Colton Harris-Moore American criminal, thief Date of Birth: 22.03.1991 Country: USA

1. Colton Harris-Moore: The Barefoot Bandit
2. Early Life and Criminal Beginnings
3. The "Barefoot Bandit" Escapes
4. Modus Operandi
5. Capture in the Bahamas
6. Media Sensation and Hollywood Interest
7. Movie Rights Sale
8. Sentence and Legacy

Colton Harris-Moore: The Barefoot Bandit

Colton Harris-Moore, a 19-year-old American criminal, has captured the nation's attention with his two-year manhunt-evading spree of car, boat, and airplane thefts. The young outlaw was eventually apprehended in the Bahamas and brought to justice. Harris-Moore, also known as the "Barefoot Bandit," has re-emerged after selling the movie rights to his adventures.

Early Life and Criminal Beginnings

Born and raised in the rural town of Camano, Washington, Harris-Moore was deemed a troubled child from a young age. His alcoholic mother raised him alone, as his father was incarcerated for drug offenses and later abandoned the family. At age seven, Harris-Moore ran away from home and reportedly lived in the surrounding forests, supporting himself by burglarizing homes and businesses. By 13, he had multiple run-ins with the police and was sentenced in 2008 to three years in prison for burglary.

The "Barefoot Bandit" Escapes

Harris-Moore escaped from the juvenile detention center two years into his sentence, thus beginning his crime spree that made him a national celebrity. From April 2008 to July 2010, authorities allege he committed over a hundred burglaries, thefts, and vehicle thefts across multiple states. He is suspected of crimes in his home state of Washington, as well as Idaho, Illinois, South Dakota, and others. His pursuit eventually extended to Canada as the manhunt gained national notoriety.

Modus Operandi

Harris-Moore's signature characteristic was his penchant for transportation. He stole cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and even airplanes, albeit small ones. He allegedly stole a $150,000 Cessna which he eventually crashed into an Indian reservation in Washington. The plane was severely damaged and irreparable. Harris-Moore's knowledge of piloting was apparently rudimentary, acquired from video games and instructional DVDs. It is believed that he stole vehicles primarily for practicality, as a means of travel and evading capture. Grand theft, it seemed, was not his primary motive. He spent much of his time living as a hermit, wandering in forests and occasionally breaking into houses for food and supplies. Provincial sheriffs reported that he sometimes broke into homes simply to bathe or steal ice cream from the refrigerator.

Capture in the Bahamas

Like many eccentric criminals, Harris-Moore had a distinguishing calling card: he frequently left barefoot footprints or drawings of a foot at his crime scenes, earning him the alias "Barefoot Bandit." This pattern continued for over two years until Bahamian police discovered the crashed Cessna in the coastal waters of Abaco Island. The incident initially seemed unrelated to the Barefoot Bandit, but a string of house burglaries in island towns confirmed his presence. Local police circulated Harris-Moore's photo, and he was promptly arrested in the Harbour Island port. He was fined for illegally crossing Bahamian borders and then handed over to FBI agents. Harris-Moore claimed he intended to flee to Cuba or the Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos.

Media Sensation and Hollywood Interest

Colton Harris-Moore became an instant media darling in the United States, with a cult-like following online. Fans created social media pages in his name, tracking his whereabouts and voicing support even after his capture. Harris-Moore's story, with its themes of troubled youth, prison escapes, and criminal adventures, attracted the attention of Hollywood. After his extradition from the Bahamas, he was indicted on multiple charges, including bank robbery and interstate transportation of an aircraft. He initially denied the allegations but eventually pleaded guilty as part of a plea deal.

Movie Rights Sale

In July 2011, it was revealed that Harris-Moore had agreed to sell the movie rights to his life story to 20th Century Fox. The deal was reportedly worth over $1 million, to be fully used to compensate his victims. It was discovered that the studio had already begun work on the project without Harris-Moore's consent, indicating Hollywood's deep interest in the Barefoot Bandit's tale. Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, known for "Harvey Milk," was assigned to pen the screenplay. Given the public's fascination with stories of misfit juveniles turned national icons, the film is anticipated to be a box office success.

Sentence and Legacy

Colton Harris-Moore faces a prison sentence of five to six years despite reductions based on his guilty plea. While his time behind bars will prevent him from witnessing the film adaptation of his life, his legacy as the Barefoot Bandit will undoubtedly live on. His story highlights the complex nature of juvenile delinquency, the power of media sensationalism, and the enduring fascination with tales of outlaws and unconventional heroes.