02/28/2010: "Sunday Search For Bare-Foot Burglar"

(2/28/10 Sunday12:00 p.m. Following another burglary on Orcas island Saturday night of the ACE Hardware store on Orcas, the hunt was on for the “Bare-Foot Burglar” on Orcas Island.

By 7:30 am a tracking unit with dogs was requested from Whatcom county, a helicopter and a large team of searchers from the San Juan County Sheriff’s office was on the move looking for Colton Harris-Moore, who has been eluding authorities for years.

Sometime Saturday night or early Sunday morning, another burglary was reported on Orcas, and by Sunday morning there was heavy police activity near Eastsound and Madrona Point that spread throughout Eastsound and surrounding areas as the search continued.

All the activity in the air and on the ground had citizens wondering if the fear of more burglaries could at last be coming to an end. Previous Story

With the recent burglary Saturday night, it is hoped the dog team may have enough scent source for the dogs to possibly follow a trail. In the meantime the helicopter is using the latest sensing devices to “look” from the sky for any suspicious movement or possible suspects that need to be checked by the deputies on the ground.

By noon Sunday, the search had not turned up the elusive burglar.

The alarm is being credited with stopping the completion of the break-in at Ace Hardware with no loss of property, however a window was broken.

Evidence found at the scene included a bolt-cutter of the same type believed to have been taken from a another burglary, and this has led investigators to believe Colton Harris-Moore may be responsible for the Ace Hardware break-in. The evidence will be sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Laboratory. Hopefully this tell authorities if Colton is responsible for the current attempted burglary.

The Sheriff's office states they "will continue to actively investigate all leads, maintain and enhance surveillance, and to share information with surrounding jurisdictions. The also promise to update the press "when new information can be released."