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The Stupid Crook Book
Police arrived on the scene of a recreational vehicle park to discover a very sick man vomiting and complaining of stomach cramps. The man admitted he had attempted to siphon gas from a motor home but inadvertently put the siphon tube in the wrong tank. Instead of gasoline, the man sucked out the contents of the sewage holding tank. If stupidity were lethal, all of the criminals highlighted in The Stupid Crook Book would be dead. This book from highly successful author Leland H. Gregory III captures hilarious tales of captured criminals who are so dumb you almost feel sorry for them. Almost. This lineup of criminal bozos
* Michael Anthony Silver, who made a $250 call to a 1-900 psychic hotline in the course of robbing a home. When the phone bill came later that month the homeowners called the police, who traced the call back to the hotline. It turns out Silver used his real name with the psychic.
* A would-be bank robber who fainted when a bank teller told him she had no money. The police later found his getaway car and discovered the key locked inside it.
* Tony Bariteau, who was arrested and pled guilty to breaking into the Deja Vu store in Troy, Alabama-twice! He was arrested because the same witness spotted him smashing the same window and stealing much of the same merchandise. Deja vu indeed.
* A wanted fugitive from Maryland who was running low on cash and stopped by a police station in Texas to ask for gas money. The police saved him the expense and gave him a free ride back to prison.
The Stupid Crook Book builds on the successful trail Gregory blazed with America's Dumbest Criminals , the book he coauthored that spent 17 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list.
Author's web
* Michael Anthony Silver, who made a $250 call to a 1-900 psychic hotline in the course of robbing a home. When the phone bill came later that month the homeowners called the police, who traced the call back to the hotline. It turns out Silver used his real name with the psychic.
* A would-be bank robber who fainted when a bank teller told him she had no money. The police later found his getaway car and discovered the key locked inside it.
* Tony Bariteau, who was arrested and pled guilty to breaking into the Deja Vu store in Troy, Alabama-twice! He was arrested because the same witness spotted him smashing the same window and stealing much of the same merchandise. Deja vu indeed.
* A wanted fugitive from Maryland who was running low on cash and stopped by a police station in Texas to ask for gas money. The police saved him the expense and gave him a free ride back to prison.
The Stupid Crook Book builds on the successful trail Gregory blazed with America's Dumbest Criminals , the book he coauthored that spent 17 weeks on the New York Times best-seller list.
Author's web
228 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2002
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63 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 11, 2016
I liked it. It was funny to read about the stupid crooks.
March 25, 2009
If I was rating this purely on the stories alone I would have given the book a 3 star rating. I took it down a whole star because of Leland Gregory's "witty" remarks. Why he felt the need to add a one line "witty" remark into almost every story I'll never know. There are 231 pages in my paperback copy and there is roughly one story per page, allowing for some very short "stories" at the bottom of some pages. I'd estimate about 215 stories were added to my Mr. Gregory.
I'll let everyone else decide for themselves exactly how witty Mr. Gregory is.
(These were taken from pages I just happened to open to by the way- had I opened to a story where there was nothing added I'd have noted that.)
Watch What You're Doing
Tom Burgess, a clerk at a San Diego convenience store, thought nothing of the customer who entered his store, went over to the coffee counter, poured himself a cup to go, and wandered back to the counter. The man pulled out his wallet and set it on the counter to pay for the coffee and then, surprisingly, demanded everything in the cash register. The robber was disappointed when Burgess told him there was no money in the register. Not wanting to leave empty-handed, the thief stole the clerk's wristwatch and quickly left the store with his coffee. After Burgess called the police, he was surprised when he saw that, in his haste, the thief had left his wallet on the counter, complete with social security card and CA. driver's license. "Not very bright," explained Burgess. The criminal won't have time to enjoy his watch, as he'll be serving time and being watched." (Thanks, Mr. Gregory- that's awesome.)
Rob Them Until You're Blue In The Face
The usual weapon of choice for a convenience- store robbery is either a handgun, a shotgun, or a knife- but this criminal's unique weapon was truly a breath of fresh air. The would-be robber walked up to the clerk of an Albuquerque, New Mexico, convenience store and said that if she didn't surrender all the cash, he would hold his breath until he passed out. Then, he claimed, he would sue the store, which would be responsible for his injuries on its property. The clerk looked at the man a minute and then broke out laughing. The windless robber kept his promise and held his breath- gradualy turning red. A quick exhalation and a gasp for oxygen made the crook and the clerk realize that the threat was just hot air. The crook fled from the store and ran straight into an off-duty police officer who had stopped by for coffee. A convenient arrest for an inconvenient convenience-store robber. (I'm not even sure what to say about this one.)
Caddy Lack Of Intelligence
A Miami, Florida, bank robber must have considered himself a first-class criminal and decided he deserved first-class accommodations. He thought it would best suit his status to rent a limousine. Not a very odd thing to do, of course, until you realize that he rented the limo to take him to his next bank robbery. The driver took the man to a local bank but noticed that he was acting suspiciously; his suspicions were confirmed when he saw the man pull a gun out of his pants before entering the bank. The limo driver quickly called the police, and when the man exited the bank with the loot, he found a different car waiting for him- a police car. He went from riding in a stretch limo to serving a stretch of time in limbo.
I'm so annoyed right now I want to scream. There is just no need. I know that sometimes remarks can help a story out and/or give it a little push. Hell, most of us do that when telling a story to others. But there comes a time when it isn't needed. It's especially not needed when the person telling/adding them just isn't funny. I hate to sound harsh but after readin so many of these idiotic sentences I'm just so tired.
It really is a shame though- the stories he found and included in the book are okay. They aren't roll-on-the-floor-laughing-out-loud funny but funny nonetheless.
I'll let everyone else decide for themselves exactly how witty Mr. Gregory is.
(These were taken from pages I just happened to open to by the way- had I opened to a story where there was nothing added I'd have noted that.)
Watch What You're Doing
Tom Burgess, a clerk at a San Diego convenience store, thought nothing of the customer who entered his store, went over to the coffee counter, poured himself a cup to go, and wandered back to the counter. The man pulled out his wallet and set it on the counter to pay for the coffee and then, surprisingly, demanded everything in the cash register. The robber was disappointed when Burgess told him there was no money in the register. Not wanting to leave empty-handed, the thief stole the clerk's wristwatch and quickly left the store with his coffee. After Burgess called the police, he was surprised when he saw that, in his haste, the thief had left his wallet on the counter, complete with social security card and CA. driver's license. "Not very bright," explained Burgess. The criminal won't have time to enjoy his watch, as he'll be serving time and being watched." (Thanks, Mr. Gregory- that's awesome.)
Rob Them Until You're Blue In The Face
The usual weapon of choice for a convenience- store robbery is either a handgun, a shotgun, or a knife- but this criminal's unique weapon was truly a breath of fresh air. The would-be robber walked up to the clerk of an Albuquerque, New Mexico, convenience store and said that if she didn't surrender all the cash, he would hold his breath until he passed out. Then, he claimed, he would sue the store, which would be responsible for his injuries on its property. The clerk looked at the man a minute and then broke out laughing. The windless robber kept his promise and held his breath- gradualy turning red. A quick exhalation and a gasp for oxygen made the crook and the clerk realize that the threat was just hot air. The crook fled from the store and ran straight into an off-duty police officer who had stopped by for coffee. A convenient arrest for an inconvenient convenience-store robber. (I'm not even sure what to say about this one.)
Caddy Lack Of Intelligence
A Miami, Florida, bank robber must have considered himself a first-class criminal and decided he deserved first-class accommodations. He thought it would best suit his status to rent a limousine. Not a very odd thing to do, of course, until you realize that he rented the limo to take him to his next bank robbery. The driver took the man to a local bank but noticed that he was acting suspiciously; his suspicions were confirmed when he saw the man pull a gun out of his pants before entering the bank. The limo driver quickly called the police, and when the man exited the bank with the loot, he found a different car waiting for him- a police car. He went from riding in a stretch limo to serving a stretch of time in limbo.
I'm so annoyed right now I want to scream. There is just no need. I know that sometimes remarks can help a story out and/or give it a little push. Hell, most of us do that when telling a story to others. But there comes a time when it isn't needed. It's especially not needed when the person telling/adding them just isn't funny. I hate to sound harsh but after readin so many of these idiotic sentences I'm just so tired.
It really is a shame though- the stories he found and included in the book are okay. They aren't roll-on-the-floor-laughing-out-loud funny but funny nonetheless.
May 8, 2013
The Stupid Crook Book is a novel revolved around small stories of criminals that do stupid things. There are some very funny ones and i thorougly enjoyed the book. For example, one robber robbed a house and got a clean get away, only to come back a few hours later when it was occupied with the vacants of the house, asking if he had left one of his shoes back here because he lost it. A funny an interesting read, but i think they could have included more detailed stories, some we're just too short.
April 22, 2013
It was a decent book for a light read. It was a nonfiction compilation of the stupid crooks that were just asking to be caught. I don't recommend for a book to really get into, but if you're looking for a light read, this is the book for you. I learned a lot about how stupid people can be because from just the simplest mistake, they got caught, it really was amazing to read about how misguided or not thought out plans can be your downfall.
February 24, 2025
(4 stars)
It is highly enjoyable to read about stupid crooks doing stupid things. Nuff said.
It is highly enjoyable to read about stupid crooks doing stupid things. Nuff said.
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April 16, 20093Q 4P M
This “Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers” is a fast read with interesting material. The excerpts are all factual accounts of the stupid behavior of criminals around the world. The comedic aspect will appeal to teens, providing them with many good laughs. One also feels much more intelligent after reading these accounts as well. It would be interesting to see if teens could locate other instances of “stupid crooks” in the media on their own, thus promoting them to read newspapers, etc.
This “Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers” is a fast read with interesting material. The excerpts are all factual accounts of the stupid behavior of criminals around the world. The comedic aspect will appeal to teens, providing them with many good laughs. One also feels much more intelligent after reading these accounts as well. It would be interesting to see if teens could locate other instances of “stupid crooks” in the media on their own, thus promoting them to read newspapers, etc.
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December 14, 2010Two guys tried to melt a safe with a Lazer Tag gun, a guy robbed a store loaded with many weapons, and then fell when he was loaded down with so much stuff on him, and a man had no luck when robbing a house but just injuring himself all over. I just laughed when he hit his head on a grease pit twice!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2018
So yeah, don't do what these people did and you should be alright.
If you're looking for a light listen that will make you feel better about your life and probably some decisions you've made; check out this book. It will make you shake your head at the antics some people can get into and make you wonder. Just what were they thinking?
Recommended? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Borrow.
If you're looking for a light listen that will make you feel better about your life and probably some decisions you've made; check out this book. It will make you shake your head at the antics some people can get into and make you wonder. Just what were they thinking?
Recommended? Sure
Buy/Borrow? Borrow.
December 16, 2008
like the darwin books, it's hard to believe that people are really this stupid. i mean, they are all crooks in this book....like the dude that robbed a gas station and left his license on the counter.....moron.
May 9, 2009
ok first off, the book was too darn long, I got tired of reading about all the stupid criminals in the world (where did he find them all?). some were interesting but it just got old after awhile. his sense of humor put him in the same category as the criminals themselves, I mean he's off the wall!
February 1, 2008
Very funny book!
June 8, 2008
128 pages- This book is about many crooks that got arrested by doing something stupid. This book is funny and what some of the crooks did is very surprising.-Kara Rogers
July 14, 2010
A bunch of enjoyable anecdotes about the stupidest, clumsiest, unluckiest criminals in the world. Pretty quick read. It's a good book for bathroom reading.
August 7, 2010
I enjoy ironic justice. People who do stupid stuff while committing crime are hysterically funny.
September 26, 2010
Very light reading but a cute diversion!
January 9, 2011
Probably 2.5 stars. Fun, but nothing deep. I would have liked it more without the so-called humorous comments after every entry.
November 25, 2011
It's like Darwin Awards for criminals. You'll laugh your head off one minute, then be horrified that people this stupid exist in the same species as you the next. Lots of fun.
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December 26, 2015I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11405769
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11405769
March 4, 2013
Funny.
January 23, 2016
A quick foray into the world of idiotic criminals. Good for a few chuckles here and there, with an occasional guffaw. An entertaining bit of brain candy.
July 31, 2020
Some books don't age well. Not only does Gregory's poorly executed humorous prose fail to incite much amusement out of me (this feels like a book a dad would enjoy), but some of these crimes... aren't unusual at all? After 50 pages in you'll probably feel as if you're re-reading some of the same incidents, of which Gregory's commentary is so so flaccid that it just kills any remote entertainment I had from these crimes. This isn't a long book, either, but it feels long. I would have preferred some variety of longer stories than intentionally trying to fit everything onto one page per story. At least the artwork is cool, and sometimes Gregory's lines are so bad that I laugh more so at the bad comments than I do at the crimes.
Give this book to your dad or grandpa if you find it used somewhere.
Give this book to your dad or grandpa if you find it used somewhere.
June 25, 2021
Entertaining to a fault - get VERY monotonous after 20 mintues
January 9, 2021
This is one of the books that I'll end up going back to when I need a good laugh. This book is chucked full of stories about crooks who are just to stupid for their own good. You'll finish a story and have the thought that nothing can top that idiot only for another story to end up providing you wrong. If you need a good laugh then this is definitely a book I'd recommend.
September 28, 2018
This book is silly, hilarious reading...perfect to carry in your purse and pull out when you are stuck waiting for something. That is exactly what I did and it made the perfect quick read for those 10-15 minutes you would otherwise be wasting time.
July 15, 2018
To some extent, I'm tempted to write "Well, that was something I read" about The Stupid Crook Book by Leland Gregory—who apparently has something of a cottage industry chronicling stupidity, judging by the sheer volume of his output along these lines—but ultimately I think that's the wrong approach. Yes, the contents of The Stupid Crook Book went in one ear and out the other, so to speak—try as I might, I can't recall a single humorous anecdote about stupid criminals other than the unfortunate person who accidentally siphoned the sewage tank instead of the gas tank in an RV park, and that's only because Paul Kirchner tells the same story in The Big Book of Losers, if I recall the source correctly—but enough of the stories were fun that it was enjoyable, if forgettable. Yes, Gregory deserves serious points off the book for repeated fat-shaming and prison rape "jokes"—and Gregory is smarmy enough that that's a major problem—but ultimately The Stupid Crook Book delivers as promised, and I don't know that that's any more than you could ask for a book like this.
December 16, 2016
There are some pretty funny stories included in this book. But the author's attempt at puns are at times redundant and annoying. The stories could stand alone without the aid of such stupid wrap-up puns!
January 1, 2017
Great Book. There is really Some Stupid Crooks in this world.
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July 14, 2018Awesome Book. These Criminals Is So Darn Stupid. Didn't know that there was so many stupid idiot criminals in the world.🐹
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews