Steal Big Steal Little 1995

Ruben and Robby's upbringing

Ruben Martinez and his twin brother Robby grow up as orphans under the care of Clifford Downey, a wealthy landowner, and his dancer wife Mona Rowland-Downey. Their privileged upbringing widens the gap between their ambitions and the moral lines they’re willing to cross. The early family dynamics set the stage for a later, bitter feud over a vast ranch.

Mona's death and the ranch inheritance

Mona dies and leaves the 40,000-acre Santa Barbara ranch to Ruben. Robby resents the inheritance and begins plotting to seize control of the property. The seeds of a family power struggle take root, threatening both brothers and everyone who lives on the ranch.

Robby's scheme to take the ranch

Robby schemes to win control of the property from his estranged twin, leveraging his connections to the local power structure. He aligns with Reed Tyler, further complicating Ruben’s hold on the ranch. Ruben remains largely unaware of the growing threat as he deals with personal troubles.

Laura leaves Ruben

Ruben's wife Laura departs, unable to understand his alleged infidelity. The separation intensifies Ruben's legal and financial pressures with the ranch at stake. The rift pushes the story toward a cross-country chase for reconciliation.

Ruben tracks Laura to Chicago

Ruben follows Laura to Chicago in a bid to win her back. The city exposes the emotional distance that has grown between them and reveals new complications in Ruben's life. Chicago becomes the backdrop for the couple’s strained reconciliation efforts.

Lou Perilli enters the story

In Chicago, Ruben meets Lou Perilli, a down-on-his-luck used-car salesman who promises Laura’s return. Lou agrees to help, forming a fragile alliance against Robby’s schemes. He has no formal legal training, but he starts pursuing every lead with stubborn resolve.

Lou flees toward Santa Barbara

Lou, pursued by a debt-collector named Nick Zangaro, decides to head west toward Santa Barbara. He becomes Ruben’s ally on the run, bringing street-smart instincts into the fight for the ranch. The journey binds their fates as they race toward home.

Eddie Agopian disappears

Eddie Agopian, the family lawyer entrusted with Ruben’s interests, vanishes. His disappearance hints at deeper corruption within the local authorities. Ruben and Lou begin to realize a wider scam is at play and set out to locate him.

Harassment and graft unfold

Sheriff Otis and a corrupt judge harass Ruben and the ranch’s workers, acting as pawns for Reed Tyler’s business interests with Robby. The legal pressure intensifies, threatening the livelihood of everyone who lives on the ranch. The villains’ hold begins to crack as the investigation expands.

Lou investigates and sustains the alliance

Lou becomes Ruben’s reluctant partner, assisting in court and pursuing leads with determination. His investigative efforts uncover clues that point to a broader scam involving Eddie’s disappearance and Robby’s duplicity. The alliance gives Ruben a real fighting chance.

Eddie's stash leads to Mexico

The trail traces Eddie to Mexico, where he’s fled with a stash of money. Lou traces the funds and pieces together the scam targeting Ruben’s interests. The exposure of the financial malfeasance strengthens Ruben’s position and validates their efforts.

The scam exposed and truth revealed

A scam is exposed revealing that Robby, not Ruben, had the affair Laura suspected. Laura confronts the betrayal while Ruben and Lou regroup to plan their next move against the corrupt officials. The revelation shifts loyalties and clarifies who truly harmed the family.

The trap for Robby

Ruben, Laura, and Lou hatch a scheme to trap the sheriff and judge and lure Robby into a compromising position with a couple of young women. The plan exposes Robby’s duplicity and undermines his hold over the ranch. The takedown relies on daring deception and careful coordination.