Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities The Cheap Eats
Sep 2, 2025
Explore the chaotic heist where robbers disguised as Santa Claus encounter mayhem during their bank job in Texas. Discover the gripping tale of Marshall Ratliff, a recently pardoned man, entwined in this thrilling narrative. Delve into the origins of fast food in medieval Jerusalem, highlighting Lady Melisande's market innovation amidst the Crusades' chaos. This juxtaposition of food and crime offers a fascinating look at how they intertwine throughout history.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Santa Suit Bank Heist
- Marshall Ratliff donned a Santa suit and entered First National Bank in Cisco, Texas to rob it on December 23, 1927.
- The disguise failed amid a shootout and gas troubles, leading to a weeklong manhunt, multiple deaths, and the robbers' capture.
Bounty Escalated Violence
- Texas bankers offered a $5,000 bounty for killing would-be thieves, greatly raising the stakes for robbers in the 1920s.
- That climate incentivized large posses and violent responses, turning robberies into deadly spectacles.
Failed Escape and Abandoned Loot
- The robbers used hostages as human shields and attempted multiple getaway swaps, but bullets and a leaking gas tank foiled them.
- They abandoned an unconscious accomplice and the bag of cash, which would have been record-breaking if kept.