Did teen fugitive steal car in Illinois?

A local probably would have known that the road where the stolen car got stuck in sand was impassible.

Spring floods had swelled the Mississippi River through southern Illinois, leaving debris on several roads.

So there’s increasing suspicion that the person driving the 2010 Chevrolet HHR was no local, but a 19-year-old fugitive from Camano Island, Colton Harris-Moore.

Before being sent to juvenile prison, Harris-Moore had never been east of the Cascade Mountains, never mind on the east banks of the country’s most famous river.

Now, if he is responsible, he’s continuing what appears to be a sprint to the East Coast in a succession of stolen cars.

The station wagon was found Wednesday morning, the same day officials in Ottumwa, Iowa, got word that the city-owned vehicle was stolen, police said.

“Somebody used the shovel out of the car to dig the car out,” Chief Deputy Scott Bentzinger said. “But he was unsuccessful.”

Dallas City is just under 100 miles east of Ottumwa across the Mississippi River. Bentzinger on Thursday said police in Dallas City have not received word of related burglaries or other stolen vehicles.

He declined to say what evidence, if any, detectives have collected from the stolen car.

The incident in Dallas City is the latest in a string of crimes that may be connected to Harris-Moore, a fugitive serial burglar with a long history of car thefts.

On Tuesday, police in Ottumwa recovered a vehicle stolen from Pella, Iowa, just as police there were investigating a vehicle that had been stolen from Nebraska. From Nebraska, a trail of stolen vehicles stretches back to South Dakota, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Police also are investigating a string of burglaries, beginning at the Ottumwa Regional Airport on Monday, then at a Mexican restaurant and a Frito Lay building, and finally at a city water and hydro building, where the Chevy was stolen, Ottumwa Police Lt. Tom McAndrew said.

Police in each city are sharing information. While no suspects have been confirmed, “It appears all incidents are connected,” he said.

Harris-Moore escaped a Seattle-area group home in April 2008 where he was serving a three-year sentence for possession of stolen property. Since then, he’s suspected of stealing planes, boats and cars. He’s reportedly flown planes despite no formal flight training, piloted boats without prior experience and now may be on a 2,000-mile road trip. He doesn’t have a driver’s license.

The evidence trail links back to Raymond, Wash., where police late last month recovered a note left a vet clinic signed by Harris-Moore. Fingerprints confirmed the note’s authenticity, officials said.

On June 1, a car was stolen from a small airport near Astoria, Ore. A string of similar crimes at small regional airports and more stolen vehicles have been repeated nearly a dozen times in the days since. The path now stretches into Illinois.

Pam Kohler, Harris-Moore’s mother, said Monday she believes her son is headed to visit someone, but she didn’t know who they are or where they live.

“I know he had people he knows on the East Coast, or at least that’s what he told me,” she said. She said she has not spoken to her boy in months.

She’s also not convinced that her son is responsible for all the car thefts. Surely there are copycat criminals at work, she said.

In the meantime, she has advice for her 6-foot, 5-inch child. “He ought to steal a plane and get the hell out of the States,” she said.

Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437; jholtz@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

‘Voter friendly’ election ballots set to go out for Snohomish County voters

Materials will include some changes to make the process easier to vote in Aug. 5 primary.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Kathy Johnson walks over a tree that has been unsuccessfully chainsawed along a CERCLA road n the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How Roadless Rule repeal could affect forests like Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie

The Trump administration plans to roll back a 2001 rule protecting over 58 million acres of national forest, including areas in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie area.

Edmonds police officers investigate a shooting that occurred at 236/Edmonds Way Thursday in Edmonds, Washington. (Edmonds Police Department).
Jury convicts Edmonds man in fatal shooting of rideshare driver

After three hours, a 12-person jury convicted Alex Waggoner, 22, of second-degree murder for shooting Abdulkadir Shariif, 31, in January 2024.

Britney Barber, owner of Everett Improv. Barber performs a shows based on cuttings from The Everett Herald. Photographed in Everett, Washington on May 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
August 9 will be the last comedy show at Everett Improv

Everett improv club closing after six years in business.

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County will host climate resiliency open house on July 30

Community members are encouraged to provide input for the county’s developing Communitywide Climate Resiliency Plan.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.