Follow us on

Thursday, May 23, 2013 | 1:28 a.m.

Updated: 6:19 p.m. Friday, May 28, 2010 | Posted: 5:38 p.m. Friday, May 28, 2010

Bounty Hunter Says He'll Catch Colton Harris-Moore



Related

SEATTLE —

A Seattle bail bondsman is offering to catch Colton Harris-Moore for free, but officers said they don’t want his help.

Wanted posters, reward money and now a bounty hunter for a teen who has eluded authorities for years and residents say they are fed up.

"When people tell me that Colton hasn't hurt anyone yet, I think that that's arguing semantics," said Joshua Flickner. His convenience store is one of several businesses Harris-Moore is accused is accused of breaking into.

Flickner said a Seattle-based bounty hunter with All City Bail Bonds is offering to find him for free if the community will help him.

"He belongs in jail. These guys are going to help the community and law enforcement try to find him and put him in jail," Flickner said.

Most recently, police released surveillance photos on Wednesday from a Lopez Island marina where a boat was stolen. Police said they believe it’s Harris-Moore spotted in the pictures.

May 26, 2010: New Photos Released May Be Of Barefoot Bandit

Massive searches by state and federal authorities for months have turned up nothing.

Flickner said the bounty hunter also wants to organize neighborhood watches and is donating $2,500 to the reward fund,

Some residents are skeptical.

"That's vigilantism. It’s not what our country's about," said Camano Island resident Laurie Wheeler.

Island County Sheriff Mark Brown issued this statement on Friday: "As sheriff of Island County I cannot promote or participate in this as a solution to the problem. I will continue to share investigative information with the various police agencies involved in apprehending Colton Harris-Moore, but not to private interest groups, etc."

WATCH IT: Officials Says They Don't Want His Help

Harris-Moore, 19, has escaped capture for more than two years since he left a half-way house.

He is suspected of burglaries and thefts in at least five Washington counties, British Columbia and Idaho.

TIMELINE: Colton Harris-Moore's Crime Spree

The bounty hunter said he doesn’t want people to judge him before he has a chance to explain his situation.

He wants residents to come to an informational meeting Tuesday night at Elger Bay Elementary School to talk about it.

Previous Stories: May 26, 2010: New Photos Released May Be Of Barefoot Bandit May 25, 2010: Has 'Barefoot Bandit' Struck Again? May 17, 2010: Stolen Boats May Be Work Of 'Barefoot Bandit' March 18, 2010: New Search For Colton Harris-Moore 'Scaled Down' February 28, 2010: Teen Fugitive Harris-Moore May Be Responsible For Orcas Island Burglary February 26, 2010: FBI Not Interested In Teen Serial Robber Harris-Moore February 11, 2010: Harris-Moore May Be Back On Orcas Island October 8, 2009: Teen Fugitive Has Strong Facebook Following October 7, 2009: Attorney: DNA Links Teen Fugitive To ATM Burglary October 7, 2009: Mother Of Teen Fugitive Says Boy Should Turn Himself In October 5, 2009: Manhunt Suspended For Notorious Teen Suspected Of Firing On Deputies October 2, 2009: Fugitive Teen May Have Crashed Stolen Plane September 22, 2009: Teen Fugitive Blamed For Rash Of Crimes In San Juan County August 11, 2009: Teen Fugitive May Be Back On Camano Island July 24, 2008: Sheriff Says Teen Burglar Didn't Commit All Break-Ins July 18, 2008: Hunt For Teen Fugitive Takes New Turn June 25, 2008: Teen Burglar May Be Back At Camano Island, Residents Say April 30, 2008: Police: Burglar Escapes From Renton Group Home

More News

 
Featured Articles
Ads By Google
 

Video from KIRO 7

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News for iPad

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News for iPad

Get the new KIRO 7 Eyewitness News for iPad app -- featuring the latest news, photos, videos, weather, traffic and a livestream of all KIRO 7 newscasts.