Morbid Podcast Episode 637: The Bobbed Haired Bandit

Release Date: January 16, 2025
Host/Author: Morbid Network | Wondery
Description:
Morbid is a true crime, creepy history, and all things spooky podcast hosted by an autopsy technician and a hairstylist. Join Alina and Ash for a heavy dose of research with a dash of comedy thrown in for flavor.

Overview

In Episode 637, titled "The Bobbed Haired Bandit," hosts Alina and Ash delve into the intriguing case of a female criminal mastermind who terrorized Brooklyn in the early 1920s. They explore the societal backdrop of the era, the series of robberies attributed to the elusive bandit, the intense police investigations, and the media frenzy that surrounded the case. Through rich storytelling and insightful commentary, Alina and Ash shed light on how gender norms, media influence, and societal pressures intertwined in this historical true crime narrative.

1. Setting the Scene

[04:35]
Alina and Ash introduce the central figure of the episode: The Bobbed Haired Bandit, a stylish young woman who became infamous for a string of robberies in Brooklyn, New York during the 1920s. The duo begins by painting a vivid picture of the time period, emphasizing the economic downturn leading into the Great Depression and the rampant crime fueled by Prohibition.

Notable Quote:
Ash remarks, "It's the new year for you. It's 2025. What's it like in the future?" at [01:16], setting a playful tone before diving into the historical account.

2. The Robberies Begin

[04:35] - [08:20]
The episode recounts the first known robbery on January 5, 1924, at Thomas Rulston Grocery in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Lester Loudon, the store clerk, describes the audacious entry of a fashionable young woman in a seal fur coat and a beaded dress. The woman demands a dozen eggs before brandishing an automatic pistol and holding up the store. The robbery yielded $680, a significant amount at the time.

Notable Quote:
Alina humorously notes, "It has a transatlantic accent" at [04:50], highlighting the unique demeanor of the bandit.

3. Profiling the Bandit: A Flapper's Image

[08:20] - [12:18]
Alina and Ash discuss the societal perceptions of the bandit's appearance, linking her bobbed hairstyle and fashionable attire to the flapper movement. Flappers were seen as symbols of youth, rebellion, and sexual liberation, which alarmed the older generations who viewed their style as indicative of moral decay.

Notable Quote:
Ash cites author Stephen Duncomb, noting that the bobbed hairstyle was considered a "symptom of the mentally defective" at [10:19].

4. Escalation and Media Frenzy

[12:18] - [22:41]
The bandit, along with her accomplice, continues a series of robberies, including a drugstore and another grocery store. Their daring tactics and stylish appearance garner significant media attention, with newspapers branding her as the "Bobbed Haired Bandit." The media's sensationalism exacerbates public fear and criticism of the NYPD's inability to capture her.

Notable Quotes:

• Alina quips, "She said, 'I'm happy to see you. And it's a gun.'" at [05:58], capturing the band's brazen confidence.
• Ash reflects on the public's perception: "She was seen as an anti-hero and an early feminist figure," at [39:27].

5. The Police's Struggle and Missteps

[22:41] - [37:47]
As robberies escalate, the NYPD intensifies efforts to apprehend the bandit, deploying 200 officers across Brooklyn. Despite these measures, the bandit remains elusive, leading to widespread criticism of the police force. Multiple arrests ensue, including Helen Quigley and Mary Cody, but inconsistencies and mistaken identities hinder progress. The media continues to mock the NYPD, further straining police-public relations.

Notable Quotes:

• Alina humorously insists, "You guys are filthy and fake," reflecting the bandit's taunting notes at [19:05].
• Ash highlights the public's reaction: "Why can't we do better? Why can't we talk like this?" at [22:05].

6. Unmasking and Arrests

[37:47] - [56:57]
The turning point comes with the attempted robbery of the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) payroll department on April 1st. The situation escalates when Nathan Mazzo is shot in the arm during the heist, marking the first instance of violence attributed to the bandit duo. This incident leads to the identification and eventual arrest of Celia Cooney and her husband, Ed Cooney, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Notable Quote:
Celia's poignant note to the judge reads, "Let me just say, don't try to do it. You won't. You don't know what you will suffer," at [57:29].

7. The Culprits' Backstory and Motivation

[56:57] - [53:33]
Alina and Ash delve into the lives of Celia and Ed Cooney, uncovering a harsh upbringing marked by poverty for Celia and a seemingly ordinary life for Ed. Their motives stemmed from desperation to provide for their forthcoming child, leading them to romanticized notions of robbery inspired by detective stories and magazines.

Notable Quotes:

• Ash narrates Celia's childhood: "Celia was born into extreme poverty and raised along with seven brothers and sisters by a single mother," at [49:36].
• Alina reflects on Celia's isolation: "She was very lost," at [59:17].

8. The Aftermath and Legacy

[53:33] - [61:11]
Celia and Ed's arrest marks the end of the Bobbed Haired Bandit's reign. Celia's sympathy note captures her internal turmoil, while the media shifts its narrative from viewing her as a symbol of rebellion to labeling her a local degenerate. Both received 10-year prison sentences, with Ed passing away five years later from tuberculosis. Celia eventually remarried and lived a quiet life until her death in 1992.

Notable Quotes:
Ash sums up Celia's realization: "What she did was wrong," at [59:44].
Alina emphasizes the victims' plight: "Taking it from somebody like a grocer or somebody who owns a business, that's their whole livelihood," at [60:08].

9. Concluding Reflections

Alina and Ash reflect on the complexities of Celia Cooney's character—her broken upbringing, misguided motivations, and the societal factors that led her down a path of crime. They express a nuanced sympathy for her while underscoring the undeniable harm she caused to innocent victims.

Notable Quote:
Ash concludes, "But the moral of the story is what she did was wrong," at [59:44].

Key Takeaways

• Gender and Crime: The story highlights how gender norms of the 1920s influenced public perception of female criminals, framing Celia as both a symbol of youth rebellion and a moral threat.

• Media Influence: Sensationalist reporting played a crucial role in shaping the narrative around the Bobbed Haired Bandit, both elevating her to anti-hero status and mocking the NYPD's efforts.

• Societal Pressures: Economic hardship and societal expectations can push individuals toward desperate measures, as seen in Celia and Ed's motivation to rob stores to provide for their family.

• Misidentification and Justice: The initial misidentification of suspects underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in high-profile cases, especially when societal biases are at play.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Alina: "It's literally almost Christmas for us. We're five. The new year for you. It's 2025." [01:07]

• Ash: "The bobbed hairstyle was a symptom of the mentally defective." [10:19]

• Celia (Written Note): "Let me just say, don't try to do it. You won't. You don't know what you will suffer." [57:29]

• Alina: "Taking it from somebody like a grocer or somebody who owns a business, that's their whole livelihood." [60:08]

• Ash: "But the moral of the story is what she did was wrong." [59:44]

Final Thoughts

Episode 637 of Morbid offers a captivating exploration of a unique true crime case, intertwining historical context, gender dynamics, and media influence. Alina and Ash skillfully navigate the intricacies of the Bobbed Haired Bandit's story, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of how individual actions can reflect broader societal issues.

Stay tuned to Morbid for more spine-chilling tales and obscure true crimes, all served with a side of dark humor.