"Fugitive, 19, may have crashed in Bahamas; He’s suspected in plane, auto thefts" by Mike Melia, Associated Press | July 8, 2010
MARSH HARBOUR, Bahamas — A teenage thief who has hop-scotched across the United States has become an international fugitive, crash-landing a stolen plane and disappearing into the Abaco islands, police say.
They are hunting for Colton Harris-Moore — dubbed the “barefoot bandit’’ for allegedly committing crimes while shoeless — on an island hosting hundreds of tourists for a regatta....
With a the hop-scotch pun! MSM reporters are so funny!
The 19-year-old has been taunting police for more than two years, starting in Washington state with burglaries and escalating to the possible theft of airplanes, boats, and luxury cars, authorities say.
How does a 19-year-old kid get away with that without help?
Recently, small towns in the Midwest began noticing bizarre break-ins at airports and other locations that authorities say are connected to Harris-Moore.
Police in the Bahamas launched a fruitless search for him Monday night near wetlands at the island’s southern tip, where the plane landed.
Caroline Smith, a clerk at a marina, said the search on the typically sleepy island of 16,000 has inhabitants buzzing with rumors....
The US Embassy in Nassau said Harris-Moore may have recent injuries and urged anyone who sees him to contact the Bahamas police. It said the FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
--more--"
Well, you can't run very far barefoot.
NASSAU, Bahamas — The “Barefoot Bandit’’ who allegedly stole cars, boats, and airplanes to dodge US law enforcement was nabbed yesterday as he tried to make a water escape, then brought handcuffed — and shoeless — to the capital to face justice, abruptly ending his two-year life on the lam....
How do you "dodge" air radar?
A contingent of high-ranking officers traveled to the island and took the suspect to Nassau, the country’s capital, where he faces possible extradition to the United States....
Island police had been searching for the fugitive since he allegedly crash-landed a stolen plane a week ago on nearby Great Abaco Island, where he was blamed for at least seven break-ins....
Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade told a news conference Harris-Moore was carrying a handgun that he tried to throw away, and shots were fired during a water chase. He did not say who fired them.
The suspect was examined by a doctor and appeared to be in good health.
He will be taken to court this week and arraigned on charges including theft and burglary in the Bahamas, the commissioner said, noting that these charges will take priority over those pending against him in the United States.I'll bet his feet stink -- just like this story.
--more--"
And what did that guy just get done saying?
"‘Barefoot Bandit’ deported to Miami" by Associated Press | July 14, 2010
MIAMI — The American teenager who police call the “Barefoot Bandit’’ is back in the United States after being deported from the Bahamas.
Officials say law enforcement officials escorted Colton Harris-Moore on a commercial flight to Miami yesterday, hours after he pleaded guilty to illegally entering the country at his first court appearance in the Bahamas, where police ended the 19-year-old convict’s alleged two-year crime spree by capturing him after a high-speed boat chase.
The charge stemming from a crash of a stolen plane on Great Abaco Island carries a $300 fine or three months in jail, followed by deportation. His lawyer, Monique Gomez, said the US Embassy would pay the fine....
WTF, Americans?
The shackled teen smiled after the judge read the sentence. Bahamian police had earlier said that he would face other charges including illegal weapons possession related to a string of break-ins and thefts during his weeklong hideout in the country....
So what happened?
--more--"