Fugitive US 'Barefoot Bandit' arrested in Bahamas swoop

A US teenager who allegedly stole cars, boats and planes to dodge US law enforcement for two years was finally captured yesterday in the Bahamas, bringing an end to exploits that made the "Barefoot Bandit" a folk hero.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Jul 2010, 11:15 BST
Updated 12th Jul 2010, 11:15 BST

Colton Harris-Moore was arrested before dawn in northern Eleuthera, said a spokeswoman for the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Sgt Chrislyn Skippings.

A contingent of high-ranking officers travelled to the island to take the suspect to Nassau, the country's capital, where he faces possible extradition to the US.

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Island police had been searching for the wily 19-year-old since he allegedly crash-landed a stolen plane a week ago on nearby Great Abaco Island, where he was blamed for a string of at least seven break-ins.

Authorities caught Harris-Moore as he attempted to dock a boat at Harbour Island, a small tourist destination just off mainland Eleuthera, said a senior police official. He said authorities had been watching the coastlines overnight.

Harris-Moore, who has been running from American law enforcement since escaping from a Washington state halfway house in 2008, gained fame and thousands of fans who admired his ability to evade arrest.

He is suspected of stealing cars, boats and at least five planes – including the aircraft he allegedly lifted in Indiana and flew more than 1,000 miles to the islands off Florida's coast, despite a lack of formal flight training.

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The teen is a skilled outdoorsman who honed his abilities growing up in the woods of Camano Island in Puget Sound, about 30 miles north of Seattle.

Island police picked up his trail in Eleuthera after recovering a 44ft power boat stolen from a marina on Abaco, 40 miles to the north.

Burglary victims in Eleuthera said they had little doubt the 6ft 5in fugitive was to blame.