By Marcia Love
RCMP are investigating a report of two United States fugitives believed to have been sighted in southwest Saskatchewan last week.
On Aug. 14, Maple Creek RCMP received a call from a patron of the Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery who reported seeing a man and woman matching the description of John McCluskey and Casslyn Welch.
McCluskey and two other inmates escaped from an Arizona prison with help from Welch on July 30.
RCMP interviewed employees at the winery, but could not confirm the sighting of the pair.
“We conducted an investigation and we have not found any evidence that (McCluskey and Welch) were in the area,” said Const. Dan Giroux of the Maple Creek Detachment.
Marie Bohnet, an owner of Cypress Hills Vineyard and Winery, said the call was likely made by a customer, as none of the staff reported seeing a man or woman matching the description of McCluskey or Welch.
“I was there, but I didn’t notice anyone who matched the profiles,” she said.
McCluskey, 45, was serving 15 years at the Arizona prison for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault and the discharge of a firearm.
Police in the U.S. believe he was involved in the homicide of a couple from Oklahoma in New Mexico. The couple’s badly burned remains were discovered at a ranch  at Santa Rosa, N.M. on Aug. 4.
The two other escaped convicts, Daniel Renwick and Tracy Province, were captured by police in the U.S. earlier this month.
McCluskey and Welch were last reported sighted at Yellowstone National Park in Montana last week before the reported sighting in Saskatchewan.
The public is reminded to be vigilant and call police immediately if they see either McCluskey or Welch. RCMP report the pair are armed and dangerous and should not be approached.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of McCluskey or Welch is asked to contact their local RCMP detachment or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.