The Costain Matter episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 5, 2026 · 27 MIN

The Costain Matter

from Detectives on the Air · host OTR.FM Network

Originally Aired: June 2, 1953Johnny Dollar #165, "The Costain Matter," insurance investigator Johnny Dollar heads to Toledo to examine what initially appears to be a simple shoplifting epidemic. Federal Insurance has paid out over twelve thousand dollars on thirty-seven stolen merchandise claims, and they want answers. When Johnny meets with Lieutenant Sturgis at the Toledo police station, he discovers this is no ordinary case. The thefts always involve expensive items from the best stores, and every stolen article is meant for a woman who wears size ten.The investigation takes a fascinating turn when Sergeant Bidler from the women's division reveals a striking pattern. All the stolen clothing comes in specific colors: green, brown, beige, cocoa, and yellow. Combined with stolen green eyeshadow and orange-tinted cosmetics, the evidence points to a very particular suspect: a red-headed woman with green eyes and short hair. The police have positioned undercover policewomen in various stores and alerted beauty salons across town, hoping to catch their stylish thief before she strikes again.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 5, 2026

Originally Aired: June 2, 1953Johnny Dollar #165, "The Costain Matter," insurance investigator Johnny Dollar heads to Toledo to examine what initially appears to be a simple shoplifting epidemic. Federal Insurance has paid out over twelve thousand dollars on thirty-seven stolen merchandise claims, and they want answers. When Johnny meets with Lieutenant Sturgis at the Toledo police station, he discovers this is no ordinary case. The thefts always involve expensive items from the best stores, and every stolen article is meant for a woman who wears size ten.The investigation takes a fascinating turn when Sergeant Bidler from the women's division reveals a striking pattern. All the stolen clothing comes in specific colors: green, brown, beige, cocoa, and yellow. Combined with stolen green eyeshadow and orange-tinted cosmetics, the evidence points to a very particular suspect: a red-headed woman with green eyes and short hair. The police have positioned undercover policewomen in various stores and alerted beauty salons across town, hoping to catch their stylish thief before she strikes again.

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The Costain Matter

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This episode was published on April 5, 2026.

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Originally Aired: June 2, 1953Johnny Dollar #165, "The Costain Matter," insurance investigator Johnny Dollar heads to Toledo to examine what initially appears to be a simple shoplifting epidemic. Federal Insurance has paid out over twelve thousand...

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