Islands' Sounder Newspaper PO Box 758 Eastsound, WA 98245 360-376-4500
WNPA “Comprehensive Coverage of a Single Issue” submission Of all the places a serial burglar could pick to carry out his crimes, a small island in the Pacific Northwest would seem to be unlikely. But 18-year-old Colton Harris-Moore, branded the “Barefoot Burglar,” has done just that, allegedly stealing planes and boats and looting local businesses, all the while eluding local, state and federal authorities. His trademark is to enter homes and businesses barefoot. He is a suspect in more than 100 crimes, mostly felonies, and he is wanted in five Washington counties – Island, Snohomish, San Juan, Whatcom, and Kitsap – as well as Idaho. We've covered this story from day one, often scrambling on press day when news broke that, yet again, the Barefoot Burglar had thwarted alarms and made off with money and goods from a local store. We've written about these crimes, Harris-Moore's life before he attained cult status as an outlaw hero, how he has affected our small community, and the backlash local police officers have felt from being unable to catch this elusive young man. We've been interviewed by CBS and NBC, we've been quoted in national dailies, including the “New York Times,” our photos of crime scenes have been used in national magazines, newspapers, and television shows, and hits to our website have spiked. An Orcas Island writer, Bob Friel, wrote an in-depth piece on Harris-Moore for “Outside” magazine. He has since sold his book proposal to 20th Century Fox for a film entitled “Taking Flight: The Hunt for a Young Outlaw.” We interviewed Friel shortly before his “Outside” story hit the web, and he provided insight into Harris-Moore's unsavory childhood on Camano Island. He summed up the Barefoot Burglar saga like this: “... (he) has never even been in a plane, and he allegedly is responsible for at least two of the plane thefts. He has a natural talent … Even if you hate the kid, anyone has to sit back and say, ‘wow.’” But the Orcas community, particularly our police department, is not saying “wow.” As we wrote in an editorial urging the community to support our police officers, local law enforcement is being blamed for their failure to make an arrest. As the hunt for Harris-Moore continues, we will never let readers forget that a young outlaw romanticized by some has had a very real, negative impact on community lives and businesses. And when he is caught, the Sounder will be there.