The Repairman's Ruse: The 1934 Kidnapping of Alice Speed Stoll

The Kidnapping of Alice Speed Stoll

• 💡 On October 10, 1934, Alice Speed Stoll, a woman from a wealthy Louisville family, was kidnapped from her home by a man posing as a phone repairman.
• ⚠️ Alice, who was ill with a cold and fever, was subdued after a brief struggle, and her maid was also tied up.
• 🚗 The kidnapper forced Alice into his car, fearing for her husband Barry's safety upon his return.

Ransom Demands and Investigation

• 📝 A two-page ransom note was left for Barry Stoll, initially demanding $30,000 but revised to $50,000, with specific instructions about the money denominations and a warning against contacting authorities.
• 🔍 The FBI analyzed the ransom letter, noting the use of "we" and legalistic phrases, suggesting an educated and erratic perpetrator.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Fingerprints found at the scene, particularly on the ransom note and a phone box, were a crucial match to Thomas H. Robinson Jr., an engineer's son with a criminal record.

The Kidnapper's Background and Motives

• 👨‍ educated but troubled, Thomas Robinson Jr. had a history of erratic behavior, including theft, impersonation, and mental health issues, leading to stays in asylums.
• 💔 Robinson Jr. had a tumultuous personal life, including a shotgun wedding and divorce, and strained relationships with his parents and his second wife, Francis.
• 💰 He had previously worked for the Stall Oil Company, hinting at a possible connection or knowledge of the family's wealth.

Captivity and Escape

• 🏙️ Robinson Jr. took Alice to a hideout apartment in Indianapolis, where she was held captive, sleeping in a separate bed and tied to furniture when he left.
• 🗣️ Alice, despite her ordeal, took an active role in urging Robinson Jr. to make contact and facilitate the ransom, fearing for her own safety and prolonging her captivity.
• 🤝 Alice and Robinson's wife, Francis, who was involved in delivering the ransom, eventually escaped the apartment together after the money was handed over, seeking refuge with relatives.

Manhunt and Aftermath

• 🏃‍♂️ A nationwide manhunt ensued for Robinson Jr., who evaded capture for years by flaunting his newfound wealth and moving between cities.
• ⚖️ Robinson Jr. was eventually arrested and pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, receiving a life sentence, though his sentence was later commuted to a shorter term.
• 💔 Despite his claims of a consensual relationship with Alice, she testified against him, and he was convicted, ultimately serving 34 years in prison before his release in 1970.
• 💍 In a peculiar twist, Robinson Jr. reunited with his wife Francis after his release, and they remained married until her death, outliving Alice and Barry Stoll.