THE BIG EVANS and THE BIG FIRE DRAGNET

Summary

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1001 Radio Crime Solvers: Dragnet – "The Big Evans" & "The Big Fire"

Original Air Date: October 26, 2025
Host: Jon Hagadorn
Featured Stories: “The Big Evans” and “The Big Fire” from Dragnet
Podcast Time Markers Referenced (MM:SS)

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into two authentic stories from the golden age of radio crime drama, featuring the iconic duo of Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ed Jacobs, as part of the Dragnet series. Both cases, “The Big Evans” and “The Big Fire,” come straight from police files and showcase the intricacy and dogged persistence of mid-century police work.

• In “The Big Evans” (~03:13–30:30), Friday and Jacobs investigate a claim that puts a young police officer’s career on the line after a suspect alleges police brutality and solicitation of a bribe.
• In “The Big Fire” (~31:38–60:51), they unravel a suspicious arson case involving a reclusive landlord and his vulnerable handyman, ultimately exposing a complex web of insurance fraud, coercion, and emotional scars from the past.

These stories bring together themes of integrity, justice, deception, and the burdens borne by law enforcement personnel.

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Part 1: “The Big Evans”

(03:13–30:30)

Central Theme

When a known criminal accuses a police officer, Harry Blanchard, of brutal assault and attempted extortion, Friday and Jacobs must sift truth from lies—a test not just of their investigative muscles but their faith in their own institution.

Key Discussion Points & Investigation Steps

• The Incident Report
  • Evans claims Officer Blanchard beat and dislocated his shoulder during a narcotics arrest at his boarding house (03:38–06:19).
  • Blanchard contends Evans was already injured, insists on his innocence (04:05–06:44).
• Internal Affairs Dilemma
  • Friday and Jacobs make it clear: "If you're innocent, we're gonna do all we can. If you're guilty, we'll see that you get everything that's coming to you." – Joe Friday (07:19)
  • Immediate suspension and official investigation follows procedure (07:42–08:01).
• Witness Interviews
  • Eleanor Rowland and Ray Sherman—known drug users—back up Evans’ version, but inconsistencies arise under questioning (09:08–11:00).
  • Friday observes that “the more we talked to her, the more we were convinced that… she picked up her version of the story from… George Evans.” (11:06)
• Evans’ Testimony
  • Evans describes the alleged shakedown, claims Blanchard had tried it before. But his stories don’t align in key details (12:07–14:42).
  • Investigators press for specifics: where did the beating occur, and who saw what? Stories diverge on location and sequence (13:40–14:17).
• Digging Deeper – Contradictory Evidence
  • Evans’ ex-wife affirms his involvement in criminal rackets and narcotics, casting doubt on his credibility (15:57–16:48).
  • Dr. Chase reveals Evans’ “dislocation” is a self-induced trick; he placed the cast “just to make [Evans] feel better” (18:32–18:54).
• Community Witnesses & Timeline
  • Neighbors saw Evans outside, already injured, hours before the cop reportedly arrived (20:43–20:53).
• Critical Break – The Underworld Connection
  • “It was common knowledge… that gamblers Carl Sweetser and Stanley Parrish were responsible for beating up Evans.” – Informant Martin Kimbrough (22:47–24:09)
  • Sweetser, grilled by the detectives, chips away at Evans’ façade: “If he says a cop did it, makes him look a lot better, doesn’t it?” (25:00)
• Resolution
  • Both Rowland and Sherman confess Evans offered them $50 each to falsely implicate Blanchard (26:10–27:14).
  • Confronted, Evans still tries to bluster, but the evidence is overwhelming.
  • Outcome: Evans is booked for filing a false report; Blanchard exonerated and reinstated (29:17).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On police ethics:
  “We got 4,500 men in the department. We don’t claim they’re all saints… Once in a while, one of them turns bad and all of us get a black eye. You’ll get a fair trial.”
  – Ed Jacobs (07:33)

• On Evans’ injury:
  “He can make it appear dislocated anytime he wants.”
  – Dr. Chase, debunking the “crippled citizen” claim (18:54)

• On informant pressure:
  “He promised me and Ray $50 if we would go along with him in his plan to frame Officer Blanchard…”
  – Eleanor Rowland confesses (27:10)

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Part 2: “The Big Fire”

(31:38–60:51)

Central Theme

A mysterious landlord refuses tenants entry and threatens them at gunpoint. What seems at first a simple case of a cranky property owner spirals into insurance fraud and arson, orchestrated by decades-old vendetta.

Key Discussion Points & Investigation Steps

• Initial Complaint
  • Mrs. Cameron and Mrs. Ashby, newcomers from Paso Robles, detail how Edward Daniels, their landlord, menaces them with a gun when they try to move in, despite signed leases (33:48–38:40).
• Strange Behavior and Prior Fire
  • Daniels is evasive, acting as if refusing tenants and drawing firearms is no big deal (39:25–40:45).
  • The handyman, Oliver Randall, describes Daniels’ controlling, threatening demeanor and his own nervous “obedience” (42:58–44:48).
• Discovery of Kerosene—and Motive
  • Unattended attic is full of spilled kerosene, rags, and paint—obvious fire hazards (46:10–47:04).
  • Ed Jacobs uncovers a critical clue from insurance adjusters: Daniels had another property burn down recently, coinciding with a hefty insurance claim (48:38–49:01).
• Unraveling the Arson Plot
  • Surveillance leads detectives to Randall; he is caught in the act of setting a new fire—instructed by Daniels, and threatened if he refused (53:01–54:15).
• Randall’s Confession
  • “He told me to do it. He told me to come back tonight and burn the whole place down.”
    – Oliver Randall confesses under questioning (53:25)
• ‘The Grudge’—Daniels’ Motive
  • “24 years ago. I was just starting out… Burned down. Real fire. Lousy insurance company that wouldn’t believe me… I told them I’d never forget it. Told them I’d make them pay.”
    – Daniels admits his insurance grudge (57:31–57:50)
• Sting Operation at the Movie House
  • Randall, at detectives’ prompting, leads them to Daniels at the movies, where Daniels is confronted and arrested (56:34–57:09).
• Resolution
  • Daniels is convicted of arson and conspiracy; Oliver Randall declared mentally incompetent; assault charge dismissed (59:25).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On victimization and manipulation:
  “Good jobs aren’t too easy to get nowadays. You know that.”
  – Oliver Randall justifying his actions (55:01)

• On Daniels’ plan:
  “You’d think I’d burn down the building right after I got done redecorating. Not a bad idea. Worked pretty good, didn’t it?”
  – Daniels, explaining the fraud (57:58–58:10)

• Emotional tenor:
  The subdued yet dogged tone of Friday and Jacobs (“You’re going to jail. You figure it.” – Joe Friday, 58:10) conveys the relentless but fair pursuit of justice.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Time | |-----------------------------------------------|--------------| | Start of “The Big Evans” Crime Story | 03:13 | | Witness interviews (Rowland, Sherman) | 09:08–11:00 | | Interview with Evans (critical details clash) | 12:07–15:02 | | Interview with Dr. Chase (trick shoulder) | 17:20–18:54 | | Major breakthrough (Sweetser/Kimbrough) | 22:44–25:00 | | Witnesses recant, Evans arrested | 26:10–27:14 | | Outcomes and sentences (“Big Evans”) | 29:17 | | Start of “The Big Fire” Crime Story | 31:38 | | Landlord’s threat; tenant interviews | 33:48–38:40 | | Handyman and kerosene discovery | 42:58–47:04 | | Insurance fraud connection | 48:38–49:01 | | Randall caught setting fire | 53:05–54:15 | | Daniels’ confession and motive | 57:31–58:10 | | Legal outcomes for all involved | 59:25 |

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Conclusion

These two Dragnet stories showcase the complexity and moral challenges faced by police, the susceptibility of justice to manipulation, and the painstaking work required to reach the truth. With methodical step-by-step investigation, Sergeant Friday and Ed Jacobs uphold due process and expose lies, whether propagated by conniving criminals or embittered arsonists.

For listeners who love classic crime-solving and believe in the value of due diligence, these tales from Dragnet deliver intrigue, suspense, and a powerful sense of justice restored.

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Transcript

[Joe Friday]

Morning Zoe. Got donuts. Jeff Bridges, why are you still living above our garage? Well, I dig the mattress and I want to be in a T mobile commercial like you teach me. So Dana.

[Ms. Cameron]

Oh no, I'm not really prepared.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I couldn't possibly at T Mobile get.

[Ms. Cameron]

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[Joe Friday]

It's designed to be the most powerful iPhone yet and has the ultimate pro camera system. Wow, impressive. Let me try. T mobile is the best place to get iPhone 17 Pro because they've got the best network. Nice. Je free.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You heard them.

[Joe Friday]

T mobile is the best place to get the new iPhone 17 Pro on us with eligible traded in any condition. So what are we having for lunch? Dude, my work here is done. The 24 month bill credit on experience beyond for well qualified customers plus tax and 35 device connection charge. Credit send and balance due. If you pay off earlier Cancel Finance Agreement. IPhone 17 Pro 256 gigs 1099.99 A new line minimum 100 plus a month plan with auto pay plus taxes and fees required Best mobile network in the US based on analysis by Oklahoma Speed Test Intelligence Data 182025 Visit T mobile.com.

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[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

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[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a personnel division. A resident of your city files a report of assault and battery. His shoulder is dislocated. He's been badly beaten. He claims his assailant was a young police officer. Your job? Investigate.

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[Ms. Cameron]

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[Ed Jacobs]

Dragnet.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

The documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

It was Tuesday, June 11. It was mild in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of BIA. My partner's Ed Jacobs. The boss is Lieutenant Jesse. My name's Friday. It was 10:23am when I got to room 83, the squadroom.

[Narrator]

Joe.

[Ed Jacobs]

You catch up with the lieutenant?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, in a meeting. Said he'd be out about 11:30. He wants us to handle it for the time being.

[Ed Jacobs]

Oh, well. Joe, this is Officer Blanchard. This is my partner, Joe Friday.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I'm glad to know you, Friday. I think I've seen you around Central a couple of times.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

How are you? What's this thing all about? Do you mind telling me?

[Ed Jacobs]

You worked yesterday, didn't you?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, that's right. My regular beach, South Central area.

[Joe Friday]

Anything out of the ordinary happen while you were on duty?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, not much. Made a couple of pinches, that's about all. Pretty quiet otherwise.

[Joe Friday]

Did you make one of Those arrests at 7928 Cortlandt Avenue?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, that's right. Woman, two men, users. All three of them were booked in violation State Narcotics Act.

[Ed Jacobs]

Any of the three familiar to you at all? Blanchard mean, had you ever seen them before the time you arrested them?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, none of them. I knew the place though. I've been keeping an eye on it lately. One of those old fashioned homes converted into a rooming house. I've been noticing some of the people going in and out of the place. They didn't look too good to me. That's why I say I've been keeping an eye on the house. What's the story on this anyway? You get a kickback on the rest I made?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, we'd like to have your version of it first. Blanchard, exactly what happened? How'd you come to make the tension?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, I was walking my regular beat. I think it was about 3:30 yesterday afternoon. I was going along Cortlandt, the 7900 block. A woman came out of the front door and hailed me. She complained about a 507 party in the house a couple doors down the street.

[Joe Friday]

That was at number 7928. The boarding house.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, I checked it out. The party was going on up on the Third floor. I went up, found the girl and the two men in the room facing on the street. Girl was fixing a pop for herself when I came in. 2 caps of heroin on the table in front of her.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you do then?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I made a grab for the two caps. One of the guys beat me to it. He got him, ran to the next room and tried to flush him down the drain. He didn't quite make it, though. I got one of the caps before he could get rid of it.

[Ed Jacobs]

What'd you do then, Blanchard?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, I sat the three of them down, called into the office. I checked the room over while we were waiting. Found two more caps of heroin. Usual equipment to go with it. When the radio car showed up, the three of them were taken downtown, a narcotics squad and booked. That's all I can tell you about it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, during the time you were waiting there in the room, Blanchard, did you have any trouble with the suspects at all?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I got a lot of talk from one of the men. Fella by the name of Evans. He's supposed to run the boarding house. Claims he didn't have anything to do with it. He didn't know the girl was a hype. You know, the usual stuff.

[Ed Jacobs]

That was the extent of it.

[Narrator]

Just talk.

[Joe Friday]

Sure. That's all.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Why?

[Joe Friday]

Well, that's not the story. According to Evans, he had his lawyer bail him out last night. He was in to file charges against you, huh?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Assault and battery. He claims that you worked him over for no reason at all. He says you beat him up and dislocated his shoulder.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, he's crazy.

[Joe Friday]

He's lying.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I didn't work him over.

[Joe Friday]

Well, he says he's got witnesses to prove it. Blanchard, the two people who were with him, the woman, the other man he says elsewhere. That's what you did.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

But it's not true. They're trying to cook up a frame. I didn't touch any of them.

[Ed Jacobs]

This Evans looked like he's been mussed up. Cuts and bruises all over his face, his shoulders. Fairly recent, too.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, I know that, but I didn't do it. He was in the same shape when I found him up in that room yesterday. Matter of fact, I asked him about it. He wouldn't tell me. It's the truth, Sergeant. So help me, all three of them are lying. I didn't beat him up.

[Joe Friday]

Well, it's your word against theirs, Blanchard. The facts seem to favor Evans.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't get this at all. Two of those people are known hypes. They'd Swear. Anything for a free cap. You know that. What good is their word?

[Ed Jacobs]

Maybe no good at all. It's not up to us to decide. Evans filed a complaint. It's our job to follow through.

[Joe Friday]

Are you sure about the shape Evans was in when you found him up in that room yesterday? Blanchard? He was already marked up, is that right?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I'm sure he was. I told you, I asked him about it. He wouldn't answer me.

[Joe Friday]

But you had no way of proving that you couldn't possibly have been responsible for it.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, it's up to him, isn't it, Evans? If he says I worked him over, let him prove it.

[Ed Jacobs]

I'm afraid he's got the jump there. Two witnesses.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, but they're lying. You must know that they're lying.

[Joe Friday]

Well, now, look, you can see the position it puts us in. If you're innocent, we're gonna do all we can. If you're guilty, we'll see that you get everything that's coming to you.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, you know it as well as I do, Sergeant. I had no reason to beat him up. I didn't do it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, it's not up to us, Blanchard. The court will have to decide.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

It doesn't make sense. None of it does.

[Ed Jacobs]

There's no other way to handle it. We got 4,500 men in the department. We don't claim they're all saints.

[Joe Friday]

Once in a while, one of them.

[Ed Jacobs]

Turns bad and all of us get a black eye. You're in a jam, Blanchard, like anyone else. You'll get a fair trial.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, well, what happens now? Do I draw suspension?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right. If you're clear to the charges in court, there'll be a hearing before the board arrives.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Am I through? Right now we'll have to book you.

[Joe Friday]

In at the main jail. Case will be presented to DA's office tomorrow.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Doesn't make sense. I had no reason to beat up Evans. No reason at all.

[Ed Jacobs]

You sure of that?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Are you? What do you mean? Of course I'm sure.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, Evans claims you did have a reason. A good one.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What?

[Joe Friday]

Well, he says you handed him a proposition. He wouldn't go for it, so you worked him over.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean? What kind of a proposition?

[Joe Friday]

A bad kind.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Huh?

[Joe Friday]

He says you wanted to pay off. Investigating charges against a police officer involves exactly the same procedure as cases where private citizens are concerned. Prove the suspect innocent or guilty. If Blanchard was innocent, it wasn't going to be an easy job proving it. If he hadn't beat up the complainant, George Evans, and Dislocated his shoulder. It seemed the only way out would be to find the man who did. Either that or prove that the two witnesses Evans had come up with were lying. If Blanchard was guilty, if he actually had slugged and beaten Evans, we had to find sufficient evidence. And we had to find a motive. 11:10am Ed and I took Officer Harry Blanchard over to the main jail, where he was booked in and lodged in one of the cell blocks. Then we went upstairs to the women's jail, where we interviewed one of the witnesses to the alleged beating, an Eleanor Rowland. She'd had previous arrests for vagrancy, grand theft auto, and petty theft, as well as an established reputation as a user of narcotics. She was 23 years old.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah, it was terrible. That cop really roughed him up. Poor old Evans. Cop didn't have to treat him like that.

[Ed Jacobs]

How long have you known George Evans and Ms. Rowland?

[Narrator]

Do you?

[Edward Daniels]

Old friends?

[Eleanor Rowland]

No, I wouldn't say that. I met him a couple weeks ago when I came down from North San Francisco. Portland. I was visiting up there. I'm a Portland girl originally.

[Joe Friday]

How about this other man you were with at the time Officer Blanchard picked you up? This Ray Sherman? He an old friend?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Buster? Yeah, I've known him a few years.

[Ed Jacobs]

You know Evans very well?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah, I guess you could say that. Ray's had a room at the boarding house a couple of years. I guess he's good friends with Evans. Say, can I ask you something?

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Yes, ma'.

[Ms. Cameron]

Am.

[Eleanor Rowland]

You ever work narcotics up in Portland?

[Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Never have.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Hmm. Face is familiar. Could have sworn I met you in Portland.

[Joe Friday]

Do you want to run over that story again for us, Ms. Roland? About what happened yesterday?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Not much to say. Just the same as I told you.

[Joe Friday]

You usually stay at Evan's rooming house when you're in town, do you?

[Ms. Cameron]

No.

[Eleanor Rowland]

It's only the second time I was there.

[Ed Jacobs]

How about George Evans? Was he there at the time?

[Eleanor Rowland]

No, not first. Me and Buster had a pop, and then we sat around and talked.

[Ms. Cameron]

Mm.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Evans came in a little later. Three of us talked. Told me and Buster not to bring any more junk in the house. He didn't want to get into trouble. Didn't speak of the devil. A cop walked in.

[Joe Friday]

What happened then?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Buster grabbed two caps off the table, tried to get rid of them. He only got rid of one, though. The cop got the other one.

[Joe Friday]

How'd the argument start? You remember that? Between Evans and the officer, I mean.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Well, I was a little high at the time. I don't remember it. Word for word. Evans said he didn't have anything to do with it. But the cop kept pressing him. He told Evans he'd forget about it if Evans would pay him off. Evans told him no. We wouldn't give him a cent. And then the cops started beating him up.

[Ed Jacobs]

You were in the same room with him all this time?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah. Buster and me, we saw it all. Poor old Evans. He really got worked over. Cop didn't have to treat him like that. Say, are you sure you're not from Portland?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yes, ma', am, I'm sure. Now, about how many times would you say the officer hit Evans?

[Eleanor Rowland]

I couldn't tell you that exactly. Dozens of times, I guess. Kept hitting him with his fists, pushed him all around the room. I was a little high at the time. I don't remember everything exactly. Sure could use a booster about now.

[Joe Friday]

Are you sure about everything you've told us, Ms. Rowland? That's the truth.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah, that's right. Some of the details I didn't remember so well. He straightened it out for me, though. He told me just what happened.

[Joe Friday]

Who's that?

[Eleanor Rowland]

George Evans.

[Joe Friday]

11:50Am Ed and I continued questioning Eleanor Rowland. The more we talked to her, the more we were convinced that at the time of the alleged beating, she was under a heavy dose of narcotics and that for the most part, she picked up her version of the story from the alleged victim, George Evans. We went down to the second floor of the main jail to one of the interview rooms, where we talked to the second witness, Ray Sherman, alias Tom Raymond, alias Buster Raymond. He also had a long record as a user of narcotics. He gave the same general version of the incident as the Roland girl did. But despite the girl's story, he claimed he was not under the influence of narcotics at the time Officer Blanchard entered the room and made the arrest. Besides that, there were other discrepancies. 1:05pm we had some lunch at the Federal Cafe and then we drove out to interview the complainant in the case, George Evans. After checking at his rooming house, we finally located him in a neighborhood bowling alley. He was sitting at a bar adjoining the actual playing area, drinking a bottle of beer. Parts of his face and neck were bandaged and his left shoulder was in a cast. He appeared friendly and cooperative.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I kept telling the cop I didn't have any money. Told him I wouldn't give him a payoff even if I did.

[Ed Jacobs]

So he started working you over, that right, Evans?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yes, that's right. I don't have anything against cops normally, but this guy, that's Something else. How do you ever get in the force anyway?

[Joe Friday]

Had you ever had any contact with Officer Blanchard before yesterday, Evans?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yes, I did.

[Joe Friday]

Twice before.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Came to the house, accused me running a hideout for thieves, junkies. Tried to get me to pay him off then too.

[Ed Jacobs]

I wouldn't do it. So when was that, Evans?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

About six, eight months ago.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, at least that. Well, how is it you didn't report Blanchard then?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, that wouldn't cause any trouble. Get mixed up in a law case. I figured I could take care of him myself. But after that going over yesterday, that was enough for me. I don't understand how the guy ever made the force to begin with.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Shoulder of mine, he really tore it apart.

[Joe Friday]

How'd you spend your time yesterday, Evan? Do you mind telling us?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, I don't mind. I slept till about half past 12, 1 o'.

[Joe Friday]

Clock.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Had a little bit of a hangover. Then I got up and made some.

[Joe Friday]

Breakfast and read the paper. That's about size of it.

[Ed Jacobs]

You mean you were in your room all day after the time you went down the hall to Ray Sherman's room?

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Ray was there with this girlfriend of his, Eleanor. I didn't know she was a hype.

[Joe Friday]

That's the truth.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Ray should have known better, having her there. I don't like the kind of stuff going on around my place.

[Joe Friday]

Now, we've checked you through the record bureau, Evans. There's been three or four similar cases at your places the last few years, hasn't there?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

A couple, yeah. It's a real problem.

[Ed Jacobs]

I don't know how you keep them out.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Whole neighborhood around here, you know.

[Joe Friday]

Pretty hard to stop it, I guess. We understand you were in the room there while the girl helped herself to a fix. Is that right?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, I wasn't in the room when she took the fix. I got there a couple minutes after. I didn't even know what was going on.

[Joe Friday]

You can ask Ray Sherman.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

The girl too. They'll tell you I wasn't there.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, there's something else we wanted to ask you about. Sherman and the girl don't seem too.

[Joe Friday]

Sure of their stories.

[Ed Jacobs]

Can you straighten us out there?

[Ms. Cameron]

What do you mean?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, Sherman told us one thing, the girl tells us something else. Can't seem to get together.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, but I told him. You told him what?

[Joe Friday]

Eh, nothing.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I told him to tell the truth, that's all.

[Joe Friday]

Stupid Ray.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

He doesn't know half the time what he's doing.

[Joe Friday]

Well, that doesn't make you much of a witness then, does It?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean? He was there when that cop slugged me, beat me up.

[Joe Friday]

He could see that much.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, that's just it. We're not sure he did.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Huh?

[Ed Jacobs]

A girl says Blanchard worked you over.

[Narrator]

In the living room there.

[Ed Jacobs]

Sherman says Blanchard took you out in the kitchen and beat you up.

[Joe Friday]

Now, which is it?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I think I'm beginning to get the pitch.

[Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You're out to cover up for that cop. Is that it? Take care of your own.

[Joe Friday]

We're assigned to investigate this thing, Evans, just like any other criminal case. Blanchard's not getting any more of a break than any other suspect would.

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Yeah, sure.

[Ed Jacobs]

You still haven't asked our question. Where did it happen? Living room or kitchen?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

The interview's all over, Sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

I got the pitch.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You can take this back to your office.

[Joe Friday]

I'm gonna get that cop convicted if.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

It'S the last thing I do. You can count on that.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter, Evans? All we did was ask you a simple question.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Don't try to kid me, Sergeant. I got the angle. You're trying for a cover up. Okay, go ahead and try.

[Joe Friday]

Now look, why don't you snap out of it, mister? Nobody's trying to cover up unless it's you. Sherman and the girl are your witnesses. Some of the points of their stories don't check out. We want to clear them up. Does that sound unreasonable?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I told you, Sergeant, it's no use. I got your angle.

[Ed Jacobs]

Answer me one more thing, Evans.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You're on your own. I'm telling you nothing.

[Ed Jacobs]

Who was the doctor that treated you.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

After you were beaten up down at Georgia Street? The emergency.

[Ed Jacobs]

You ought to know that. No, I mean for your shoulder. We checked over your car down at Georgia Street. No mention there of a dislocated shoulder.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, of course not. I didn't even know I had one.

[Joe Friday]

Till I was bailed out.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I had my own doctor fix it.

[Joe Friday]

You mind giving us his name?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Why should I? I was willing to go along, cooperate. Then you started playing at cage. You're trying to cover up for that cop. Now you work it out on your own.

[Joe Friday]

All right, mister. Any way you want it.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You bet that's the way I want it. You had this whole thing framed from the beginning.

[Joe Friday]

Now you're off the track, Evans.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You're not kidding me. You're trying to prove that cops innocent. Trying to make me out a liar.

[Joe Friday]

What am I supposed to do?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Help you prove I'm a liar?

[Joe Friday]

No, you've helped enough already. Ed and I double checked through Officer Blanchard's. Departmental record. It showed that Blanchard had been working his present beat for a little more than four months. Evans had told us that Blanchard allegedly had solicited payoffs from him at least six to eight months before. The following day, Ed and I made further inquiries in the neighborhood of Evans rooming house and also among his friends and associates. For one thing, we found out that Evans had not spent the entire morning and early afternoon in the house. He'd been seen leaving his place by several neighbors at about 10am through one of his contacts, we got the address of an ex wife since remarried, a Marie Evans Zarconi. We located her in a small apartment in the East Wilshire district. A small Brunette woman, about 35.

[Ed Jacobs]

Now you tell us she used to be married to Evans.

[Ms. Cameron]

Yeah, that's right.

[Ed Jacobs]

What kind of business was Evans in when you were married to him, ma'?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Am?

[Ms. Cameron]

Well, he had that rooming house over on Courtland.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, we know about that. Was there anything else?

[Ms. Cameron]

What's the matter anyway?

[Joe Friday]

Just a routine investigation. We like to have as much background on him as you can remember. Are you on fairly good terms with Evans now?

[Ms. Cameron]

No, I haven't seen him since we split up about a year and a half ago. I think that's why I couldn't stand it.

[Ed Jacobs]

What was the trouble, ma'? Am, you mind telling us?

[Ms. Cameron]

Just isn't much good, that's all. Find a lot of names to fit him. He was in everything.

[Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Ms. Cameron]

That's why I got away from him. Every cheap, lousy rackage I can think of, he was in it peddling dope, blackmail, making book. Some of the two bit rackets. He's been in all of them, One after the other. I had to get away.

[Ed Jacobs]

Rooming house on Cortland Avenue. That's where he's been operating all this time.

[Ms. Cameron]

Long as I've known him? Yeah, about three years, I'd say.

[Joe Friday]

His narcotics just a sideline with him or does he go in for it pretty heavy?

[Ms. Cameron]

He was in it pretty heavy when I left him. I don't know what he's been doing since. I don't care. Let's soon forget all about it.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am. I can understand.

[Ms. Cameron]

What's the matter now anyway. Got a case against him?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, not exactly. Evans has filed against a police officer. Assault and battery, soliciting a bribe.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

We're investigating the charges.

[Ms. Cameron]

Sounds like him. Some cop really rough him up?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, we don't know, ma'. Am. That's what we're trying to find out.

[Ms. Cameron]

Oh, well, I'd like to help you out. Don't think I can, though.

[Joe Friday]

Well, just one more question, ma'.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

While you were married to Evans, did you have a family doctor? I mean, one that you called regularly when you were sick?

[Ms. Cameron]

Yeah, we did. Why?

[Joe Friday]

What was his name? Can you remember?

[Ms. Cameron]

Yeah. Dr. Chase. Would you like his address?

[Joe Friday]

2:47Pm we got to Dr. Chase's office and luckily we found him in.

[Ed Jacobs]

Take a look at this magazine, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

What?

[Ed Jacobs]

National Geographic. Looks like a real old one, wouldn't you say?

[Joe Friday]

It sure does. Cover's torn off, eh?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah.

[Ed Jacobs]

What do you know about that? It's older than I thought. Look at this here.

[Joe Friday]

What do you got?

[Ed Jacobs]

These pictures there, look. Four pages of them. Pretty grand affair, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ed Jacobs]

Teddy Roosevelt breaks ground for Panama Canal.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

How about that? Yeah. Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen.

[Joe Friday]

That's perfectly all right, Doctor.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Let's see how you want to know about Mr. Evans.

[Ed Jacobs]

Dr. George Evans.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, yes, Evans. What was it exactly, Sergeant? What did you have in mind?

[Joe Friday]

Well, the first thing we'd like to know is if you've treated Evans recently. The last week or so?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. He was in here. Well, have I seen a.

[Joe Friday]

Let's see.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yes, I thought so. He was in here three days ago. I had some bad cuts and bruises. Mm. They'd already been treated, though. There wasn't much I could do.

[Ed Jacobs]

Was there anything else wrong with him, Doctor?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, not actually. I examined his shoulder. He insisted it hurt him. He wanted me to put it in a cast. Mm.

[Joe Friday]

You put the cast on, did you?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, there really wasn't any need for.

[Ed Jacobs]

It, but I put it on anyway.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

A little bit of psychiatry. Thought it'd make him feel better.

[Ed Jacobs]

How do you mean, Doctor? What may need for it?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Just one of those peculiar things. I've been treating Evans for some time, you know.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. That's what we understand.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

It's very unusual. Hardly a rare case, though I suppose you might call it a trick shoulder. Looks as though it might be dislocated. But it actually isn't. I think it's voluntary.

[Joe Friday]

You mean he could do this thing himself? Oh, yes.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

He can make it appear dislocated anytime he wants.

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[Joe Friday]

Saturday, June 15, 10am the investigation continued. Meantime, the newspapers were still making front page material out of the story. One of the morning banner lines read, cop Slugs Cripples Citizen to Get Payoff. And another one, police Brutality Rouses Entire City. Our investigation went on early Saturday afternoon. Ed and I succeeded in locating a former friend of Evans who told us that he'd seen him downtown the morning of the day on which the alleged beating had taken place. The same time Evans had told us he was in bed, nursing a hangover. The former friend, a Fred Werner, said Evans was in the company of two known gamblers, Carl Sweetser and Stanley Parrish. He told us that he'd spotted the three of them together at about 11:45am we questioned Sweetser and Parrish, but they refused to tell us anything. They admitted that they were acquainted with Evans, but they knew nothing about the beating he'd received. We continued making the rounds. 5:30pm we dropped to the main jail and questioned Evans. Two witnesses again, Ray Sherman and Eleanor Rowland. We got the same stories as before. 6:18pm we got back to the City Hall.

[Ed Jacobs]

Long stretch, huh? Sure be glad to get home.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, Not a bad day, though. We had fair luck, I suppose.

[Ed Jacobs]

So. It could always be better. Sure like to get the straight story one way or the other.

[Joe Friday]

You want to check the book, Ed, see if we got anything?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, okay. No, not much.

[Ed Jacobs]

Joe, Call from a Tom Donnelly.

[Narrator]

You know him?

[Joe Friday]

Donnelly? No, that doesn't sound too familiar to me.

[Ed Jacobs]

I got it. Person Al Jacobs. How's that? I'm afraid he's gone for the night.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Uh huh.

[Ed Jacobs]

No, I'm sorry. I wouldn't know. All right, thank you. Another message here for us, Jo. In the book? Yeah, From Blanchard's wife.

[Narrator]

Again.

[Ed Jacobs]

I'm getting to feel pretty silly about her telling her the same thing. Not after night. Why don't you call her tonight?

[Joe Friday]

You've been doing all right. Why give up now? Personnel, Friday.

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

What was that? Mm?

[Ed Jacobs]

Your name?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Okay. Uh huh. 10 o' clock tonight. All right. That's fine. That's so sure. Yeah, we'll meet you. Okay. 10 o'?

[Narrator]

Clock?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, fine. Bye. Sounds pretty good.

[Ed Jacobs]

What was it?

[Joe Friday]

Guy by the name of Martin Kimbrough says he knows George Evans. He wants to talk to us tonight.

[Ed Jacobs]

What's the pitch?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. Might be straight, might not. What'd he say about Evans being worked over? He claims he knows all about it. Yeah, he says Blanchard couldn't possibly have done it. 7:05pm we went over to Frank Tang's place, had some dinner, and then we drove out to interview the man who'd identified himself on the phone as Martin Kimbrough. We located him at the designated meeting place, a small bar just off Beverly Boulevard and Normandy Avenue. Kimbrough was a small man, slight build, middle aged. He seemed less sure of himself than he did on the phone. He said that he knew George Evans fairly well and that up until six months before, he'd been on good terms with him. He didn't go into details, but he gave us the general idea that Evans had cheated him on some business deal the two of them had been engaged in. We asked Kimbrough about the beating Evans had taken. He said it was common knowledge among the people he traveled with that gamblers Carl Sweetser and Stanley Parish were responsible for beating up Evans. He'd welched on a gambling debt and the two of them had been after him for months to pay off. He also said he knew a close friend of the two gamblers who told him that in private, Carl Sweetser openly boasted of beating up Evans. According to Kimbrough, the beating had taken place about 1pm The Monday before, the same day Officer Blanchard allegedly had given him the beating. We located Sweetser in the coffee shop of a small hotel on South Rampart Street.

[Ed Jacobs]

I'm Fred.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't know what you're talking about, Sergeant. I don't know any George ems. I never heard of him.

[Ed Jacobs]

We understand you do, Sweets. I heard you used to play cards with him. Got it from a couple of people, that's all.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I guess they made a mistake. I don't remember the name at all. Maybe he's going under a different one, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Well, how about his description? You ought to remember that.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, maybe I meet quite a few people. It's kind of hard to place all of them. You know what does it kind of look like.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, he's tall. Dark complexion, dark hair, scar under his chin. He dresses pretty well. Usually wears a suit.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, it doesn't mean a thing to me.

[Ed Jacobs]

Runs a rooming house over on Cortland Avenue. Spinning quite a few rackets on and off.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Shy.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Afraid I wouldn't know him.

[Joe Friday]

Now, look, we haven't got any beef with you, Sweetser. That's not the point. Evans is trying to get away with a fast one. We're out to stop him. We could use your health. How about it?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't see how I can help you. What's your beef anyway?

[Joe Friday]

We think you know. Been all over the newspapers the last couple of days.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, yeah? A young cop. What's Evans got against him anyway?

[Ed Jacobs]

He's trying to save the face, we figure. That's what we hear, anyway.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, what do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I think you know how Evans likes to play the big shot. It wouldn't do his stock much good around town if the real story got out.

[Ed Jacobs]

I don't follow.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What story are you talking about?

[Joe Friday]

About his welching on a gambling tab, getting roughed up. If he says a cop did it, makes him look a lot better, doesn't it? He comes out of it pretty clean that way, doesn't he?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Pass.

[Edward Daniels]

It's all, huh?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah, sure.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Why don't you guys have some coffee? I hate to eat alone.

[Ed Jacobs]

Okay, as soon as the waitress comes around.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, what else you hear about this Evans? Pretty bad boy, that right?

[Joe Friday]

Bad enough. He's got a fast mouth. Telling quite a few stories around the neighborhood.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

That's all I might remember. A tall, dark guy, runs a room house. Yeah, that's right.

[Joe Friday]

You should remember him. He's mentioned you in a couple of the stories he's passing around.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Where'd you get that?

[Joe Friday]

Talking to a fellow last night. He says Evans claims that that card game he was in with you was rigged. That's why he didn't pay you off. He claims you and Stan Parish framed the whole thing.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

So phony bums are all alike.

[Narrator]

Lose a couple of dollars and squeal like a pig.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What's this Evans doing now?

[Ed Jacobs]

He's up for a narcotics rap. He's out on bail.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You punk, what's your stake in this thing?

[Joe Friday]

We're trying to clear the thing up. Apparently, Evans figures he's gonna frame the young cop, save face, talk himself out of a bad situation.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you want from me?

[Joe Friday]

The truth.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I'm not gonna talk myself into jail. Young cop or not, we're not Asking you to. You wanna clear the case, huh?

[Ed Jacobs]

All you need is proof the cop.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Didn'T give Evans a working over.

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Okay, you got a deal.

[Joe Friday]

Without actually incriminating himself in any way, Carl Sweetser gave us information and leads which after they were checked out, showed definitely that George Evans was slugged and beaten in a neighborhood at least a mile from his rooming house. We talked to half a dozen people who saw Evans in that neighborhood shortly after 1pm the day of the incident. We talked to the clerk at the drugstore where Evans went to buy iodine and bandages. They all told us that he bore the markings of a severe beating as early as one o' clock that afternoon. Evans had told us repeatedly that he'd received the beating at the hands of Officer Blanchard no earlier than 3 or 3:15 that afternoon. Ed and I drove over to the main jail where we interviewed Evans. Two witnesses again. The girl, Eleanor Rowland, was the first to break. She admitted that Evans had promised both her and her friend Ray Sherman $50 apiece if they would go along with him in his plan to frame Officer Blanchard for assault and battery and soliciting a bribe. After an hour of questioning, Sherman admitted the same thing. We had a stenographer take their statements. 4:50pm Ed and I got in the car and drove out to the rooming house on Cortlandt Avenue.

[Edward Daniels]

Yeah?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, how are you, sir?

[Joe Friday]

You want to get your coat? Evans like to see you downtown.

[Ed Jacobs]

What for?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What's it about?

[Ed Jacobs]

Filing a false report. You know the story.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What are you talking about? What do you mean, a false report?

[Joe Friday]

You've been checked out all over town, Evans. Your doctor, your ex wife, your gambling friends. We've talked to them all.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

So what? What's that prove anyway?

[Ed Jacobs]

Proves you were lying, mister. That young officer, Blanchard, he didn't beat you up. There's nothing wrong with your shoulder either. Dr. Chase will vouch for that.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Look, I don't care what he says. I don't care what any of them say. I got my case against that cop. I'm sticking with it. You're not going to talk me out.

[Joe Friday]

Why don't you give it up, Evans? We had a talk with Carl Sweetser.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What'd he tell you?

[Joe Friday]

Enough to convince us you're trying to frame Blanchard. We've got statements from people who saw you before you got back home Monday afternoon. They say you were mussed up then. That was at one o' clock in the afternoon. You've been telling us Blanchard wasn't at your place till 3 o'. Clock. Now how do you explain that? I don't know.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Maybe I didn't have the time right. My watch could have been off.

[Joe Friday]

Doesn't make any difference anyway.

[Ed Jacobs]

It's gonna make a lot of difference. How about getting your coat?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I'm gonna call my lawyer first.

[Joe Friday]

That isn't gonna do much good. We've got statements from your two witnesses, Ray Sherman and the girl. They've admitted the whole thing. Now you haven't got much of a case left.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't care what they say.

[Ed Jacobs]

They're lying.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Both of them.

[Ed Jacobs]

They're lying.

[Joe Friday]

You ought to know, mister. What you taught them.

[Edward Daniels]

How.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent.

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On September 2, trial was held in Superior Court Department 89, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator]

And now here is our star, Jack Webb.

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A complaint was received on George Evans from the City attorney's office for Violation of Section 5243, Municipal Code. Filing a false report to the police department, a misdemeanor. He received a sentence of 30 days in the county jail. Ray Sherman was tried and found guilty of section 11,500, health and safety Code. Possession of narcotics. He was sentenced to one year in the county jail and three years probation. Eleanor Rowland was filed on as a bag addict. Section11721, Health and Safety Code. She was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail. Officer Harry Blanchard was cleared of the charges pending against him. And was reinstated with back pay. You have just heard Dragnet. A series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker. Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors. Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn and Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Barney Phillips and Whit Connor. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Narrator]

Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, King size cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles.

[Joe Friday]

Now it's counter spy on NBC.

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[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

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Fatima Cigarettes. Best of all, King Size cigarettes brings you Dragnet on both radio and television.

[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. You receive a complaint about the owner of an apartment building. He signs leases for the apartments and he threatens to kill the tenants if they move in. Your job investigate.

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Yes, comparison proves Fatima quality.

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Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

It was Wednesday, May 9th. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of homicide detail. My partner is Ed Jacobs. The boss is Captain Lorman. My name's Friday. It was 6:47pm When I got back to the Capitol Avenue auto court, cottage number 11.

[Ms. Cameron]

No. No reason in the world for it. I tried to reason with him. He wouldn't even listen. It's the craziest thing I ever saw.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Am.

[Ed Jacobs]

Joe, did you find the phone all right?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. I checked the office. Lope says they picked up Daniels a few minutes ago. They're bringing him downtown now.

[Ms. Cameron]

They got him, did they? They're gonna put him in jail?

[Joe Friday]

Well, it depends, ma'. Am. It's gonna take a little more investigating first.

[Ms. Cameron]

I don't see what else you need. He threatened us with a gun. Me and Doris Ashby if that isn't a crime, I don't know what is.

[Ed Jacobs]

A few more questions we'd like to ask you, ma', am, if you don't mind. Couple of things we'd like to clear up.

[Ms. Cameron]

I told you just how it happened. Doris will tell you the same thing. He's just a crazy old man, if you ask me. Ought to be put away.

[Joe Friday]

Did you ever have any trouble with Mr. Daniels before this afternoon, Ms. Cameron?

[Ms. Cameron]

Excuse me.

[Eleanor Rowland]

The baby.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Edward Daniels]

Am.

[Ms. Cameron]

What is it now, honey? Can't you sleep? You try now, won't you? Daddy will be home pretty soon. That's a good boy. You try and sleep now.

[Ed Jacobs]

Ms. Cameron.

[Ms. Cameron]

Yes. Oh, you be quiet now. I don't want any trouble from you.

[Eleanor Rowland]

You heard me.

[Ms. Cameron]

Be quiet now.

[Ed Jacobs]

You got your hands full, ma', am, don't I know.

[Ms. Cameron]

At a canary. Four months old, baby trying to keep house in an auto court. If I knew it was gonna be like this, I never would have left Paso Robles.

[Joe Friday]

You've only been in town a week or so. Is that right?

[Ms. Cameron]

It's closer to two weeks. Seems more like two months. Trying to get along in a place like this. A room in the back. No place to cook, rinse out diapers. It's terrible. I told my husband he should come down here alone. Find us a place to live first. Then we could move. No. He had to have it his way. Mm.

[Joe Friday]

You say your husband made the first contact with Daniels? He gave him a deposit on this apartment.

[Ms. Cameron]

Yeah, that's right. The same day he started work at the aircraft in the Valley. We've been living in Paso Roble since we got married A month ago. Pete, that's my husband, he got a lead on this aircraft job down here. Him and Ralph came down, signed up for it.

[Ed Jacobs]

Ralph? Who's that, ma'?

[Joe Friday]

Am?

[Ms. Cameron]

Ralph Ashby. He's Doris's husband. Doris Ashby. She's my best girlfriend. We were neighbors out in Paso Robles.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, I see.

[Ms. Cameron]

They're not doing much better than we are. Right now. They're staying in another court up the street. Same thing. Room and a bath. Doris is expecting, too. A poor kid. Did you hear me? You be quiet now. You want to wake up the baby.

[Joe Friday]

About the arrangements your husband made with Daniels to lease this apartment, Ms. Cameron. When was all this?

[Ms. Cameron]

Week ago Monday. The day after I moved down here. My husband and Ralph Ashby saw the rental ad in the paper. And they went over and talked to Daniels. He said all right. He had an apartment for the Ashby's and one for us. Nice Places too.

[Joe Friday]

I see.

[Ms. Cameron]

Ralph and my husband signed the leases. Gave him the first and last month's rent in advance. It was all decided.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, how is it you couldn't move right away, Ms. Cameron?

[Ms. Cameron]

He said he was having the apartment house redecorated. Daniels did? I mean, he told Ralph and my husband the apartments would probably be ready for us on the 8th. That was yesterday. He said the 9th for sure, and that's today.

[Joe Friday]

And you tried to move in this afternoon, and Daniels refused to let you in, Is that it?

[Ms. Cameron]

I had the movers get all our things out of storage and move them out to the apartment. So did my girlfriend, Doris. The movers were just starting to get our furniture out of the van and move it into the apartment when Mr. Daniel showed up. He acted like a crazy man.

[Ed Jacobs]

Would he give you any reasons why he couldn't move in?

[Ms. Cameron]

He tried to give us a lot of reasons. None of them made any sense. You can ask Doris. She'll tell you. She was there with me.

[Joe Friday]

Well, what did Daniel say now, just for instance?

[Ms. Cameron]

He said a lot of things. First, he told us there was no water in the apartments. Hadn't been turned on yet. He said the gas wasn't turned on either. Well, I knew that was a lie. I was in the apartment late in the morning. Everything was fine. The gas was working, so was the water.

[Joe Friday]

I see.

[Ms. Cameron]

When I caught him in that lie, he got madder than ever. Made some more excitement. Then he started yelling and swearing at me right there on the sidewalk. Said the apartment just wasn't ready yet. I told him to go climb a tree. We signed the lease, we paid the rent. We were moving in anyway. Told the movers to go ahead, take in the furniture.

[Ed Jacobs]

What'd Daniel say then?

[Ms. Cameron]

Nothing. He just got real purple in the face. And he put his hand in his coat pocket and he took out a gun, pointed it at me. And Doris and I had the baby in my arms. Imagine that.

[Joe Friday]

He actually told you he'd shoot you if you tried to move it?

[Ms. Cameron]

In so many words, yes, he did. He threatened the moving men too. They tried to talk to him. He wouldn't listen. We all tried to talk to him. We didn't make any sense at all. I wasn't gonna take any chances with the baby in my arms. Doris and I got in the car and drove away. So did the movers. They left with us. Can't say or blame them, either.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Ms. Cameron]

That Daniels must be out of his mind. It's the only thing I can figure a Real nut.

[Joe Friday]

Well, did either you or your husband have any arguments with him at all before this afternoon?

[Ms. Cameron]

No, everything was fine. This afternoon was the second time I ever saw spoke to the man.

[Joe Friday]

He had no objections to your having children or pets in the apartment?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

None at all.

[Ms. Cameron]

That's one of the first things my husband told Daniels when he went to look at the apartment. We had a baby and a canary. Daniels said it was all right with him. He didn't object at all.

[Ed Jacobs]

I understand there's six apartments in the building, Ms. Cameron. That right?

[Ms. Cameron]

Yes, that's right. They're all vacant, as far as I know. Daniel's just bought the building a month ago. That's what he told my husband, anyway. He had the place redecorated and the work was all done. The apartments are just sitting there. That's why I can't understand it. Why won't he let us move in?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yes, ma'.

[Ms. Cameron]

Am. We paid our money, signed the lease. If he gave us any kind of a good reason why we shouldn't move in, I could understand it. But to keep us out for no reason at all. To stand out there on the sidewalk and threaten to shoot us if we move in. Me with a baby in my arms. I don't know. He must be crazy.

[Joe Friday]

You say you were in the apartment this morning, Ms. Cameron. Did you notice anything unusual about the place? Anything out of the ordinary?

[Ms. Cameron]

No, nothing.

[Joe Friday]

And you say Daniels couldn't give any reason at all why you shouldn't move in?

[Ms. Cameron]

Just one. It convinced me. Yeah, a gun.

[Joe Friday]

Before we left Mrs. Cameron, we took her crime report and had her sign it. And then we drove back downtown to the squadron where Gene Bechtel and Lloyd Bond were waiting with the suspect, Edward Daniels. They'd already checked him through R and I. He had no previous criminal record. They gave us a.22 caliber H&R revolver along with six shells which had been found on the suspect at the time of his arrest. The gun had been loaded. Pawn shop records showed that the weapon had been purchased by the suspect and had been registered in his name. We had stenographer Eleanor Eastlack type up the crime report. And Ed and I took Daniels down the hall to the interrogation room. He was a small, thin man, Blue eyes, gray hair.

[Edward Daniels]

Don't know what all the fuss is about. I own the building. I can keep people out if I want to.

[Ed Jacobs]

When we saw the leash you signed with the Camerons, the other couple, too. They paid their rent. Why the sudden change of heart?

[Edward Daniels]

I don't think that's any of your business. Matter between me and the tenant.

[Joe Friday]

It's our business when you threaten him with a gun. Daniels. Assault with a deadly weapon, that's a felony.

[Edward Daniels]

Didn't hurt the woman. Just wanted to scare her, that's all. Just a couple of farmers anyway. Never should have given them the lease in the first place. Why was the kid with him and that bird chirping all the time?

[Joe Friday]

How'd you happen to have that gun with you this afternoon?

[Edward Daniels]

Didn't happen to have it. Carry it all the time. It's my business. Isn't it registered down here?

[Ed Jacobs]

Mean you got a permit to carry this gun?

[Edward Daniels]

Don't need a permit. It's registered, isn't it?

[Joe Friday]

Who gave you the id? Because the gun's registered, you can carry it around your pocket.

[Edward Daniels]

Friend of mine. Nothing wrong with it, is there?

[Joe Friday]

Having a gun registered is nothing more than keeping a permanent record of it. You can keep the gun in your home or in your office, but it doesn't give you the right to carry it around with you.

[Edward Daniels]

Oh, why didn't they tell me that when I had it registered?

[Ed Jacobs]

You were told, Mr. Daniels. You know that.

[Edward Daniels]

Well, I don't remember.

[Ed Jacobs]

Doesn't make much difference if you remember or not. Nobody has a permit to threaten people with a gun.

[Edward Daniels]

Told you I wasn't gonna hurt her. She just kept arguing with me. I'm a sick man, you know. Thought she was gonna hit me.

[Joe Friday]

You mean while she was holding that baby in her arms? Now, come off it, Daniels. What's this thing all about?

[Edward Daniels]

Told you before, I think that's my business.

[Joe Friday]

You signed a year's lease with the Camerons. You accepted the first and last month's rent. You took their money. You advised them they could move in this afternoon. When they try to move in, you meet them at the front door and threaten them with a gun. Now, what's it all about? None of this makes any sense.

[Edward Daniels]

Change my mind. I'm not ready to rent them out yet.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, then why'd you sign that lease with the Camerons? How about it, Mr. Daniels? If there's something in that building you're trying to cover up, you might as well tell us. A couple of men out there now checking it.

[Edward Daniels]

You can go ahead and check. I don't care. They won't find anything. Got nothing to hide.

[Joe Friday]

How long you lived here, Daniels?

[Edward Daniels]

18, 20 years. Why?

[Joe Friday]

Where'd you live before you came here?

[Edward Daniels]

Ohio. Cleveland, Ohio.

[Joe Friday]

You ever been arrested?

[Edward Daniels]

Yeah, a couple of traffic tickets. Cops said I went through a stop signal. I wasn't Guilty, though. What's the point anyway? What are you trying to get at? Trying to force me to let those people in that apartment?

[Ed Jacobs]

I'm not trying to force you into anything, Daniels. Business about the lease is a civil matter. That's between you and the Camerons.

[Edward Daniels]

Then what are you holding me here for?

[Joe Friday]

We told you. You threatened that woman with a gun. She signed an ADW Report.

[Edward Daniels]

What do you mean, adw?

[Joe Friday]

Assault with a deadly weapon. That's a pretty serious charge.

[Edward Daniels]

Daniels didn't hurt the woman. Didn't even touch her.

[Ed Jacobs]

Pointed the gun at her, didn't you?

[Edward Daniels]

Yeah.

[Ed Jacobs]

The gun was loaded, wasn't it?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah.

[Ed Jacobs]

Capable of being fired?

[Edward Daniels]

Yeah, But I wasn't gonna shoot her. I told you. Just wanted to scare her off, get her out of there. It's the truth. I wasn't gonna shoot her. What do I have to do to convince you?

[Joe Friday]

You don't have to convince us.

[Edward Daniels]

What do you mean? Who do I have to convince?

[Joe Friday]

You got your choice. A judge or a jury. Ed and I took the suspect, Edward. Edward Daniels, down to the main jail, where we booked him in on suspicion of 467pc ADW. Before he was locked up, Daniels asked us if we would take the keys to his car and the keys to his apartment house to an Oliver Randall, an employee of his who acted as a janitor and general handyman at two other apartment houses, Daniel's own. We told him we would. After we left the main jail, we checked with the office, and then we drove out to the location of the apartment house to interview the neighbors and deliver the keys to Daniels handyman, Oliver Randall. Other than telling us that they considered Mr. Daniels a little eccentric, the neighbors were unable to give us any additional information that might help us in the prosecution. After we finished talking to the neighbors, we went across the street to the apartment house. There were lights burning in the upper rear apartment. We tried the bell, but there was no answer from the set of keys Daniels had given us. We found the one that fit the door and let ourselves in. We. We heard somebody moving around on the floor above us. We went up and found a man there who identified himself as Oliver Randall. He appeared nervous and upset. There were papers and rags scattered over the floor of the room.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, yeah, I was just cleaning up here. Mr. Daniels told me to be sure and clean this up. Papers and Jim.

[Ed Jacobs]

I see. Well, here's some keys for you, Randall. Daniels asked to get them to you.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, yeah. Apartment house keys. Mr. Daniels was supposed to meet me here. He said 8 o' clock? I think that's what he said. I wonder where he is. You know where he is?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. He's in jail. Oh.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What's he doing in jail? Did he do something wrong?

[Joe Friday]

He's had a complaint filed against him. Assault with a deadly weapon.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What happened? He got mad at somebody. Mr. Daniels got an awful bad temper. When he gets mad at somebody, he doesn't forget it. I know. I worked for him.

[Ed Jacobs]

How long have you worked for him, Randall?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't know. A long time. Maybe five years. I forget.

[Joe Friday]

You say Daniels has a bad temper. Have you ever known him to be violent, Randall?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

How's that?

[Joe Friday]

Well, have you ever known him to be violent? I mean, have you ever known him to hurt anyone?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't know. I don't remember. A lot of times he says he's gonna do things. I work for him, you know. A lot of times he gets mad at me. Says I don't work fast enough or I don't do the right things. He always carries his gun, you know. Once he said he was gonna shoot me, I was pretty scared.

[Ed Jacobs]

You live with Mr. Daniels, do you?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No. I have a room downstairs in another apartment house. He owns a place over on South Hoover. It's a nice room. It's got a window in it.

[Ed Jacobs]

You're on a regular salary.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Is that the way you work? Yeah. $15 a week. I get the room free, too. It's not bad.

[Joe Friday]

You ever been arrested, Randall?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Me? No, I've never been arrested.

[Joe Friday]

You ever been in the state hospital, any kind of an institution?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No. I was up at Camarillo for a couple of years. I didn't like it too much. I came down here to live with my sister. She's dead now. She died about four years ago. She's the one that got me this job, you know, that's so. Oh, yeah. This isn't a bad job at all. Jobs are pretty hard to get now. That's what Mr. Daniels says. Real tough to get a good job now. That's why I do what I'm told. I better get on fixing up this place.

[Joe Friday]

How'd all these rags and papers get here, Randall? Painters leave them behind? I don't know.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I guess so. I guess somebody left them here.

[Joe Friday]

We understood the apartments were already cleaned up. They were ready to move into.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What's that?

[Joe Friday]

I say, we understood the apartments were all fixed up, but they were ready for the tenants to move right into.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't know about that. Mr. Daniels takes care of renting the places I Just help him. I do what he tells me.

[Edward Daniels]

Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Ed Jacobs]

You notice that smell seems to be stronger out in the hall?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I think I do. How long has it been since the painters were working here? Randall, do you know that Painters?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't know. A couple days, I guess. What's the matter?

[Joe Friday]

That's a pretty strong smell. Might be paint thinner, something like that. Don't you notice it?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, yeah. I've been wondering about that. I noticed that when I came in. It might be from upstairs. The attic painters were working up there too, I think.

[Ed Jacobs]

Don't you think you ought to check it, see what it is?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Mr. Daniels didn't tell me to. I guess I better, though. Smells pretty strong. I guess I better see what it is.

[Joe Friday]

How do you get to the attic from here?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Down the end of the hall, there's a stairway there. It goes right up into the attic. I'll you see. Show you.

[Joe Friday]

All right, fine. Yeah.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Smells like gasoline or something.

[Ed Jacobs]

All the apartments are vacant. That right? No one living in the building at all?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, that's right. We go up the stairs here. Mr. Daniels had the whole place worked over. Nobody here at all right now. I guess they'll be moving in pretty soon. Gonna be a lot of work. Got the other two apartment houses take care of and there's gonna be this place. Gonna be a lot of work.

[Joe Friday]

Daniels hire anyone else besides yourself to help out with the work, I mean.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, I don't think so. Just me. I keep pretty busy. Here's the attic.

[Ed Jacobs]

This must be where it's coming from.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. It's strong enough to knock you over in it.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Light switch is over here. Just metal?

[Ed Jacobs]

Sure. Mess papers, boxes, pile, old rags.

[Joe Friday]

That five gallon can there on the floor.

[Ed Jacobs]

Kerosene, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. It's just about empty, too.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

It's all spilled all over the floor. Mr. Daniels ain't gonna like that. He's gonna get mad.

[Joe Friday]

Usually keep this stuff up here, do you, Randall?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, I guess it was with the painter's stuff. Those cans and things on the table there. I guess it got knocked off and spilled. Spilled all over the place, didn't it?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, how come the painting crew didn't take this stuff with them when they left all this equipment here? They're all finished with the job, aren't they?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I guess so. You'd have to ask Mr. Daniels about that. They're all finished on the inside. I know that. They're the outside. Maybe that's why they left their stuff.

[Joe Friday]

It's not a very safe way to leave it. Rags Papers. Look here. Kerosene spilled all over. You better get this place cleaned up first, don't you think, Randall?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't know. I sure wish Mr. Daniels was here. You won't let him know, will you?

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean? Let him know what?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Don't tell him. I'll let you see the attic.

[Edward Daniels]

Huh?

[Joe Friday]

9:35Pm Ed and I left the handyman, Oliver Randall, at his apartment house, went outside and got in the car. Neither one of us could find any explanation for it, but we both had a hunch there was something wrong with the setup. We drove to a neighborhood service station, called the office and told them we were going to stake the apartment house. We drove back and found a place to park where we could keep the building under surveillance without being seen. We waited. 10:00pm 10:30, 11:00'.

[Narrator]

Clock.

[Joe Friday]

At a few minutes past 11, we saw Randall come out of the front door of the apartment, get in a blue sedan and drive off. We followed him to an apartment building on West Pico and saw him enter a rear door. We waited. At 12:15am Ed got to a phone, called Captain Bernard at the business office and notified him of our location. At 12:45am two men arrived to relieve us and we briefed him on the facts. We drove back to the office, made out of 15.7 to Captain Lorman and signed out. At 4 o' clock the next afternoon, we reported back in for work. We checked the book and found a message that the suspect, Edward Daniels, had been released from jail that morning on a writ. Bail, $2,500. The writ was returnable Thursday, May 10. There was also a message in the book for us to contact Daniel's attorney, a Richard Tiernan. Ed put in the call.

[Ed Jacobs]

Yes, sir.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Huh? I see.

[Ed Jacobs]

What's that?

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[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah, I know.

[Edward Daniels]

All right.

[Ed Jacobs]

Mr. Tiernan.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Thank you.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Goodbye. You were right, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Ed Jacobs]

Daniel's lawyer want to know how serious the charges are. He says Daniels is pretty upset. Seems he had some trouble lately. His insurance company.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter? You have an accident?

[Ed Jacobs]

Insurance company doesn't seem to think it was an accident. Happened two months ago at an apartment house over on South Union.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ed Jacobs]

Burned down.

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[Joe Friday]

Thursday, May 10, 4:30pm we contacted the fire department's arson squad to find out if the fire at Daniel's apartment house on South Union Avenue two months before was under investigation. After checking back, they told us investigators from the arson squad had found a large amount of kerosene to be present in some of the burned timbers found in the debris after the fire was put out. They said that Mr. Daniels had admitted after the fire that the apartment building had been recently redecorated and that kerosene, paint and other inflammables had been stored in the attic of the building. Ed and I contacted the insurance adjuster handling the case, A. Snyder Peebles, and he told us there wasn't any doubt in his mind that the fire at Daniel's apartment house two months before was of incendiary origin. But he said so far the investigators were unable to prove it. The one thing that seemed to puzzle him was if Daniels planned on burning down the building, why did he go to the trouble and expense of redecorating first? Well, as soon as it was dark, Ed and I drove out, relieved the men on stakeout at the apartment house on West Pico where the handyman, Oliver Randall, had his room. They reported no unusual activity during the day. 7:32pm Randall came out of the apartment house, got in a car and drove off. We followed him.

[Ed Jacobs]

If we got this Randall made right, it shouldn't be too long before we find out Daniels is using him to work something. I'm pretty sure we can count on that.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, maybe. I'll watch it.

[Ed Jacobs]

Ed.

[Joe Friday]

He's turning down Union.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

He'S pulling up ahead.

[Ed Jacobs]

Don't crowd him out There's a good spot here. Shouldn't be able to see us.

[Joe Friday]

All right, pull up in here. All right, that's fine. He's getting out of the car. He's going over to the house, down the driveway.

[Ed Jacobs]

Took on around back. He's out of sight now.

[Joe Friday]

All right, let's go.

[Ed Jacobs]

Still no lights in the place. Oh, yeah, There they go in the basement.

[Joe Friday]

All right, easy. Let's take it easy, all right? Yeah, I think I can see the back door from here. Come on. Easy now.

[Ed Jacobs]

What is it?

[Joe Friday]

All right, easy with this door, Ed. Don't let it bang.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Where now?

[Joe Friday]

Sounds like somebody upstairs, doesn't it? All right, come on. Watch your step.

[Narrator]

Right.

[Joe Friday]

Come on. Next floor up.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, it's up in the attic.

[Narrator]

Come on.

[Joe Friday]

All right, come on through this door. Back in the corner, Ed.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

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[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What's the matter?

[Joe Friday]

There's a fire right over in the corner.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I'll get it.

[Joe Friday]

Hold on to him.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Right.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, don't put it out.

[Ed Jacobs]

You need any help, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

You getting it all right, I'm getting it all right. Just a minute here.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I got it.

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Ed Jacobs]

You want to get the lights?

[Joe Friday]

I got them. All right, Randall, what's the story?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

He told me to do it. He told me to come back tonight and burn the whole place down.

[Ed Jacobs]

Who told you?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

He said, ollie, you go back to the place, to the attic, light a match, that's all, and then get out. Mr. Daniels. That's just what he said.

[Joe Friday]

Daniels told you to do this?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

He told me just light a fire and nobody'd know. He said there wasn't going to be any trouble. No trouble at all.

[Joe Friday]

That gives you the edge, doesn't it?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No trouble, he said.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, well, next time you see him, you can call him a liar. 8:50pm after making sure that the place was secure and that there was no danger of fire from the recent arson attempt, Ed and I took the suspect, Oliver Randall, outside and put him in the car, where we questioned him. He made no attempt to. To disguise the fact that he had been directed by his regular employer, Edward Daniels, to commit arson by setting fire to the attic of the apartment house. In addition, he told us that Daniels had threatened him with bodily harm if he refused to obey the order and set fire to the building.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

He had this gun, you know. Mr. Daniel did. He always had it with him. I was scared of it, I don't mind telling you.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, he threatened to kill you if you didn't do what he wanted, that is.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, I guess so. He used to get mad a lot of the time. And he had this gun. He always had the gun. He'd get mad at me and tell me he was gonna shoot me. I'm afraid of guns.

[Joe Friday]

How about the fire at the other apartment house, Ollie? The one over on South Union Avenue?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah. That was a big fire.

[Joe Friday]

Did you start that one?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Daniels told me there was nobody living there. He said nobody'd get hurt. Nobody did get hurt, did they?

[Ed Jacobs]

Did you start the fire?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, I guess so.

[Ed Jacobs]

I guess I did Mr. Daniels tell.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You to do it? He said it was his building. He owned it. He could do anything with it he wanted to. I didn't want to do it. He told me I'd have to. He said he'd hurt me with that gun. And he said he'd fire me, too. I didn't want to lose my job.

[Joe Friday]

You knew you were doing wrong. Didn't jolly.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, I guess I did.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What could I do, though? I didn't want to lose my job. Good jobs aren't too easy to get nowadays. You know that.

[Joe Friday]

Where's Mr. Daniels now? Do you know?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You're not going to tell him what I told you, are you? He said not to say anything about it. He said nobody believed me anyway. Nobody said he'd tell everybody I was a liar. Said they'd believe him before they'd believe me.

[Ed Jacobs]

Where's Daniels now?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

If I tell you, you won't let him hurt me, will you?

[Ed Jacobs]

No, we won't let him hurt you. You're gonna have to help us out, though.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you want me to do?

[Joe Friday]

Like to find out where Daniels is first.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

He's in a movie over on Pico, by his house. He's waiting for me.

[Joe Friday]

You mean he's waiting for you in the show.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

See, in the center section, 10 rows from the back? He's waiting for me now.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, how's it you're supposed to meet him there?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't know. He said if anybody wanted to know where we were tonight, this would prove we didn't start the fire. We were at the show. I was supposed to start the fire and then go to the show and meet him. Ten rows from the back, the center section.

[Joe Friday]

You want to show us where this movie is, ollie?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah. Okay. Mr. Daniels won't tell you anything. No. He's going to be mad. He won't tell you anything.

[Joe Friday]

Well, that's where we need your help, Ollie.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

We'll let him tell you. 9:44pm Ed and I, along with the suspect, Oliver Randall. Drove to the movie house on West Pico. On the way, we explained to Randall what he was supposed to do. 9:55pm we parked our car half a block from the movie house, bought three tickets and went inside. The feature picture was still on. There wasn't much of a crowd. We sent Randall down the aisle ahead of us and watched him move into the 10th row and sit down next to somebody. Ed and I followed him down and found seats in the road directly behind him. We recognized the man sitting next to Randall as Edward Daniels.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Hello, Mr. Daniels. I did it just the way you told me, up in the attic. It was okay.

[Edward Daniels]

Nobody saw you? You didn't have any trouble at all?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, it was okay. I don't feel so good about it, though.

[Edward Daniels]

What do you mean? What are you talking about?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't know. Maybe somebody might find out. Don't you think we'd get in trouble if they found out?

[Edward Daniels]

You just keep your mouth shut. I'll attend to that. Nobody's going to find out.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

All right?

[Joe Friday]

Daniels, you mind coming outside? We'd like to talk to you.

[Edward Daniels]

What? What are you doing here?

[Ed Jacobs]

Come on, we'll talk outside.

[Edward Daniels]

What's this all about?

[Joe Friday]

We'll let you tell us.

[Ed Jacobs]

All right.

[Edward Daniels]

What do you want? You arresting me?

[Joe Friday]

That's right, mister.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Why?

[Edward Daniels]

What's it supposed to be this time?

[Ed Jacobs]

Think you know. Arson, conspiracy. Caught Randall here. Caught him right in the act. He told us the whole story.

[Edward Daniels]

What, Ollie? What story? What is this?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I told you I didn't want to do it, Mr. Daniels. I told you we'd get in trouble.

[Edward Daniels]

Fool. Stupid fool. Should have known better.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, you should have.

[Ed Jacobs]

Just two questions for you, Daniels. Why'd you burn down your own property? Why'd you redecorate the buildings first?

[Edward Daniels]

I never forgot it. Told him when it happened, I wouldn't forget it as long as I lived.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean? Forget what?

[Edward Daniels]

24 years ago. I was just starting out. Small store back in Ohio.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Burned down. Real fire.

[Edward Daniels]

Lousy insurance company that wouldn't believe me. Had to sue. Lost the whole thing. Had to start all over again. Told him I'd never forget it. Told him I'd make him pay.

[Ed Jacobs]

And you've been nursing this grudge for 24 years?

[Edward Daniels]

Why not? Why shouldn't I? I lost everything. Everything I had.

[Joe Friday]

Why'd you redecorate the apartment houses if you plan to burn them down?

[Edward Daniels]

Simple. Gave me a good excuse. Could have all those things stored in the buildings. Paint, kerosene. Besides, you'd think I'd burn Down the building right after I got done redecorating. Not a bad idea. Worked pretty good, didn't it?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. You're going to jail. You figure it.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

On August 18, trial was held in Superior Court Department 86, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator]

Now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you, George Fenneman. Friends, comparisons are often very helpful in modern police work. Now, for instance, a suspect may be identified by comparing his MO or method of operation with the known facts of a case. Comparisons are important to you in choosing your king size cigarette. Compare Fatima for quality. You'll find Fatima's length filters the smoke 85 millimeters for your protection. Cools the smoke for your protection. Fatima's length gives you Those extra puffs 21% longer than standard cigarette size. And you get an extra mild and soothing smoke. Plus the added protection of Fatima quality. Buy Fatima. I'm convinced that you'll agree Fatima is the best of all king size cigarettes.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Edward John Daniels was tried and convicted of two counts of conspiracy and one count of arson and received the sentence as prescribed by law. Conspiracy is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for not more than two years. Arson is punishable by a prison term of not less than one or more than five years. Daniel's accomplice, Oliver Randall was examined by three psychiatrists appointed by the court and was found to be mentally incompetent. He was placed in a state hospital for the mentally deficient. The charge of assault with a deadly weapon against Edward Daniels was dismissed. You have just heard Dragnet. A series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Barney Phillips and Vic Perrin. Script by Jim Moser Music by Walter Schumann Hal Gibney SPE.

[Narrator]

Fatima Cigarettes. Best of all, King Size Cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles.

[Joe Friday]

Now it's Counter Spy on NBC. Morning, Zoe. Got donuts. Jeff Bridges, why are you still living above our garage? Well, I dig the mattress and I want to be in a T Mobile commercial like you teach me. So, Dana.

[Ms. Cameron]

Oh no, I'm not really prepared.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I couldn't possibly AT T Mobile get.

[Ms. Cameron]

The new iPhone 17 Pro on them.

[Joe Friday]

It's designed to be the most powerful iPhone yet and has the ultimate pro camera system. Wow, impressive. Let me try. T Mobile is the best place to get iPhone 17 Pro because they've got the best network. Nice Jeffrey.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You heard them.

[Joe Friday]

T Mobile is the best place to get the new iPhone 17 Pro on us with eligible traded in any condition. So what are we having for lunch? Dude, my work here is done. The 24 month credit is on experience beyond for well qualified customers plus tax and $35 device connection charge credit send.

[Rubrik Agent Cloud Announcer]

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[Joe Friday]

Earlier Cancel Finance agreement. IPhone 17 Pro 256 gigs $1099.99 and new line minimum $100 plus a month plan with auto pay plus taxes and fees required. Best mobile network in the US based on analysis by HookLove Speedtest Intelligence data.

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