Has Colton Harris-Moore returned to Camano Island?

CAMANO ISLAND — When a stolen fishing boat called the Stela Maris was recovered Sunday floating off the southern tip of Camano Island, everyone, including police, couldn’t help but wonder if the region’s most notorious teenage serial burglar was trying to get home.

“This incident is being investigated as another possible criminal event involving Colton Harris-Moore,” San Juan County Sheriff William Cumming said.

The Stela Maris was taken from Lopez Island, and police there believe they can trace the teen’s path back to neighboring Orcas Island. That is the place police believe he’s been hiding the last few months.

Harris-Moore, 19, grew up on the south end of Camano Island and is suspected in dozens of burglaries at homes and businesses around the Pacific Northwest. Police suspect he’s stolen at least four small planes, several boats and expensive cars.

San Juan County sheriff’s deputies and U.S. Coast Guard officials on Saturday began investigating a 30-foot cabin cruiser stolen from Spencer’s Landing Marina on Lopez Island, a private dock on the island’s northeast corner.

The sport fishing boat was found Sunday adrift between Hat Island and the southernmost tip of Camano Island.

Island County sheriff’s officials recovered the drifting boat.

“I know there is much speculation regarding possible Colton Harris-Moore involvement in this incident, but frankly it is just speculation on everyone’s part at this time,” said Kelly Mauck, the Island County undersheriff.

The boat theft on Lopez came within a day of a similar incident on San Juan Island. Late last week a home was broken into on Cattle Point on the south end of San Juan Island. A boat was taken, sheriff’s officials said. The stolen boat was recovered on Lopez Island.

The crime fits Harris-Moore’s pattern, Cumming said. It’s not clear how the 6-foot, 5-inch teen managed to get from Orcas to San Juan Island.

Before the most recent island hopping, he was believed to be on Orcas Island. A plane stolen from Anacortes landed in the mud at the airport near Eastsound in February. Hours later, someone broke into a grocery store and drew several footprints on the store’s floor. It was an apparent reference to the “Barefoot Burglar,” the name some media have used to describe Harris-Moore. He’s believed to sometimes flee barefoot, although police say he most often wears shoes.

He’s gained international notoriety since police in October said he was stealing planes. A Facebook page about Harris-Moore has attracted thousands of fans and his story has been featured in national magazines and on network television. A Hollywood studio optioned movie rights.

Each time officials rally to arrest him, he’s eluded capture. On March 18, a massive manhunt on Orcas included the FBI and Snohomish County deputies. It was launched when a homeowner reported seeing Harris-Moore.

His previous criminal exploits have been reported in Idaho, five Washington counties and British Columbia. But it was on the rural and remote southern end of Camano Island where homeowners first were told to lock their doors to try to keep the teenager out.

Harris-Moore’s criminal history dates back to when he was 12.

He made headlines at 15. It was January 2007 and Island County officials put his face on wanted posters. One was taped to the door of the Elger Bay Grocery, a community hub in the heart of Camano Island.

The store’s manager, Josh Flickner, who also is the president of the Camano Island Chamber of Commerce, said he suspects Harris-Moore may have returned to his old stomping grounds.

“It would seem very odd that it would not be Colton,” he said.

Who else would steal boats from the San Juan Islands and ditch one off the Camano Island coast, Flickner wondered.

The last time Harris-Moore was arrested — on a Friday night in early February 2007 — Island County deputies caught him burglarizing an empty vacation home. He was convicted and sentenced to three years behind bars. In April 2008 he escaped a juvenile half-way house in Renton.

After that he made his way back to Camano Island where on July 18, 2008 he’s accused of smashing a stolen Mercedes into Flickner’s store. Harris-Moore fled but he left behind a backpack full of stolen property. Among the items was a digital camera that contained the now iconic self-portrait Harris-Moore took wearing a Mercedes logo polo shirt and surrounded by junk food.

Flickner since has bolstered the security system at the store. He also said he plans on being prepared at home.

“I won’t be the only Camano Island resident that makes sure his gun is loaded tonight,” Flickner said.

Pam Kohler, Harris-Moore’s mom, still lives in the mobile home where the now notorious teen grew up.

Last week she called The Herald, and said she was concerned. She said she hadn’t heard from her boy in months.

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