Ridiculous Crime

iHeartPodcasts

True Crime is more than blood, guts, mayhem, and murder. Zaron Burnett and Elizabeth Dutton share outlandish tales of capers, heists, and cons that shine a light on the absurd and outrageous side of criminality. Always 99% murder-free and 100% ridiculous, this is Ridiculous Crime, a podcast by iHeartRadio. read less

Our Editor's Take

Ridiculous Crime is a podcast that has an unconventional approach to true crime. There are no violent, haunting stories with gore and missing limbs here. Instead, this show features humorous and outrageous crimes. Cohost Elizabeth Dutton describes the series as having "no blood and guts'' and "no dead ladies." Zaron Burnett is her partner in discussing these silly schemes.

And the stories on this podcast do indeed feature Ridiculous Crimes. The hosts treat these crazy crimes with all the respect they deserve (or don't deserve). The titles of the episodes indicate the lighthearted tone of this show. "You're Bacon a Big Mistake: The Tucson Sonoran Hot Dog Turf War" is a popular episode. Another great title is "Are You There Godzilla, It's Me Kim Jong-il."

Ridiculous Crime talks about some wild crimes. Vincent Kosuga tried to take over the American onion market in the 1950s. The podcast hosts call it "Trading Places for onion futures." Rita Crundwell was the comptroller of Dixon, Illinois. She embezzled millions from the town to pay for her horses. A teenage criminal stole Guy Fieri's yellow Lamborghini and got away with it—for a while, at least. An inept kidnapper grabbed Frank Sinatra Jr. while the singer's son was eating fried chicken in his underwear.

Dutton and Burnett crack sarcastic jokes as they tell the stories. They start each episode by asking each other, "Do you know what's ridiculous?" And then they explain the crime of the week. Ridiculous Crime cohosts Burnett and Dutton have great chemistry. It adds to the entertainment value. They banter back and forth while sharing these, well, ridiculous stories. Their witty commentary provides context for each story. They also highlight the inherent absurdity of the tales here.

Ridiculous Crime is good for true crime fans looking for something fresh. Its fun yet informative discussions on real-life events may leave fans laughing out loud at times. Yet the hosts still provide insight into how criminals can be so creative. Listeners can expect episodes ranging in length from 45 minutes up to an hour long. New episodes come out each week.

read less

HistoryHistory

Play Trailer

Introducing: Ridiculous Crime

Introducing: Ridiculous Crime

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episodes

Coming to You Live from Ashtar Galactic Command: More Signal Interruptions

Coming to You Live from Ashtar Galactic Command: More Signal Interruptions

Elizabeth may not watch tv, but that doesn't stop her from regaling Zaron with tales of television signal hijacking. From porn to zombies to aliens to more porn, no broadcast is safe.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Point Bleak: The Flesh-Masked Bandit

Point Bleak: The Flesh-Masked Bandit

In the early '90s, the Chicagoland area was home to a bank robber known for wearing very specific masks –– masks of former US presidents. Notably, he wasn't inspired by the classic bank-robbing surfers film, and Point Break wasn't inspired by him, it was all just a...ridiculous crime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It Was a Kayak: John Darwin aka Canoe Man

It Was a Kayak: John Darwin aka Canoe Man

With debt mounting and no relief in sight, John Darwin figured his only option was to fake his own death. One sunken kayak and a complicit spouse later, he found himself in Panama with no clothes on. But that didn't last. Nothing ridiculous ever does. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Zappa Makes a $1,000 Sex Tape, and Bob Dylan Is a Peeping Tom?

Frank Zappa Makes a $1,000 Sex Tape, and Bob Dylan Is a Peeping Tom?

Musicians get arrested... a lot. These singers, songwriters and superstars were busted in some of the dumbest, weirdest, silliest ways possible. Johnny Cash. Amy Winehouse. Ol' Dirty Bastard. Bob Dylan. Frank Zappa. All of them got popped for some... ridiculous crimes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tehama's Most Wanted: Razzlekhan

Tehama's Most Wanted: Razzlekhan

As if the whole cryptocurrency thing wasn't ridiculous enough, enter Heather Morgan aka Razzlekhan. An entrepreneur and amateur rapper, she and her husband, Dutch, lived large. The source? Hacked bitcoin. Can't get enough of these clowns and their techno criming? Fear not, there are plenty of film and tv adaptations in the works. The grift lives on. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phil Johnson: The Great Loomis–Fargo Heist

Phil Johnson: The Great Loomis–Fargo Heist

"Have you seen this man? Single, lonely, grouchy, rumpled and very possibly. the richest thief who ever lived..." so wrote the Washington Post in 1997 after one man ripped off his employer, the Loomis–Fargo armored car company. Phil Johnson stole 21 cubic feet of cash –– and he had a plan to get away with it. But a man's ego is a helluva thing!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Cut Above: William Smarto

A Cut Above: William Smarto

What do hairdressing and bank heists have in common? Precision...and a man named William Smarto. A clever bank burglar, Smarto managed to pull of a bank job almost as big as Dolly Parton's wig budget. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martin McNally: Last of the Skyjackers

Martin McNally: Last of the Skyjackers

His hero was DB Cooper. So he imitated his skyjacking ransom down to the letter. Only Martin McNally had never used a parachute before he became a skyjacker. And he never expected someone to play the hero with a '71 Cadillac Eldorado.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diamonds are a Gaul's Best Friend: The Affair of the Diamond Necklace

Diamonds are a Gaul's Best Friend: The Affair of the Diamond Necklace

As Orson Welles would say, "Ah, the French." Here, in a lead up to the French Revolution, we consider the tale of one randy Cardinal, one social climbing almost-noble, one doomed queen, and one hideous diamond necklace. C'est ridicule (especially Elizabeth butchering all French pronunciation)!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tiger King of Harlem

The Tiger King of Harlem

Meet Antoine Yates, the man who raised a tiger in a fifth-floor public housing apartment in Harlem. Until, one day, the tiger remembered that it was a tiger. But Antoine didn't just live with a tiger, he also had a lion and a full-grown alligator. Naturally, this one is both wild...and ridiculous!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Charity Cheat: Aaron Tonken

The Charity Cheat: Aaron Tonken

Aaron Tonken was celebrity obsessed from a young age, so naturally he made his way to Hollywood. He also made his way into the good graces and wallets of many entertainment icons. With phony or plain chaotic charity galas, Tonken fleeced the rich and famous in one whirlwind fever dream of a conning career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Narco-Baron and The Rubber-Faced Man

The Narco-Baron and The Rubber-Faced Man

An ultra-wealthy British son of a Royal Naval officer partnered with a Danish master of disguise to become major players in the international drug-smuggling scene. And they would've gotten away with it if it weren't for those pesky... Welsh lobstermen and farmers' daughters.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Old Man and the Gun...on the Run: Forrest Tucker

The Old Man and the Gun...on the Run: Forrest Tucker

With a love of robbing banks and the love of a good woman, Forrest Tucker pulled off heists with no violence involved. Plenty of arrests ensued, but so did plenty of prison escapes. He was a man with a life so extraordinary, Robert Redford played him in a movie...that put Zaron to sleep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Outlaw Dora Cox and the Highwaywoman Barbara Danelia

The Outlaw Dora Cox and the Highwaywoman Barbara Danelia

At the end of the 19th century, two outlaws made names for themselves around the world, but over time both have been forgotten. This week, we resurrect the tales of these outlaw folk heroes. Lady outlaws.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More Like TrafiCAN: James Traficant

More Like TrafiCAN: James Traficant

He ran for sheriff, saying he'd take on the mob. Instead, he lined his pockets with their cash. He ran for Congress, saying he'd fight for working Americans. Instead, he had people work for him for free. All the while, James Traficant made a name for himself with his denim suits and a hideous hairpiece. In the words of ol' Jimbo himself, beam me up!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Long Con of Lady Wonder, the Psychic Horse

The Long Con of Lady Wonder, the Psychic Horse

Imagine a horse. Now imagine if that horse could read your mind. And imagine you paid for this experience. You would be in good company –– even the President of the USA listened to the prophecies of Lady Wonder, the psychic horse. Of course, it was all a long con. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Scam on Campus: Diploma Mills

Big Scam on Campus: Diploma Mills

Getting a degree is tough work. Or at least it should be. There are some out there, though, who want to get or give a college diploma the easy way: hot off the presses, no questions asked. From fake high school diplomas to phony medical degrees, come browse the college catalog of bogus academic achievement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Flying Bandit: Ken Leishman

The Flying Bandit: Ken Leishman

Known locally as the Robin Hood of the Great White North, Ken Leishman was a gentlemen thief who pulled off the greatest Canadian gold heist ever. But he really made his name and criminal fame when he took to the skies and became... The Flying Bandit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are You Experienced... With Kidnapping?

Are You Experienced... With Kidnapping?

What do Fats Waller and Jimi Hendrix have in common –– other than both being brilliant musicians who changed the course of American music? The answer is: they were both kidnapped... by the mafia! But it's cool, it's cool... who would ever wanna hurt them?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

20 Ridiculous Questions: Historical Flex Edition

20 Ridiculous Questions: Historical Flex Edition

The Ridiculous crews, both History and Crime, join forces to play everyone’s favorite guessing game: 20 Questions. There were questions. There were answers. There were half court shots at the buzzer. Join the gang for some puzzling good fun!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.