The word of the boat theft spread quickly, and so did the speculation. You-Know-Who was quickly a prime suspect in the minds of several islanders familiar with his exploits.

A Cape San Juan home was reportedly burglarized — neighbors said it occurred late May 13/early May 14 — and a 24-foot boat on the homeowner’s private dock was stolen. Neighbors said the boat was later found grounded on Shark Reef. The Sheriff’s Department reported in a press release May 14 that the boat was “beached.”

That speculation spread quickly was apparent in a call to Lopez Island to see if there were any reports of plane thefts May 14. The response: “Do you think the Barefoot Burglar is on Lopez Island because of the boat that was stolen from Fish Creek and run up on Shark Reef?”

Here’s what’s known, according to a Sheriff’s Department press release, dated May 14 and signed by Sheriff Bill Cumming:

“Deputies investigated the report of a 24-foot boat found beached on Lopez Island May 14. The boat was apparently taken from a home located on the southern tip of San Juan Island, close to Cattle Point. The home was also burglarized. The Washington State Patrol will assist in processing the scene and results of this examination are expected to take at least a couple of weeks. Whether this is an isolated incident or the work of Colton Harris-Moore has not been determined. There will be no other information released concerning this investigation.”

Cumming was on the water this morning and declined to answer questions regarding the investigation. He referred all questions to his press release.