.
It’s been 691 days since Colt climbed out a window at the Renton group home where he was serving out the remainder of his sentence for burglary and possession of stolen property. And today is his birthday. How is he celebrating?
Apparently his plan is to spend his special day here on Orcas Island in Washington State’s Puget Sound. It’s a gorgeous day, so far, with brilliant blue skies and a temp near 50 degrees. We’ve had an early spring thanks to El Nino, with many clear, almost summer-like days mixed amid periods of sopping rain and a few near-freezing morning lows. We don’t know if Colt’s been camping in the woods or squatting in vacant homes, sneaking into islander’s sheds, or maybe holed up with an accomplice, but if he’s outside, he’s gone through quite a number of cold, wet nights since he came back.
Twice now law enforcement has put together serious manhunts for Colt, including helicopters, FBI agents and SWAT teams. The most recent was St. Paddy’s night, when just as many of us were headed home from parties at around 2 a.m., the alarm went out, the choppers lifted off and the shit hit the fan. They felt they had Colt cornered here on the west side of Orcas. He had his back to the cold waters of Puget Sound, and the only place he could run was across rugged and ridiculously steep terrain.
The search went on, full-bore, for 14 hours before finally being scaled back. He got away again, and earned another stretch of freedom that looks like it will at least run through his 19th birthday.
One note to add to previous barefoot speculation: Reportedly there were bare footprints found during this latest chase, evidence that Colt is, indeed, running around the woods barefoot, even in winter.
.
Happy Birthday Colt!!! NINETEEN!! Life is just beginning...
ReplyDeleteColt, Bob, had some good advice on his last blog post. If you decide to contact an attorney and negotiate with authorities, you will get a better deal and be cast in a much more favorable light, with both the courts and in the court of public opinion. Don't wait too long, because at some point the "authorities" will stumble upon you and then of course it is too late. This decision could save you years in confinement, so it is good advice. Bob's pretty much a straight shooter - rare in today's world.
Good luck Colt!
Love It!!!
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog via the Outside article. This is such a fascinating story!
ReplyDeleteI find myself really rooting for this kid, which bring mixed feelings on my part. My father was murdered by a notorious "outlaw" who spent several years (off and on) on the run and on the FBI's Most Wanted List; I am NOT one of those wacky "outlaw groupies".
While Colt has committed numerous crimes and seems to be enjoying his crime-spree and notoriety, he is a KID, a wounded and scared kid. I find myself wanting to offer him a warm meal and some parental advice. Thank you, Bob, for the advice you've provided here. Hopefully he'll see it and know that there are people who want to help him.
Most of the residents of Orcas that I have met are warm, generous and of gracious loving spirit. All I can think of in this ordeal is that there are a large number of you waiting to feed and keep warm this barefoot youngster. His crimes, and yes they are crimes, have never hurt anyone physically and only seem to aid his need to survive. The mother side of me wants to gather and love this child who, with disabilities likened to mixed wire crossings in his brain, needs family. The powerful force of the police/govt are extravagant to the max for a 19 year old barefoot boy. My hope is that it comes to a peaceful resolve!
ReplyDeletewow... just learned of this whole thing today... actually read an article in Maxim Magazine and have been researching it for hours now. Very interesting to say the least. Although I have a horrible feeling that this is going to end in a very bad way, I really hope not. The more he gets away with, the more he will want to up the ante. That's my fear. At some point, he is going to get bored and want to go for the "home run" and I am afraid that will be the end for him one way or the other. What I will say is that somewhere I read that it is his upbringing that caused this. I would say that I disagree with it being the "cause" but a proper upbringing could definitely have prevented this. From what I read about his mom and childhood, I wouldn't say he was raised by daddy warbucks. Anyway, I hope that in the end, he is caught, no blood is shed, and nobody gets hurt. What I can not understand for the life of me is how this kid could not have been caught yet. I am on the East Coast, and maybe I do not understand the "wilderness" so much, but still.... to be getting away with so much for so long.... I am wondering why we can find Saddaam cooped up in a little hole in the middle of the desert, but can not find a kid running around his neighborhood so to speak. Intriguing, mind baffling, and most of all...sad. Thank you for the very informative site. Again, East coast- I had never even heard of this before today. I will keep an eye on your blog for a while. Good luck to all of you in the man hunt. I only hope that justice can be done there.
ReplyDeletePeter