At the top of the tallest building in a cluster of red brick buildings overlooking a neighborhood in South St. Louis, there is one building towering above the rest. Painted on that building, one sign stands taller than the others and cannot be covered up; it is visible from all parts of the nearby metropolis. At the tallest point of the brewery, a bold white letter spelling out "Lemp" is painted on dark red bricks. Although it just has four letters, those letters say plenty about St. L...
Oct 31, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 34
At one point, Julie Keith considered donating the unopened $29.99 Halloween graveyard kit she had purchased the year prior. It was just gathering dust in storage, and who needs ANOTHER set of Halloween decorations. Then she had an idea - why not open it up and use it to decorate for her daughter’s fifth birthday? But when she opened up the package, she would be stunned to find a mysterious letter inside. ----- Pumpkin Old Fashioned (Cocktail) 1 1/2 parts bourbon whiskey 1/2 part Grand Marnier 1/...
Oct 24, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 34
In early February 1987, Allen and Debbie Tallman brought home a $100 bunk bed they bought at a used furniture store. They put it together and stored it in the basement. But the night they moved it upstairs to their daughters’ bedroom, and the girls slept in it, it marked the beginning of nine months of horrors for the entire family. In a story straight out of a horror film, or maybe not quite a horror film, we explore the dangers of buying used furniture in today’s case of the cursed bunk beds. ...
Oct 10, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Although there have been sporadic stories and urban tales regarding tainted Halloween sweets, genuine occurrences are extremely uncommon. In one well-known incident from 1974, a man in Texas very much on purpose murdered his eight-year-old son by giving his own kids cyanide-laced Pixy Stix, a story we covered last year on Margs & Mayhem. Today, we delve, albeit shallowly, into the tale of one other such candy-tampering incident, leading your mom to tell you to watch out for the razor blades....
Oct 03, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 31
In the world of crime, there are those who master the art of deception, who orchestrate audacious heists that leave authorities baffled. Gerald Blanchard is one such enigma. But, how did a mastermind known for his sophistication and elaborate schemes end up entangled in a simple shoplifting incident? Uncover the truth behind Gerald Blanchard's transformation from a jet-setting thief to a Vancouver drone operator with a passion for, uh, exotic cats. ----- Jagertree (Cocktail) 1 cup tea 1 cup ...
Sep 26, 2023•28 min•Season 3Ep. 30
For today’s caper, we dive into the intriguing case of Bobbi Parker, a woman entangled in a web of love, escape, and alleged manipulation. With conflicting narratives of love and coercion, we explore the twists and turns of this captivating story. From Bobbi’s controversial romance to the alleged threats and a fateful disappearance, we seek to uncover the truth in a story where the line between captor and captive becomes a bit…fuzzy. ----- White Lady (Cocktail) 2 parts gin 1/2 part orange liqueu...
Sep 12, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 29
On an unseasonably warm October day, a well-known national journalist was walking on Park Avenue, in New York City. Without warning, this person was attacked by a stranger, shouting a rather strange phrase. The attacker disappeared as quickly as he appeared. In a case that was solved a decade later (probably), today we’ll explore the motives, unravel the secrets, and shed light on the mysterious circumstances surrounding the unprovoked attack on that someone you might have heard of, or have hear...
Sep 05, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Today, we look into the strange story of how John Grundhofer, a well-known and successful businessman, was kidnapped. Join us as we figure out what happened in this intriguing case and look into the strange circumstances, possible reasons, and the enigmatic figure at the heart of it all. Get ready to go on a trip into a world where truth and lies are hard to tell apart, leaving us to wonder what happened to ol' Jackie boy. A kidnapping, orrrrrrrrr.......? ----- Bootleg (Cocktail) 3 parts Boo...
Aug 29, 2023•19 min•Season 3Ep. 27
In February of 2014, two men had quite a brazen scheme. You see, they were really into art by a certain artist. A certain street artist. And so they made a plan. An art heist. But not your average art heist. It was street art, after all… ----- Brandy Milk Punch (Cocktail) 2 parts brandy 1.5 parts heavy cream 1 part simple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla nutmeg Put brandy, cream, simple syrup and vanilla in a shaker with ice Shake until chilled; strain into a glass filled with fresh ice Garnish with nut...
Aug 08, 2023•13 min•Season 5Ep. 26
Maybe I can’t totally relate to our main character for today’s episode of Capers & Cocktails because I have no desire to have a child, and I certainly would prefer to have half a million dollars over having a child, but I guess to each his own. In one of the stranger tales of this season, a woman, in a Wal-Mart, offers a boat load of money to buy a baby. ----- Paloma (Cocktail) 2 parts tequila ½ part lime juice Grapefruit soda Salt rim for glass Lime wheel for garnish Rim glass with salt and...
Aug 08, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 25
When the alarm sounded at the First Interstate Bank in Hollywood, California after hours on June 6, 1986, one lone security officer was dispatched to investigate. Upon arrival, he found no evidence of a break-in, and assuming it was a false alarm, he left. When bank employees arrived on Monday morning, they would be in for the surprise of their lives. ----- Tequila Sunrise (Cocktail) 2 parts tequila 4 parts orange juice ¼ part grenadine Add the tequila and then the orange juice to glass with ice...
Aug 01, 2023•22 min•Season 3Ep. 24
In a tale made of nightmare fuel, a few very unlucky Cape Elizabeth, Maine residents experienced a horrific night. After a lovely evening at home, or maybe just a regular evening at home, I actually have no idea, these unsuspecting folks went to bed. Then, at some point in the middle of the night, their spidey senses began to tingle. Has this ever happened to you? Where you’re in a dead sleep and you wake up because you feel like someone is…watching…? Well, welcome to capers and cocktails, folks...
Jul 25, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 23
Today we have another episode where I fear I’m going to give away the entire story in the intro, but again, there’s just a headline that is hard to believe is an actual headline. And it’s just too good. So that's all you're gonna get. Sorry. Not sorry. From that bastion of journalistic integrity, the New York Post: “Drug dealer’s hidden cash falls out of rectum in police station.” ----- Rum Runner (Cocktail) 1 part light rum 1 part dark or aged rum 1 part banana liqueur 1/2 part blackber...
Jul 11, 2023•9 min•Season 3Ep. 22
Paris is the city of love, with its enchanting streets, breathtaking architecture, and romantic ambiance that never fails to captivate the hearts of lovers. Standing tall and majestic, the Eiffel Tower is not just a symbol of Paris, but also a symbol of love, as it embodies the beauty, strength, and enduring nature of true love. Oh hey. Would you like to buy it? Yeah. The Eiffel Tower. 6 million dollars and it can be yours. What? Do I have the authority to sell the Eiffel Tower? Sure. See my fan...
Jul 04, 2023•26 min•Season 3Ep. 21
Did you ever get in a fight with your parents when you were a teenager and then, like, swear to yourself, that you must have been abducted at birth? That the family you’re with just feels so foreign, so alien to you, that you must belong somewhere else? Just me? Well, Carlina White, or as she grew up, Netty Nance, had those feelings growing up. Except, they turned out to be true. ----- The Harlem (Cocktail) 2 parts gin ½ part cherry liqueur 1 part pineapple juice Fresh pineapple In a shaker, mud...
Jun 27, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 20
Today, we dive into the world of Adam Worth, the infamous criminal mastermind known as the Napoleon of Crime. From his early years as a small-time thief to his exploits as a master con artist and thief, we'll explore the life and legend of one of the most intriguing figures in criminal history. Today, the story of a man who stole millions and eluded capture for decades. ----- The Napoleon (Cocktail) 2 parts gin ½ part Grand Marnier ½ part vermouth rosso Put all ingredients into a shaker with...
Jun 13, 2023•30 min•Season 3Ep. 19
In the LATE (whoops sorry) hours of November 22, 1987, viewers in the Chicago area were in for a surprise. Combine regular folks watching the news, a signal hijacking, a creepy-ass rubber mask, a bizarre and confusing monologue, and an unsolved mystery, and you have the ingredients for today’s episode of Capers and Cocktails! ----- The Chicago (Cocktail) 1 part brandy ½ part lemon juice ¼ part triple sec ¼ part cherry liqueur Fine sugar Lemon wedge Stir brandy, lemon juice, triple sec, and cherr...
Jun 06, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 18
The year was 2003. No Doubt, Sting, and Shania Twain had recently headlined the Super Bowl halftime show. Chicago had just won the Oscar for Best Picture. “Friends” was still king of the cable-waves. Wicked debuted on Broadway, and low-rise jeans were all the rage. Twenty whole years ago. Sorry to make you feel old. And in March of 2003, in a highly controversial political move, the United States invaded Iraq. But today we’re not going to debate the merits of invading a country on dubious, at be...
May 30, 2023•16 min•Season 3Ep. 17
2021 was not the best year for Blair Whitten. The crimes that I could find she was arrested for in that year alone included: criminal mischief, felony terrorizing, marijuana possession, and reckless endangerment. And those were for three different incidents. But maybe the most, well, noteworthy of all of them, involved a cemetery, a recently passed ex-boyfriend, and SUV. Another short one today, and we shall discuss the ultimate in crazy “ex-girlfriends.” ----- Chokecherry Whiskey Smash (Cocktai...
May 23, 2023•10 min•Season 3Ep. 16
Picture it: there was one minute left in Super Bowl forty-two. Tom Brady’s undefeated New England Patriots needed only one play to beat the New York Giants. On the third down, Giants quarterback Eli Manning was being yanked on by several Patriot defenders when he lobbed a pass to receiver David Tyree who grabbed the ball and pinned it to his helmet as he crashed to the ground. Meanwhile, an irate Patriots fan, Sean Murphy, ready to throw a remote at the TV, sat, watching from his weed dealer’s c...
May 09, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 15
Widely regarded as one of the greatest comedic artists of the screen, and indeed, one of the most important people in motion-picture history, Charlie Chaplin is a legend. Rising to fame in the era of silent film, the actor, filmmaker and composer, would die a multi-millionaire in the 1970s. When the priest, who was attending Charlie on his deathbed, said: “May the Lord have mercy on your soul”, Charlie quickly replied, “Why not? After all, it belongs to Him.” If only Charlie, or the priest, coul...
May 02, 2023•12 min•Season 3Ep. 14
I’m sorry, but when I read this title, I knew, just knew, that this was a case for Capers & Cocktails. And, well, I’m just going to read it. That’s all you’re going to get before the intro. Sorry. Not sorry. From July 7, 2017: “The Vatican’s Swiss Guards Break Up a Drug-Fueled Gay Orgy in Pope Francis’ Backyard.” ----- Vatican (Cocktail) 2 parts white wine ½ part lime juice 1 part simple syrup 2-3 dashes of bitters Club soda to top Add white wine, lime juice, simple syrup and bitters to shaker w...
Apr 25, 2023•13 min•Season 3Ep. 13
What happens when you mix a criminal, a bay window, and some unfortunately long shoe laces? Well, instead of a criminal who turns a house upside down, you will get, to our excitement and capers (& cocktails) delight, a house that turns a criminal upside down. A short, but sweet episode today, of how one house got its revenge. ----- Upside Down (Cocktail) 2 parts tequila 1 part simple syrup 1 part vermouth rosso ½ part lime juice 5 blackberries 3 strawberries Muddle blackberries and strawberries ...
Apr 11, 2023•8 min•Season 3Ep. 12
The Great Train Robbery of 1855 shocked Victorian England to the very core. Despite the fact that over the same time period, at least a dozen other robberies took place, many of which had gotten the criminals much more money. These crimes also had a similar high level of coordination preparation. But this crime got capital letter status, including the “the” in “The Great Train Robbery.” This “unspeakable” crime, this “heinous” act, would later be summed up in the memoirs of the man who prosecute...
Apr 04, 2023•18 min•Season 3Ep. 11
Today’s story has everything: speakeasies, rat poison, insurance schemes, a ‘Murder Trust,’ spoiled sardines, free drinks (naturally), taxi cabs, fruit vendors, freezing cold NYC temperatures, tainted oysters, thinking you’ve won, and then really, really losing. And at the center of it all? Poor Michael Malloy, who just simply wouldn’t die. On today’s episode, we have many, many ways to die, but we also have the Unkillable Man. ----- Irish Coffee (Cocktail) glass mug (if you’ve got one) 1 cup ho...
Mar 28, 2023•27 min•Season 3Ep. 10
Today we hop back in history to 1998, and a crime that is massively overshadowed by another date in history, just three years later, at the same location. On January 14, 1998, thanks to some insider help, a massive amount of money was heisted from the Bank of America, located in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. This massive heist has mafia ties, armored trucks, subduing employees and everything you can imagine in a New York City bank heist. But will they get away with it? I guess you’l...
Mar 14, 2023•14 min•Season 3Ep. 9
Today’s case is another story of a 'Leonardo da Vinci of mental manipulation.’ An American Thierry Tilly, my friends. Only this time, our villain was a person who was supposed to be there to help, a person who should’ve been there to listen, to give advice, and to make life better for people who were suffering. Today, I tell the story of how a regular-old psychiatrist convinced a millionaire to hand over the keys to a mansion, plus all of his money, and then convinced this no-longer-millionaire ...
Mar 07, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 8
By all accounts, the Tromp family was just as ordinary as you can imagine. Marc and Jacoba were in their early fifties, and their three adult children were in their twenties. Farmers by trade, Marc and Jacoba were hard-working Australians, with no known outwardly visible mental health issues, at least known to those outside the family. All five worked the farm and their earth-moving business in Silvan, a rural town in Victoria, Australia. But something went very, very wrong in August of 2016, an...
Feb 28, 2023•17 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Some people just really, really don’t like their jobs. They might do the bare minimum, or break a few, harmless rules on the side. Steal some office supplies, make some personal copies? That is stealing, if you were wondering. I’m sure none of you have ever done that. And when you left a job? Did you do anything not-so-nice to your former employer? Well, in the case of, I’m just going to say, wildly struggling Nicholas Mitchell, he really took hating his former employer, and also hating stranger...
Feb 14, 2023•11 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Starting his life of wild capers and thievery at the age of 7, Colton Harris Moore was a child, then pre-teen, then teenage bandit. He is allegedly responsible for about 100 thefts through his teenage years, in a story that involves hiding in the forest, committing crimes without shoes on, teaching oneself to fly airplanes, and stealing a couple of planes. An extradition, the FBI, and quite the wild goose chase. Just the recipe we need for another Capers and Cocktails. ----- Dirty Shirley (Cockt...
Feb 07, 2023•20 min•Season 3Ep. 5
