Criminal

A black and white illustration of a shelving unit with boxes on it. At the bottom is a hole in the wall, with human legs sticking out of it while crawling through.

The Roofman, Part 2

Episode #313

2025-04-18 05:00:26

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“Was I surprised that he escaped? Not really.”
A black and white illustration of a McDonald's from above. There is a ladder leading to the roof, and a shadowed figure crouching by a hole in the roof.

The Roofman, Part 1

Episode #312

2025-04-11 05:00:29

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Between 1998 and 2000, more than 40 stores and chain restaurants across the country were robbed by a masked man who always entered through the roof. Police couldn’t figure out where he’d turn up next.
A black and white illustration of a weekly newspaper cover, with the word "Independent" written on the front. There is a cover photograph of a woman with short hair, smiling.

The Pride of Pine Hill

Episode #311

2025-04-04 05:00:25

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In the midst of the 1996 race for North Carolina governor, a new candidate emerged. Her name was Jolene Strickland, and her campaign slogan was “Too Good to be True.”
A black and white illustration of a rock face with a single sneaker laying on it.

The Bottom of the Cliff

Episode #310

2025-03-28 05:00:16

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In May of 2021, the National Park Service received a call that a woman had fallen over the Grandview Overlook at New River Gorge National Park. After days of searching with rappel lines, infrared cameras, and dogs, they didn't find anyone.
Black and white illustration of a long and skinny envelope that reads, "Last Will and Testament."

The Man Without a Will

Episode #309

2025-03-21 05:00:48

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A Toronto police officer was having an affair with a government worker – and then they found out about an elderly man who died with a large estate, and no will.

High Tide

Episode #308

2025-03-14 05:00:44

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Right after sunset, three boats sailed towards the rice plantations on the Combahee River. Harriet Tubman knew they had to hurry - they only had six hours before the changing tide would make it very difficult to get away.
A black and white digital illustration of a set table. In the middle, there is a bowl of food, topped with fruit. Around the bowl, there are other food items – a croissant on a plate and a salad – as well as a napkin, a restaurant menu, tableware and glasses.

Five Stars

Episode #307

2025-03-07 05:00:13

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“Christopher Kinahan is probably the most successful and entrepreneurial criminal that Ireland has ever produced.”
Illustration of a Texas House of Representatives seal, with part of the seal cut off by the edges of the frame. At the center of the seal is a star surrounded by branches of leaves.

The Stay

Episode #306

2025-02-28 05:00:08

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Last year, a committee of state lawmakers in Texas issued a subpoena for a man on death row to testify four days after he was scheduled to be executed. Today, what happened next in Robert Roberson's case.
Black and white illustration of a 2000s desktop computer with console, monitor, keyboard, and wired mouse. On the computer screen is an image of a butterfly.

The Butterfly Smuggler

Episode #305

2025-02-21 05:00:14

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The first time Ed Newcomer went to the L.A. Bug Fair, he met a man who called himself the world’s most wanted butterfly smuggler.
Black and white digital illustration of a grid of four close-up images: a watch slipping up out of a jacket pocket (top left), a necklace falling out of a backpack zipper pocket (top right), a wallet just visible in the back pocket of a pair of jeans (bottom right), and a cellphone poking out of a purse pocket (bottom left).

Ava and the Pickpocket

Episode #304

2025-02-14 05:00:57

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“He stole my watch. He stole my jewelry. I stopped wearing jewelry – just to see what else he would steal.”
A black and white illustration of a map of the waterways around Charleston, South Carolina. There is a ship drawn on the water.

Robert Smalls

Episode #303

2025-02-07 05:00:31

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On May 13, 1862, Robert Smalls took command of a Confederate ship and liberated himself and his family from slavery. His great-great-grandson, Michael Boulware Moore, tells the story.
A black and white illustration of a pile of computers, monitors, keyboards, hard drives and other electronics.

The Raid

Episode #302

2025-01-31 05:00:49

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“No one ever expected anything like this to happen.”
Black and white digital illustration of a lot of different metal items, scattered all over - including a gun, toe nail clippers, a grenade, a pair of scissors, a cellphone, handcuffs, plus lots of cutlery, nails and keys.

Guns, Grenades, and $100,000

Episode #301

2025-01-24 05:00:10

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“Anything you can think of is going to be in the water.”
Black and white abstract illustration of several gravesites, marked only by small numbered signs. The gravesite closest to the foreground is labeled number 672.

Dexter Wade

Episode #300

2025-01-17 05:00:06

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Bettersten Wade searched for her missing 37-year-old son for nearly six months. Then she found out that the police knew where he was the whole time.
Black and white illustration of a newspaper page with an advertisement that reads "Moon Rocks Wanted" by John's Estate Sales with a picture of an astronaut wearing a spacesuit and helmet on the moon.

Moon Rocks Wanted

Episode #299

2025-01-10 05:00:17

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On September 18, 1998, an unusual ad ran in USA Today — a company called John’s Estate Sales was looking to buy a moon rock.
Black and white illustration of a woman wearing a long black hooded cape over a white skirt. She is looking to the right.

The Christmas Fire

Episode #298

2024-12-27 05:00:08

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The bodies of a woman and her child were found inside a burned house on Christmas Day, 1843. An autopsy showed that they’d died before the fire even started.
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