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 Download Flash Player to view this content. My Friend the Bank Robber
"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. The report includes new and exclusive interview footage with Reid from prison. He also speaks with wife Susan Musgrave, a former FBI agent, and former prison guards and escorts among others. |
Selected published pieces by Stephen Reid:
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You saying she is an alcoholic? shame on you
I think your use of the word "career" is unfortunate. He's a bum who lived a bum's life. Don't glorify it.
Reid is the ubiquitous Canadian ex-con...during my time inside, i have met many shadowy, unsavory silhouette's similar to Stephen...when he married his muse, he awakened among bored Canadians, a banal impulse
Well said Judy
Once and as always thanks to the fifth estate to broadcast journalism in the moralistic manner. to comment on the Stephen Reid's documentary, I did not hear or see where the premise was about sympathy. He was telling his story, sure he had regrets, but I never heard him cried the woe pity me card. hopefully now at his age out of the bafflings of socio-environmental system he can gain self actualization in order to deal with his past.
I am the grandmother of two young men who at ages 4 and 6 were sexually molested over a period of months by a neighbour/babysitter and repeatedly threatened with death if they told anyone.Now more than 20 years later the wounds they bear are as raw as if the abuse took place last week. As I watched the Stephen Reid story every fiber of my being rebelled at the doctor pedophile who was the root cause of this very sad case but who went free and unpunished while the lives of his victim and those who loved him were utterly destroyed. When are we going to punish pedophiles for the horrendous crimes they perpetrate on little children and those who love them.
It was with deep compassion I watched this story. It only goes to prove the depths of spiralling addictions can lead a person. Compassion guides my heart for Stephen Reid, common sense asks when Stephen had a chance at addictions councelling and real Rehab - i didn't hear that in his story. As for his abiding loving wife - I am curious if she has sought her own treatment / recovery at Naranon or alanon? It is very difficult loving an addict, even more difficult to detach and live the 12 steps to protect your children. No matter what - The Children MUST come first - I'm certain Stephen agrees. Peace and Serenity.
I grew up in the same town as Stephen and know the truth about his alleged encounters. The doctor in question had another side,,,, but not the one Stevie relates. Like most the guys we grw up with drugs and excitemnet were our main interests and we all had a tough life but not as ba you think. He was a hell raiser and did what he wanted to do.
No excuses!
I had a beer with his father 10 years ago at a friends house and he said his sone was just a good for nothing bum. That being said Stevie thought he was notororious and like a Clyde-like character. He just got on the wrong wagon headed out of town. Ask anyone from our home town and they will say the same. He made his bed and now he has to sleep in it.The rest is just B.S.
As I had said before that the hankering governing the sport of bank robbery is more of a psychosomatic disorder hence compassion is the key word in such a scenario and lest should we forget that the bank robber in question is an ordinary human being as we all are perhaps used a not so acceptable medium to attain his ecstatic glory
As a recovering addict who spent over 20 years as a practicing addict I feel that basically in the end he got what he deserved. Im no angel and have spent my fair share of time in jail but I never robbed to get a fix and never put other peoples lives in danger like he did so I find it hard to feel sorry for him. I mean we all have demons and I myself have horrible dreams still almost nightly of the past and I have been clean without a relapse for a few years now so I dont think that his bringing up his past abuse excuses him for his crimes. Grow up, get treatment for your addiction and quit feeling sorry for yourself it is possible to change.
In a family that had only supported warfare, narcotics and alcohol, Mr. Reid was bound to have an awful upbringing. Only at the age of fourteen, he would be using (undoubtedly) and selling narcotics on the street. At an age when you are so tender, it is no surprise that Stephen would be accustomed to this lifestyle. I do agree that his story should not be glamorized, but on the other hand it had to be. This is a CBC Fifth Estate for god sakes. This episode was meant to be exciting and (in a sense) overblown but that is no reason to call Mr Reid a "total loser" and insult him. Try to put yourself in his shoes before judging him as somehow "inferior".
Crime free life has been in your comments over the years....
Yet you played both sides of the coin ie gangster gone good....still thick in crime.
What's has changed now for you after being convicted of wanting to flood streets with poison.....? Drugs......talk is
cheap what's the new way today? If you would not have spent so many years locked up....and crime did pay...no rats!!!! what words would come from someone living large and in charge of his Freedom...... $$$$$ to wake up and say or do mostly whatever you and who ever wanted to????
Fact is crime pays for some.....it's always how one handles the $$$ and that karma.... that comes collecting with little mercy as time waits for no man neither will karma. So how's karma treating you these days? Or as the truth goes what comes around goes around!!!
Thanks for all the wisdom and skills you shared over the years. I think as far as this bank robbers life goes and many others in this world of crime... in it's many forums and degrees ie most people want something for nothing. Weather it be that money from the bank....something fell of a truck and so did it's value....or the one who chimes in on this subject downing crime while burning illegal content on the net it's all down to timing and is one ready to pay the price if he or she has bad timing? One can do whatever one wants in life as long as people are ready to pay the price.
Thanks Chris Oroszy
Stephen Reid is nothing more than stupid criminal who is too lazy to work for a living, who only wants to live off the hard earned dollars of law abiding, taxpaying Canadians, and who keeps making mistakes and getting caught because of his sociopathic personality and idiocy. I can't stand how the Fifth Estate tries to make him look like a "survivor", that he somehow deserves our sympathy because of his tough past. When Bob McKeown tells Reid "It's amazing that you're not dead after all you've gone through" and tells us that Reid was able to escape and hide from the authorities, what are we supposed to think? That the guy is a hero deserving our respect and admiration? The cold reality is that the guy is nothing more than a big name repeat crook, who wants the attention of the public, but will only show contempt for the rest of us by thumbing his nose at the law. His repeated incarcerations only define him as a real loser, nothing more.
Excellent comment. I totally agree.
We have all had problems, heartaches and sadness in our lives, but we did not do what you did. I am appalled at his lack of repentance!
Thanks, Fifth Estate, for another thought-provoking, discussion-stimulating program.
All this sympathy for Stephen Reid makes me gag. I was living in Victoria when he pulled his last big job and got caught. I think the guy is a total loser and I have ZERO sympathy or respect for him. It's pathetic that the media thinks it's right to somehow build him up into some kind of folk hero/victim. What a load of crap. He's just another dumb criminal too lazy to work, who chose the path of crime rather than becoming an ordinary taxpaying citizen. Bob McKeown is normally a good journalist, and I can't believe he has allowed himself to be sucked into the "Legend" of Stephen Reid.
I don't put much value in what all the finger pointers say about Stephen Reid although every one is entitled to there opinion.For people to Question whether or not the Doctor did what Stephen says he did upsets me.As Stephens close friend in William head we did many of the same programs and walked the back forty together almost every day sharing our stories.I can assure you this has caused Stephen a lot of anguish and turmoil in his life,I felt his pain.Stephen was my best friend and confident while I was in William Head.His friendship helped me over come the affects of the sixties scoop policy implemented to assimilate native children by showing me that I had value and that I am equal in a society that has systemically dehumanized me from the day I was apprehended at fourteen months old.Through his friendship I've over came the fears and insecurities that I've allowed to plague me my whole life.He has taught me how to write,"well better than I did"to put my own story on paper and to find how empowering that process is.I learned to use violence to empower my self at a very young age when I fought back from the abuse I was subjected to in all the foster homes I was in,and it worked.I lost my self and continued to use it as an adult which has lead to many innocent victims and over Twenty some odd years in prison where I continued to use violence all the way to the special handling unit to empower my self.I haven't used violence in over ten years and I'm doing well being as an equal on the street because someone(Stephen)cared enough to teach me about self value and self respect by empowering myself through writing,and his friendship.That's a side of Stephen not reported in news papers that people should know before making there comments known.Kagee
I recently sent you a comment on Stephen Reid and gave you a wrong e-mail address,I'm sending you the correct one now....f.leaney@hotmail.ca
Should we treat the accused under given circumstances with compassion or with malignity ? as the hankering governing the sport of bank robbery is more of a psychosomatic disorder !!
The same thing happened to me. I was using Firefox with adblocker enabled. Rather than disable my adblocker, I switched to another browser (Google Chrome) and the programme played without a problem.
this man is a legand ive had the chance to meet some of this family and friends thanks
It seems this particular episode will not play thru past about a minute then it stops..hummm..is it just me?
This is quite likely Stehen makes native art style drums and has sold many.
Do you have some sort of personal vendetta against Stephen, or what is your problem?
I think that it is hard to comprehend that a person could who is educated and probably was even respected in his community could be so sick as to do this to a child but Stephen is not the type of person to lie about such an event. It seems to me he still even blames himself for these horrendous acts being done to him. For a man in prison to admit that this happened when he was a child must have been extremely difficult for him. I'm very proud that he finally came out with this truth and I hope it will inspire other men who have endured such abuse to come forward and talk about it without the fear of being labeled gay. I suppose it's easier to believe a bank robber is lying than to think that humanity is capable of such perversion on an 11 year old boy. This brings tears to my eyes, Stephen was very brave to come out with it, and I hope that this honesty will help him in his recovery.
@Dave It was not Heroin... it was morphine. Unfortunately, too often the general public takes the view that you have expressed. 1 in 6 men are abused as children. All to common is that we remain silent...
I really enjoyed this doc.,well done. Let's hope the final chapter is not an overdose!
Not buying the doctor story but it does add a nice touch to the story. By the way, where's Lionel, the third guy?
Reading your comment made me shudder. Am so glad not all people are like you. Grace-is giving to all ..no one better than the other. We all make mistakes,some worse in others eyes .
Its amazing how some people just write others off because they made mistakes in life. When I read this,it reminds me there is hope..because what that man did was horrendous its not the end. He has seen what it does to his family and is not making excuses for his behavior instead,realizing that he has a purpose,and he can do something good for his daughter,and for others as well while in the system. Like a reader said,"K Marie Craswell" we all like to tell our story..." So true..we all have one...whats yours?
I totally agree with JJ. Total waste of taxpayers money. Does CBC review anything before they put it on air? Anyone that believes that Stephen Reid was illegally injected morphine needles by a doctor at 11 years old and then abused and no one knew about it, is as messed up as Stephen Reid himself. What a joke.
How sad that we have short sighted and uninformed people like you in 2011 amongst our midst. Don't you know that there were always Dr.Masseys in this world and always will be? do you think his siblings would really have noticed anything in a neglected family of ten kids? do you think his parents would have cared? Don't you know that addiction is a disease that is not only very difficult to control, but can't be "cured" and has to be actively fought by the victim for the duration of their life span? It just shows that we need programs like the Fifth Estate to enlighten people who are oblivious to anything not directly related to their limited little microcosm.
As a student of criminological theories, I think Bob Mckeown and his team did a fantastic job of not glorifying Mr. Reid but allowing us to see that not all criminals are cookie cutter in their criminality. If we can better understand the causes and characteristics of Mr. Reids addiction to drugs and crime then we can better inform our social and correction policies...After all our justice system is built on rehabilitation not retribution
This man deserves to be where he is,nothing special about his story just a old crook that will die in jail,good riddance
Well done, this is what happens when a child grows up with no love just neglect, they feel that the rest of their lives.
Well Geoff, I don"t think they tried to "glamorize" Mr.Reid. Very few would say he doesn't deserve to be incarcerated, but perhaps this story could deter a young person watching who had a bad childhood not to turn to a life of drugs and crime. If we canvassed all victims and officers of every crime then everyone who committed a crime would get life in jail.
well done....
Shut up you two cry babies.....CBC..Nice work some of us Canadian,s very much appreciate the work that went into this doc.....
There was no 'glamourization' of Stephen Reid in this outstanding documentary, as cited by characters like "peter" below, who bemoaned "a canadian crime folk hero". Jesse James, I would bet a dollar to donut.
If FBI investigators voiced their 'respect' as reported, take it up with the FBI.
The doc is frank, with no hesitation to show the
tragic and unenviable sad reality behind any Hollywood angle.
Peter, with between 10 and 30 percent of the Canadian public accruing a record at one point in time for any number of offenses, your crude, absurd self righteous bleating about the 'nature of cons ' is almost criminal in its illogic end.
One bad day - just one - and just like many of your neighbours, co workers, friends and yes even family, you too could easily have a 'record'.
Welcome to the real world, lil angel.
I found the story of My Friend, the Bank Robber interesting and well done by Bob McKeown. Stephen Reid did not have a good childhood and I think he turned to a life of crime to make up for the lack of excitement in his early life. I think it's remarkable that he went to speak at schools to deter young people from crime.
And one more thing......Bob McKeown should be fired for wasting taxpayer's money to make this documentary about a mockery of a man who isn't worth the time or effort to keep him alive.
How dare you! How dare you waste taxpayer's money glorified this nasty little p...k who made a career of terrorizing innocent people because he was too bloody lazy and stupid to get a real job. This man should have been shot on sight like Dillinger. The people whose lives he messed up completely by pointing a gun at them and threatening to kill them. He is a miniature monster, not a man, he is a coward and deserves everything he deserves. By making him seem to be more than what he truly is is a disgusting use and abuse of the publicly funded media system. I hope he rots in hell.
seems to me what it is saying in the report he got caught????read the report.
Oh my god Bob McKeown!!! You have been sucked in by this con man for 40 years, and continue to be manipulated. He was a liar when you met him in Ottawa and he's a liar now. Do you really believe the story of the Doctor in Massey injecting him with heroin at the age of 11. You're a fool if you do. How does an 11 year old hide a heroin ride from parents and 10 siblings. Did you think to contact any of his siblings in Massey or Espanola to ask their opinion. NO. They would have portayed their brother in a much different light than your story. I believe it was foolish to publish yet another story on Steve Reid and attempt to make viewers feel sorry for him. He's a life long criminal. He didn't just rob banks. He threatened people's lives. Does anyone feel sorry for Bernie Madoff. And he never pointed a loaded gun at anyone --- over and over and over.
Stop glamourizing Steve Reid.
Selling drugs and stealing are major crimes except when the government does it. The western medical system is drug and money driven. The wealth of all savers including seniors on fixed incomes has been stolen by printing fiat currency paper dollars since the ending of gold backed currency. When I was a kid they used to call them dime bags.
I feel that Serge LeClerc, former elected MLA of Saskatchewan, who revealed the story of his own life of addiction, crime, and recovery in his book called "Untwisted" would be a good person for the Fifth Estate's Reporter Bob McKeown to refer his school friend, Stephen Reid, to, for help in beating his drug addiction! Stephen now has a loving family, and with the right help, even in prison, I believe he could be an great asset to society. Serge has helped many people, and I am requesting that Bob McKeown, and The Fifth Estate make the effort to contact Serge Leclerc to meet with Stephen, and to give you his honest assessment of the best way to help Stephen overcome his addiction and his past. Also, Serge LeClerc's positive story would benefit many people if it was shown on Fifth Estate. Thank you!
As a former bank robbing gang leader (prisontv,net) and someone who walked many prison yards with him, I can only hope that he wakes up to realize that it's over. I always wanted to work with him back in the day, and after seeing his failed attempt in Victoria; I can honestly say that his peers have moved on to crime free lifestyles and all that is left are other junkies and other failed attempts, more pain and misery for family, friends and victims. Everyone is capable of change that leads to a pro-social existence, even Stephen. Hitting the absolute reality of rock bottom in the most public way, may be the catalyst for such change in him. The addiction of robbing banks coupled with the addiction of drugs is no real excuse for what he had done and he is in prison and working on inner change, redemption and contrition. Shows like the one just aired helps break the cycle of seeing gangsters portrayed in the movies and news as something that might be cool to try. John Dillinger was my hero and as Stephen admitted on the show, "My crime was nothing to brag about to my peers!" he is no hero to many aspiring criminals who saw him defeated and growing older in prison alone and broken; maybe they will get the message that crime is not worth it and for that reason, I loved your show. Ricky Atkinson
Stephen Reid seems to be puzzled about how to get clean and stay clean. The one way that will always work is to "work the 12 step program". Not just day dream about it but to actually "do" the steps, especially from one to eight and do them honestly so to receive the spiritual awakening that the 12 steps promise. I know because I went through life being addicted to several substances and at age 38 I was losing my mental ability make reality judgments about life and could no longer function to work and make my way in life in a normal manner. When I faced the 12 step program I at first said what my counselor wanted to hear but eventually saw it had to be an honest approach as I kept hearing that in meetings and counseling sessions. When I finally did complete them and began to have the spiritual awakening I thought was impossible "for me", it was frightening because I had never remembered at any time in my life feeling this good! I thought at first some LSD had become dislodged in my system and the high was from that, it was still very hard for me to acknowledge that the steps had actually worked and I was having this so called spiritual awakening.
I never had a relapse and that was in 1977. So Stephen Reid could receive this miracle too, if he really desires it!
Why does society " idolize " a criminal ? Reid, Wright and the late Mitchell were nothing but gun toting thieves, to those who think that's acceptable I ask - next time you are just walking down the street - can I stick a gun in your face, yell at you and take your money ??? I'm sure after that you'll maybe call police and say " gee that guy was so nice, he stuck a gun in my face, yelled at me and robbed me......" because you aren't reporting a crime - you idolize me !!! Fools.........
Well, Bob, this was among the best of fifth estate. I can hardly wait for a repeat. It shows how Stephen arrived to this point. I have nothing but respect for both he and Susan and great affection, as well. I cannot discount the harm and the fear he dealt those people at the bank. However, wake up folks, this is what drugs do to people. And where is the doctor who abused Stephen and sent him on this journey. I see the poor folks who commented before me have no compassion and do not care to attempt to understand how these things happen to people. It could be anyone of us, considering the circumstances. They both have great talent and I hope Stephen will put the pen to the paper and perhaps help others to avoid the turbulent life he lead. You must admit, he makes no excuses and takes responsibility for his life. Can't say that about too many others, either inside or out. I wish the best for them and hope he can finish his life in a quiet way, both as a father and a husband. We don't often choose who to fall in love with. It just happens. Good work CBC.
I don't think this show glamourized Mr. Reid and Mr. Reid himself seemed very aware of his self centered existence. Having a sister and brother-in-law that know Mr. Reid and his wife well, it appears the complexities of his dual life (that can both hold and repel others) is what makes his story interesting. They are both very likable people to many that know them and that in itself is what made some of what we heard very sad.
Criminal? Yes! He, nor anybody involved argued that, the depth of which was found in the relationships cultivated in the past. The toxic relationship with self, drugs and other like-minded individuals all of which hinder a successful transition to "normal" life. The "friends" he has, see the side that survives despite all of the negative/dueling interests.
Good show, glad I watched it.
Glamourizing Mr. Reid is just as unkind as demonizing him. As this excellent episode of The Fifth Estate revealed, Stephen Reid was sexually abused and drawn into a morphine addiction as a child by a trusted physician. These childhood wounds have a lifelong impact. I hope he finds healing at last and is able to live the rest of his life in peace. He and his family have paid enough for this.
I found him bewildered and regretful that he wasn't a better father. Maybe his wife is right, and he can't handle the outside. He is a small town boy who needs less choices. He is in the perfect place to gain insight and perfect his second career of writing and to fight his addictions.
Chill out
I knew nothing of this story prior to watching this episode of 5th estate. I found no glamour or ideology here. There was honesty and a portrait of what it means to live upon our life courses that are far too often simply understood as rational choice.
Stephen and I did time together twice and he was always a class act.I left crime behind over twenty five years ago . I wish him the best and hope he can get the unit of his family back together.still a friend doug
recently purchased a drum supposedly made by stephan do you know if this is possible
I don't think that hearing a criminal's story is glamourizing him. Criminal or not, he has a story. As do we all, regardless of our title, or what we've done. And naturally, we all like to tell our story, in one fashion or another.
To make Mr. Reid a canadian crime folk hero is absurd... he was not the brains behind the stopwatch gang. and his botched victoria bc bank robbery. laughable at best. you give him the audience he so craves.. mix in the narcotics and his inability to hold a job shows he is like every other con... full of himself and incapable of change... how many chances does he get to hurt others??? good job from the idiot parole board... he has demonstrated his wares... lock him up and find a new crime hero to adore
Having been involved in the apprehension of Mr. Reid for the crime that he is currently serving a prison sentence for, I do hope that this documentary does not "glamourize" Mr. Reid and what he has criminally done over the past years. Much as his crimes may be somewhat sensational, I'm sure if you canvass the victims and the police officers involve, they would not consider Mr. Reid's actions glamourous, but self centred and with little or no regard for human life or suffering. He deserves to be where he is.