Tip ends two-week-long manhunt

PHOENIX » A tip pointing to a remote Arizona community led to the end of a more than two-week-long manhunt for a couple who overpowered their guards and escaped a prison transport van that was bringing them across the country to face allegations of killing a man, federal authorities said Thursday.

About 50 officers from multiple agencies surrounded a house 50 miles northeast of Phoenix where Blane and Susan Barksdale were staying, said David Gonzales, the U.S. marshal for Arizona.

The homeowner was the first to come out Wednesday, followed by a “sobbing” Susan Barksdale, Gonzales told reporters in Phoenix. The 59-year-old surrendered and confirmed that her husband was inside.

Blane Barksdale, 56, initially refused to leave the home, and when he did emerge a few minutes later, he was defiant.

“After a couple of minutes, he became very verbally abusive to the officers — flipping them the bird and not responding to other commands,” Gonzales said.

Officers subdued him with a stun gun and a beanbag round to the leg, and he then became cooperative, said Van Bayless, U.S. marshal’s assistant chief deputy for Arizona.

“On the way out, he told a trooper and myself: ‘ Be safe out there. It’s dangerous,’ ” Bayless said.

The couple were to be taken south to Tucson to appear in court later Thursday. They will likely face federal kidnapping charges for their escape, authorities said.

Officials believe at least three or four people helped the couple during their time on the run. The Barksdales were wearing clean clothes and had to have gotten a ride to the remote area, Gonzales said. He believes they were trying to collect enough money to flee to Canada.