CRIME

In any given year, we publish up to 5000 stories, from short news posts to longform features and everything in between. And yes, our writers and editors definitely have our favorites—here are some of them from 2019.

The 2010s saw true crime come to the forefront of popular culture thanks to podcasts, books, and binge-worthy docuseries. These 10 cases prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

On December 23, 1927, a man dressed as Santa Claus walked into a bank and demanded money. Unfortunately, the bank was in Texas, and practically everyone in town was armed. Determining Santa was on the Naughty List, they opened fire.

In 1983, a prized racehorse named Shergar was abducted at gunpoint from his stable in Ireland and held for ransom. Decades later, no one is quite sure why.

Theodore Roosevelt used a Colt revolver given to him by his brother-in-law during the Battle of San Juan Heights, firing a fatal shot. Nearly 100 years later, the gun disappeared without a trace.

In July 1979, the struggling Chicago White Sox offered cheap admission to anyone bringing in a disco record to destroy. The promotion would prove to be catastrophic.

Driving with ice or snow on your car is dangerous, and in some states, the offense will earn you a fine up to $1000.

In 1908, Mary Farmer came up with a plan to steal her landlord's home. The crime was brutal enough to make her the second woman executed by electric chair in New York's history.

The newest streaming service is having some early growing pains: Hackers have made off with a number of Disney+ accounts to share among themselves.

New Jersey lawmakers who are concerned about pollution have cracked down on the antiquated practice of warming up vehicles.

In 1965, Houston was confronted with the savage murder and dismemberment of an elderly couple. They were found in their own refrigerator. The trail only got colder from there.

The thief—or thieves—stole the one-ton boulder from the side of the road in Prescott National Forest roughly two weeks ago.