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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Colton Harris-Moore   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Friday, August 15, 2008 Fewer break-ins on Camano Island: Is fugitive gone? The drop has law enforcement wondering if teen fugitive Harris-Moore has left the area. By Jackson Holtz Herald Writer CAMANO ISLAND -- An elusive teenage fugitive may be enjoying a summer vacation. Island County sheriff's officials said Thursday they believe Colton Harris-Moore, 17, could be taking a break from his habit of breaking into south Camano Island homes. Or, Harris-Moore may have moved on. "He may be in hiding or perhaps temporarily left the island," Sheriff Mark Brown said. "We must, however, not let our guard down." Harris-Moore escaped from a Renton group home April 30 while serving a three-year sentence for residential burglary. The 6-foot-5 teen was spotted on Camano Island during a July 17 police chase. Police since have released a self-portrait Harris-Moore apparently took July 8 using a stolen digital camera. The camera was among other stolen items, including a credit-card scanner and electronics associated with identity-theft crimes, deputies found inside a stolen Mercedes-Benz sports car they believe Harris-Moore had been driving on Camano Island. The burglar's return has angered many people who live on the island. "Have they caught him yet?" is the question Josh Flickner said he repeatedly hears from customers at the Elger Bay Grocery. "It's still definitely frustrating," said Flicker, the store's manager and president of the island's chamber of commerce. "They want him caught and dealt with." During the past couple of weeks, the number of reported break-ins on south Camano Island has gone down, Brown said. Burglaries are the type of crimes that police have pinned to Harris-Moore. Detectives believe the crime reduction could mean Harris-Moore has slowed down or gone elsewhere. "But we don't want people to think, 'Oh boy, he's gone,' " the sheriff said. Detectives continue to aggressively pursue leads in the case, and the sheriff is asking people who live on the island to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. It's important that people keep an eye on each other's property, he said. "He could still be living in somebody's home that they are not aware of," Brown said. Donate to local reward fund People can make donations to a reward fund for the capture of Colton Harris-Moore at Coastal Community Bank, 869 N. Sunrise Blvd., Camano Island, or 9810 Highway 532, Stanwood; or at Elger Bay Grocery. Make checks payable to Camano Island Chamber and note "reward fund." Checks also can be mailed to Coastal Community Bank, P.O. Box 1717, Stanwood, WA 98292. Provide a phone number. Crime Stoppers also is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to the teen's capture. Help find Colton Island County sheriff's officials are asking people on Camano Island to keep doors to homes and cars locked to discourage burglaries. Anyone who spots Colton Harris-Moore (left), described as 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds, is asked to call 911. Information also can be called into Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.

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