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'Barefoot Bandit' offered $50,000 to surrender

by JAKE WHITTENBERG / KING 5 News and Associated Press

Bio | Email | Follow: @jakewhittenberg

KING5.com

Posted on June 3, 2010 at 11:43 AM

Updated Thursday, Jun 3 at 5:46 PM

SEATTLE -  An anonymous donor is offering to pay a notorious Washington state teen burglar $50,000 if he turns himself in by next Tuesday.

Everett bounty hunter Mike Rocha announced the offer on Thursday. He says it's genuine: The money's been placed in the trust account of Edmonds criminal defense attorney James Johanson.

"We just don't want anyone to get hurt and this seems like the most peaceful, calm reasonable way to provide him an opportunity to safely turn himself in," said Johanson.

Nineteen-year-old Colton Harris-Moore has been on the run since April 2008, when he escaped from a group home south of Seattle. He has been suspected of breaking into homes and business in five Washington counties, British Columbia and Idaho. Police also believe he's taken four planes, luxury cars and power boats.

"We have been hearing from people that have been helping him. We know for a fact that he is tired we know for a fact that he is toward the end of his run," said Rocha

Johanson says the offer isn't a trick and ethical rules for lawyers would prevent him from engaging in such a ruse. He says he'll represent Harris-Moore for free if the teen wants, and Harris-Moore can keep the $50,000.

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Comments: Displaying 1 - 15 of 36

anonymoususer said on June 4, 2010 at 4:18 PM

paying a criminal to surrender is a very bad idea and sets a dangerous precedence. He should be told to surrender or he will be shot on sight.

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homerj said on June 4, 2010 at 10:50 AM

yep....I'm sure he is right now reading the king5 blog about him....whew did you ever save his bacon....I'm sure he was ready to talk.....tards unite!!!!

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pooledvn said on June 4, 2010 at 10:35 AM

Ok lets all take a step back. we dont know if he broke into those houses, stole the boats, the airplanes, the store break ins. unless the have finger prints or camera footage then they have nothing. as long as he doesnt open his mouth he should be fine. About the money its reward money, not profit and will most likely go to his defense. But yes it is a crime to profit from a crime after you have been convicted. hes has not been convicted of any of these crimes. just yet. i hope the police did there homework on this one. because with out some good evidence at each crime scene he might walk on most of it.( Colton dont say a word about anything keep your mouth shut at all times. thats if you read this in time. the police are not your friends they are not there to help you. you are going to be famous and go down in the record books for a long time. you the next james bond. pooledvn@yahoo.com

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seatown2001 said on June 4, 2010 at 9:50 AM

wow. just... wow.

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noskills said on June 4, 2010 at 6:35 AM

there is that law that you cant profit from your crimes. so he'd never see a penny of the money.

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javajoe said on June 4, 2010 at 5:55 AM

The real question now is will he take himself hostage and ask for a larger ransom. This is becoming more ridiculous by the day.

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cmeeverett said on June 4, 2010 at 3:27 AM

Hey... just saying... if i was some wallstreet scumbag looking to cash in on a book deal... What better a plan than to get this kid to sign a $3,000,000 deal, by offering $50,000 lousy dollars up front? No strings attached, just sign this document making me your agent. King-5, kiro, komo, the times, abc, nbc, cbs will help me with the rest. I don't even have to advertise. ---Trust me, this is a setup for money like any person who is a true capitalist can smell a mile away.

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morroccomole007 said on June 4, 2010 at 12:48 AM

Are you people serious this kid was stealing from homes while people wernt home he didn't tie anyone up rape someone or kill anybody sure hes a sneaky little s--t but what did he really do took a bunch of stuff that can be replaced some of you are actually talking like you'd like to see him dead come on folks if you think about this kids mom and her comments were all lucky he isnt the next Jeffery Dalmur or heaven forbid Gary Ridgeway for gods sake count your blessings.And for gods sake dose anybody see how this kid has run and hid from trianed men twice his age supposedly or better yet paid an outrageous salary and overtime that this particular god fearing citizen thinks should go to our Fire Fighters they are the real HEROS not these cops with over compensated egos who cant even catch a child do you ALL HEAR ME A KID THEY HAVE TO OFFER HIM A REWARD TO TURN HIMSELF IN. THATS A FREAKING JOKE A JOKE HOW VARY VARY LAME IF I WAS ONE OF THOSE COPS ON THIS CASE WOULD HAND IN MY BADGE!!!!

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darrenscott50296 said on June 3, 2010 at 11:56 PM

Jayson86,.... That could possibly be the stupidest thing I have ever read.... I'll protect my children from the system by teaching them the clear difference between right and wrong. I'll have them do their homework instead of playing video games to aquire the knowledge to steal a plane... (if he actually did that).... Moore's running days are done.... He'd better hope it's the cops that catch him..... It might be his only chance to come out of this alive!! ...And to answer your comment asking us to look in the mirror and ponder what we've done for society..... My answer...."I DIDN'T RAISE A CRIMINAL!!!

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slappywag said on June 3, 2010 at 11:47 PM

drizzt, are you my long-lost sibling? Every time I see this guy's face, I want to slap it off his body.

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jayson86 said on June 3, 2010 at 11:44 PM

Ok so now it's my turn to expose the idiots in our society, ie. everyone who posted a comment before me on this! Since 2008, so he was still 17 at the time. He escaped from a teen home, so that tells me he grew up in the system. For all the condescending twits that believe a lost cause kid is simply a lost cause, I dare you to put your kids (voluntarily) in the system and watch them come out future CEO's. Trust me I agree this one should, and will get his share of punishment. But I'll bet the person offering to give over this fund has a few demands himself. Not of retribution, but of rehabilitation. School I'm sure is one of them. I've worked with the kids that YOU called a lost cause, they now get straight A's. On top of that they are a benefit to society. YOU were ready to wash your hands, but because I had the gaul to get mine dirty made a difference. You please go look in the mirror and ask yourself, "what have I done for society more than my ownself." WHAT SELFISH PEOPLE WE ARE!!

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emptynestr said on June 3, 2010 at 11:28 PM

And we are now paying criminals to get caught/???????And pray tell me what they need all that money for?? Hey I could sure use it too..Fat chance of getting that kind of money for just being an honest citizen. And who says crime doesn't pay?

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akrandy said on June 3, 2010 at 7:23 PM

Who cares how he gets caught??? As long as the crime spree is over??? And it is NOT TAX dollars!!

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gixxer1k said on June 3, 2010 at 7:17 PM

I think Darrenscott and trplrdr put the nail right on the head. Also, any restitution and fines levied by the courts would most likely be well in execess of $50, 000. So the money is a moot point.

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kbbcoop said on June 3, 2010 at 6:19 PM

hahaha, we are paying King County deputies over $200,000 a year and now we have to bribe criminals to TURN THEMSELVES IN. Holy cow. I cant wait until government takes over the health care.

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denkoko said on June 3, 2010 at 5:55 PM

IF LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN`T FIND HIM, CALL OUT THE BOY SCOUTS. THEY ARE BETTER AT IT THEN MOST LAW ENFORCEMENTS ANYWAY.

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jonnybeggar said on June 3, 2010 at 5:38 PM

really? and when would he spend that $50,000?? would he invest it in a fund so he can have alot of dough when he gets out or should he spend it on candy and smokes in prison? get real anonymous donor....... he is obviously not stupid.

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farmer01 said on June 3, 2010 at 4:31 PM

Please take that photo and burn it

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tacwilster said on June 3, 2010 at 4:21 PM

Well here it starts, first the illegals are okay to be here even though it is illegal and now a criminal will get away with theft, which is illegal, but we can't catch him!! Way to go America!

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freddy6666 said on June 3, 2010 at 3:50 PM

I still say that he would make a GREAT cop or a really good Bounty hunter. You have to give the kid credit for staying out there so long and not getting caught. I am a retired government police officer.

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brucelee said on June 3, 2010 at 3:44 PM

Our law enforcement officers at their finest!

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jwright771984 said on June 3, 2010 at 3:23 PM

Wow, now we pay the criminals? What the hell is the world coming to? This punk needs to be caught and taught some respect in a correctional facility.

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drizzt said on June 3, 2010 at 3:23 PM

eyezick, Anyone that thinks of a criminal as an idol or as you would say (the man) is nothing more than a low life degenerate. you need to grow up. This will not end well at all. This piece of dirt punk has a lot of people very angry and looking to end this problem by any means available.

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eyezick said on June 3, 2010 at 3:02 PM

HE IS THE MAN!!! He gets money, movies, facebook fans for robbing people...

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drizzt said on June 3, 2010 at 2:22 PM

The only reward I want is catching this guy myself and slapping that smirk off his face, hog tying him and driving him to the police station. i have had enough of this PUNK!

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trplrdr said on June 3, 2010 at 2:04 PM

I believe WA state has a law preventing a criminal from profiting from their crimes(ie books, interviews, etc) ,so a judge could seize the money for victim compensation.

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charlie_tacoma said on June 3, 2010 at 1:50 PM

I have a better idea. Have him disarm all the IEDs.

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jake518 said on June 3, 2010 at 1:49 PM

I have to give him credit. This guy is pretty clever.

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stryker said on June 3, 2010 at 1:36 PM

Im inocent... wheres my money?

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charlie_tacoma said on June 3, 2010 at 1:16 PM

Send this kid to Afghan and have him steal the entire armory from Taliban.

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cethe said on June 3, 2010 at 1:03 PM

stop giving this kid press....stop rewarding bad behavior...for pete's sake

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bdghekfle said on June 3, 2010 at 12:56 PM

whats a kid whos going to jail gonna do with 50,000 dollars im pretty sure if hes smart enough to stay on the run for 2 years hes smart enough to relieze hed never actually touch get to touch the money

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darrenscott50296 said on June 3, 2010 at 12:50 PM

The reward of $50,000 to cover the cost of his defense attorney is not likely going to result in Moore turning himself in to police, and they know that. The reward has a 5 day shelf life. When it expires in five days it will likely be used as a bounty to get one of his followers to rat him out....and one will. I would, and so would you. Those who have helped Moore hide from police have themselves committed a serious crime and will be rounded up, charged and sentenced harshly for their help humiliating law enforcement, both local and federal. Make no mistake, if you get arrested for aiding Moore, there will be no Facebook page for you, no news cameras, no magazine articles or movies written about you.....and remember, when you're running from the cops for helping Moore, Coulton will not be there to help you!! If you help him, you will get caught, you will get arrested, and you will go to prison.... What will you think of your "hero" then????

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charlie_tacoma said on June 3, 2010 at 12:46 PM

Give me that money when I bring him in (dead or alive)

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wonderingwhy said on June 3, 2010 at 12:45 PM

Perfect! Rewarding bad behavior. What will they think of next? BTW, the last paragraph says "ethical rules for lawyers." Do they really have those??? lol

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unconnected said on June 3, 2010 at 11:51 AM

He wont turn himself in...are you kidding he is not as dumb as most of you look :)

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