Ridiculous Crime

Dinos! Everybody loves them! Everybody wants them! Brazilian dinosaur fossils are particularly desirable…especially to smugglers and crooked scientists. Come with us on a journey of paleontological criminal intrigue and completely butchered Portuguese and German pronunciations. Boom-boom, acka-lacka-lacka, boom!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A father and his two sons come up with a plan to get rich –– they'll wheel an impossible-to-defuse bomb into a casino and then charge a hefty ransom to deactivate it. Of course, things go ridiculous!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Tetro wasn't the kind of artist who felt the call of inspiration. Instead, he used his talents to forge the masterpieces of great artists. But he really found his way when he started doing forgeries of the great forger, Elmyr de Hory. Come for the art crimes, stay for fact this crimer can tell one helluva story, in his inimitable Tony Tetro way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From "Houdini" Hinds to Brian Bo Larsen, we consider the works and wonders of two of the world's great escape artists. Long ignored by the art world, the prison escape artist exists in a liminal space, operating as both performance artist and mix media artist, battling against the hard iron bars of tradition and status quo, as they remind us all of the value of freedom.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man loves rare books. A lot. But the man doesn't have any money and those rare books are pricey. So he steals books. A lot. There was one man, though, who couldn't let this happen. One man standing for truth, justice, and the literary way. So began a cat and mouse game that exists to this day. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hippie nudist drug dealer in Hawaii. Check. Father of three who faked his death. Check. Crimes done under hypnosis. Check. Pablo Escobar. Check. The CIA and the Iran-Contra Affair. Check? Wait, what. Yes, this story has... everything, and then some!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The best cat burglar in the world, a guitar player with IBS, the Genovese Crime Family, and a child bride walk into a bar. Actually, they walk into a posh dinner party. Actually, they sneak past a posh dinner party. Trust us, the punchline is ridiculous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did we get cokeheads? Who would put cocaine in wine? Why do young men feel compelled to hang Scarface posters on their walls? Thanks for asking. We can lay the blame squarely at the feet of a soda, a psychiatrist, and a fictional detective. From there, it was just a hop, skip, and a bump to mayhem and racial panic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Classical music, it's so fancy! Did you know that classical and modern composers were also sort of a crimey bunch? Elizabeth gets loose sharing the antics of these highfalutin geniuses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This one is a trip through midcentury America and all its paranoias, moral panics, and witchhunts. In particular, we focus on two men, Senator Joseph McCarthy and Harry J Anslinger. One was responsible for the Red Scare and the other started the War on Drugs. But also one was a daily morphine junkie and the other was his plug. Yes...this is 100% a true story! And it's guaranteed ridiculousness!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's an excellent idea -- hijack a poorly-guarded mail truck. But what if it's just full of junk mail and postcards? Then it wouldn't merit a mention on Ridiculous Crime, now would it? It was full of cash, baby! In response, the police rounded up the usual suspects…and even went after their cats.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A story about hundreds of rare birds, some British naturalists, one of the wealthiest families in the world, and the young American musician who planned to steal the rare collection and sell them on the black market, so he could buy himself a golden flute. It sounds like a fairy tale for felons!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You've heard this name. You may have even used it. The name makes you think of relaxation, luxury, cheesiness, and sexy times. And if we do our job right, every time you hear this word from now on, you'll think of crime. Come with us as we follow the story of an immigrant family dead set on making a name for themselves. And oh, how they did.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The name Milli Vanilli is now synonmous with a hoax –– but at one time, their heavily-accented pop stardom fooled the whole world. That is, until the truth won out, and when it did it wrecked their money-making illusion. But who were Milli Vanilli, which one was Milli and which one was Vanilli, why did they think they could con the world with well-produced pop songs, and why can't Zaron do a French accent? Learn the answers to all these questions and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crazy Eddie had a slew of stores selling cheap electronics, touted by infectious advertising. Like the universe itself, the Crazy Eddie empire expanded exponentially. Money flowed, celebrities orbited, good times rolled. But then, like a capitalist black hole, it all imploded. So long, Crazy Eddie. Godspeed, you crooked warrior.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Italian carmaker Ferrari is known worldwide for the the elegant look, the unique sound, and insane speed and eye-catching design of its sports cars. Some Ferraris are prized as much as works of art by renowned masters. Tom Baker was an American man, with a very curious hobby. Some people collect stamps, others trade collectibles. Tom Baker liked to steal Ferraris from luxury automobile dealerships. And he was surprisingly good at it –– until Det. Joe Hess was put on the trail of elusive Ferrari thief.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Los Angeles, the bank robbery capital of the world. When bank robberies are commonplace, it takes an inventive heist team to stand out. That's exactly what the Hole in the Ground Gang did. They lifted their profile by lowering their operations. Right down into the sewers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long before he was one of America's most beloved TV dads, TIm Allen was an inmate in federal prison. He was busted on major cocaine charges. Forget Jay Z, Tim Allen was pushing real weight in those days before he found fame. And he kinda paid a price for it; but it definitely made him the man and superstar he is today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jan Lewan was a man with a dream. He wanted to bring Poland to America, whether it was through music, travel, or delightful merchandise. He also had a dream that selling unregistered securities was a solid road to riches. Turns out, it was a solid road to the clink. Who cares. Everybody polka!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A world-famous physics professor fell in love with a world-famous bikini model. The professor obeyed the Laws of Newton, but not the laws of the land. His strange criminal escapade escaped the bounds of all logic when he was caught at an airport smuggling kilos of cocaine and he landed in an Argentinian prison. As the professor knew, every action has a reaction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Destroying the office of a children's charity. Dropping stolen jewelry. Falling out of the ceiling. Making weed candies. Starring in a hit reality tv show. On the islands of Long and Staten, things can get crazy. How crazy? Oh, just listen to the episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a woman looking for spiritual guidance met a Florida man calling himself Giovanni, she knew her life was about to change. What she didn't know was that she'd be convinced to steal the jewels of a sheikh, travel to Cannes for no reason, and be given a spell of invisibility. Not all change is good, folks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We love food, don't we folks? It's delicious, it nourishes us, it brings us together. Some of it is kind of expensive. And as we all know, where there's worth, there's crime. Join us on a culinary adventure across continents and food groups as we discover sticky situations, fishy deals, tough nuts to crack, and hot cheese.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He was the most famous superfan of the Kansas City Chiefs. He never missed a game –- home or away. He was famous for his rubber wolf mask, weightlifter pants and unhinged passion. But come to find out the superfan known as KC Wolfman was funding his love of football with... crime!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Factor may have been the lesser-known Factor brother, but that didn't stop him from weaving his way through history. Haircuts, Chicago mobsters, London cons, whiskey scams, Vegas casinos, and even JFK. The tale of John Factor is a wild ride through the 20th century's criminal underbelly.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine a jazz-voiced, reefer-smoking, nightclub comic, a man who preached love long before the Hippies, a cat who was on that cosmic trip of beauty in the decade before the Beats, and imagine this man in a top hat and tuxedo with tails. Before him, there was no one like Lord Buckley. After him, you can find his influence everywhere.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You want to make money. So you become a hypnotist. Along the way, you marry a starlet, hire a hitman, fight Johnny Carson, start a university, and teach people to make paper flowers. Ah, the life of a nightclub hypnotist.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He had country music wanderlust and rock star ambition. He was a scion of wealth and privilege. Oh, and he was best friends with Keith Richards! Gram Parsons was someone who was here for a good time not a long time. When he passed, his friends and manager did as they'd promised him. They stole Gram Parsons body and drove out to Joshua Tree, where they gave him the rock n' roll funeral he desired. Including amateur cremation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wise-cracking Wilson Mizner was a legend among legends when it came to cons. Witty, creative, tough, daring, wild, and forever in the right place at the right time. From the Alaskan Gold Rush to the South Florida land boom to the early days of Hollywood, Mizner was there.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No one expects to hear stories of beard-loving, barn-raising, technology-avoiding Amish and Mennonites being involved in street crime. Let alone that they have secret pot-growing empires. And outlaw biker-supplied cocaine cowboys riding in black buggies. "Welcome to Amish Country, son! Watch your a$$!"See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dutch are famous for a lot of things: tulips, cheese, fine art, double jump rope. They are also pretty good at both stealing and having a paintings stolen, apparently. What happens when the same painting is stolen three times? Let's just say it's pretty ridiculous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Your wedding day is supposed to be one of the happiest days of your life –– but this cadre of criminal wedding parties, abducted grooms and runaway brides put that to the test. Meet the folks hosting fictitious weddings to get revenge on their exes, and the ones with cold feet who flee from police, as well as the disappearing brides and "gutless" grooms who decide married life may not be for them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alcatraz. The Rock. Home to some of the most notorious criminals in modern American history. Murderers. Vicious thieves. Al Capone! And a guy who got put away for something truly heinous: shaking a woman’s hand. Oh, the humanity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2004, 23 Sri Lankan men traveled to Germany as the Sri Lankan National Handball Team to take part in an international tournament. But there was one catch, there was no Sri Lankan National Handball Team. And to make things weirder — all 23 men disappeared. A mystery was born in Germany that day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tale as old as crime. Phony wealthy widow seeks dupe to front her cash until her non-existent inheritance comes through. The queen of the hill, top of the heap when it came to these cons? Bertha Heyman aka Big Bertha. Derided by newspapers, besmitten by suitors, no one ran a con like Big Bertha.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He said “no” to Oprah, but he said “yes” to Ridiculous Crime. In a rare twist, Zaron surprises Elizabeth with his own mash-up — an interview with actual international jewel thief, Gerald Blanchard, the star of a new documentary. Meet the folk hero outlaw, the criminal mastermind who later earned the nickname the “James Bond of Crime.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A thief breaks into luxury homes in tony Boca del Mar. the cops are flummoxed by this brazen burglar. Even more so when they find out it’s a lady thief! How could the Bandit of Boca del Mar be a woman? That’s unthinkable! Hey, anything is possible in Palm Beach County, baby.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the great spirit of YouTube influencer extreme Logan Paul, we have Trevor Jacob, a man willing to risk his body and soul for “likes and subscribes.” But he crossed the ridiculous crime line when he crashed a plane into a national forest and then posted the video (ahem, evidence) on his channel. Oops! Don’t look now, Trevor, but it’s the Department of Justice!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue and the shoes are red. When the pricey and contentious ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz were stolen from a museum, all hope was lost. But hope never dies. And for the slippers, there was no place like home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When most college-age kids need a little excitement, they do extreme sports or snap into a Slim Jim. Shon Hopwood robbed five banks in 11 months. When he was done paying his debt to society, he built himself a totally legal and totally cool new career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behold as juggernaut hard rock band Guns n’ Roses takes on airplanes, beer, gun stores, video games, and the city of Philadelphia. You know where you are? You’re in Ridiculous Crime, baby!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Basquiat started as a graffiti artist but soon through talent and ambition he became one of the greatest painters in American history, an artist whose works regularly set records for their auction prices. And you know what that means… crime! Meet the art fraudsters pushing fake Basquiats, fraudulent Warhols and counterfeit Harings, and making millions off well-heeled buyers with more money than sense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Group think. Collective acts of violence. Humans can get each other pretty riled up. Sometimes that can be for a good cause, but not on this podcast. Aeronauts, magic tricks, seasonal beverages. You never know what will set people off. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rick Deitsch was a business man with a big big plan — he wanted to make Big Snake. He would use science to milk Wall Street of millions by scamming biotech and pharma investors with the hype for novel new medicines his lab created based on… cobra venom! Unsurprisingly, this modern day snake oil salesman’s grift was not a successsssss…See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Caped Crusader fights crime, but what happens when he IS crime? Stolen movie scripts, missing toys, and the mother of all Bat memorabilia. Tune in! Same crime time, same crime channel!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For more than 4 decades the CIA – doing their best impression of Wile E. Coyote – tried to kill Fidel Castro. The spy agency made 634 assassination attempts on the Cuban leader. And almost all of them were ridiculous.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you decide to prove to a preacher that the Bible is hokum, the most logical thing to do is craft a stone giant, right? Right? George Hull certainly thought so. He put a large man in the ground and a little birdhouse in your soul.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a beloved pet goes missing, who do you call? If you’re Paris Hilton you hire a team of pet psychics, dog whisperers and pet detectives. But what about an everyday person? Luckily, for us, there’s a veteran investigator who’s never charged for her services. Bring ‘Em Back Babs: pet detective.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you get when you mix spiritualism, bereft seekers, kids drinking wine, knuckle cracking, an Arctic explorer, and chicken bones? You get the Fox Sisters, America's original psychic con artists.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1998, the rivalry between Stanford University and UC Berkeley escalated to kidnapping and hostage videos. But in the geeky tradition of both colleges, it was actually a tree-napping. Some Cal frat bros, calling themselves The Phoenix Five, stole the Stanford mascot (…but really, they stole our hearts). Hijinks ensued!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.