Getting Thousands of Facebook Friends Is Easy For 19-Year Old Barefoot Bandit
Posted: Friday, July 23, 2010
by Steve Kovacs
The Kovacs Perspective
Recently arrested 19-year old Colton A. Harris-Moore, dubbed the "Barefoot Bandit", has over 90,000 followers on the popular social networking site "Facebook". The teenager, considered a folk hero to many is called the "Barefoot Bandit" because investigators found barefoot footprints identified as his at several crime scenes. For a 19-year old, Harris-Moore was quite the busy boy. He is suspected in the theft of five airplanes, which by the way he is not licensed to operate, two boats and two cars, and in the burglaries of at least100 homes and businesses in the United States and Canada.
Three out of the five airplanes he allegedly stole were wrecked in crash landings; thank God not into a jetliner or a house. In addition, thank God none of the cabins or businesses were occupied when he burglarized them. After a two-year run from the law, Harris-Moore was caught last week in the Bahamas, shortly after he allegedly crash-landed an airplane stolen from an Indiana airport. Bahamian authorities launched a manhunt for the teenager and arrested him as he tried to flee in a boat. He was deported this week to Miami after pleading guilty to illegally entering the island nation east of Florida. He was flown to Seattle on Wednesday aboard a U.S. Marshals plane.
Prosecutors want him held without bail because of being an extreme flight risk. They also say there is strong evidence that Harris-Moore repeatedly stole and carried firearms while on the run and likely used or brandished firearms in some instances. Right now he faces one federal charge of interstate transportation of stolen property in the theft last year of a plane from Idaho's panhandle that crashed north of Seattle. He faces a maximum 10-year sentence in prison if convicted on the federal charge. He is also being investigated for crimes in Oregon, Illinois, Indiana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Nebraska and Iowa and more charges are likely to follow.
There have been reports that Harris-Moore said he wants to change his life around. After being released from incarceration (which most likely will be years away) I certainly hope he does. I hate flying as it is and I don't relish the thought of him flying the friendly skies next to my plane not knowing what he's doing. I'll feel much better knowing he's just a regular guy playing by the rules. And as far as Facebook, they can find another "folk hero" to befriend.
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)What an extraordinary character - reminds me of that "Catch me if you can" fellow, Frank Abagnale. This would make a great movie!Yes, he really is isn't he-lived in the wild--flew planes without training--amazing--I smell a movie in the works....thanks...
Thanks Steve.Interesting story, unique--thanks for commenting and stay well.
I was thinking the same thing Jennifer was- It reminded me of "Catch Me if You Can"-But I don't think it's a good idea to glamorize crime, and make it seem exciting and inviting to young impressionable kids- that's done too often already. It would make an interesting book though- Good article Steve- enjoyed reading it- Always- EllaThank you Ella and I agree glorifying all this can not be good. This is a special case and in all honesty he's an unhappy mixed-up kid or should I say, man. Hope he gets it together.Steve
At least he didn't use violence and go on a killing spree. You gotta give the guy some credit for having the stones to steal planes and go to the Bahamas, though. Nicely done.I can't imagine doing what he did, fly without training, living in the woods, doing what he did for years--a testament to human beings abilities I guess. I agree there is something that makes us, me, go wow this kid is something... But he'll see some serious jail time. He'll probably escape and make it big on facebook again. Stay tuned........................
HI Steve, how are you doing? Nicely told, written like the great reporter you are :-)I sure hope he turns his life around before people start loosing more than their belongings. So sad that he is considered a hero to some... a movie would be great so long as it ends with "the barefoot bandit now aids the FBI in catching criminals and bringing their criminal careers to and end". Blessings to you! T
Hi Teresa--I'm doin OK and I hope you and your family are good too.Not a good thing to look up to a criminal--criminals use and abuse but with his flamboyant/unusual abilities I guess it's easy to lose sight of that. He seems "special" and he might be able to do good one day--for others and himself. Thanks for writing Teresa.We are doing ok too :-)Well, you know, we are all born with God given talents and abilities - it is up to us how we use them. Wouldn't it be nice to have this guy see the Light and use those abilities for the good of all?! God help him.
Sounds like this guy has been quite busy as you said in your writing. Only the man above can instill the truth and help change the teenager -- "folk heroe's" indiscretions. Hopefully the lightbulb switch will come on and turn him around, but if he has a felony that is going to be tough battle.Yes, hopefully that light bulb will go off and he changes around--it's possible but not for sure. Boy, he certainly was busy for a young guy! Thanks for writing.
We as a society are becoming more and more amazing. I am glad I deleted my Facebook account and really glad you wrote this piece. Incredible!Thanks for the words Marijo. Society, is kinda amazing sometimes isn't it!
Hi Steve, isn't it sad that this young man didn't use his intelligence and talents for something useful? He could be a millionaire doing security consulting. Blessings, DocYup, he sure could be and probably will be, in about 10 to 15 years!
It is funny how some criminals such as Jesse James, Billy the Kid, and now the Bandit are dubbed folk heroes by certain people. I wonder if one of the people who voted the Bandit in as a folk hero,, had his plane stolen by the Bandit, would still vote for him again as a folk hero. Maybe, after shooting him with some rock salt and getting the plane back in one piece.No, if the Bandit stole their plane, burglarized their home, etc those people would want his butt in a cell. But for many it fits the bill for some kind of adoration for lack of a better word. Getting shot with rock salt! Haven't heard that in a long time--won't kill you but you'll know you got someone real mad at ya! Thanks..............
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