RedHanded Bonus Patreon Upcycle - The Santa Claus Robbery
Dec 25, 2025
In a wild tale from 1929, Santa Claus turns a festive bank robbery into chaos in Cisco, Texas. The hosts recount the bungled heist, complete with carjackings and a shootout that leaves citizens wounded. As Santa's gang escapes on foot after a fuel mishap, the town mobilizes for a massive manhunt. They detail the later trials and controversial sentences of the robbers, leading to lynchings and escapes. This bizarre Christmas crime story is a mix of dark humor and Texas-sized drama, leaving a lasting legacy in local history.
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Santa Disguise Turns Deadly Heist
- Marshall Ratliff dressed as Santa Claus walked into the First National Bank of Cisco two days before Christmas to rob it.
- His disguise fooled children but not the town, and the heist sparked immediate armed pursuit.
Bounties Breed Mob Justice
- Heavy bounties for killing bank robbers fuelled civilian vigilantism across Texas in 1929.
- The Texas Bankers Association reward escalated mob involvement in captures and deadly outcomes.
Chaotic Getaway Under Gunfire
- The robbers fled with over $12,400 in cash and $150,000 in securities but left town under a hail of gunfire.
- Citizens and police exchanged bullets, wounding several and killing officers during the escape.