Two inmates serving life sentences tried to escape from a state prison complex in Tucson Wednesday night but were caught before reaching the prison's outer perimeter.
Officials with the Arizona Department of Corrections said that Joshua Aston, 22, is serving a life sentence for the murder of a Del Monte Fresh Produce regional manager in western Maricopa County in 2004. Aston was admitted to ADC in May 2007.
John Wells, 48, has been incarcerated in ADC for 11 years after being transferred from Maryland after convictions on three armed robbery charges and three escapes.
The men activated a zone alarm system at the Arizona State Prison Complex near the perimeter fence at about 9 p.m. Officials said that by 3 a.m. Thursday, the men were caught inside the perimeter.
"Due to the quick response and training of the ADC staff and with aid from the Tucson Police Department, a potential escape was averted," ADC Director Charles L. Ryan said.
The attempted escape is still under investigation.
Both men have been transferred to the maximum security unit at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Eyman in Florence.
