I’ve listened to 50-75 different “true crime”podcasts, and this was one of the best. Tragic story Cathy had an incredible mom & family! Inspiring, the youth in the story; intelligent driven, hard-working, loving, loyal and respectful. Tragic, to see it all stolen from them. Very engaging story...binged it all in 1 night! Minimum and not annoying ads👍🏻! The host, narration are great! This particular “story” is new, not redone by every podcaster out there. The sound & whole production are above average. Look forward to more from this host👍🏻

S2. Why is there no Walnut Street on Google Maps in Placentia CA? There is S & N Walnut Avenue. What’s With That? Example, S1, Ep4, 27-minute mark... the narration is backed by an intense wiry electric guitar and it is ANNOYING. So far, 3 Stars... will see how it goes. The story is good. Sound effects are wrecking it. May have been helpful if there was some volume available, but it’s turned all the way up, and I’m having trouble hearing the audio without earphones. Fini. I had a very hard time listening to all the recorded interviews. They are old and really hard to hear. It was painful. I skipped Eps 12 & 13 entirely. Would have preferred narration, and that would have cut the entire story length in half.

Just finished Season Two. Really weaves a thorough detailed story from initial events, to dogged pursuit of the truth, to final outcome. Leaves no stone unturned. Great facts and interviews.

Season two is great! Very thorough and informative, what a twisted case!

Season 2 is exceptionally one of the most compelling podcasts I have heard. I listen to hours of true crime and other podcasts per day and this is truly a very well developed and thoroughly intriguing work done by the journalist. The participation of the family and other characters really tie the story together as well as make it so personal and heart wrenching. It is important to have this kind of perseverance in finding the truth. Thank you. I’ll be listening to season 1 soon.

Often monotone, drawn out far too much, too much uninteresting and unnecessary information. Needs heavy editing and not to be simply read from a piece of paper. Th story may have been interesting if it was 4-5 episodes, but is too indulgent for something so lacking...

After four years of listening to a vast variety of podcasts, Crime Beat inspired me to write my first review. Not only is the story truly compelling and heart breaking but the investigative reporting and the compassion shown are so unique. My heart broke for Cathy’s family and I applaud their bravery at sharing her story. Having grown up in Placentia (my first job was at the same Baskin-Robbins in the podcast), I felt intimately aware of all the locations. I remember the reporting of the story back in the day, but the details in the podcast were eye-opening! I have already recommended this podcast to five of my friends and they love it, too! Great job Keith! Thanks for the story in the OCR where I first learned of this new podcast. I hope word of mouth allows Cathy’s spirit to touch more of us! I am now subscribing to Season 1 to see what I missed!

The journalist needs to be mindful of interrupting people and putting words in their mouths. He did this with the women in Cathy’s family repeatedly. Otherwise a good podcast.

Great choice in subject matter. Both seasons are great, I can’t wait for each new episode.

I was so interested to hear the story. So glad Sam got arrested and convicted. I can’t find episode 11

What a fantastic podcast!!!! Both season 1 & 2 are phenomenal! You feel like you’re actually witnessing the crimes as the narrator describes everything in detail, like a good book! I don’t want my daily commute stuck in traffic to end now! Yes, they’re “that good!”

Love the podcasts. Only complaint that there is too much time between episodes. Can’t wait for next installment! The robbery series was fantastic.

I was a senior in high school when this happened. She was only 2 years older than me. It would be about 9 years later, I worked in a field position for Sav-on. I walked into that same store for a field visit, where she left from that night. Near the break room was her picture and a small memorial honoring her. The Store Manager shared her story with me. Being close to her age, this story always stayed in my mind. I’m glad her family finally saw justice served.

I grew up in Placentia and remember this story. I was only 8 at the time and it’s heart breaking reliving these day. My heart goes out to her family and friends. Such a devastating story.

Interested to hear the upcoming episodes.

Interesting story, compelling. Well researched. The background music is very distracting though

In the world of true crime, you get blood and gore. This doesn’t have it. A true heist and crime covered by a report who literally wrote the movie on the case. The story is fascinating, and the teases well for the format. It’s not high production value but it does better than most pods. Don’t skip a beat.

I am very interested in the story but I agree with the other comments noting the music in the background. To me it's very distracting.

Helped thru my day

This is a fascinating story that was told very well! I enjoyed every minute.

Love this show! Very interesting and engaging stuff

Turn down the music when the narrator is talking. Sometimes I can barely make out what you’re saying. Otherwise, great story!

The podcast is effectively a commercial for, “Finding Steve McQueen”. However you had me at the heist of Nixon’s ill-gotten gains. I saw the treatment on IMDB for the film. I think it will do very well. Thank you for putting this together. Its difficult to listen to and I think you should re-edit it. Leave out all the other bits and focus on the story. Leave out references to other podcasts, it sounds like you are coat-tailing them. Leave out references to other heist films. You have your own to promote. As other podcasts have demonstrated, don’t read your ten segment article to us. Rewrite for “PODCasting” It is it’s own medium, and has a unique tempo. Practice your inflection. I can tell you are trying but it’s too flat. Pretend you are talking to your best friend and you are excited to share what you discovered. You need an editor and musician. Pay attention to your audio levels. I think this podcast could be so much better and I will listen to it again if you give it a redo. I can’t comprehend why after 20 years of work you settled on this quality.

Such great long form reporting about an interesting and pretty unknown story. The idiosyncrasies and details of the setting, time period, the characters are fully developed, and the background music adds to the feel of the story. Narrator has a good grasp of storytelling with a nice tone and inflection.

Stay for Watergate, Teamsters, hiding in plain sight, and Catch Me If You Can!

Excellent story, excellent storyteller. Can’t wait to see the movie!

I’m from Youngstown and now live in San Clemente so this story was interesting since I was not aware of this burglary. I was 13 at the time. Too much self promotion by the author/narrator. Didn’t care for his description of Youngstown. Many didn’t turn to crime. Some have been quite successful, legally. 😂. The story is the reason to listen. It really is interesting. Should make a great movie

I like this podcast so much that I wish someone would make a podcast about it.

It’s a great story! The audio can be hard to hear though and if you’re from Youngstown there is plenty to roll your eyes at!

What a great story with unexpected twists. The narrator has a screenwriter’s wit, which makes this podcast more fun than hard-boiled—but it’s still got that true crime grit. I’m enjoying the hell out of it.

Mesmerizing story telling. Can’t wait to hear the next chapter. Keep up the good work 👍👍👍

Found out about it this morning. By 1pm, all caught up they ep. 4. Can’t wait for the rest!

Epic. Can't stop listening.

This is a great story. The narrator has an engaging speaking style but the music playing while he talks really distracts from enjoying it. There’s drumming, jazz, rock and roll, and suspenseful soundtrack noise. There’s no continuity with the music style. It does not make the story more exciting, which I assume is the purpose of it. It’s already an exciting story! He doesn’t need the music.Too much random sound, too loud.

I’m really enjoying listening. I cant wait see what will happen next.

Thanks to the Crime Writer's On podcast for the great suggestion! Really interesting story.

I couldn’t disagree more with the criticism of the moderator. I think he is perfect for this subject, which is fascinating. I gave it 5 stars and am hooked.

Very well done podcast! The first episode had me hooked! Can’t wait to hear more!!

So cool to hear this story told by people I know. Definitely a 5/5!!

I want to hear more. I like the clips you played.

in a world saturated with crime podcasts, this one stands out for being unbelievably well-reported, entertaining and more compelling than absolutely anything else in my feed. telling my friends about it now so they think I’m cool when it gets Serial-level popular!!!

The story that Keith Sharon tells here is unlike any other true-crime podcast you'll find -- a caper, some well-known characters you wouldn't expect to find in this setting -- Nixon! Steve McQueen! Organized criminals (who aren't that organized in some ways). Plus it's as well-written as anything out there and you get as a bonus a ranking of the best bank heist movies, too. Highly recommended!

Can’t wait to see how this ends. Great story... unbelievable... and incredible reporting.

Can’t wait for next episode .

This is a fascinating story, hyped by an interview done on AN 640. I was really looking forward to hearing all the intriguing details. However, I can’t get through the first episode and I I am unsubscribing. The moderator is reading this scripted podcast in a monotone, expressionless style. Very, very disappointing.

Can’t wait to hear the story. It sounds riveting.