Current Camano burglaries likely not Colton Harris-Moore
By RICK WOOD Staff Reporter
A string of new burglaries have caused some to fear the return of convicted burglar Colton Harris-Moore to Camano Island.
Island County Sheriff Mark Brown said people should refrain from jumping to conclusions, but still increase their vigilance.
"Over the past two or three weeks we have noticed a slight increase in calls relating to burglaries and vehicle prowls on the south end of Camano Island," said Brown. "We have also had reports of a prowler in the vicinity of Mountain View and Elger Bay Road."
The burglaries have called into question whether or not Harris-Moore is back on the island, said Brown.
Three of the recently reported incidents are related to previous victims of Colton Harris-Moore.
However, a shoe print recovered from one crime scene, appears to be too small to be Harris Moore's who is now believed to be over 6-foot-4-inches tall, he said.
Additionally, other reported incidents do not appear to fit the previous pattern for Harris- Moore, said Brown.
"At this point I do not have evidence (or) information, either way, that would indicate if Colton is, or is not, on Camano Island," he said. "In either case, I believe it would be a mistake to think that we only need to be concerned about one individual."
It is not uncommon for certain geographic areas to experience an increase in criminal activity for a variety of reasons, said Brown.
"I would encourage everyone to remain vigilant and alert and continue to report suspicious activity or persons," he said.
In February 2007, Harris- Moore was captured after a sixmonth manhunt after residents reported his whereabouts to the sheriff's office.
Harris-Moore was sentenced to three years of juvenile detention in 2007, but escaped from a Renton group home in late April of last year and remains at-large.
Brown said he will keep the public informed of any further developments.
