The Barefoot Bandit, Colton Harris-Moore
If you dont know Colton Harris-Moore yet aka The Barefoot Bandit, you will soon. A book will be made about him you wont read, followed by a movie that will go straight to cable. At some point you’ll be on your couch surfing whats available, remember a news story or this article and click it on. He will become someone you either cheer for or rally against. Either way I can be sure you will have an opinion about Colton.
Colt is a modern day John Dillinger. A criminal whose life will end up poorly one day and maybe end entirely at the hands of the authorities, I dont have the records on him yet, but in life he is still admired by many and cheered on by many more. His own mom was quoted as saying, as Colton maintains his second year on the run from the police “Its kinda Neat”.
Here’s a quick background on Colton. His father left when he was 2. His stepfather died when he was 7 and his mom is a nut. His first known theft was at age 10 and from that point on, his mom says, he was blamed for everything on Camano Island in Washington State where he grew up. The police were out for him, once even taking his moms jewelry into evidence that she claims was hers.
I dont think the jewelry was hers, and I do think he did most of what they think he did. His mom is an enabler and has helped him through this long run. Ultimately she is responsible just as the owner of a Pit bull that attacks a child is. How you raise a kid is how the kid be raised.
Two years ago he began running from a warrant and hid in the woods on the island he grew up on. Stealing from neighborhood houses while homeowners were gone and sleeping in the woods became his MO. Many of his thefts were done barefoot, leaving prints, giving him the clever nickname The Barefoot Bandit.
His bravado was proven when he first stole a boat to cross into Canada, returning some time later, and a plane that he later crash landed. His mom was quoted as saying “I think [the plane thefts are] pretty gutsy, He just needs to work on his landings. I’ve also said he should take a parachute.”
Fansites have gone up on Facebook, one with over 44,000 fans and T-Shirt sales with the slogan “Momma Tried” have been sold by the thousands.
Recently an anonymous donor offered Colton $50,ooo to turn himself in to help with his legal bills. The money was left cold on the table. Coltons desire to be free is truely at any price. Fifty grand to end it all, to come clean and pay back society. To get on with a normal life wasnt enough.
Authorities believe Colton has moved east, through Idaho, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois where similar crimes were all reported.
Last week a plane was stolen from Illinois and was found crash landed in a few feet of water in the Bahamas. Colton has gone as far east as he can and still be in the country. What could he be up to now? Escape on a cruise ship maybe? Steal a cruise ship?
I dont know, but he is not much longer for freedom. The kid is pictured above in the self portrait, the FBI knows what he looks like, and he is six foot five. He stands out. Now he is in the heavily black community in the Bahamas and although there are tourists galore he’s going to struggle to stay under the radar there and he cant get off easily.
Colton Harris-Moore. I wish you the best in not getting yourself killed, and I hope you stay the non-violent gentle giant you seem to be right up to the day they catch you. My greatest prediction is that you will commit suicide to stay free. I dont have a date for you to arrive yet, but you will. We’ll talk more soon. Till then….
Syndra
are you coming…?
Syndra St. Claire 