Topic: Robbery

Mail carriers in Oakland, California, are facing a surge in armed robberies, leading the USPS to offer a $100 daily bonus for carriers willing to work in the city. The situation is so severe that carriers from the Sacramento region are being recruited to fill shifts. The hosts suspect that a missing envelope containing listener donations may have been a victim of these thefts.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League issued a warning advising tourists not to visit the city during the holiday season due to a surge in violent crime. High-profile "smash and grab" robberies and home invasions have plagued the area, including a $100,000 jewelry theft at the Intercontinental Hotel. LAPD Chief Michael Moore attempted to reassure the public that the situation is not out of control.

Federal authorities arrested two women, Carmen Lita Barela and Rosetta Shabazz, for using a cough as a weapon during a robbery at a San Francisco Walgreens. The suspects allegedly told store personnel they were COVID-19 positive while coughing aggressively to facilitate the crime. The FBI characterized the incident as part of a disturbing national trend of weaponizing the virus during criminal acts.

A donor from Tawanda, Pennsylvania, shares a local history story involving the 1950 Boston Brinks robbery. Two members of the heist were reportedly arrested in Tawanda while in possession of stolen firearms, eventually leading Joseph O'Keefe to turn state's evidence. The crime was once dubbed the "crime of the century."

Turkish hacker Ercan Findikoglu is sentenced to eight years for masterminding a global ATM looting scheme that stole $40 million in a single 10-hour window. The Secret Service describes the operation as one of the most sophisticated in history. The hosts use the story to discuss the "war on cash" and the inherent insecurity of the U.S. "chip and sign" credit card system.

The hosts label the Kim Kardashian robbery in Paris as the "Distraction of the Week." They question the logistics of the event, including the lack of bodyguards and the presence of $10 million in real jewelry. They suggest the heavy media coverage of the robbery overshadowed significant news regarding U.S.-Russia tensions and Pentagon propaganda spending.

WikiLeaks offered a $20,000 reward for information regarding the murder of DNC staffer Seth Rich, who was shot in Washington D.C. in July. While police labeled the incident a "robbery gone bad," Assange noted that nothing was stolen from the victim. The reward sparked speculation that Rich may have been a source for the DNC email leaks, though WikiLeaks maintains a policy of not confirming sources.

The show concludes with a "Pokemon update" regarding players being targeted for robberies in Berkeley, California. The hosts sign off with their traditional credits and a montage of "No, no, no" clips featuring Lindsey Graham and other political figures. The next episode is announced for Sunday.

Ben Carson recounted an incident where he was confronted by a gunman in a fast-food restaurant and redirected the robber to the counter. The media used this story to contrast with his advice that victims should "rush the shooter" in mass casualty events. Carson expressed frustration with George Stephanopoulos on Good Morning America, calling the media's focus "a bunch of crap."

Thieves in London executed a massive heist at the Hatton Garden safe deposit vault over the Easter weekend, stealing up to $300 million in gems and cash. The robbers reportedly abseiled down a lift shaft and used heavy cutting equipment, with the crime going undiscovered until the following Tuesday.

John C. Dvorak recounts a stopover in Nairobi where local police and soldiers entered an airport lounge to rob passengers at gunpoint. He also shares a story from a former Tech TV guest whose expensive camcorder was stolen in the city. The hosts characterize the Nairobi airport and surrounding infrastructure as dangerous and corrupt.

Several "karma stories" are shared, including a listener who received seven job proposals after a shoutout. Conversely, a listener in Virginia reports being robbed of his electronics, and the hosts offer him "corrective karma." The segment concludes with a final list of birthdays and a mention of pending podcast licenses.

A United Nations report has called for the legalization of marijuana and the decriminalization of other drugs, labeling the global war on drugs a failure. Meanwhile, the United States is seeing a surge in violent pharmacy robberies committed by individuals addicted to Oxycodone (OxyContin). The history of the drug, synthesized from opium in 1916, is reviewed, highlighting its high potential for addiction even among public figures like Rush Limbaugh.

The Beverly Hills Police Department holds a press conference regarding the death of Hollywood publicist Ronnie Chasen. They claim a suspect, Harold Smith, killed himself with the same gun used on Chasen and suggest the murder was a random robbery attempt by a man on a bicycle. The hosts express deep skepticism regarding the "random act" theory.