This podcast details true crime cases. It contains adult themes and may contain descriptions of violence.

It is not intended for children. Listener discretion is advised.

Thank you for joining me for today's episode of Once Upon a Crime.

It's November and we're beginning a new series,

fugitives from justice.

In these episodes, I'll share stories with you of criminals on the run from the law.

Whenever I hear one of these stories, I'm always curious to hear the details of how they got away,

where they fled to, and how they were able to evade capture for months or even years.

I found details on some really fascinating fugitive cases for you this month.

First up, a small time drug dealer in Southern California seeks to take revenge on arrival for money owed.

The events that unfold will include a bizarre kidnapping, a murder, and a half a decade on the run.

This is the story of Jesse James Hollywood.

On Sunday, August 2, 2000, three suburban youths were prowling the streets of West Hills located in Southern California's San Fernando Valley.

Jesse Ruggie, age 20, was at the will of a borrowed cargo van.

In the passenger seat was 20 year old Jesse James Hollywood, a name that sounds like a stage name for a Hollywood stuntman,

but Jesse James Hollywood was the name given to him by his parents and listed on his birth certificate.

You might think with a name like that a young man might aspire to gain a reputation to go along with it.

And in this case, you'd be right along for the ride with Hollywood and Ruggie was William Skidmore also 20.

Hollywood, Ruggie, and Skidmore had been friends and teammates playing baseball together in the predominantly white upper middle class suburb of West Hills.

Hollywood's father Jack had been a coach for their little league teams.

The boys who'd all grown up with privileges of the middle class didn't aspire to college education, but decided to go another way.

Perhaps products have too much time, too little parental supervision, or not enough responsibility.

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