Capers and Cocktails

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A decorated Vietnam veteran and devout Mormon, Richard Floyd McCoy Jr. was not the kind of guy you would expect to do…what he did. If you had met him back then, you'd probably assume he was on track for a long, respectable career in public service. But underneath that polished surface, something was brewing. It was something nobody saw coming, and when it finally surfaced, it left the country...

When we think about jail, one thing feels pretty obvious, I would think: it's a place people generally try to stay out of. Whether it's for a short stint or a long sentence, crossing that barbed wire usually means someone made some serious mistakes. But every now and then, a story comes along that flips the script entirely. Maybe not every now and then, actually. But this story might leave you bli...

Sometimes a story sounds so outrageous, so bizarre, that you wonder how it could possibly be true. A young singer, a famous last name, a quiet resort town, and a plan so reckless that it could only have come from desperation, or madness. Before the night was over, one of the biggest names in entertainment would find himself in the middle of a crime that captured the attention of the entire country...

Ah, Cannes: where the Mediterranean shimmers like a spilled cocktail of sunlight and salt, and luxury drips from every corner like vintage champagne. Nestled on the French Riviera, this glittering seaside town is best known for its red carpets, private yachts, and movie-star mystique. During the summer, Cannes transforms into a playground for the ultra-rich and internationally famous, with beachfr...

“Coconuts grow at the highest point of the palm, facing the sun and our luminous lord God. It gives us water, milk, coconut oil and nutritious pulp. Unique in nature, it provides humankind with the element of selenium from its fibers: one wove mats, roofs and ropes. From its trunk one built furniture and entire houses. From its pit one produced oil to drive away the darkness and to anoint the skin...

You think you know the Hundred Acre Wood, but today’s episode proves that not every story involving a familiar face is meant for the bedtime shelf. In a world where nostalgia meets nonsense, things can get weird fast. And trust me, they do. Grab your glass, settle in, and get ready for a tale that bounces between bizarre and unbelievable. Let’s just say... your childhood favorites might not be as...

You wouldn’t normally put a warlord, a painter, and a political theorist in the same room, unless you were trying to change the course of history. Literally. In the summer of 1503, Cesare Borgia, Leonardo da Vinci, and Niccolò Machiavelli found themselves tangled in the same ambitious, bizarre plan: to reroute an entire river. Not for beauty. Not even for glory. For power. This wasn’t some Renaiss...

It’s a quiet afternoon at Braum’s—the kind where the biggest decision should be chocolate or vanilla, not fight or flight. But on April 7, 2024, one shopper’s routine stop took a bizarre and violent turn. A suspect lurked among the aisles before launching into an unprovoked attack. And if that wasn’t strange enough, just wait until you hear that she looked like she stepped straight out of a sci-fi...

What do you get when a group of college students, armed with big dreams and a passion for heist movies, set their sights on a rare book collection worth millions? The answer lies in the Transylvania University book heist—an ill-fated moment marked by stun guns, stolen treasures, and a getaway that unraveled in ways no one could have predicted. It’s time for yet ANOTHER botched caper that shook an...

Winter Haven, Florida, is not known for property crimes. It has a lower rate than the US average. But, it’s even less known for motor vehicle theft. In the US, the rate is 3.19 per 1,000 people, but in Winter Haven, it’s only 1.21 per 1,000 people. It’s a pretty safe town for cars! But maybe not if your car is a beautiful, deep purple, 2023 limited edition Dodge Charger. Better not keep anything T...

The lead-up to the robbery of a Brinks facility in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts, on January 17, 1950 took almost three years of meticulous planning and careful surveillance. Oh, and for some reason, like way too many people. And that, my friends, would end up being their downfall. As you’ll soon see, the more people involved, the harder it is to keep a secret. Two can keep a secret if on...

“On a windy, rainy winter’s day about six months later, the museum only had one or two other callers. The grandmother timed the guard's circuits, and observed the movements of other visitors. At the moment she felt she could act unnoticed, she applied a tool to the allen bolts, working quickly and deftly. Within thirty seconds, the dome was in the child’s hands, and the gem was in her pocket.” The...

Universal Medicine is a controversial healing “movement” led by Serge Benhayon that's raised eyebrows worldwide. What started in Australia has spiraled into a global network, blending unproven practices with questionable beliefs. But behind the spiritual talk, some say there's a darker side. With claims of energy healing, past-life karma, and even bizarre, and I DO mean bizarre, treatments, the gr...

What would you do if a family tragedy suddenly splashed your name across national headlines? If strangers peered into your life, drawn by the promise of fortune—or the hint of something darker? How much is a life worth when desperation and greed collide? In today’s episode, we’re taking a journey back to 1935, where a family legacy of towering timber wealth met an ominous twist. A quiet Washington...

The year is 1962. Alcatraz Island, a grim, fog-shrouded fortress off the coast of San Francisco, looms large in the American imagination. They call it "The Rock”: an impossible to escape island where the most hardened criminals are sent to rot. Life within its concrete walls is a monotonous grind: terrible meals that all taste the same, work assignments that repeat without end, and the consta...

In this episode we have the icy world of Iceland, where bitcoin mining meets true crime. Learn the basics of bitcoin, why Iceland became a hotspot for miners, and how a string of heists targeting high-powered computers turned into the largest theft in Icelandic history. From open windows to daring escapes, and even a cocktail featuring Iceland’s infamous Brennivín, this episode has it all. Grab a...

Lake Michigan's Triangle is more than just a mysterious shape—it’s a vortex where ships, planes, and even people have vanished without a trace. With strange weather, unexplained lights, and eerie time slips, this chilling stretch of water has birthed countless legends and theories. Join us as we unravel the secrets of this aquatic enigma, all while sipping a cocktail that might just keep you f...

Two would-be burglars in Carroll, Iowa, tried to pull off a heist with the most ridiculous disguise imaginable: Sharpie markers on their faces. Drunk, desperate, and hilariously bad at crime, their blunder quickly turned into one of the most bizarre stories ever. Tune in for a wild tale of bad decisions, laugh-out-loud moments, and a crime that was doomed from the start! Sharpie Mustache (Cocktail...

A man who rose to fame in the world of fine wine turned out to be the mastermind behind one of the most notorious wine forgeries in history. Rudy Kurniawan's reputation for rare and expensive wines came with a hidden secret: he was selling counterfeit bottles to the elite, all while hosting extravagant parties. Today, the story of how Rudy's wine empire crumbled, revealing his fraudulent operation...

Hank Robar’s quirky protest against village zoning laws turned his properties into a toilet garden masterpiece. What began as a response to government restrictions became a bold statement on individual rights and artistic expression. Join us as we examine this unconventional protest and its lasting impact on Potsdam, New York. Toilet Water (Cocktail) Sprite  1 part vodka 1 part mixed blue gatorade...

Fredericka "Marm" Mandelbaum, known as the "Queen of Fences" and leader of New York City's most notorious crime syndicate during the Gilded Age. From running a dry goods store to mentoring thieves and handling millions in stolen goods, Marm built a powerful empire under the radar. Tune in for a gripping story of ambition, crime, and a woman who outsmarted the law at every turn. Red Snapper (Cockta...

In this season's premiere, the bizarre story of the Heene family, who became infamous after a homemade flying saucer balloon nearly caused a nationwide panic. Richard Heene, an aspiring celebrity and self-proclaimed storm-chaser, had bigger plans for fame, even involving his young son in a stunt that quickly spiraled out of control. Join me as we uncover the strange events, questionable motives, a...

Jingle Juice (Cocktail) ¼ bottle of red moscato ¼ bottle of sweet prosecco 1 cup cranberry juice  1 cup pomegranate juice  ⅛ cup vodka  Sugar, frozen cranberries and rosemary for garnish (optional) Add all ingredients to a punch bowl with ice, stir. Serve in sugar rimmed glasses with frozen cranberries and rosemary garnish, if desired. Jingle Juice (Mocktail) 1 cups of grape juice  1 cups of club...

White Christmas Margarita (Cocktail) ½ part simple syrup 2 parts tequila 1 part lime juice 1 part cream of coconut Flake coconut Rim the glass with coconut, add ice to glass. Add rest of ingredients to shaker with ice. Shake to combine and chill. Strain into glass.  White Christmas Margarita (Mocktail) ½ part simple syrup 2 parts non-alcoholic tequila 1 part lime juice 1 part cream of coconut Flak...