09/17/2009: "Barefoot Burglar Strikes Again?"

First it was a rash of breaking and entering, then a photo showed the suspect, and now what may be a number of related incidents could indicate the suspect has fled to Canada.

A boat was reported stolen from Orcas last week, used to go to Friday Harbor, and although we have not been able to confirm the account, it may have occurred just prior to a $700K Cirrus turbo airplane owned by John Strohl that was stolen from the Friday Harbor airport early Friday night, or early Saturday, and flown to Eastsound.

A deputy noticed the plane at the Orcas airport, investigated and found the doors to the plane and storage area had been broken into.

Based on damage to the plane, whoever took the plane did not execute a proper landing. One report cites damage to the running gear, and another report said there was grass and dirt clogging the wheel wells

Then later on the same day there was a report that deputies gave chase to a barefoot young man who was able to elude them. The barefoot part is interesting, since the suspect in the Island Market Break-in was barefoot, too.

After that, Jason Lnnes of Orcas reported his $75K 30’ Express Cruiser was stolen from Brant’s landing. The boat was found by the Coast Guard near Pt, Roberts, adrift with the keys in the ignition.

Point Roberts is a point of land that should have been part of Canada, but is not, to reach it by land one has to go to Canada, but three sides of it sit in American waters.

Some other reports -yet to be confirmed by the Island Guardian: No finger prints found on the airplane or boats, but surgical gloves were found on the boat. And, bare footprints were found on the boat.

So the question is, is all of this related to what some are calling the “Barefoot Burglar? Is he now in Canada, or is he bringing cheer to the business owners of Point Roberts? And why, does this guy not wear shoes?