Teen fugitive accused in Wash., Idaho burglaries offered $50K to turn himself in next week
By Gene Johnson, APThursday, June 3, 2010
Teen burglary suspect offered $50K to surrender
SEATTLE — A Washington bounty hunter says an anonymous donor has offered $50,000 to a 19-year-old fugitive suspected in multiple burglaries across state lines and in Canada if he turns himself in by next week.
Everett bounty hunter Mike Rocha (ROACH’-uh) said Thursday that the offer is genuine: The money’s been placed in the trust account of attorney James Johanson (Jo-HAN’-son).
Colton Harris-Moore has been on the run since April 2008, when he escaped from a group home south of Seattle. He is suspected of breaking into homes and businesses in five Washington counties, British Columbia and Idaho.
Police also believe he’s taken four planes, luxury cars and power boats.
Johanson says the offer isn’t a trick and ethical rules for lawyers would prevent him from engaging in such a ruse. He says he’ll represent Harris-Moore for free and that the teen can keep the money.
