Ridiculous Crime

A poet named Ern, so they say/Wrote verses that dazzled one day/But Ern, it turned out, was a hoax, past a doubt/Cooked up by two dorks just for play! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elmer McCurdy came of age at the end of the Old West, and as it vanished he tried to grab at that outlaw life while it was still a real thing. Trouble was, he was not good at being a bad man. In death, he became an avatar and totem of the fast disappearing Wild West. There he remained, until one day the story of an astronaut and test pilot freed him from his bizarre afterlife. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a lot of money to be made in tourism, especially in culturally rich areas like Italy's Veneto region. So what's a philanthropist/entrepreneur/orchestra conductor to do? Build a fake ancient amphitheater, of course! The Italian government, though, doesn't take kindly to that kind of scamming. Sparisci, truffatore! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, Elizabeth shared a story from the Gold Rush. And this week, Zaron brings us a story from the Yosemite Gold Rush. If you've never heard of it, that's when a bunch of dirtbag rock climbers who called Yosemite home learned about a downed pot smuggler's plane that was trapped in a frozen lake not far from the park. That whispered rumour led to a extravganza of amateur pot smuggling as the various climbers attempted to rescue the weed and bring it to market. Ah, the 1970s! It was such a simpler time... for pot smugglers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marie Suize made her way from France to the foothills of California for the Gold Rush. One of just a few women up there mining for gold, she managed to make a fortune and gain the respect of her fellow prospectors. In an effort to be practical and comfortable, she started wearing pants. But that just wasn't done. Well, tell that to Marie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raised in difficult cirumstances, it was no surprise that Brenden Abbott turned to a life of crime. But once he got going, he was an endless source of surprises for the Australian police who struggled to capture and recapture him, as he broke out of multiple prisons and enjoyed life on the lam as Australia's favorite bank robber and outlaw folk hero. Come for the ridiculousness, stay for Zaron's attempts at an Australian accent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A genius goes to work in the Danish Royal Library. Sounds about right. That genius starts stealing books. That's not right. The genius stops stealing books. That's good! His family starts selling off the stolen books. Okay, we're back to not good again. This Scandinavian caper took some twists and turns until one keen auctioneer and one dedicated security director straight up cracked the case. Godt arbejde! Oh, and Elizabeth apologizes for her LEGO crimes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How far would you go to fight the law and keep your stuff? For Alaskan bush pilot Ken Jouppi the answer is: all the way to the Supreme Court. Thanks to Alaska’s strict laws about bringing booze into a dry town, Jouppi was set to lose his seaplane to legal forfeiture. And now the Supreme Court must decide: did Alaska violate Ken's Constitutional rights over some Budweiser tallboys, or nah? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know reindeer love tripping? Or that, once upon a time, otherwise responsible parents would dose their children with high-test opioids? In the second chapter of their ongoing series, Ben, Noel, and Max welcome returning guest Zaron Burnett, co-creator of Ridiculous Crime, to learn more about bizarre drugs of yesteryear. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever gone full red-mouth off betel nut? Did you ever buy cigarettes to cure your asthma? When Ben, Noel, and Max first began exploring bizarre drugs of yesteryear, they had no idea that they'd stumbled across a continuing series. Luckily, the guys aren't returning to this Ridiculous History alone -- they're joined by special returning guest Zaron Burnett, co-creator of Ridiculous Crime, to learn even more about history's strangest drugs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Lavin started out selling weed and a chill place to consume it to his classmates at Phillips Exeter Academy. He upped his game in dental school, selling cocaine and making sure the students at UPenn were zooted to the gills. He supplied the yuppies of the Eastern Seaboard with mountains of coke in the 80s "greed is good" era. But a funky little tune called “Double Dutch Bus” ultimately brought his empire down. Bip, bop, bam, alakazam! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a much different world, Seth Rogen wanted to make a movie about assassinating the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-Un. The film he imagined would be a comedy, one that might lead to positive change, perhaps even a change of leadership in North Korea. Instead, it led to a nuclear showdown with North Korea that dragged President Obama into the chaos unleashed by Rogen's poop and fart joke film. However, the movie did lead to a change of leadership in Hollywood. Someone get Croesus on the line, he'd love this one! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For good or for bad, Hollywood is the land of promises and illusion. Getting the right phone call at the right time can make a career...or it can drain a bank account. The Hollywood Con Queen convinced aspriring stars that fame and fortune were within their reach, with the payment of some fees. But like most cons, it all came crashing down, this time in an ending full of Tinseltown twists. And it wouldn't be a true Hollywood episode without a celebrity cameo, now would it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a star-studded episode of Sixties outrageousness, ride along with Jimi Hendrix and Neil Young, catch flight with the band Canned Heat, party with at least half of the Beach Boys, and hit up Nixon's White House with Grace Slick of Jefferson Airplane. It's a fun-filled, LSD-tinged, madcap romp through America's most ridiculous era. "Turn on, tune in, and drop out"... but don't miss this comic chaos that could only happen for the Woodstock Generation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rejected by the art world, Shaun Greenhalgh needed an outlet for his incredible talent. Guess what? Crime was the perfect opportunity for such a thing. A true Renaissance man, Shaun could fake up anything from a treasure from antiquity to a delicate contemporary painting. With help from his parents, he duped even the sharpest minds of the art world. My man! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before he was charming the Rude Dudes with tales of silly capers, heists, and cons, Zaron was a house painter. But not just any old house painter. He worked on high end projects with meticulous care. Except for that one time he became an accidental arsonist. Oops. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Dresden, Germany, an incredible trove of precious gems is on display in Dresden Castle's Green Vault. They've been there for hundreds of years, save a brief moment when a crime family lifted them and made a run for it. Some made it home, others weren't so lucky. Maybe those jewels will return someday. Hope, like crime, springs eternal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before they grew long beards and a mustache and formed ZZ Top, two of the bandmates, drummer Frank Beard and bassist Dusty Hill, were once in a traveling band that was created as a blatant cash grab. Much like Los Beatles Americanos (remember them?), an impostor band was formed to pull some artistic identity theft and the future members of ZZ Top were only too happy to play along. It's like some folks like to say, "Hey man, it was the '60s!" And all of it was ridiculous! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He fought for freedom, not just for his native Spain but for oppressed people worldwide. With his strong believe that, "the keystone of existence is doing right by one's neighbor," his subversive tactics used the tools of system against itself: fake passports and counterfeit cash. Oh, and phony traveler's checks, which is how he ran afoul of one of the largest banks in the world. But leave it to Lucio to get the last laugh. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The name of their crime crew was certainly unfortunate. Like, who would wanna be known as The Black Tuna Gang? But their crimes, however, are legendary. Long before cocaine became synonymous with Colombia and Miami, these quasi-hippie drug smugglers set the mold. They showed all who came after them how to build an international smuggling empire and earn millions off of Colombia's original cash crop, that sticky-icky South American reefer. Their run didn't last terribly long because they seemingly did everything with a ridiculous amount of unearned confidence and a love of rash decisions. But while it lasted, oh what a run they had! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans are fascinated by two things and two things only in this life: space and keepsakes. That’s it. The astronauts of the Apollo 15 mission knew this, so they took a LOT of stamped envelopes to the moon. You know, for the sake of both science and commerce. This was, however, against the rules. Who cares! To commemorative stamp sales…and beyond! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For these three stories, there is one unifying idea: the show must NOT go on. And in order to ensure the show was indeed stopped, people turned to crimes, sweet, sweet ridiculous crimes. Whether a theater musical director, a bride-to-be, or an Olivia Rodrigo fan, in each instance there was only way to be sure: criminality. Come for the history of the phrase, stay for the modern lesson in summer concert culture. Just be sure not to get any on you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For part two of this special edition, Zaron continues his interview with author Matthew Campbell about his book The Man Who Stole the Gods. In the second half of the interview, Matthew Campbell examines the other half of the art crime, the metaphorical detectives and police tasked with investigating and seeking justice for the Cambodian people. There's also discussion of redemption, righting of wrongs, and the role and responsibillities of museums and auction houses in this global tale of art crime. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For part one of this special edition, Zaron interviews author Matthew Campbell about his book The Man Who Stole the Gods. The incredible tale documents a truly global art crime. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and Cambodian Civil War and the rise of the Khmer Rouge, this story explores the theft of statues and bas reliefs from religious sites like Angkor Wat and how through a shadowy network of looters, middlemen, auction houses, museums and art collectors the cultural inheritance of Cambodia becomes must-have items for the ultra-wealthy of the West. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Colombo Jr. was the son of a powerful, ruthless, flashy, publicity-loving mob boss. Joe Sr. was larger than life and as audacious as they come. One would expect his namesake to follow in his criming footsteps, which he did. In his own way. Junior joined in on a half-baked criminal plan, only for the whole thing to go south. The impact of his arrest, though, would go on to change the culture and even one of Hollywood's biggest films. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He was America's first super-wealthy faith healer. You could also say he was America's first religious robber baron. His name is John Alexander Dowie. After many arrests, lawsuits, and court fights, Dowie decided it would be best if he and his thousands of followers started their own town. And he named it Zion City. He ran his spiritual utopia like a company town in coal country. Things worked well for the wannabe Old Testament-style patriarch, right up until Dowie decided to lead a holy crusade to save the people of Gotham from their wickedness. They say if you can make it in New York you can make it anywhere. John Alexander Dowie certainly put that to the test! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A prototype for generations of crooked politicians and media figures to come, Horatio Bottomley knew how to work the public. Whether defrauding them with fake sweepstakes or holding boisterous hate rallies, Bottomley was a pro at making a name for himself while making plenty of coin, as long as there was plenty of the right champagne on hand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the days of apartheid South Africa, no one expected a young white man who was a former South African soldier to turn rebel and to then help Nelson Mandela and the ANC conduct a super-secret sabotage operation. But that's exactly what Rodney Wilkinson did. And his target? The new Koeberg nuclear facility. With the help of a lot of luck and his steely nerves, he planned to blow it all up. The question is: can a dope-smoking, bike-riding, commune-dwelling hippie turned fencing instructor get the job done? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're going to break the law, you might as well do it in style. And be polite, too! Arthur Barry robbed from the rich while pretending to be one of their own. In a bespoke suit with a martini in hand, he scoped out mansions and returned later to relieve the swells of their precious jewels. A truly ridiculous way to live! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes in this world you're confronted with a choice. One that, years later, you'll look back at and recognize that choice was a key moment in your life. Because that choice catapaulted you forward where you eventually get slammed into the consequences of your actions. Whenever that moment comes, hope you don't look back and think: I should not have chosen the stupidest crime or the dumbest lie I could think of... because that's what the crimers in this episode did. Just one ridiculously criminal choice and their whole life changes! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all need escapes from this crazy world, and one way to do that is to meet up with like-minded folks and enjoy your shared, niche interests. Whether it's a magical world of candy, the finery of the Gilded Age, or the fantasy realm of dragons and otherkin, getting together and reveling in a breakaway from dismal reality is pretty satisfying. But what happens when the ones who are meant to facilitate flights of fancy drop the ball? Listen and find out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once upon a time, some British hard men decided to steal some gold. They went out to an airport, worked their way into a bullion room, and lifted the gold. It was a classic heist for the ages. Here's the thing: they took a taxi home. The black cab was a cool ride, but it also left a witness in the form of the driver, a man chock full of "The Knowledge" and then some. The driver became the key to this case, but also somehow the lock. Figure that one out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Using the nooks and crannies of Puget Sound as cover, Roy Olmstead ran a massive bootlegging empire during Prohibition. He was nonviolent, creative, and a whole lotta fun. And on top of that, he managed to have a lasting impact on the US legal system. Not bad for a former cop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Often times the crimers on this show come up with audacious plans for their capers, heists and cons. But far too often they forget the other half of the equation: how to get away with their crimes. That's the theme of this episode! It features a single mother who tries to dig a tunnel to her child in prison, a techno DJ who sells phony airplane engine parts to major airlines, and a French academic who makes up an academy to give himself an award. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LEGO sets. Everybody loves them, crimers love to steal them. They're light, valuable, in demand, and untraceable. Perfect for illicit maneuvers! There are many ways to steal LEGOs; here are some of our favorites. This episode approved for listeners ages 4 - 99. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When he was a kid in Uruguay, playing football in the streets he always dreamed that one day he would grow up to be a professional soccer star. Instead, he grew up to be a cocaine cartel kingpin. And then, using his illicit power and untold illegal wealth he made his original dream come true. Along the way, he became an outlaw folk hero. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sophie Lyons was an iconic criminal. From shoplifting to pickpocketing to scams to bank robbery, she could do it all. She knew what it was to break the law…and to pay the price. As her last act, she did her best to keep others from her fate. We love a good redemption story, don't we folks? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever wanted to race a pigeon? No? Well, have you ever wanted to steal a pigeon? Still, no? Well, that doesn't matter! You'll still have your mind blown and your heart strings tugged by the weird and wonderful world of pigeon theft. The eye-popping prices for prized pigeons, the curious pigeon breeders and pigeon keepers, and of course the international criminals who take advantage of it all to fuel the black market. One thing is certain: this story says a lot about more about us than it does about pigeons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To borrow from the late, great Waylon Jennings, Popcorn Sutton was just'a good ol' boy, never meanin' no harm. A modern day moonshiner, he was pretty much in trouble with the law since the day he was born. He was making his way the only way he knew how. Which was a little bit more than the law would allow. You get it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jho Low was a well-connected money man for the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund, created to foster green energy investment and better jobs for the people of Malaysia. But instead of doing any of that, Jho Low used the ill-gotten billions to finance a multi-year long orgy of parties and pleasure cruises. He eventually found his way to Hollywood, where he wooed Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese by financing Leo's dream project The Wolf of Wall Street. Oh the irony, that a film about financial crimes was paid for with... financial crimes! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hot diggity dog, we love a good heist. And an art heist? Get outta here! And in the Louvre Museum? In Paris? Pinch us because we've got to be dreaming. In 2025, an audacious crew broke into the Louvre in broad daylight and stole glittering, historical jewelry. Then they made a run for it. The perps were eventually caught, but the loot has yet to be recovered. But the best part? A kid in a fedora who doesn't steal art...he steals our hearts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julie D'Aubigny was truly a rare one. She could sword fight with the best of them. She could sing opera like a song bird. She wore men's clothing, she wore women's clothing, she wore whatever she wanted. And as a great lover, she'd also steal your girl. There was almost nothing she couldn't do. She also was a shameless outlaw who lived by the sword and nearly died by the executioner's ax. But she was cool with the Sun King, Louis XIV. Basically, she lived, she loved, and her life begs the question: how is there not a major movie about her? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the American Dream to reach these golden shores, work hard, make your fortune, and see your name go down in history. Charles Ponzi did all that, just not in the way the law intended. He perfected the pyramid scheme to such a degree, they just named the whole thing after him. Not the legacy you want in life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

She made a name for herself in the world of True Crime TV. But it was not a good name. Mary Carole McDonnell was known to run a fly-by-night TV production company that paid poorly and paid late. But that was only a part of the story. She was also a faux nepo baby posing as an aerospace heiress. Which she leveraged into bank fraud to the tune of millions and millions. Further proof, in Hollywood, nothing is ever at it seems. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Born into a mob family, "Cowboy" George Martorano was pretty much destined to run afoul of the law. A non-violent guy in a roiling sea of brutality, he sold a whole lotta weed (and an even greater quantity of quaaludes). Like many drug smugglers, he wound up behind bars. But a life sentence for a first time, non-violent offense? Ridiculous. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He always wanted to be a cowboy, ever since he first read about 'em in Louis L'Amour novels and watched them in John Wayne westerns. The only trouble was: he wanted to be the outlaw. And when he grew up, he did. Transcending the flow of time, Roddy Dean Pippin chose to become the last great cattle rustler. But being an outlaw –– son, that's against the law in Texas. And that would be a problem for Roddy Dean Pippin. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A woman with a muddled biography and a life of clever and not so clever endeavors, Pearl Hart was dubbed by the press as the Girl Bandit, the Last Stagecoach Robber, the Bandit Queen. Except she really wasn't. But she kind of was. Like her personal history, it's complicated. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He was the man at the heart of a Texas-sized Ponzi scheme that amassed billions in fraudulent profits via offshore banking. Despite his huge donations in Antigua and US politics and his investment in international cricket and polo tournaments, Allen Stanford’s empire of lies came undone when his literal blood brother turned state’s evidence. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you find yourself in a real pickle, a tight spot, a dangerous proposition in 1800s Hell's Kitchen, just ask yourself: what would Stumpy Malarkey do? What would Battle Annie do? What would Mallet Murphy do? How will I get out of this? Am I a time traveler? And what's my special nickname? No time to worry about all that. Start throwin' bricks! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ren Xiaofeng thought he had a good life –– married, blessed with two twins, a good job at a bank. But it wasn't enough. He needed more. So he came up with a plan: what if he robbed the bank where he worked and then plowed that ill-gotten capital into his quick-cash investment strategy? He thought with all that newfound money he'd be a shoo-in to win a huge lottery prize. His plan had obvious flaws, but you can't win if you don't play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.