Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 by U.S. Marshals in eastern Arizona. McCluskey and his fiancee Casslyn Welch have been on the lam since July 30th. Both were apprehended at an eastern Arizona campground on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Fores (AP Photo/U.S. Marshals Office)
In this image provided by the U.S. Marshals Service Casslyn Welch is shown being taken into custody Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 by U.S. Marshals in eastern Arizona. Welch and John McCluskey have been on the lam since July 30th. Both were apprehended at an eastern Arizona campground on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Fores (AP Photo/U.S. Marshals Office)
In this undated file photo provided by the U.S. Marshals, John McCluskey is seen. Arizona authorities scheduled a news briefing late Thursday night Aug. 19, 2010 to discuss the capture of John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch, who also is the inmate's cousin. (AP Photo/U.S. Marshals, File)
This undated file photo provided by the U.S. Marshals Service shows Casslyn Welch. Arizona authorities scheduled a news briefing late Thursday night Aug. 19, 2010 to discuss the capture of John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch, who also is the inmate's cousin. (AP Photo/U.S. Marshals Service, File)
U.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales addresses the media at the Arizona Department of Corrections late Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 Phoenix to announce the capture of escaped Arizona fugitiveJohn McCluskey and his fiancee Casslyn Welch, who have been on the lam since July 30th. Both were apprehended at an eastern Arizona campground on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Fores (AP Photo/Matt York)
.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales, addresses the media as Arizona Dept. of Corrections Director Charles Ryan looks on at the Arizona Department of Corrections late Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 Phoenix to announce the capture of escaped Arizona fugitiveJohn McCluskey and his fiancee Casslyn Welch, who have been on the lam since July 30th. Both were apprehended at an eastern Arizona campground on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Fores (AP Photo/Matt York)
U.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales addresses the media at the Arizona Department of Corrections late Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 in Phoenix to announce the capture of escaped Arizona fugitive John McCluskey and his fiancee Casslyn Welch, who have been on the lam since July 30th. Both were apprehended at an eastern Arizona campground on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Fores (AP Photo/Matt York)
U.S. Marshal for Arizona David Gonzales addresses the media at the Arizona Department of Corrections late Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 in Phoenix to announce the capture of escaped Arizona fugitive John McCluskey and his fiancee Casslyn Welch, who have been on the lam since July 30th. Both were apprehended at an eastern Arizona campground on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Fores (AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Dept. of Corrections Director Charles Ryan arrives at a news conference at the Arizona Department of Corrections late Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 in Phoenix to announce the capture of escaped Arizona fugitive John McCluskey and his fiancee Casslyn Welch, who have been on the lam since July 30th. Both were apprehended at an eastern Arizona campground on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. (AP Photo/Matt York)
