From the Magazine: Note-worthy Stickup Man - Part 1
EDDIE DODSON, a charismatic charmer who in the 1970s became part of Hollywood's "in" crowd, lived a double life. To support his drug habit and lavish lifestyle, he became the world's most prolific bank robber. Now friend and confidant Timothy Ford recounts Dodson's whirlwind saga.
The robber looked so beat down in the bank photos that FBI Special Agent in Charge Andy Chambers wondered whether the old junkie would survive his next fix. Since his heists had been in that L.A. enclave, the FBI nicknamed him The Down-and-Out-in-Beverly-Hills Bandit. The Down and Outer hit seven banks the first three months of 1999, but he didn't cause much of a stir at L.A.'s FBI field office. The city averages two to three bank robberies a day.
The Down and Outer had one thing working against him—he made good copy. "Bum Robs Beverly Hills Banks" harked one headline. The TV news ran photos.
A tipster identified the Down and Outer as a guy named Dodson. The name didn't ring a bell to Chambers.
The World's Greatest Bank Robber, the stylish Edwin Chambers Dodson, with the beautiful girlfriends and the movie star connections—The Yankee Bandit—was back in business.
Arrested in April 1984 for robbing a legendary 64 banks in seven months, Dodson was sentenced to 15 years—meaning he would be on the streets by now. But it was hard to reconcile this criminal with the Yankee Bandit.
"I worked the streets, arriving on Tuesday, April 27, 1999, to the Farmer's Daughter Motel," recalls the boyishly handsome Chambers. "I showed a photo of Dodson to the manager. 'He's in Room 117.'"
Forty-five minutes later ten FBI agents, 20-odd LAPD uniforms and ten police detectives were positioned at various firing angles to Room 117.
Chambers: "I had a flip thought as I put the bullhorn to my lips: Seventeen years with the FBI, and this is the first time I've gotten to say,'THIS IS THE FBI! COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP! DODSON, YOU ARE SURROUNDED!'"
Dodson. Like it was his whole name. Few knew his first name: Eddie. Like the gold-leafed signature on the window of his Melrose art and furniture store: Dodson's. From 1973 to '84, Dodson's shop was a boho beehive, a short-dog salon, a drop-in joint for artistes, models and rich characters.
Dodson blended Hollywood glamour, offbeat kitsch, art deco and satin upholstery into a dreamy comfort zone. Celebrities, cokeheads and jeune filles competed with interior decorators, art directors and photographers for Eddie's attention.
"DODSON, DON'T DO ANYTHING FOOLISH! DON'T BE STUPID!"
And, oh, yeah—Dodson had the coke. For sale. And that store was open for business 24/7. But soon the coke-and-champagne high life became the coke-and-heroin speedballs. Then there was a new guy in the deal: the monkey. Then the monkey became a gorilla. A monster. Furniture auctions were forfeited for a direct source of revenue. Like Willie Sutton said, "Because that's where the money is."
"WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO GET HURT!"
Eddie Dodson was the World's Greatest Bank Robber; so said the Guinness Book of World Records after his first 64. After a break of 15 years (ten in stir), Eddie hit his 65th. Seven banks later (new record: 72), and here he was at the Farmer's Daughter...
To read the article in its entirety, pick up a copy of HUSTLER's May issue, on newsstands now.
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