| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, MARCH 16, 2010 2:01 pm |
ADVERTISEMENT |
|||||||||
 |
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
Local News 
|
||||||||||||||||||
From behind bars, pal tells Colton Harris-Moore to keep running Harley Davidson Ironwing says he trained Colton Harris-Moore how to survive by stealing. CAMANO ISLAND — The boy burglars of Camano Island shared a dream.They'd amass such a fortune they would toss money in the air and let the bills rain down. Colton Harris-Moore met Harley Davidson Ironwing about five years ago. Today, Harris-Moore, 18, is a fugitive wanted for crimes in Washington, Idaho and Canada. Police suspect he's stolen planes, boats and luxury cars, and broken into dozens of homes and businesses. Ironwing's link to Harris-Moore resurfaced after the case made international headlines. He is the teenager's only known accomplice, although they haven't spoken in two years. Ironwing, 20, is back behind bars. He is accused of shoplifting and escape while serving a prison sentence for theft. He's currently at the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton and is facing at least another five months in prison, officials said. Ironwing agreed to talk about his friendship with Harris-Moore, and how he taught the younger boy how to prowl and quickly find valuable jewelry and electronics, items that could be converted to cash. “He loves his money like I do,” Ironwing said while he was at the Snohomish County Jail last month. “He wants the same thing, just to have money, to sit on a pile of cash, to throw it up in the air and have it shower down.” During his interview, Ironwing more than once asked to pass along this message to his friend: “Stay out until help can come to him.” Pressed for what he meant, Ironwing would only say, “He'll know.” He urged Harris-Moore never to give himself up. “He is good. What's he's doing is stupid right now,” Ironwing said. “He needs to quit taking pictures of himself.” One iconic image from the case is a July 2008 photo Harris-Moore snapped of himself using a stolen digital camera. The camera was left behind in a Mercedes that was stolen from his mother's neighbor. The photo shows Harris-Moore in the woods, headphones plugged into his ears, wearing a polo shirt featuring the Mercedes logo. Ironwing believes such photos are Harris-Moore's trademark, a calling card left at all his crime scenes. “It's not his calling card,” Island County sheriff's detective Ed Wallace said. “He is leaving nothing like that behind.” Wallace also is familiar with Ironwing, who was convicted of his first felony when he was 14. “I would say that any information he provides would be suspect,” Wallace said. Since September when news broke that Harris-Moore allegedly has started stealing airplanes, the elusive teen gained attention from news networks and on the Web. T-shirts were made, featuring Moore's self-portrait. A Facebook fan page has attracted nearly 8,000 people. Ironwing's role in the case, and his unusual name, have contributed to the Internet buzz. Ironwing said he was given his name by his adopted mother when he was 6. She added the middle name after the famous American motorcycle maker, and gave him her last name. “She just thought it would be cool,” Ironwing said. “It gets annoying at times. It's a unique name.” Still, “I'd prefer not to be on the news,” he said. Harris-Moore, on the other hand, likely thrives on the publicity, Ironwing said. “Colton has ambition. He's smart, and he loves what he's doing,” he said. Ironwing said he would never snitch on his friend or violate the thieves' code. He's not cooperated with Snohomish County sheriff's detectives or investigators with the state Department of Corrections. “They think I'm full of (expletive) because I won't tell them anything,” Ironwing said. “They got awfully angry at me.” Snohomish County sheriff's spokeswoman Rebecca Hover said detectives recently did try to talk with Ironwing. “He had absolutely no useful information,” she said. Ironwing's solid frame barely fills his jail uniform. He's 5-foot-2 but says he packs a mean punch. Everyone in his hometown knows him as the “Stanwood Burglar,” he said. “I'd break into anywhere I could get money,” he said. His reputation is likely what drew Harris-Moore to him, Ironwing said. “Back then I was a troublemaker,” Ironwing said. “He had to come to me. Everyone knows I'm a criminal.” The two would burglarize so many homes each night, “You would be amazed,” Ironwing said. When the burglars were at their peak in early 2007 a typical night of crime would begin with a phone call, Ironwing said. The 6-foot-5-inch Harris-Moore would summon the older boy. Ironwing would hop a bus to Camano Island from Stanwood or Everett, wherever he was living at the time. They'd meet at a rural bus stop, then begin breaking into homes on the island. In the morning, Ironwing said he'd hop another bus for home, his pockets filled with swag. Island County sheriff's deputies brought an end to the break-ins by handing out wanted posters featuring each boy's mug. Harris-Moore was arrested and two days later Ironwing turned himself in. Harris-Moore was sentenced to three years behind bars. He escaped from a group home for juvenile offenders in Renton in April 2008. Ironwing pleaded guilty in March 2007 to first-degree criminal trespassing and second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission. He was ordered to serve nearly a year in juvenile detention. Not long after his release, Ironwing was arrested for breaking into a Stanwood church safe during a Sunday prayer service. He was sentenced to nearly three years in prison. At the end of September, Ironwing was transferred to a work release program in Seattle, officials said. On Oct. 20, Ironwing left for a job interview. He didn't come back. Less than a week later Ironwing was caught shoplifting at the Everett Mall. “Maybe Colt can teach him how to escape and not get caught,” said Pam Kohler, Harris-Moore's mother. “A favor for a favor.” Ironwing said he's looking to change his ways. “I basically just blew away my whole childhood,” he said. “I'm 20-years-old now. I got to grow up.” Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437, jholtz@heraldnet.com. |
- Snohomish man dies in snowmobile accident
- A gift for a gifted kid
- Chocolate elegance: Monroe chocolatier hopes shop grows from simple beginnings
- Ex-official pleads not guilty in drunken golf course incident
- Everett cat goes from imperiled to princess
- Mariners' Moore looks to be ready for The Show
- An early start to allergy season
- Silvertips fall short in quest for No. 1 seed
- Life by chocolate
- The ‘Buzz’ from Marquette
- 16-year-old girl convicted in Sultan gang murder
(16) - Former county planning director pleads not guilty to assault charge (11)
- Census mailing a money saver (9)
- Gunfire at site of Kirkland medical marijuana grow (8)
- Monroe cell-tower plan angers neighbors (6)
- The Hub, a Snohomish institution, closes (6)
- A gift for a gifted kid (5)
- Ex-official pleads not guilty in drunken golf course incident (4)
- Local beef — lots of it (4)
- A consumer primer on Obama’s health bill (3)
- Yelm ousts Lynnwood girls, 54-51
- Meadowdale boys take aim at fifth place
- Archbishop Murphy girls keep vow to win
- Meadowdale boys refuse to fold, but rally falls short in 3A state opener
- Prairie’s zone defense stymies Lynnwood at Class 3A state girls basketball tournament
- Ellensburg takes it to Archbishop Murphy girls at 2A tourney
- Beyond the ‘Woodstock Generation'
- Magical run for Jackson
- Boeing to Offer NewGen Tanker to US Air Force
- New CEO at Valley General Hospital
- Dan Koffman's ‘TopSpin' marketing astounds, inspires, motivates, produces — just for starters
- Economic forecasts for Snohomish County, Everett, Marysville offer some bright moments
- Government officials influencing home prices
- Massive EPA energy regulations meet challenge
- Washington state healthcare reforms also needed
|
|
 
|
|
|
|
| TODAY'S TOP JOBS |
| View All Top Jobs |
| Top Cars |
|
| Top Homes |
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT |
|
|
|Contact Us
|Advertiser Services
|Home Delivery
|Newsstand Locations
|Classifieds
|Feedback
|About the Company
|Work@the Herald
|Site Map |
|
COMMENTS
Log in or register to post a new comment.
To read other terms and conditions, click here
Maybe it wasn't the best article for The Herald to publish but I for one would like to know what this scum bag looks like in case I ever come in contact with him. I had no idea about Harley until reading this article, unlike Colton whose face is everywhere!
Missy L | Dec 11, 2009 12:30 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Herald, can we remove this story. and the photo of this dumb a** thief?
thanks,
tagger arrest | Dec 10, 2009 9:29 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
A Bell says:
"Harley is a true friend and not some little rat."
Nope, Harley is a punk thief.
"If the people who are so upset with Harley and Colton really want to see real criminals punished then lets go after the crooks in the legal system and the government and the thieves on Wall Street"
That is not even worth commenting on.
"Harley has real integrity!"
No he does not, he is known to steal and rip off his neighbors without a ounce of integrity. As a matter of fact, he is proud of that and will tell anybody who is stupid enough to listen to him.
Mr Bell fits that criteria.
tagger arrest | Dec 8, 2009 3:45 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
I am dumbfounded as to why the Herald would publish such a story... angry in fact. So the story had died down. We hadn't heard much for awhile. It was so nice. So now you decide to 1) play communication service between Harris-Moore and his co-horts and 2)further celebratize another criminal. I am sickened by this story. I am absolutely disappointed in the Herald for allowing this trash in their paper. The money paid to this writer is a waste of my subscription money!
Barbara Farrand | Dec 5, 2009 3:57 am | 1 replies | Request removal
Post reply
I think you have a really good point.
becky balch | Dec 08, 2009 11:07 am | Request removal
Harley is a true friend and not some little rat.If the people who are so upset with Harley and Colton really want to see real criminals punished then lets go after the crooks in the legal system and the government and the thieves on Wall Street.Harley has real integrity!
ALLEN BELL | Dec 5, 2009 4:49 pm | 1 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Oh Puhleeeze! Let's send them to your house, or your mom's or your grandmother's. Let them take whatever they want. How warm, fuzzy and true blue would that be?
becky balch | Dec 08, 2009 11:04 am | Request removal
The mothers of both these guys should just be so proud!
becky balch | Dec 8, 2009 10:56 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Hey Herald, why don't you put this thieving pos on a open file. Let us know when he will be released and to what part of snoho county he will be residing in. that way we can keep a "eye" on him when he returns to his previous lifestyle. Thieving.
and while you are at it. Put the pictures of all the wanted persons outstanding in snoho. This would be a community service and the wanted persons would probably turn themselves in or leave.
tagger arrest | Dec 8, 2009 4:38 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Maybe the Herald could interview Shawna Ford and see if she has any messages for Harris-Moore. The two of them seem to be the Herald's favorite subjects. There's real news out there, but you guys keep writing about these losers?
william edmunds | Dec 7, 2009 8:17 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
harley davidson? what was his parents thinking? what are they thinking now? thanks for giving the name hd a black eye.
what proud parents they must be...i would love to chat with them. but I can imagine what the rest of family would be named....
as for colton, you will be found, you will go to prison, or die. you choose.
tagger arrest | Dec 4, 2009 5:20 am | 1 replies | Request removal
Post reply
As a longtime journalist, I'm amazed and disgusted that the Herald published this rubbish. I can't seriously believe an editor approved this story. Incredible.
Deborah Bach | Dec 07, 2009 11:11 am | Request removal
Everett Herald, I cannot believe that you you are foolinsh enough to even print this garbage. You are setting these people up by glamorizing their illegal activity. Even worse, by putting this in your papaer you are only aiding nut cases like Harris-Moore and Ironwong by encouraging their followers to victimize more good honest people! Pull you head out Herald!!
Dave Hayes | Dec 6, 2009 7:33 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
So if you write a story about two losers you're bound to have a third loser supporting them - I guess it's true what they say about idiots coming in threes.
Frankie the Fly | Dec 6, 2009 6:49 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
... when we can simply "read" anyones DNA as we read anyone's location using a GPS device, from "outer space", we can track any & everything. It's just a matter of time & can't be soon ehough.
This little punk is the last generation of a dieing breed of hoodlums. Trust me, thanks to him & likes of him, technology will take care of it. Sooner than we can think it will.
cme everett | Dec 6, 2009 9:03 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
"“Maybe Colt can teach him how to escape and not get caught,” said Pam Kohler, Harris-Moore's mother. “A favor for a favor.”"
Uh, okay. This article was a waste of time, can I have my money back?
Birdwatcher | Dec 5, 2009 2:16 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Providing a petty thief the ability to encourage his buddy petty thief to victimize more innocent victims are why the media are placed into the same class as ambulance chasing lawyers. I guess we should tell the Herald "Thanks for Nothing". What a rag.
Ron Dawson | Dec 5, 2009 8:30 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
I am dumbfounded as to why the Herald would publish such a story... angry in fact. So the story had died down. We hadn't heard much for awhile. It was so nice. So now you decide to 1) play communication service between Harris-Moore and his co-horts and 2)further celebratize another criminal. I am sickened by this story. I am absolutely disappointed in the Herald for allowing this trash in their paper. The money paid to this writer is a waste of my subscription money!
Barbara Farrand | Dec 5, 2009 3:50 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
I am dumbfounded as to why the Herald would publish such a story... angry in fact. So the story had died down. We hadn't heard much for awhile. It was so nice. So now you decide to 1) play communication service between Harris-Moore and his co-horts and 2)further celebratize another criminal. I am sickened by this story. I am absolutely disappointed in the Herald for allowing this trash in their paper. The money paid to this writer is a waste of my subscription money!
Barbara Farrand | Dec 5, 2009 3:46 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
I'm sure the law enforcement people are right about Ironwing, he has no useful information and anything he says is suspect.
Looking at the quotes here, almost everything he says is contradicted by the published news stories and the rest is obviously self serving. Anybody can see that this fellow is probably a pathological liar. Colton Harris-Moore, if you are reading this please contact the Sheriff's Office to arrange a safe surender before something horrible happens. It's possible that a top level criminal defense attorney will agree to represent you for little or no money considering the high profile nature of your case. So far nobody has been killed or physically injured so you will get a chance at rehabillitation. Don't waste any more time running.
Jim DeBlasio | Dec 4, 2009 11:08 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
I'm sure the law enforcement people are right about Ironwing, he has no useful information and anything he says is suspect.
Looking at the quotes here, almost everything he says is contradicted by the published news stories and the rest is obviously self serving. Anybody can see that this fellow is probably a pathological liar. Colton Harris-Moore, if you are reading this please contact the Sheriff's Office to arrange a safe surender before something horrible happens. It's possible that a top level criminal defense attorney will agree to represent you for little or no money considering the high profile nature of your case. So far nobody has been killed or physically injured so you will get a chance at rehabillitation. Don't waste any more time running.
Jim DeBlasio | Dec 4, 2009 11:08 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
QUIT WRITING ABOUT THESE PUNKS.....WHAT ABOUT ALL THE VICTIMS, GOOD PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD AND HAVE A FEW NICE THINGS, THIS IS JUST SICKING TO WRITE ABOUT SUCH A PUNK, I HOPE HE ROBS ME!!!!!!
DANNY R | Dec 4, 2009 10:02 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
I don't see at all where this glorifies criminals. From what I have read, it simply defines stupidity.
Cory M | Dec 4, 2009 3:55 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
I can't believe The Herald would even waste time printing this waste of skin's words.. What a joke!
Torn Uffda | Dec 4, 2009 4:38 am | 1 replies | Request removal
Post reply
well, I can believe the things you are saying about these boys, Yes boys,, bad boys yes, but to put to death, to state the horrible things you say about them, Shame
I hope Mr Moore will be caught without any loss of life or him being hurt, He will have to pay for his crimes but talking about death, or you will kill them if they rob you, You will be the one put to death Creep, obviously you have no children. Think about the upbringing they have had to cause this path they are taking. It could be your child.. God watch over them and hopefully a friend who knows them will turn him in so he can pay his debt to society and get back his life, while he is still young. I believe in justice, But the evil things being said about these sad boys is disgusting, you need to go to church, you know who you are.
nora moorhead | Dec 04, 2009 2:19 pm | Request removal
Why not attach some type of GPS tracking device on this punk and when he gets out just follow him to his target.
Mark Suvan | Dec 4, 2009 1:21 pm | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Why do we let these people live? They can not be fixed just execute them let me know if you need someone to throw the switch I will even help with the electric bill it is cheaper than three hots and a cot for however long they are in jail before they go back and do it again. Break in to my house and you WILL die of lead poisoning!!!
tyler sadler | Dec 4, 2009 11:16 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Our region is reeling from the tragic loss of life of five of our finest. 5 families whose lives will never be the same due to the criminal element. In the midst of our grief and sorrow, the Everett Herald comes out with an article glamorizing that criminal element. Not only do they glamorize it, they pass secret messages for those thugs! Herald, you have stooped beyond low on this one.
S D | Dec 4, 2009 11:01 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Let's haul them off to Afghanistan and see how well they survive out there in the back country.
The Shadow | Dec 4, 2009 9:58 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Is this a newspaper or a criminal's message board?
Seri Ously | Dec 4, 2009 8:28 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Mark pretty much said what I was thinking.
Go ahead, glamorize these punks. Harley boy has 5 more months in prison - if he doesn't escape - then he will be able to continue his career in crime. If he's lucky, he might hook back up with his POS buddy to see what new tricks he learned.
Herald STOP GLAMORIZING THESE TWO PUNKS.
Bobby G | Dec 4, 2009 6:09 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Well said, Mark
walter Lasher | Dec 4, 2009 6:04 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply
Once again the Herald surpasses itself in stupidity. Let's continue to glamorize and support criminals. This story will have a bad ending, as they all do. Sooner or later this kid will get into a confrontation, more than likely hurting an innocent person before he gets it himself. Where's the Herald's reporting on all the pain caused by the burglaries committed on innocent citizens? This kid, and many like him have taken irreplaceable items and heirlooms that mean a great deal to people. Insurance pays back money, but that doesn't replace the personal loss. By the Herald reporter letting a cohort pass on information to another criminal, they have stepped over the line. Criminal aiding and abetting charges should be filed against this reporter who obviously has no moral character to begin with. And they wonder why I laugh when they call and try to sell me a newspaper subscription!!
Mark Walker | Dec 4, 2009 5:37 am | 1 replies | Request removal
Post reply
I totally agree with Mark, I can't add a thing. Well said.
walter Lasher | Dec 04, 2009 6:01 am | Request removal
Since the LEO's won't pass on a message from your criminal buddy, the Herald decided they would.
hope floats | Dec 4, 2009 5:25 am | 0 replies | Request removal
Post reply