Ridiculous Crime

Listeners Charlotte and Phil suggested this ridiculous crime (and viral sensation) from Down Under. This is the tale of a legendary Australian video that tickled an entire continent and created a folk hero. But who, exactly, was this folk hero? The plot thickens! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a woman, back home for a family funeral, was kidnapped by the hitman her husband hired to kill her, things looked pretty bleak. But lucky for the woman, hers was a hitman with a heart of gold. Together, they plotted to surprise the husband and get her (legal) revenge. The venue: her own funeral. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the California Gold Rush, arriving sailors pretty much abandoned ship immediately and headed for the hills in search of gold. Criminals (called “crimps”) solved the sailor shortage by drugging men and tossing them on outgoing ships – if the captain paid enough. The most prolific crimp? Shanghai Kelly, the San Francisco ne’er-do-well who once threw the most epic booze cruise/kidnapping of all time. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People love their pets. English people are especially fond of our four-legged friends. So when a dastardly criminal was on the loose, kidnapping innocent felines and shaving tufts of fur from their soft bodies, the people of Plymouth were understandably outraged. Ridiculousness, of course, ensued. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three weeks. Three hotels. Three vices (booze, drugs, and purchased sex). In 1989, rock icon Billy Idol got wild in Bangkok, seeking total oblivion and taking it to a whole new level. Enter the Thai Army and their tranquilizer guns. Was that rock bottom for Idol? Not even close. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There you are, enjoying a family barbecue. Sure, the macaroni salad left much to be desired, but why is everyone suddenly vomiting? And why are you now certain it's up to you to save the world? This is the story of one man's descent into Tom Clancy-esque delusions, complete with carjackings and imaginary skydiving. He was sure he was working for the FBI and the CIA, when in fact he was just full of PCP. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are flights from hell and then there’s United Flight 976 from Buenos Aires to New York City. With all the drinking, outbursts, violence, and other unmentionable deeds in this story, flying first class never looked so horrible. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You need money. You know the Sinatra family. Obviously, the only thing to do is kidnap the adult son of Old Blue Eyes and ask for a ransom. But not too much, just enough. You don’t want to seem greedy. Learn about one man’s bumbling crusade to raise money for his family and raise the ire of America’s most mobbed-up crooner. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An animatronic character was stolen bit by bit from a pavilion at Disneyworld's Epcot, right under the noses of security at the beloved attraction. Who stripped Buzzy naked? Who sold his clothes? Who bought his clothes? Who is Buzzy in the first place? Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man, a plan, a Lamborghini. It was pretty bold to steal the luxury sports car of Guy Fieri, Mayor of Flavor Town. It was even bolder to drive the bright yellow performance vehicle around for months, evading capture and enjoying the ride right out in the open. But just like bold flavors, bold behavior fades over time. The clever thief was eventually apprehended, and his identity was about as surprising as a Guy Fieri dinner without Donkey Sauce. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.