Teen ‘Barefoot Bandit’ gains folk hero status

TEENAGER Colton Harris-Moore, is achieving folk hero status as the “Barefoot Bandit” in the US and Canada after a string of burglaries and daredevil escapes from the law.

Romanticised by some as a latter-day “Billy the Kid” figure but regarded by others as a common thief, the 18-year-old has a criminal record stretching back to when he was just 12 and a penchant for kicking off his shoes before fleeing.

Fans say the Washington teen is without doubt one of the greatest and most notable outlaws to come from an otherwise boring area. Some of his achievements include the Kamikaze theft and crash landing of three airplanes (with no flight training) as well as commandeering a couple boats.