Writer and photographer Bob Friel's blog about the outlaws, outcasts and all-around extraordinary characters he's met while chasing adventure stories around the world,
including the saga of Colton Harris-Moore, the "Barefoot Bandit."
Nice job on 48 hours. I'm glad my minute of fame is over and our family can continue to get back to normal. I do look forward to reading your book and wish you the best of luck. I won't miss the media attention. All the best and keep in touch.
The CBS 48 Hours web site also has a short segment called "Barefoot and Busted", filmed while Colton was first in custody in jail in the Bahamas. In that segment, he looks really exhausted and emaciated, which is the natural result of being homeless and hungry for almost 2 1/2 years. I've heard that to understand someone, it helps to "walk a mile in their shoes" (or bare feet). If only some of the well-fed people on Camano island and other places who are so vindictive toward Colton would develop insight, empathy, and human kindness toward him instead...and ask themselves, would they want a child of theirs to be facing such an overwhelmingly sad situation? Even with all the stress and strain and physical and mental hardship he has endured, Colton still does have a amazing smile, which can be seen at one point in that Bahamas segment. I hope and pray that this indicates he will have the strength and spirit to withstand and rise above everything the justice system will try to throw at him. Beth
Finally got to watch this; it was well done. You make a great point that when Colton started breaking in to houses, he was showering, washing his clothes etc.; the "luxuries" that most kids his age take for granted. As his run went on, the stakes grew higher and he unfortunately crossed the line from "subsistance" stealing to stealing for the rush.
While I do feel for the people who were hurt by Colton, I have to wonder about the logic of the restaurant owner who kept $15,000 at her store when she knew that there was a burgler on the island, in fact one who had easily broken into her business just one week prior. Not to blame the victim, but come on.
The context of my answer at that point (it was a long answer that they cut down to that bite in order to move the narrative along) was that what made Colton stand out and what fixed his m.o. for the police was that not only would he take things, but he'd often also wash his clothes and sleep in a home, and in the vast majority of cases he's believed tied to, there wasn't any malicious damage done. The "typical" kid break-in usually includes raiding the liquor cabinet and often causing unnecessary destruction.
It is true that there were homes where nothing was taken and Colt seems to have just used them for a place to stay.
In fairness to the restaurant owner, they did not know that someone had broken in a few days before. Someone -- who authorities believe was Colt -- got in and ordered some things online without anyone knowing. It was when the burglar came back to collect his packages that he also busted into the safe and took the money. This was also very, very early in all of this and no one knew a serial burglar was on Orcas Island. This was back in the summer of 2008. The surveillance video of the barefoot suspect came from another break-in at the same restaurant that occurred in 2009. It was a little confusing the way it appeared in the show; it looked like it all happened at the same time.
Ok, thanks for clearing that up about the timing of the restaurant incident. That makes more sense.
I was reacting emotionally to her hateful comments about him; it breaks my heart to hear people lash out as if he were a malicious, wisened criminal. I guess it's the mama-bear in me.
Bob,
ReplyDeleteNice job on 48 hours. I'm glad my minute of fame is over and our family can continue to get back to normal. I do look forward to reading your book and wish you the best of luck. I won't miss the media attention. All the best and keep in touch.
Kelly Kneifl
Thanks Kelly, you too.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping that the next time TV cameras show up at your door it's because one of your kids has won the Nobel or a Golden Glove.
All the best,
Bob
The CBS 48 Hours web site also has a short segment called "Barefoot and Busted", filmed while Colton was first in custody in jail in the Bahamas.
ReplyDeleteIn that segment, he looks really exhausted and emaciated, which is the natural result of being homeless and hungry for almost 2 1/2 years.
I've heard that to understand someone, it helps to "walk a mile in their shoes" (or bare feet).
If only some of the well-fed people on Camano island and other places who are so vindictive toward Colton would develop insight, empathy, and human kindness toward him instead...and ask themselves, would they want a child of theirs to be facing such an overwhelmingly sad situation?
Even with all the stress and strain and physical and mental hardship he has endured, Colton still does have a amazing smile, which can be seen at one point in that Bahamas segment. I hope and pray that this indicates he will have the strength and spirit to withstand and rise above everything the justice system will try to throw at him.
Beth
Isn't Colton supposed to be charged today?
ReplyDeleteIf he is, will you inform us as soon as you hear anything?
Finally got to watch this; it was well done. You make a great point that when Colton started breaking in to houses, he was showering, washing his clothes etc.; the "luxuries" that most kids his age take for granted. As his run went on, the stakes grew higher and he unfortunately crossed the line from "subsistance" stealing to stealing for the rush.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do feel for the people who were hurt by Colton, I have to wonder about the logic of the restaurant owner who kept $15,000 at her store when she knew that there was a burgler on the island, in fact one who had easily broken into her business just one week prior. Not to blame the victim, but come on.
Hi Kate,
ReplyDeleteThe context of my answer at that point (it was a long answer that they cut down to that bite in order to move the narrative along) was that what made Colton stand out and what fixed his m.o. for the police was that not only would he take things, but he'd often also wash his clothes and sleep in a home, and in the vast majority of cases he's believed tied to, there wasn't any malicious damage done. The "typical" kid break-in usually includes raiding the liquor cabinet and often causing unnecessary destruction.
It is true that there were homes where nothing was taken and Colt seems to have just used them for a place to stay.
In fairness to the restaurant owner, they did not know that someone had broken in a few days before. Someone -- who authorities believe was Colt -- got in and ordered some things online without anyone knowing. It was when the burglar came back to collect his packages that he also busted into the safe and took the money. This was also very, very early in all of this and no one knew a serial burglar was on Orcas Island. This was back in the summer of 2008. The surveillance video of the barefoot suspect came from another break-in at the same restaurant that occurred in 2009. It was a little confusing the way it appeared in the show; it looked like it all happened at the same time.
Ok, thanks for clearing that up about the timing of the restaurant incident. That makes more sense.
ReplyDeleteI was reacting emotionally to her hateful comments about him; it breaks my heart to hear people lash out as if he were a malicious, wisened criminal. I guess it's the mama-bear in me.