Stephen Reid : My Friend the Bank Robber (2011) - the fifth estate
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- Опубліковано 7 жов 2016
- "I've known Stephen Reid since we were both in our early 20s... Our lives have intersected many times since then. In a way, his story is also mine."
In a particularly personal broadcast, the fifth estate's Bob McKeown traces the career of, and his friendship with, the always fascinating, charismatic, and confounding Stephen Reid.
For decades, Stephen Reid has captured the imagination of Canadians - an outlaw bandit who robbed banks with stopwatch precision, a fast-talking charmer, and master of disguises who twice escaped prison, a reformed convict and accomplished best-selling author, nad a loving father and husband. It seemed Stephen Reid's story might have a Hollywood ending. But real life isn't so kind. The master of the quick get away, Reid couldn't escape the life everyone thought he'd left behind. Canada's most famous bank robber is now back on the inside, serving out an 18-year sentence and searching for redemption behind bars.
During a crime spree that spanned decades, Reid and his cohorts earned their name from the stopwatch he wore around his neck as they robbed banks all across North America. Among the Stopwatch Gang's notorious scores were the biggest Canadian gold robbery ever, the biggest bank job in San Diego history ($283,000 US) and about 100 other bank jobs from Seattle to Miami to Montreal, bagging some $15 million.
Over this same stretch of time an unlikely friendship developed between Reid, the professional thief, and Bob McKeown, longtime correspondent with the fifth estate. In the years before he became a journalist and played with the CFL, McKeown used to share beers with Reid at Ottawa's famed Prescott Tavern. It was McKeown who first brought viewers the story of Canada's answer to “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”. It was McKeown who shared occasional dinners with his old friend during those many years Reid was writing and raising his family with his wife, celebrated poet Susan Musgrave. And it's McKeown who now brings us face-to-face with Reid, and reveals, for the first time the secret that poisoned his childhood and launched a lifelong struggle with addiction.
Original broadcast date : March 25, 2011
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About the fifth estate : For four decades the fifth estate has been Canada's premier investigative documentary program. Hosts Bob McKeown, Gillian Findlay and Mark Kelley continue a tradition of provocative and fearless journalism. the fifth estate brings in-depth investigations that matter to Canadians - delivering a dazzling parade of political leaders, controversial characters and ordinary people whose lives were touched by triumph or tragedy.
I have to say, this is one of the best produced episodes.
Thank you for this, Stephen was a friend of mine and he remains one of the kindest people I have ever met. His wife Susan and his two daughters are brilliant and fascinating.
louise boutin just wondering how he remains “ one of the kindest people I have ever met”
@@ColtsFan-le7bk well, I met him through his family knowing nothing of his past he was an amazing husband, father, friend, grandfather. generous to a fault, considerate and kind.He may of had his own problems with addiction, but he was a very nice person.
@@louiseboutin4266 nice and kind people don't commit armed robbery, he endangered many people, he was armed for a reason, to shoot if needed, that's a pos in most people's books.
@@louiseboutin4266 Thanks for remembering the "Good" in the man!
@@jinov191I'm not sure if robbing banks makes someone less kind. I don't think so. 🤔
RIP Stephen Ried, a nice man, and he did get what he asked for at the end of this vid, to live out his years humbly and content with his family in HG surrounded by his friends. props
when did he die and was it as a free man? hope he is rip .
mickeybigbuds he died a free man in may 2018
RIP
I felt bad for him so often during this video.
@@Anita-k He was a selfish fool (I think even he would agree on that) who did not think of others, and the consequences of his actions on the lives of others. However, I do sympathise with his childhood experiences. As a professional childhood educator I firmly believe that what you experience between the ages of 5 and 13 sets the path to your future. If I was to open a tin of assorted biscuits and found that they were all chocolate cookies, I would be disappointed.
R.I.P Stephen Reid
I would see him occasionally when I worked in downtown Victoria last year. He was on day parole and was writing in a cafe. Tad surreal...
I did a creative writing course he was teaching in prison. "Writing towards the light" He taught me a lot about life. I stayed at his house in Sidney for a couple weeks while he slept at that Victoria 'half wit house' , as he called it.
Such a good man
@@donnybrook9890 thats good to know. Thanks for a real share
Donny Brook
So interesting to know! His heart is open to others, else he couldn’t teach such a deeply creative art, as writing.
We are all broken, in some way. His brokenness lead to him to break the law. Mine led to loving the people who would hurt me. Broke my heart but not the law.
His wife is rare.I do like that their relationship remained, regardless.
Tyson L
I’m sure it was!
thought I would have a quick view on this video, but the end is something I would never have guessed, amazing story.. cheers for the upload
I was friends with a guy who knew Steve and Paddy well. He's dead now too. Was a great guy, a legend in his own right - Darryl Vincent.
K
Who in a million years would have thought that Bob was a grey cup winner.......u think u know a guy.....
Gary Ko yeah and first string player too.
I was surprised 😮
the Gray Cup was minor leagues in 1970s
Yeah, I thought that, too. But young football players grow up to be grandfathers one day.
I don’t usually steal, but when I do... It’s giant bars of gold.
Just added yourself to the dumb list for telling. Lol
And then went for cash in the USA
🤣🤣🤣
Seriously how were these prison guards not fired and formally apprehended?!?!?! This is unbelievable!
This one made me feel sad and sorry. I started watching this thinking this is just another bank robber but something about the story hurts a bit. May be I'm weird.
pgeorge3 What hurts for me is that nice lady who will never give up on him, that’s true love.
@@alvaroakatico9188 she is rare and unbelievably priceless
Maybe!
I have the strangest feeling i know Stephen lmao mabe he was friends with my dad they are about the same age and he used to be in that lifestyle.
You're not only weird, you're an idiot. Somebody could have been mutilated or killed because of this disgusting criminals.
WAIT WHAT?!!! Bob McKeown is an ex-pro football player???! Even tho I just watched footage of him at 5:10 playing for the Ottawa RR, I'm not actually sure I believe it. I can't believe it! Bob seems like such a mild-mannered, erudite, intellectual type--a consummate professional--I just assumed he graduated from university & entered the world of journalism in the predictable way. I mean, the Edward R Murrow Award I knew about, but...the CFL too? I suppose even a talented, stellar, ethical journalist like Bob can have a few surprises up his sleeve...
I really enjoyed this documentary. Deep down i think Steven is a decent person. i do. He has an addiction. It doesn't excuse what he's done, but when you are so entrenched in something it's very hard to turn it around. His wife - amazing. A lovely person. When he is paroled, i hope he can make it work.
Suey I agree with everything you said. Thank you
: )
Suey
My thoughts exactly. I hope the prison has the necessary resources available to get him the help he needs. He's lucky to have such a wonderful, compassionate and strong woman to love him that will stand beside him and be there for him.
The Llama Lady What's the saying behind every strong man there's a stronger woman. Something like that
Suey I completely agree with you.
This is my favorite documentary ever! And I’ve watched MANY!
The only crime here was having a lawn bowling club.
They're depressingly common up here. Specifically in country towns or places with lots of seniors.
Heroin and bank robbery clubs should really be a bigger thing than lawn bowling clubs imho.
funniest comment eva
@@derrickgough6219 I respectfully disagree. Lawn bowling clubs are much more heinous
Flat out the most Canadian prison escape in history
Love Stephen Reid. Everyone should read Jackrabbit Parole. A true Canadian Folk Legend.
misterslats I have a pocket book copy of jackrabbit parole. It is a good book.
Other good books you might like are "Go boy" and "Bingo" written by Roger Caron who has been in and out of the Canadian prison system his whole life. Including time in juvenile detention centres. Go boy is about his life in trouble and in jail/prison and his escapes from jail. bingo is about the kingston prison riot in '71
Roger was in there for the riot. Both a good read. Written by Roger. Interestingly Roger couldn't read when he entered prison yet wrote go boy from within prison walls.
If you're in Canada you can go to or call your local library and if it's not there they can get it brought to they're library for you. I think you will like them if you like jackrabbit parole.
watermelon in easter hay When I was in my early 20's (47 now) I really liked prison memoirs so of course Go Boy and Bingo are still in my library today. They are classic Canadian tales for sure. Another great one is The Stopwatch Gang. Can't remember the author's name despite reading the book at least three times. Oddly, it was my dad, who is a retired judge, who recommended some of my favorite crime books and turned me on to Stephen Reid. He had a grudging respect for Reid and Mitchell's exploits. My all-time favorite crime book is The Corner. It's about the residents of the most drug-plagued neighborhood in Baltimore. I can't recommend that book enough.
Truly, an amazing documentary. Very well thought out. That’s certainly quite the adventure(s), you have both been on. Thanks for the video.
Adventure? Someone has been watching too many movies. More like misadventure in criminality. Why do you not think of his family? His daughter? Jeez...
Another story of how a 'respectable adult' has ruined a child's future. So sad. Steven seems like a likeable and intelligent guy, sorry to hear he couldn't stay clean...
Where is the evidence he ever suffered abuse? Many criminals make up stories to justify horrible acts. Duh!
Arden Ritchie Where is the evidence he didn’t?
@@ardenritchie5722 Got a source for that, bud? There's no indication that Stephen Reid was lying about any of that.
Bravo Bob. Bravo! You know after watching Bob McGeown do his magic with very real and serious subjects. It always makes this Yank wish I was Canadian!!! Lol
Gosh, I think if Stephen had not been dealt such a bad hand to start off...deep at heart is actually a good heart and could have been quite successful career wise and with family...And his wife, she just TRULY loves him. In a day when people "fall in love" like they vacation, it is more rare.
Your not familiar with phycopaths ,?
@@jillsmcfarland2001 no because that's a made up word. Also *you're.
By that reckoning then lets let off every criminal, as most have had "a bad upbringing"..... Its not an excuse
Jills Mcfarland A drug addict and a psychopath? Doesn’t make sense. Drug addicts get hooked on drugs to escape feelings, while psychopaths do not have feelings. Impossible to be both I would think?
I can listen to Bob McKeown's voice FOR HOURS. And since we're currently under house arrest, I HAVE.
So cool Bob kept up his friendship with a known "criminal". But I can see why......Stephen Reid looks like the kind of guy you could easily overlook his past with his captivating personality. I understand how Susan could've stuck by him, through it all..
Didn't have a hope as an 11 year old boy...what a creature the Doctor was...no doubt he was regarded as an upright law abiding citizen.
This is a well told and entertaining story. Must have taken a terrible toll on his family members.
Canada must have nice prisons. "Let's go for Chinese". "Let's get some fish".
Jason Pound you have to remember what year all of this happened 🤷🏾♀️
He was a legend though. They probably idolized him lmao i would have if i was a guard.
@Heavy Metal That's extremely exaggerated.
Margo Thatcher
No more chaining dogs, thank goodness; at least in TN!
I'm surprised no one has brought up the possibility that he actually used bank robbery as a way to get that same rush with adrenaline!
Morphine has to do with dopamine, not adrenaline.
That jail looks like a country club. Outrageous.
This dude lived a rollercoaster 🎢 life.
As his wife said he pretty much only knew the gangster life....
shows the power of addiction with lengthy prison terms he still went back to jail at the late stage of his life.
The last 5 mins of this video was an unconditional love and it made me cry
I’m not condoning what they did but he’s a good guy at heart with problems. When he gets out I hope he lives his life the way he wants to
i feel so badly for what happened to him as a teenager, taken advantage of by some old freak...
your girl kate That happens to millions of young people, millions, in much of the world, who never turn bad & dangerous.
flyinspirals you sound like your justifying the sex predator that's steals childhoods but vilifying the man that steals paper
I lived among drug addicts for 25 years in a trailer park. The lesson I learned, and how I survived was this: Never believe anything they say even though some of it might be true.
@@TrumanGN Someone not believing them when they pleaded for help as a child may have been what lead them down that path. Some people choose the abuser over their own child, that disappointment & dismay, on top of neglect can have dire consequences in itself.
Contributing factors that lead to their anguish & turning to drugs is an explanation not an excuse. Perhaps you got too invested & ran out of empathy but to assume anyone who uses drugs is simply a manipulative liar who is causing their own suffering & no-one has abused or deeply hurt them is at best nieve & ignorant at at worst misleading & dishonest.
@@TrumanGN I have a notification saying that you have replied but it is not showing up when I click through. I can only see the very beginning of your comment, so can you please re-post?
Ahhh shucks .... Come on guys, I hadn't had fish and chips in forever.
"Let me tell you this story of Stephen Reid. Steve and friend visited the tavern, where I happened to be. Back then I was a football star, and enjoyed hanging out at the tavern with the owner. I was a precocious little scamp then, and chatted with the owner and celebrities all the time. Did I mention I was a football star?"
When it is a fact, and related to the story cuz they used to know each other before the anyone knew who this crimal was, and because at the time they got to know each other at the bar, he was not a journalist, but a football player. You make him look like he was bragging about playing football
This fifth Estate commentator should be the new man for the national.
You have to admire these guys, i know its not right, but still, thats some life and what those events do to a characters personality is a story tellers dream.
R.I.P Stephen Reid .. a true Canadian hero
The way he started out in life did almost guarantee a life like this. I don't know that we can blame him. At the time, he had nowhere to go. Someone would have to be superhuman to not to be permanently affected.
I was thinking the same thing. Really sad.
I see Canadians are up to par with 80s style US journalism.
explain please?
I'm Canadian and yes it's horrible can't stand it don't watch it
A really good story.
amazing woman stuck by her husband, no matter what...
she is an idiot. If she dumped him her girls would have a better life.
@@byronelenica8329 She is an incredible woman and she made her choices and his daughters loved him very much right to the end.
I am thinking, the next time out, it will be Pizza !!!! Come on guys, I haven't had a slice of Pizza in 5 yrs !!!! Hahaha !!! 😁🍕🍕🍕🍕
Right. Some people never learn :)))
Michael Mendillo lol
He has passed away
I think he paid them off or something I mean they knew of the last time he did that and he still got them to stop ?! And it’s a wonder the correctional officer still had his job after that
The FBI had to learn to REID and WRIGHT.
Robert Emmet dear oh dear 😔
Yo that's a good one
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They shouldn't be coddling a violent criminal like this.
Again and again he proved he could not be trusted at all.
He shouldn't be given any publicity and certainly no parole.
Dont be so fecking miserable, anyway he died last year ...........?. And yes he was on parole
@A Tangerine yes get your point TEXAS WHERE MEN ARE MEN AND SHEEP ARE SCARED
Any addiction can be beat. Many have beat addiction of heroin but you have to have a good soul.
Yeah it can,but when they legally give u morphine for pain control that makes it a 100 times harder when you are trying to get clean
There're convicted criminals you wish you could execute with your own hands. And there're those whom you wish you could give a huge big hug if you met them in person. This guy certainly falls in the 2nd group. He kinda reminds me of Frank Abagnale, the prototype of Catch Me If You Can :))
Keep writing Reid...
I was in James Bay when he did his last bank robbery, lots of excitement. Didn't know the full backstory though I did know of Stephen Reid bank robber turned author married to a weird poet (with a car covered in small toys). Royal Bank robbed me of $1400 so hats off to Reid.
I saw her car many times
Bob McKeown, what an ICON!
Robbing a bank is definitely on my bucket list.
Always funny to me when a rich and famous TV reporter, whose life consists of mansions and fancy hotels, thinks they can relate with a career criminal who has led a very stressful and hard life. Addiction and childhood abuse. No, you can't relate at all. You don't understand the dark forces that drive some people.
lol thought of the exact same thing .
just being used for a story / ratings !
okay this guy's a serial killer
"Stephens story , in a way, is my story" -- Bob Mckeown
Bob isn’t rich. No mansions. But he and Stephen had a bond and liked each other immensely.
love the fifth estate
he seems like a nice good guy just had a bad hand and just wanted to stuff the pain down deep and be happy but didn't know how :(
of course, the type of man you would love to meet the next time you are in a bank with your five year old child. he wasn't nice, he was dangerous and selfish
How can you not feel bad for the guy ...God be with him....
Thoughts and prayers 🙏 to the Reid family. You can do it!
What a group of characters :)
I like Bob Mckeown as a commentator and a person. Sometimes opposites attract. That's the reason behind the friendship of these two men.
Thanks to that lady Genuine heart 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲 Jamaica love peace
Stephen looks and sounds like a pretty decent guy. The molestation thing puts it all together. He is not a bad person. Very good story by someone who knows the guy. Edit: Was a good guy. I see where he died in 2018.
He was a great man he was my god father
Nobody suspects Candadians to be gangsters, they are simply too nice, unless you watch them checking "innocent" Russians on the ice rink ;)
Regards from Germany!
Absolutely true about us haha
The guy is one of the most prolific bank robbers in history... And he was always polite
Love is powerful .God bless her.
my biggest fear was dying, before being released. Jail & prison make you miss weird stuff....for me, it was a bath, your never submerged in water in custody, i missed it so much. it is hard kicking that lifestyle.
its like The Clash song, "Bankrobber" "He just loved to live that way, and he loved to steal your money"
I miss thieving,I retired once i hit the half century mark.
I have always thought for every bit of trauma for every step I’ve taken for every mistake I’ve made for every single thing I’ve learnt from my mistakes , I wouldn’t have had my two beautiful children who are now adults if I’d done one thing different... if I hadn’t have gotten on the bus that one day many years ago I wouldn’t be where I am now ❤️never give❤️
good on you!
Love Canada will visit one day. Every country has their rogues.
intriguing, that's why i finished the video, not to judge anyone!
That's incredible... I've seen documentaries on the Stopwatch Gang.
Canadians seem like such simple people, so cool in today's world 😂 Thanks guys! *kisses* n *hugzz*
Aw shucks! Thanks, Lil Kangaroo.
@@sharong8511 LOL
Why is this not a film??
I really believe deep down Stephen was a good guy.
will nowak I was just gonna write that!! But you beat me 5 days ago!!! 🤣
Nice guys don't put peoples' lives in jeopardy. This guy is disgusting.
Truman Green I agree!!! I guess the more fitting word would be “Charming “!!! Right?
Shes one loyal wife
Finish strong in the Lord my brother. God has kept you here so you may recognize His grace and tell others the Good News! I believe youre a godly man and may He reveal this to you. God bless you and i have faith you will finish strong!
He's dead you bible bashing idiot!!!!
Such a sad story. I pray he has one last chance to get out legally to be with his family. Hope he can make the most of it this time.
He's dead!!!!
do you really believe that he fled because of his persuasion, the two guards have been corrupted with green money, he will never put at risk those who have facilitated his escape from prison
If society was humane we wouldn't have people doing antisocial things to get by.
Dunning Kruger Some otherwise 'normal' people have a worm in their brain. This guy could have been a successful honest man if not for the worm.
flyinspirals The worm is a choice to be a criminal.
flyinspirals I have a few worms in my head
DrankSinatra, you must have DrankTequila
What a great lady! I got injured in a car accident and my then-wife left me, just because she thought we would have a lower income! The stupid woman is surprised that when she sees that after the divorce I bought my own house and have a great life!
Wtf is the story with those guards?? Let him go to the toilet TWICE without an escort?!? Good on these 3 guys, obviously very clever men!! Well done guys 💚👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
great documentary.
Why do people who steal money get more time in prison than murderers? unbelevable!
These three guys had a colourful life.. but I think they have hurt many people along the way. I feel for their families... 🇨🇦
He passed away June 12, 2018 (aged 68)
68 is good
Love your documentaries here in England thanks fifth estate
so he passed away in June 2018, he knew he was dying.
What a sad story.
i like the guy and his wife. i am surprised that narrator is about 80 years old. holy moly, no one can see that.
The reporter was born in 1950.
they should make this story a series of movies,im so tired of heroes bs movies
I used to do a lot of graffiti, in super risky spots and I can totally understand why three guys did this over and over. The high when you know you got away with it is the greatest. Theirs was next level though.
Yeah because graffiti is real bad aye... Lol seriously bragging about some scribbles on a wall definitely not in the big leagues
@@anitagoodman9002 calm down hun, don’t steal their shine.
Best to watch this one with an ad blocker
He looks like Peter Dinklage in those B&W photos.
Rule #1 - it's never worth it.
Rule #2 - revert back to rule #1.
Real love...
That's the reality of addiction, the lie is always there telling you it will work this time. There is no logical reasoning and that's why you have to devote yourself to a life of recovery.
Never occured to the guards to idk
...follow him in to the bathroom and do their job an watch him?
Could have been bribed.
Paddy and Stephen could be twin brothers. They look so much alike.
Charming company, but -- same old story. Many of us are abused, few become dangerous repeat felons.
i didnt hear any "abuse excuse" in fact im surprised the "dr" that abused him and injected him starting an addiction wasn't used, steven.... he's at least accountable for his own choices
So easy for you to shrug off the sicko who steals childhoods and vilify a guy who steals little sheets of linen ... ? Humm ...
flyinspirals Charming comments,but - same old story. Many of us are commentators, few become sanctimonious repeat arseholes.
These guards/prisons are the most incompetent I have ever heard of.
Let Stephen be an addict. So what. Give him the drugs he wants and the world will be a better place.
Joseph Hinton
Yes, but when one is using cocaine one can inject or smoke hundreds of dollars worth in a few hours. When he committed the last robbery in Victoria he had been on a cocaine run for some time. Money soon becomes an issue.
Joseph Hinton 👍It would Solve alot of Social Problems of Thefts & Prostitution & Kill off the Black Market in illicit Drugs- Maybe Prevent Another Generation of Young Kids Experimenting With Dangerous Life Destroying Drugs - Although these Days Prescription Drugs are Just as Big or Bigger Problem - Cheers👍😀🍺🍻
@@purebloodheretic4682 Yup. Look at the countries drugs are legal. Completely different
The truth.
I lived in Olive branch Mississippi when he robbed that bank and I just happened to be in South Haven across the street from the bank as he robbed it and got caught.
How come these guys never quit when they're ahead
You can't fight a drug.. you have to fight youself and figure out what is really going on ..#you can winn...
A person's actions are who they are! The rest are just a nice sounding cover up. Everyone will face hard times. It's the choices you make during and after the hard times that determine your future.