Alleged trooper car thief was pregnant during heist

PALMER — A woman who allegedly stole an Alaska State Troopers patrol vehicle and fled with her arrested husband in the back seat was approximately eight months pregnant when she did so.

Amber R. Watford, 28, appeared in court Thursday morning to ask presiding judge Vanessa White to lift a no-contact order between her and Joshua Watford, 38, so they could discuss the future of their unborn child. White ultimately agreed, but said any communication between the Big Lake couple would have to be conducted under the supervision of Department of Corrections officials.

Changes were not made to Joshua Watford’s conditions. He remains in jail on a $10,000 temporary order. Assistant District attorney Michael Perry told the court that Joshua Watford had refused to adhere to a no-contact order during his arraignment.

“His chivalry was notable,” Perry said. “But as to no contact with Ms. Watford, he said ‘That (expletive) ain’t gonna happen. I’m not gonna abide by any court rules. I’m not gonna … whatever. And if they tell her to have no contact, she knows what to do.’”

The Watfords led troopers and other law enforcement agencies on a massive manhunt earlier this month following an apparently drug-fueled crime spree.

Mrs. Watford, initially held on $20,000 cash or corporate bail with court-appointed third-party requirements, has seen that amount reduced to $5,000 since her September 14 arraignment, according to information posted on the CourtView website. She had intended to address bail amounts and release conditions as well, but public defender Michael Horowitz said his client intended to withdraw them.

“All she’s asking the court to do is allow contact between her and Mr. Watford,” he said. “There’s a no-contact order through the cases, I guess as no contact with co-defendants. They are of course Mr. and Mrs. She is pregnant. She very much needs to contact him regarding arrangements for the child.”

Horowitz said mail was the likely best way for the pair to communicate, given that both are presently incarcerated.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Perry agreed. He also said that given the circumstances of the Watfords’ alleged crime spree leading up to their arrest, along with evidence of drug use found in recovered cars the pair allegedly stole, communication should only be allowed via mail and under supervision, even if one of the pair is allowed out on bail at some future date.

Perry also filled in some details about the events leading up to the couples’ arrest.

“We now know they were in a stolen car,” he said. “They were contacted by police at a pawn shop. Mr. Watford was taken into custody on outstanding warrants. While the officer was distracted, Mrs. Watford took the patrol car. So there’s two vehicle thefts. When they were apprehended shortly thereafter, they were in possession and she was in the cab of another stolen car, and now we have found that there is another stolen car investigation, and clearly drugs are a major issue.”

Two victims had called police and reported finding syringes in their cars, Perry said.

Mrs. Watford remained largely silent during the roughly 10-minute bail hearing, except to volunteer that her baby is due Oct. 2.

Contact Brian O’Connor at 352-2270, brian.oconnor@frontiersman.com, or on Twitter @reporterbriano.