Pam Kolher, Colton Harris-Moore’s mother, called The Herald Wednesday, two days after calling a Seattle radio station to suggest her son fly relief supplies to earthquake-and-tsunami-ravaged Japan.
“He’s very charity oriented,” Kohler said about her son.
Harris-Moore, 20, is awaiting trial on federal charges that he stole airplanes, a boat and firearms. He’s suspected in a multi-state crime spree that lasted two years before his arrest last summer in the Bahamas. Harris-Moore became known as the “Barefoot Bandit” because he sometimes ran from crime scenes without shoes.
On Monday Kohler called KIRO radio’s “Ron and Don” show to suggest her son, who is in isolation in a federal detention center in Sea-Tac, fly a plane to Japan. The DJs suggested he borrow actor John Travolta’s Boeing 707.
When she called The Herald on Wednesday, she admitted the idea of her son piloting a plane across the Pacific wasn’t realistic.
“The whole thing is a pipe dream,” she said.
(Click through to keep reading.)Kohler said she spoke to her son on Tuesday and that he’s doing fine.
She said she’s now planning to write a memoir titled, “Tubby and Me.” Harris-Moore was a chubby kid and “Tubby” was a nickname she used with him, she said.
Her book will contain information that refutes years of court records and news reports about her son, she said. Kohler declined to elaborate.
“Me and Colt are the only ones that know the true story,” Kohler said.
She currently plans to self publish the book, she said.
Harris-Moore reportedly began stealing frozen dinners from neighbors near his childhood home on Camano Island. His mother’s cupboards reportedly often were empty.
He allegedly went on to steal electronics, credit cards, boats, car and five airplanes.
In addition to five federal charges, Harris-Moore also faces felony charges in three Washington counties and in Nebraska.
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