Wanted couple captured in Wasilla

A Big Lake couple that went on the run after the wife stole a police car with her husband in the back seat was captured Thursday evening in Wasilla.

In a press release, Alaska State Troopers said Amber Watford, 28, and Joshua Watford, 38, were taken into custody after being found at a residence on Alvin's Alley at around 7:30 p.m. The trooper dispatch about the arrest said the Watfords were taken into custody "without incident" and taken to the Mat-Su Pretrial facility in Palmer.

The arrests ended a manhunt that began Wednesday afternoon in Big Lake when the Watfords pulled off a brazen escape. While her husband was handcuffed in the back of a trooper patrol vehicle, Amber Watford somehow managed to get into the front seat and drive away. Troopers said the officer who had arrested Joshua Watford for an outstanding warrant was distracted when he paused to talk to a passing motorist about an unrelated matter. Troopers have not identified the officer whose vehicle was stolen.

The theft triggered a massive response that included two helicopters, police k-9 units and officers from agencies from as far away as Anchorage.

Trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters didn't release any further details about how the couple was located on Thursday.

Amber Watford is being held on $20,000 bail with the condition that she have a third party custodian, while Joshua Watford is being held without bail.

While at the residence, troopers also arrested Charles Hood, 24, for violating conditions of his release. They also found a red 2000 Dodge pick-up truck that had been reported stolen earlier on Thursday. The truck was returned to its owner.