1001 Radio Crime Solvers: "Jersey Butcher Bandits and Supersonic Safe Crackers"

Gangbusters Dramatizations
Episode Date: November 15, 2025
Host: Jon Hagadorn

Episode Overview

This episode features two riveting true crime dramatizations from the golden age radio series Gangbusters. Each story, based on actual police case histories, highlights unique methods used by notorious criminals—and the tireless, ingenious work of law enforcement in bringing them down. The first story, The Jersey Butcher Bandits, follows a crew of burglars preying on butchers and the detectives who close in on them via a slim clue—a cream-colored sedan. The second story, The Supersonic Safe Crackers, spotlights a high-tech crime wave in New York City, where a gang uses war-surplus supersonic listening devices and walkie-talkies to breach “impenetrable” safes, until human fallibility—and good police work—undoes them.

❖ The Jersey Butcher Bandits (00:51–23:15)

Narrated by former heavyweight champion Jim Braddock
Setting: New Jersey, late 1940s

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

• Introduction of the Case (00:51)

  • Jim Braddock explains his personal connection: "The two detectives who worked on it are close friends of mine. One of them was my sparring partner. I saw them work for 48 hours without sleep and for weeks without taking a day off." (01:40)

• A String of Robberies

  • A crew led by Phil DeFelice, with associates “Whitey” and “Suds,” targets butchers storing large amounts of cash at home and work, amassing a quarter million in stolen funds.
  • The crew's dialogue reveals both their criminal camaraderie and vulnerability (lighthearted banter among dock workers, stress within the group).

• Police Pick Up a Clue (04:03)

  • After another burglary, Detective Sullivan and Sergeant Hoser are alerted to a cream-colored sedan with partial license plate (“...91”), seen near a crime scene.

    • Sullivan: “Well, it’s better than nothing. I’ll get dressed and come on down.” (04:18)

• The Crew's Internal Tension (05:11–07:43)

  • Suds resents Whitey’s reticence and aspirations for a “better” life with his girlfriend, Kay, foreshadowing the group’s fracture.
  • Suds is seen as indispensable for obtaining inside information: “Without Whitey, we're not in business. No Whitey, no butchers. No butchers, no dough.” (05:58)

• Detective Strategy: Massive Car Search

  • The detectives push to sift through New Jersey’s million car registrations using state-of-the-art card sorting (07:43).
  • Detective Hoser identifies Phil DeFelice as the owner of a cream-colored Dodge with matching plates.

• Personal Lives Collide (07:54–09:21)

  • Whitey promises love and security to Kay, but cannot sacrifice his criminal ties just yet: “I’ve got to make up my mind about something.” (08:53)
  • The police painstakingly stake out the suspect vehicle, patiently awaiting the right moment to strike.

• Planning the “Last Job” (11:50–13:32)

  • Internal drama: Whitey tells Phil he wants out after one last job to marry Kay.
    • Whitey: "Tonight’s my last job. I’m quitting." (12:20)
  • Phil threatens his leverage—exposing Whitey to Kay if he leaves.

• Police Gathering Evidence at the Pool (14:44–18:00)

  • Detectives covertly photograph the gang at Palisades Park pool, risking exposing Whitey's double life.
  • Phil taunts Whitey, threatening: “Remember, Whitey, you keep working or the dame gets an earful.” (18:02)

• The Final Heist and Police Takedown (19:10–23:15)

  • Whitey agrees to run off with Kay after the last score.
  • During their planned burglary, police surround the house.
  • The siege turns violent, but the criminals surrender (“We give up!” 21:19). DeFelice is dragged from his hiding place under a bed, gun first (22:30).
  • Closure: Victims identify Whitey from poolside photos; all criminals get long sentences.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jim Braddock on detectives' dedication:

  "I saw them work for 48 hours without sleep and for weeks without taking a day off." (01:40)

• On the stakeout’s tiny clue:

  “We know the last two numbers of the car. We know it was a cream colored job, probably a Dodge. Now, we want to go through all the Jersey registrations and see if we can't locate a car that fits that description with the last two numbers. 9 1.” (06:47)

• On police professionalism and patience:

  "Weeks of patient waiting were ahead before they could make their move." (10:10)

• Closing insight on “missing” money (24:14) [post-dramatization interview]:
  Detective Sullivan:

  “One of the criminals had bought two racehorses. One was named Caffeine and the other Sweet Barbara. But neither of these nags ever crossed under the wire as a winner, even though the gang kept up a blind confidence. That’s where all the money went, most of it. We think the rest was used to keep them in their short-lived high style. And now instead of looking at race betting windows, they're all peering out of prison cells.” (24:30)

❖ The Supersonic Safe Crackers (26:21–50:15)

Narrated by Chief John J. Sullivan (by proxy)
Setting: New York City, post-World War II

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

• Innovative Criminals, Novel Technology (28:25–34:49)

  • Russ Enfield leads a gang using war-surplus gadgets:
    • Supersonic listening device: hears safe tumblers.
    • Walkie-talkies: for lookout communication.
  • Recruiting ex-con Joe Preble, Russ claims: “My methods are a little different. The navy, pal. The navy taught me the works before they gave me the bounce. ...I can open up any tin can of a vault in this town without straining a muscle.” (31:08)

• Reaching the Limit of Science: First Breaks

  • A series of slick heists ensue; police realize someone is bypassing “impenetrable” safes without violence.
  • The specialized device is suggested as the key: “…the only way it could be done was you could hear the tumblers drop if you had a supersonic listening device.” (39:15)
  • Police begin to trace war-surplus sales for such equipment.

• Criminal Rivalries and Betrayal (35:58–47:43)

  • Interpersonal drama: Myra, Russ’s girlfriend, manipulates Jonesy for cash.
  • Russ is abusive, keeping both Myra and his crew in submission by fear (“You sit around as long as I want you around.” 44:03).
  • Myra seduces Jonesy into murder:
    Myra: “If you don’t kill him, Jonesy, we’ll never get a chance, you and me. Never. Think of it. $15,000.” (47:34)

• Police Legwork and Surveillance (45:10–48:40)

  • Detectives confirm only one supersonic device was sold—likely to Russ’s crew.
  • Around-the-clock surveillance ensues; the cops set up for a flagrant arrest.

• Climactic Arrest (49:00–50:15)

  • The gang breaks into a finance company’s top-floor safe.
  • Betrayal erupts as Jonesy, now armed, turns on Russ:
    • “Sorry, Russ, but Myra said you—don't move, Russ. What? You too, Preble. Up, put that gun up. …” (50:02)
  • Police swiftly cut off all exits; Russ, Preble, and Jonesy are all arrested at the scene.
  • Chief Sullivan narration: “Scientific mind like yours should have reasoned we’d have every exit covered.” (50:15)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Russ on his “scientific” skills:

  “But you come to be such an expert... This science stuff. The navy, pal. The navy taught me the works before they gave me the bounce.” (31:10)

• On technology and police work:
  Captain: “Let me get this straight, Commander. You say these are all the types of supersonic listening devices that are Navy equipment… Wouldn’t be too difficult to trace all sales of them through the War Assets Administration.” (44:41)

• Policing insight on technological crime:

  “...The sale of supersonic equipment was frozen by the War Assets Administration several months ago.” (50:40)

Memorable Moment

• Physical violence as breaking point:
  Russ’s dominance is physically asserted:

  [Slaps Myra] “I told you to cut this out.” (41:56)

🕰️ Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jersey Butcher Bandits Begins: 00:51

• Key Clue (Car registration): 04:03

• Internal Gang Tensions: 05:11–07:43

• Whitey’s Ultimatum (wants out): 12:20

• Detectives Get Pool Photos: 14:44–18:00

• House Siege and Capture: 19:10–23:15

• Post-case Discussion (money lost on horses): 24:14

• Supersonic Safe Crackers Begins: 26:21

• Russ Describes Technology: 31:10

• Police Explore Safe’s Secrets: 39:15

• Myra Co-opts Jonesy: 46:41–47:43

• Arrest During Robbery: 49:00–50:15

• Policy Update: Technology Sales Halted: 50:40

Tone & Language

The dramatizations balance suspense and human vulnerability, interspersing period slang, gruff cop talk, and the world-weariness of both detectives and crooks. Exposition is clear and snappy, with recurring notes on the personal sacrifices (and blind spots) of both police and criminals.

Summary Takeaways

• The stories demonstrate the blend of gritty realism and dramatic flair characteristic of classic radio crime.
• The cases highlight not only the criminal mind and the evolution of crime (from brute force to technology), but also the steadfast—and sometimes thankless—dedication of detectives.
• Both cases underscore that whether through patient legwork, the occasional lucky break, or alert adaptation to new criminal methods, determined law enforcement always has the last word.

“You see, as the investigation went on, we learned that one of the criminals had bought two racehorses... But neither of these nags ever crossed under the wire as a winner, even though the gang kept up a blind confidence. That's where all the money went, most of it.”
— Detective Sullivan, 24:30

“Scientific mind like yours should have reasoned we’d have every exit covered.”
— Sergeant to Russ Enfield, 50:15