Fly, Colton, Fly: The True Story of the Barefoot Bandit

In 2007 Colton Harris-Moore, a 21st century Billy the Kid, made local Washington State headlines when he was fifteen and shortly after, the extraordinary way he eluded cops (allegedly barefoot) for two years received the attention of the world. Jackson Holtz, a reporter for The Herald of Everett who has covered the story since it first broke, is now the author of the first book to tell Colton’s story.

Fly Colton Fly: The Story of the Barefoot Bandit chronicles Coltons upbringing, the people in his life, the victims of his burglaries and the years of his criminal adventures. Jackson relied on police reports, court documents, and first hand accounts to write a page-turning account of the teenage outlaw who was wanted in nine states for more than eighty crimes.

In this book you’ll learn about:

How the Barefoot Bandit got his start. As the son of an alcoholic and abusive mother and an absentee father, Colton first started stealing as a means to survive (frozen foods taken from neighbors), and he went on to steal for pleasure, from expensive electronics to credit cards, luxury cars and planes.

Colton's intelligence and demeanor. He taught himself how to fly planes by reading flight manuals and playing flight simulator games. Colton wasn't known to be violent and once dropped off $100 to an animal hospital and a signed note with the message: "Drove by, had some extra cash. Please use this cash for the care of animals."

The damage caused. Colton's two-year, nine state criminal stint saw him breaking into dozens of homes and businesses, totaling upwards of three million dollars' worth of stolen and damaged property.

The surprising and controversial reaction from the media and public. People glamorized Colton as a modern day folk hero and his community of internet followers loyally cheered him on and tracked his path while he was on the run. He became an internet sensation and Colton's Facebook page has over 70,000 fans. Many saw the teen as a survivalist who escaped a terrible life and who wasn’t afraid to do whatever it took to stick it to the man — the cops, FBI, Homeland Security, the U.S. Coast Guard and a bounty hunter all failed to catch him.

Whether people viewed Colton as a hero or a common criminal, Colton went on to become one of the most infamous fugitives of our generation. The Barefoot Bandit now faces federal and state charges, and the possibility of spending many years behind bars. Though Colton stole from hundreds and frightened thousands, Jackson says "he also inspired some, by thrilling a part not all of us will admit: sometimes it feels good to root for the bad guy."

Jackson Holtz is an award-winning reporter at The Herald of Everett in Washington State and has developed a national following for his coverage of Colton Harris-Moore. He was among the first reporters to cover the story when it broke in 2007, and since has chronicled every step and misstep along Colton's extraordinary crime spree. Prior to The Herald, Holtz wrote for The Associated Press in Seattle, The Oregonian in Portland, and The Trio-County News in Junction City, Ore. He lives in Seattle.