THE BIG PILL and THE BIG NUMBER DRAGNET

Summary

Podcast Summary: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers
Episode: THE BIG PILL and THE BIG NUMBER – DRAGNET
Host: Jon Hagadorn
Release Date: June 29, 2025

Welcome to this episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers, where Host Jon Hagadorn presents two gripping tales from the golden age of radio detective stories, reminiscent of classics like Dragnet. This episode features "The Big Pill" and "The Big Number," both meticulously transcribed from public domain sources and brought to life with engaging narration and authentic dialogue. Below is a comprehensive summary of each story, highlighting key discussions, insights, and conclusions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps.

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Part 1: The Big Pill

[03:13] Introduction to Dragnet Story

The episode opens with the familiar voice of Joe Friday, setting the stage for a true crime story in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). The narrative follows Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith as they delve into a suspicious case involving two Marines.

[03:38] The Case Unfolds

On Tuesday, July 10th, Joe Friday arrives at the homicide detail to investigate the mysterious death of two Marines, Jack Wayne Walker and PFC Edward Monahan, who had recently returned from Korea and subsequently went AWOL for over two weeks. A complaint from the Shore Patrol led to their pickup, revealing that they were severely unwell upon arrival. Tragically, one of the Marines, Jack Walker, dies, raising suspicions of foul play.

Notable Quote:
"We did a good job," reflects Detective Frank Smith’s dedication to ensuring the well-being of those he cares for ([00:01]).

[05:10] Investigating the Cause

Detective Friday and Frank Smith discover that both Marines were poisoned with a powerful corrosive substance. Their investigation points to a man named Stubby, alias Paul Rogers, whom the Marines had encountered while AWOL. Rogers, a dishonorably discharged Marine, harbors deep resentment towards the Corps, fueling his motive for revenge.

Notable Quote:
"I killed my buddy up there. That's what happened. You heard about that, didn't you?" – Paul Rogers ([06:53]).

[11:22] Confrontation with Rogers

After gathering substantial evidence, including handwriting analysis and witness testimonies, Friday and Smith confront Paul Rogers. During the interrogation, Rogers breaks down, revealing his bitterness over his dishonorable discharge and feelings of injustice within the Marine Corps.

Notable Quote:
"They wouldn't let me enlist again. You can understand what that'd do to a guy, can't you?" – Paul Rogers ([27:01]).

[28:04] Trial and Conviction

The case culminates in a federal trial where Paul M. Rogers is convicted of first-degree murder. He receives a life sentence at San Quentin State Prison, bringing closure to the victims' families and highlighting the relentless pursuit of justice by the detectives.

Notable Quote:
"You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files." – Narrator ([29:06]).

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Part 2: The Big Number

[30:25] Transition to Second Case

Following the resolution of "The Big Pill," the podcast seamlessly transitions to a new case titled "The Big Number," focusing on a bank robbery that shakes the community.

[33:21] The Robbery Details

On Monday, January 21st, LA experiences a cold day when a bank robbery occurs at the corner of Lebanon and Broadway. The robber, armed with a sawed-off shotgun, executes the heist swiftly, escaping before the police can respond. Detective Joe Friday and Frank Smith are tasked with capturing the elusive bandit.

[37:07] Initial Aftermath

As Detective Friday and Frank arrive at the scene, they receive conflicting reports from witnesses about the robber's actions and vehicle. The description of the car and the bandit proves challenging, leading to a comprehensive investigation involving the FBI.

Notable Quote:
"He said if I made a move, he'd as soon shoot me as look at me." – Bank Guard, recounting the encounter with the robber ([38:24]).

[44:49] Investigative Steps

The detectives collaborate with FBI Agent Tom Ashford to sift through thousands of license registrations, narrowing down suspects based on the robber’s vehicle details. Their persistence pays off when they identify Ivan Q. Field, a parolee with a criminal past, as a prime suspect.

Notable Quote:
"Crawl in," – Robber Mr. Field, during the tense arrest scene ([56:07]).

[55:00] The Arrest

After meticulous planning and a stakeout, Friday and Smith successfully apprehend Ivan Field at his residence. The confrontation is intense, with Field exhibiting signs of paranoia and aggression, ultimately leading to his capture without further incident.

[56:25] Conclusion of the Robbery Case

Ivan Q. Field is tried and convicted for federal bank robbery, receiving a 20-year sentence at McNeil Island Penitentiary in Washington. The case underscores the efficacy of thorough detective work and inter-agency collaboration in solving complex crimes.

Notable Quote:
"He likes my cat. Isn't going to like the idea at all when he hears about it." – Harry Field, neighbor providing crucial information ([54:42]).

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Conclusion and Reflections

Both cases showcased in this episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers illustrate the depth of commitment and methodical approach of detectives like Joe Friday and Frank Smith. The narratives emphasize the importance of perseverance, attention to detail, and the human elements that drive criminal behavior and the pursuit of justice.

[58:25] Final Statements

The podcast wraps up with a reflection on the cases’ resolutions, reinforcing the theme of diligent detective work leading to successful prosecutions.

Notable Quote:
"Remember that to successfully apprehend an armed and dangerous suspect, he must act quickly and employ the one big advantage on his side, the element of surprise." – Captain Warman ([28:15]).

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Additional Notes:

• Advertisements and Non-Content Skipped: The transcript included various advertisements for Chesterfield cigarettes, SOFI personal loans, and other products interspersed with the main narratives. These sections were omitted in the summary to focus solely on the crime-solving content.

• Authenticity and Technical Accuracy: The stories maintain a high level of authenticity, adhering closely to police procedures and investigative techniques, mirroring the realistic approach of classic radio detective shows.

• Engagement and Accessibility: The summary is crafted to be engaging and informative for listeners who have not tuned into the episode, providing a clear and concise overview of each case's progression and resolution.

This episode serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of radio detective stories, blending suspenseful storytelling with factual crime-solving methodologies.

Transcript

[Joe Friday]

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[Frank Smith]

The thing that drives me every day as a dad is Dariona. We call him Dae Date for short. Every day he's hungry for something, whether it's attention, affection, knowledge. And there's this huge responsibility in making sure that when he's no longer under my wing that he's a good person. I want him to be able to sit back one day and go, we worked together. We did a good job.

[Joe Friday]

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[Frank Smith]

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[Joe Friday]

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[Frank Smith]

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[Joe Friday]

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[Vera Gay]

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[Captain Warman]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the you're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. Naval Intelligence tells you that two Marines have been picked up with the Shore Patrol. They're reported sick. One is in critical condition. Foul play is suspected. Your job Investigate. Here's what leading tobacco publications have had to say about King Size Chesterfield.

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[Captain Warman]

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[Vera Gay]

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[Captain Warman]

That means Chesterfield King Size contains tobaccos of better quality and higher price than any other King Size cigarette. The same fine tobacco as in regular Chesterfield. Enough more of this tobacco to give you over a fifth longer smoke.

[Vera Gay]

So remember, Chesterfield is the only cigarette to give you premium quality in both regular and King size.

[Captain Warman]

Buy them either way you like them. Chesterfield gives you the best possible smoke. Much milder.

[Vera Gay]

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 Tuesday, July 10th. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A homicide detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Warman. My name's Friday. It was 7:58am when I got to Room 42, Homicide. Morning, Joe. Hi. Just get in? Yeah. Anything in the book? I'm looking. What's the matter? You hacked about something? No, no. Why do you ask? That figures you're sorry about something. What'd you do, take a flower pill? And keep this up, you won't be asked to post toothpaste ads. Well, now, that's funny. All right, Joe, tell your Uncle Dudley what's the matter. Notice that court deal yesterday was miserable. Thing you and Gaffney been working out? Yeah. The white glove band. It came up while you were out on vacation. Spent over a month on it. Covered it from every angle. Looked like we had the guy any way he turned. We had an idea how much he'd taken on each job. Lee thought he traced him on every move he made on each of the deals. We figured we really had the guy. DA's office thought so, too. Quit him. Yeah, Let him walk right out. 12 men, good and true. Let that cheap hoodlum walk right out on the streets of free man. Well, that's the way it goes sometimes.

[Frank Smith]

Is there?

[Joe Friday]

Mr. Friday here? Yes, sir. I'm Friday. Is there something I can do for you?

[Frank Smith]

Well, I'm Richard Houston, Naval Intelligence. Deputy Chief Brown directed me to you.

[Joe Friday]

I see. Well, it's my partner, Frank Smith, attorney Houston. Attorney Houston, like. Sit down, sir. What is it we can do for you?

[Frank Smith]

Well, we got a weird one. That's why we thought your department ought to be in on it.

[Joe Friday]

About all I can tell you is.

[Frank Smith]

Just the skeleton of the thing. We don't know all the details. We haven't gone into it completely yet.

[Joe Friday]

We figured you fellas would like to.

[Frank Smith]

Be in on it from the beginning. Looks like it's going to be a police investigation to begin. I should go back three weeks ago and tell you the story as near as we've been able to reconstruct it.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Go right ahead.

[Frank Smith]

A couple of Marines left the base. They'd just gotten back from Korea. Both on a 48 hour passenger. We figured they came up here to LA. They had a lot of back pay in their pockets. We don't know where they started, but they ended up in a cheap hotel. We got a call from the Shore Patrol early Monday morning. They'd gotten a complaint that the two boys were causing a disturbance in the hotel. They picked them up and found they both were in a pretty bad way. They had them shipped to the Naval hospital down at Long Beach. By the time they got there, they were really rocky.

[Joe Friday]

Well, I'm sorry, sir, but I don't quite see just how we're connected with this.

[Frank Smith]

Well, I'm getting to that.

[Joe Friday]

I'm sorry, all right.

[Frank Smith]

I'm a little long winded anyway. Last night. The boys had been AWOL for over two weeks. They were brought into the hospital. Like I said, doctors did what they could, but it was too late to help. One of the boys died late last night. We're not sure about the other one. That's where you come in, sir.

[Joe Friday]

They were both poisoned. 9:06am Frank and I talked with Captain Lohrman. Then we checked out a trip car and left for Long Beach. When we got there, we talked with a doctor in charge. He told us that it would be later that night before the boy would be completely out of danger. He said, however, that we could talk to him if we phrased our questions so that the answers could be kept fairly brief. We looked over the boy's record. His full name was Jack Wayne Walker, age 24. He'd enlisted in the Marine Corps on January 14, 1950. He'd spent almost a year in the Far east, and his service record had been good until this time. The record of the victim, PFC Edward Monahan, was pretty much the same. The boys had both come from the same town in Arkansas. The date of their enlistment was the same. They'd served overseas the same time. At 3:48pm the doctor ushered us into Jack Walker's room.

[Frank Smith]

Who are you?

[Joe Friday]

Police officers, Jack. We like to talk to you.

[Frank Smith]

What's it about? I haven't done anything. At least I don't think I did.

[Joe Friday]

No, it's not that. We'd like to find out what happened while you're up in la.

[Frank Smith]

Well, I killed my buddy up there. That's what happened. You heard about that, didn't you?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, we did. That's what we want to talk to you about.

[Frank Smith]

Poor Ed. A year in Korea, guys taking potshots at us. Cold mud. And we gotta come back here to get it. I didn't trust that little crumb. I knew we shouldn't have had anything to do with it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, you shouldn't have trusted who?

[Frank Smith]

Jack Stubby.

[Joe Friday]

You know the rest of his name?

[Frank Smith]

No, just Stubby. I just can't believe it about Ed. The shoved off valley gonna have a last fling. Ed was getting married as soon as we got home.

[Joe Friday]

All right, if you could just start right at the beginning.

[Frank Smith]

Oh sure. Well, first we Both had a 48 hour pass. We figured to go to LA like I said, for last fling. A few drinks, look at some of the lights, have a little fun. Sort of a bachelor party. Fred before he got hit, you know. Well, we pulled into town, let's see, I think it was Saturday morning. A couple of buddies told us about a joint up there where we could have some fun. Yeah, well we head up there and. Nice little place that hour in the morning. I guess about 10, 10:30. Well we're starting to drink. Gets pretty foggy after that. Like little parts in a jigsaw, you know. You sort of see a little bit of everything but the whole picture ain't there. Yeah, well, I remember we hung around the place for two days and then it all really goes black. Next thing I remember we woke up in some fleabag. I remember looking at the calendar on the wall. We was already a couple days awol. Ed and I talked about what we should do. And then we get to trying to think up an excuse for the CO for being AWOL with rco. Ain't easy. He's had experts try it. Ed says he'd figure out something. So we start for the bus depot, get back to base. On the way we pass this bar and Ed says, well maybe we ought to stop and have one more for the road. So we do. And I don't remember much for a couple more days. And I remember once we stopped and watched a guy get tattooed. Ed and I got talking about it, you know, whether or not we should have it done. Finally figured it was kind of kid stuff, so we didn't. I remember that cause it was right after we left the tattoo place. Went to this bar. We met Stubby.

[Joe Friday]

Now this is the fellow that you were talking about?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, it's him.

[Joe Friday]

And you met him in a bar?

[Frank Smith]

Uh huh. Yeah. Ed and I was sitting there trying to figure out what we was going to do, you know, we were pretty broke by this time and then two, he was over two weeks AWOL anyway. Sliced it. We had big trouble. Yeah, well, we walks into this place, it was about 4:35 in the afternoon least. Near as I can tell, that's about what time it was. Whole deal gets kind of foggy we sat down at this bar and ordered a drink. Just sitting there, mind our own business, trying to figure what we ought to do. Then this stubby joker comes up, sits down next to Ed, brings his drink with him.

[Joe Friday]

He was in the bar when you came in, is that right?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Well, at least I think so. I didn't pay much attention, but he had a drink when he come up to Ed and me.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Frank Smith]

Well, he got to talking about the Corps and next thing we know, he's setting up the drink the way we was fixed. Long as he wanted to buy, we wasn't gonna argue.

[Joe Friday]

Did they seem to know this Stubby in the bar?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. A girl who waits on tables called him my name.

[Joe Friday]

All right, you wanna go ahead?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Well, this Stubby kept going on about how he liked the core and how he'd won a whole flock of citations in Korea. Told us all about the time he'd spent in Japan. First we thought he was just throwing a bunch of coconuts at us. But we'd ask him about places in Korea and things you could only know if you was there. He'd come up with the answers, all right. But even with all that, there was something that just didn't ring true. Anyway, long about 8 or 8:30 that night, stubby got in a thrash with the bartender. Something about the price of the drink. So he suggested we go up to his place and get a jug, you know, and drink up there. I wasn't too hot for the idea, but Ed said we had nothing to lose. We didn't have a sack for the night and there wasn't much dough left. So we shoved off with him.

[Joe Friday]

Where'd this Stubby live?

[Frank Smith]

Hotel down on Fifth. I'll tell you how to find the place.

[Joe Friday]

Same place you were picked up in? Yeah, we got the address there.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, okay.

[Joe Friday]

What happened when you got Stubby's room?

[Frank Smith]

Well, we cracked the jug, sat around, drank it for a while and then Ed and I went to sleep. I tell you, the next morning we had the biggest hangovers in the entire United States and Canada. Both of us. We felt miserable. Ed started beefing about the cheap booze Stubby'd rung in on us. That's when he tried to tout us on them pills.

[Joe Friday]

What? Those? Are those.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, them things supposed to relieve hangovers.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, you mean the kind they sell in drug stores?

[Frank Smith]

Oh, no, not damn. Stubby told us about that one. He'd come back to the States. He'd stood some duty in the hospital and said that while he Was there. He got them pilled. Said there was a special prescription, that they was great for head shrinking. Wanted us to try them.

[Joe Friday]

So, did you?

[Frank Smith]

Well, no, not right away. He kept after us, though. Kidding us about being big, tough marines with a hangover. Then he took one of the pills. Leastwise, we thought he did. So Ed and I figured then we didn't have anything to lose.

[Joe Friday]

You took one of these hangover pills then, did you?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, we both did.

[Joe Friday]

What happened then?

[Frank Smith]

We owned nothing. Right away, Stubby said take a little time for it to take effect. We got up, started to get dressed. Ed and I thought we'd better get back to the base. You know, we'd probably be in enough trouble as it was without worrying about a hangover.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. You left the room?

[Frank Smith]

No. He was just getting our stuff together. And Ed took sick. Said he had awful pain in his stomach. Like a cramp, you know. We asked Stubby if the pill could have caused it. He said no. Must have been the booze. Well, right about then, I was getting ready to mop up the place with this Stubby. I figured sure he'd given us a mickey. I couldn't figure why, though. Then it hit me. That felt, huh? Yeah, I guess so. Real bad cramps in my stomach. I got real dizzy. Room started to go around. And we asked a Stubby to call a doctor. And that's when we knew he was really in trouble.

[Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Frank Smith]

Well, we knew then he was nuts off his trolley. Neither of us could walk. Ed doubled up and passed out, and I could hardly keep awake. We both just lay there on the floor. I kept asking this bum to get us a medic.

[Joe Friday]

Did he? No.

[Frank Smith]

He just stood there and laughed at us. Laughed like a crazy fool. He kept saying we was big, strong Marines. We should be able to take a little stomach ache without running to a doctor.

[Joe Friday]

At no time did he make any attempt to get your medical help? No.

[Frank Smith]

Just like I said. He just stood there and laughed at us. Then he got real mean. Got crazy leer on his face that he'd show us that he'd fix us up good for what we'd done.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean by that?

[Frank Smith]

I don't know. All I thought about was getting Ed and me to a dock. About this time, I didn't much care what the little screwball did. Then he really started hopping on how he's getting even with us. I tried to get at him. I'd have killed him if I could have. I tried to get at him, but I fell and Went out. I guess that's when he said that thing about that we wouldn't be the last ones he'd get.

[Joe Friday]

What?

[Frank Smith]

Well, he said like this. You guys are the first. Just the first, but there's gonna be more. A lot more.

[Joe Friday]

We continued to talk to Jack Walker. He gave us a complete description of the man he'd known as Stubby. And going over the story again with him, there were a few changes in it, but none that couldn't be accounted for by his condition. We got the address of the bar where he'd met Stubby. We checked with the doctor, and he told us that both boys had been given a powerful corrosive poison. He went on to say that it was a miracle that Jack Walker was still alive. 9:26pm Frank and I drove back to Los Angeles. We checked into the office and ran the name Stubby through the moniker file and R and I, but we found nothing. We got out a local and an APB on the description and the name. The stats office started to run on the mo. Frank and I checked the hotel on Fifth street and the manager showed us the room, but he said that it had been cleaned and occupied since the two Marines had left. Leighton Prince went over the room, but failed to come up with anything. We took the hotel registration card and booked it in as evidence. The man had signed his name as Alton Richards. The manager gave us the same description as the one we'd gotten from the Marine. We ran the name through R and I, but we failed to come up with any new leads. There'd been no replies to the broadcast and the staff's office had finished the run and had come up with four possible suspects. These were checked out, but they let us know where. 2:30am we checked the bar, but we found it was closed. Wednesday, 8:14am we briefed Captain Lorman on the developments and then we went over to again check the bar where the two Marines were supposed to have met Stubby. The place was deserted except for one man drinking a beer. The waitress was sitting in a rear booth filing her fingernails. Frank and I went back to talk to her. Yeah?

[Harry Field]

Something you want?

[Joe Friday]

Well, police officers, miss. We'd like to talk to you.

[Harry Field]

Cops? Him.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. This is my partner, Joe Friday. My name's Smith.

[Harry Field]

Smith. Boy, does that sound phony.

[Joe Friday]

Here's my ID card.

[Harry Field]

Yes, Smith. All right. What do you want?

[Joe Friday]

Will, you mind if we sit down?

[Harry Field]

No, go ahead, Liv.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Harry Field]

What's this all about?

[Joe Friday]

Do you work here, Scotty?

[Harry Field]

Yeah, most of the time.

[Joe Friday]

What's your name, miss?

[Harry Field]

Vera. Vera Gay.

[Joe Friday]

Well, Ms. Gay, were you working here around the 8th or 9th or the 10th of July?

[Harry Field]

Yeah. And you can make it, Vera.

[Joe Friday]

Mm. You know most people who come in here regular, do you?

[Harry Field]

Yeah, I suppose so.

[Joe Friday]

Wonder if you'd look at this description and tell us if you know the man here.

[Harry Field]

WMA. What does that mean?

[Joe Friday]

White, male, American.

[Harry Field]

Yeah, WMA. 36 years, 5ft 7 to 5ft 9. 155 pounds. Stubby? Yeah, yeah, I know him. Comes in here all the time. Nice guy. Loud when he gets drunk. He's always nice to me, though. Tells me I should be in pictures. You know, the movies?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. Have you seen him today?

[Harry Field]

No. He hardly ever gets in before maybe noon, 1 o' clock. This doesn't bother you, does it? Am I following my nails?

[Joe Friday]

Not at all.

[Harry Field]

He does bother some people, you know, like running a piece of chalk down a blackboard.

[Joe Friday]

Ms. Stubby, does he have any other name? Would you know it?

[Harry Field]

Yeah, Paul Rogers.

[Joe Friday]

That's another one. Joan. Yeah. Don't you want to go ahead, miss?

[Harry Field]

I went out with him a couple of times. Finally gave it up. I couldn't go that route.

[Joe Friday]

What's that, ma' am?

[Harry Field]

All he talked about was either him and the Marine Corps and what a big hero he was, or else how he was going to get me in pictures. You know, movies.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am.

[Harry Field]

I didn't come out to California to get in the movies. Well, I came out to be a private secretary. Only those jobs are a little hard to get. So I work here, make enough for coffee and cakes, and when a job comes along, I'll take it. Work in a big office, nice boss. Who knows, he might even marry me. That movie hokum for me? No, sir, not your little Vera.

[Joe Friday]

Did you work on the night of the night? That's the night before last.

[Harry Field]

Let's see. Yeah, I was in.

[Joe Friday]

You happened to see the Stubby Rogers that night?

[Harry Field]

Well, I gotta think about that. Let's see, that was the night we had the fight just before closing. Yeah, he was in earlier.

[Joe Friday]

Do you happen to notice if he was with anybody?

[Harry Field]

What's it all about? He do something you want him for?

[Joe Friday]

No, we just like to talk to him.

[Harry Field]

Yeah, well, if he did anything, we had nothing to do with it. This is a good place. We got nothing to do with the people who come in got the price of a drink. They get served. We don't ask for trouble.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, we aren't going to cause any trouble, miss. We Just want to talk to this Rogers.

[Harry Field]

Yeah, well, as long as we aren't rung into it.

[Joe Friday]

Do you remember if he was with anyone?

[Harry Field]

Yeah, he was with a couple of marines. Left with him. Had a beef with Sam. He's the night bartender. Complained that the drinks were too high. I don't know what he was crying about. He's been drinking here a long time. Never had problems before.

[Joe Friday]

You saw him leave with these two Marines then?

[Harry Field]

Yeah, three of them walked out. I think actually, they sort of floated out. Two kids were really boiled.

[Joe Friday]

You remember what time it was when they left?

[Harry Field]

That'd be kind of hard to tell. We were pretty busy.

[Joe Friday]

It was pretty important, Miss.

[Harry Field]

Let me think. I guess maybe around 8. Maybe 8:30. Around in there. Just a guess, though.

[Joe Friday]

Do you have any idea where this Rogers lives?

[Harry Field]

Yeah, I've been there a couple of times. Hotel on South Hill.

[Joe Friday]

Will you give us the address?

[Harry Field]

Yeah, I got it in the first. I should have known he was a phony. Always saying I thought he could get me in pictures. You know, movies.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am.

[Harry Field]

Don't come that way. Of course. You understand. I didn't come out here to get in pictures. I came out to be a private secretary. Here's the address. Here.

[Joe Friday]

Keep it.

[Harry Field]

I won't be using it anymore.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you, Ms. Kate. Here's our card. If you think of anything more you think we ought to know, we'd appreciate a call from you.

[Harry Field]

Yeah, thanks.

[Joe Friday]

Sure appreciate your help.

[Harry Field]

Well, you never know. Maybe I'll need your help sometime. Matter of fact, you might be able to lend me a hand.

[Joe Friday]

What's that, miss?

[Harry Field]

You know any picture producers? You know, movies?

[Joe Friday]

Frank called the name Paul Rogers into the office. And a supplementary broadcast and an APB were gotten out. A stakeout was arranged on the bar. We went back to the city hall. And the check through R and I on the name Paul Rogers netted us nothing. We drove over to the hotel on South Hill. The manager told us that Rogers was not in his room. He went on to say that Rogers had not been using his room regularly for the past week or so. But that he had been in a couple of days before in the company of a soldier. And that as far as he knew, the soldier was still in. In the company of the manager. Frank and I went upstairs. The manager unlocked the door and we went in. Minimum. Frank, is someone in bed? Yeah. Come on, you. How about it? Just a minute. How about it, Joe? I don't know. He's dead.

[Vera Gay]

You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action.

[Captain Warman]

And now a report every smoker should.

[Vera Gay]

Hear Nose, throat and accessory organs not adversely affected by smoking Chesterfields. First such report published about any cigarette.

[Captain Warman]

A responsible consulting organization reports a study by a competent medical specialist and staff on the effects of smoking Chesterfields. For six months a group of men and women smoked only Chesterfield 10 to 40 a day their normal amount. 45% of the group of smoked Chester Fields from 1 to 30 years for an average of 10 years each. At the beginning and end of the six months, each smoker was given a thorough examination including X rays and covering the sinuses, nose, ears and throat. After these examinations, the medical specialist stated.

[Vera Gay]

It is my opinion that the ears, nose, throat and accessory organs of all participating subjects examined by me were not adversely affected in the six month period by smoking the cigarettes provided.

[Captain Warman]

Remember this report and by much milder Chesterfield regular or king size.

[Joe Friday]

Wednesday, July 11, 12:40pm we called the coroner's office. Then we got in touch with the crime lab and the photographer. After the pictures had been taken, the body was removed. The victim was a soldier in his mid-30s. On the nightstand beside the bed we found an empty pill bottle and a suicide note. The note was booked as evidence and turned over to Don Meyer for comparison with a handwriting taken from the hotel registration card that Rogers had signed. The men from Layton Prince went over the place thoroughly. They came up with several classifiable prints. Fingerprints found on the bottle belonged to the victim. There were several other sets in the room which were not identified. The crime lab went over the room and they went back to the lab to make their analysis. All officers in the area were alerted to be on the lookout for Rogers. Frank and I talked to the manager of the hotel, Henry Corey. He told us that Rogers had lived in the hotel for the past four and a half months. He said that Rogers was quiet, kept pretty much to himself and for the most part was a good tenant. He said that on several occasions Rogers had gotten behind in his rent, but that he'd always managed to come up with the money. The manager told us that in the conversations he'd had with Rogers, the the main topic had been the Marine Corps and the suspect's record overseas. Rogers presented himself as an armchair general, constantly calling down the way the situation was being handled. He would refer to his own exploits. But when questioned about his leaving the service, he became vague and evasive. Additional handwriting samples were obtained and sent to Meyer. The manager told us that the latest victim had come in with Rogers the night before and that at the time, he'd been pretty drunk. They'd gone upstairs, and when Rogers had left in the morning, the manager had assumed that the soldier had gone. The night before, 3:20pm Frank and I went back to relieve the steak out at the bar.

[Harry Field]

Back again?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, Ms. Gay.

[Harry Field]

Sit down.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Harry Field]

Seems like every time I see you I'm doing something with my nails. This morning. Filing them now I'm filing them again. I'm gonna put polish on them after this. I guess you think I'm pretty vain.

[Joe Friday]

No, not at all, Miss.

[Harry Field]

New Color call. Frosted rose isn't pretty. Kind of iridescent is what the label says. To sprinkle your nails with stardust.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am.

[Harry Field]

It's a pretty bottle too. Make sure. Put things up nice nowadays. Oh, here comes your boy.

[Joe Friday]

That's Rogers. Yeah, Stubby.

[Frank Smith]

One of the beans.

[Joe Friday]

Bourbon, Coke.

[Frank Smith]

How's it going, Stubby? Same old six as Boris?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, pretty dull.

[Frank Smith]

You're doing a great business. That's early yet.

[Joe Friday]

Here's your drink. It'll be four bits.

[Frank Smith]

There you go.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Thanks. Good. All right, Frank, let's go.

[Harry Field]

No trouble now.

[Joe Friday]

Not unless he makes it.

[Frank Smith]

Hi, fellas. Something you want?

[Joe Friday]

You Paul Rogers? Yeah. Who are you? Police officers. We'd like to talk to you.

[Frank Smith]

I don't want any trouble in here.

[Joe Friday]

No, there's not gonna be any trouble.

[Frank Smith]

Always fights. Why is it everybody comes into a bar and starts fights? Ain't there someplace else to be?

[Joe Friday]

All right, come on, Rogers.

[F]

Or four.

[Frank Smith]

You got nothing to hold me in.

[Joe Friday]

We'll talk to you about that too.

[Frank Smith]

Well, let me finish my drink.

[Joe Friday]

No, afraid not. Let's go now.

[Frank Smith]

Look, I said I was gonna finish my drink. Don't lean.

[Joe Friday]

Let's can it, mister, and go.

[Frank Smith]

I said I was gonna finish my drink, though.

[Joe Friday]

All right, mister, on your feet. Nothing on him.

[Frank Smith]

Let's take him to the office, sergeant. Yes, sir. Thanks. Sure appreciate it.

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Frank Smith]

Thought for a minute there you're gonna have a fight.

[Joe Friday]

We took the suspect back to the city hall. Then we checked the name through the Marine base in San Diego. Lieutenant Richard Houston called back to say that Rogers had received a court martial and a dishonorable discharge in January of that year. He'd been tried by a military court on the charge of stealing alcohol from the hospital pharmacy and selling it to the patients in the hospital. We stopped in handwriting analysis and Don Meyer took an exemplar of the suspect's writing. When we checked by the office, there was a message from Sergeants Bill Cummings and Harry Hansen stating that their investigation had shown that the death of the soldier in Rogers room was suicide beyond any doubt. 7:46pm Frank and I talked to the suspect in the interrogation room.

[Frank Smith]

Terrible thing, treating a veteran like this.

[Joe Friday]

All right, let's save it, Rogers. There's a few questions we'd like some answers to.

[Frank Smith]

I got nothing to hide.

[Joe Friday]

All right. What were the conditions of your discharge from the Marine Corps?

[Frank Smith]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Did you get an honorable discharge or a dishonorable discharge?

[Frank Smith]

I had a little trouble. Lousy officers never did understand what the problems in the enlisted man were.

[Joe Friday]

What do you do for a living, Rogers?

[Frank Smith]

I work.

[Joe Friday]

Where? Around. You have a steady job?

[Frank Smith]

What do you mean, steady?

[Joe Friday]

One you've held for, say, more than six months.

[Frank Smith]

Haven't been out of the service that long.

[Joe Friday]

Where'd you serve in the Corps?

[Frank Smith]

Japan. Korea.

[Joe Friday]

How long were you there?

[Frank Smith]

About four or five months.

[Joe Friday]

Why'd you come back?

[Frank Smith]

I was wounded.

[Joe Friday]

How?

[Frank Smith]

What do you mean, how?

[Joe Friday]

Just that. How were you wounded?

[Frank Smith]

Well, I wasn't exactly wounded. I had my feet frostbit.

[Joe Friday]

According to this here, you went AWOL and got lost. When they found you, your feet were frozen. Is that right?

[Frank Smith]

What's that?

[Joe Friday]

You got your record in the Corps.

[Frank Smith]

Got a lot of nerve digging into that. What do you got me in here for anyway? I done nothing that puts me in line for this kind of treatment.

[Joe Friday]

You know a couple of Marines named Ed Monahan and Jack Walker?

[Frank Smith]

Monahan? Walker? No, I don't think I know him.

[Joe Friday]

You ever register in a hotel on Fifth Street?

[Frank Smith]

No, I live over on Hill.

[Joe Friday]

You know a soldier named Marty Wilton?

[Frank Smith]

What's he got to do with it?

[Joe Friday]

We found him dead in your room.

[Frank Smith]

You're cracking up.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure, Rogers, we just dreamed we found that body.

[Frank Smith]

Nothing to do with him.

[F]

Met him in a bar.

[Frank Smith]

He said he wasn't feeling too good. Said he didn't have a place to sleep. I let him have my room. Something wrong in that? Be a little kind. And now even that gets you in trouble.

[Joe Friday]

You sure you don't know a Marine named Ed Monahan? Positive. There's something wrong, Rogers. Girl at the bar says she's a. You leave the place with two Marines? They could have been Monahan and Walker.

[Frank Smith]

Well, maybe I know them. I might and still not know their names.

[Joe Friday]

You didn't take them up to a room you'd rented in a hotel on Fifth Street? No.

[Frank Smith]

I told you once, I Never lived on 5th.

[Joe Friday]

Checked with our handwriting man. He says your writing matches some samples we found on the hotel register.

[Frank Smith]

Maybe I write like somebody else.

[Joe Friday]

No, we don't think so, mister. How about Jack Walker? Maybe you know him. He just didn't remember him.

[Frank Smith]

No, I keep telling you, I don't know them.

[Joe Friday]

Vera says you do.

[Frank Smith]

Well, she's lying.

[Joe Friday]

Is she?

[Frank Smith]

Sure she is. She's trying to save her own skin.

[Joe Friday]

From what?

[Frank Smith]

She doesn't want to stand a rap for murder. Can't you see?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Go ahead, Roger.

[Frank Smith]

I'm saying nothing until I see my lawyer.

[Joe Friday]

You sure you don't want to tell us why I did it?

[Frank Smith]

I got nothing to say.

[Joe Friday]

Makes it tough, Rogers.

[Frank Smith]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Just makes it rough, that's all. Looks like you're gonna have to stand a murder rap. Yeah, it's the way it looks.

[Frank Smith]

I didn't mean it. I didn't. I just wanted to get even, that's all.

[Joe Friday]

Just get even for what, Rogers?

[Frank Smith]

For the way the court treated me. Kicked me out. I didn't do anything really wrong. Copped a little alcohol, that's all. No harm done.

[Joe Friday]

They look at it a little different.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, that's the trouble. Stinking brass.

[Joe Friday]

They're all alike.

[Frank Smith]

They don't care what happens to us. The guys in the field try to get a job. I looked everywhere. I just didn't fit. Seemed like everywhere I went, I got into trouble I wanted. Like it was when I first went in. Like it was after boot camp. Walking down the street, girls looking at you. A Marine, a big man. They took that away from me. They wouldn't let me enlist again. I tried, but they wouldn't let me. You can understand what that'd do to a guy, can't you?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know.

[Frank Smith]

Tore me apart right then. I decided to get even with all the stinking gyrenes in the world. They wouldn't let me in.

[Captain Warman]

And I hated them.

[Joe Friday]

Remember what happened the day you gave the two boys the pills? Do you sure?

[Frank Smith]

Remember all of it? They cried for a medic. They weren't big men then. No, sir. They sure weren't.

[Joe Friday]

All right, Rogers. We'll get a stenographer.

[Frank Smith]

Tell me, Sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah? Did I get both of them? No. Walker's gonna be all right.

[Frank Smith]

He the young one?

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Frank Smith]

A real nice kid.

[Joe Friday]

Lucky, too. That right?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, no worries. Really got it made. Uniform, that's what does it. Uniform makes all the difference in the world.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Well, don't worry. You'll get one.

[Captain Warman]

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

[Vera Gay]

On November 13, trial was held in Department 87, Superior Court of the State of California. In and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Captain Warman]

Now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you. George Feniman. In modern crime detection, the working detective depends on scientific research. He relies on the services of trained experts in ballistics, communications, fingerprints, to name just a few. He's interested only in facts. And as a smoker, you should be interested only in facts. That's why the report you heard earlier is so important to you. Nose, throat and accessory organs not adversely affected by smoking. Chesterfields first such report ever published about any cigarette. Remember it and next time buy Chesterfield. Regular or king size. Premium quality Chesterfield gives you the best possible smoke.

[Vera Gay]

Paul M. Rogers was tried and convicted on one count of murder in the first degree. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in the State penitentiary, San Quentin, California. 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 Ben Alexander, Virginia Gregg, Jack Crucian. Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Captain Warman]

Sound off for Chesterfield. Either way you like them. Regular or king size, Chesterfield gives you the best possible smoke. Much milder Chesterfield.

[Vera Gay]

Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed From Los Angeles.

[Captain Warman]

Tonight it's Barry Craig, confidential investigator on NBC.

[Harry Field]

When the Moore family dished cable Internet and switched to Siddly fiber, they got so much more. Mr. Moore got more upload speed for next level gaming and live streaming to the masses.

[Joe Friday]

With reliable service.

[Harry Field]

Mrs. Moore is no longer her family's IT guru. Leaving her more time to stream games into overtime.

[Frank Smith]

Let's go.

[Harry Field]

And young Mason Moore got more done quickly uploading HD product demos and video conferencing without freezing. The numbers look good.

[Frank Smith]

Brad.

[Joe Friday]

You're on mute.

[Harry Field]

Switch from cable Internet to Zibli Fiber and get more of what you love. For $65 less per month than [e-mail].

[Vera Gay]

Sound off for ChesterF. Chesterfield. Only cigarette in America to give you premium quality in both regular and king size. Brings you Dragnet.

[Captain Warman]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail. You get a call that a bank has been robbed from the M.O. you know the job was done by a professional. He's made good his escape. Your job. Get him. Here's what leading tobacco Publications have had to say about regular and King size Chesterfield.

[Vera Gay]

U S Tobacco Journal Boston, Massachusetts. Chesterfield cigarettes in the new King size is still maintaining large turnovers in this area. Dealers report that sales continue to climb on this size. And it seems that volume on the regular size has climbed to new heights.

[Captain Warman]

With its new big brother and tobacco leaf. Reports from Chicago. More calls for Chesterfield King size cigarettes than for most brands being marketed.

[Vera Gay]

The reason for King Size Chesterfield's amazing success is this. All King size cigarettes give you quantity. But only Chesterfield King size gives you quantity plus quality. Premium quality.

[Captain Warman]

That means Chesterfield King size contains tobaccos of better quality and higher price than any other King size cigarette. The same fine tobacco as in regular Chesterfield. Enough more of this tobacco to give you more than a fifth longer smoke.

[Vera Gay]

So remember, Chesterfield is the only cigarette to give you premium quality in both regular and King size.

[Captain Warman]

Buy them either way you like them. Chesterfield gives you the best possible smoke. Much milder.

[Vera Gay]

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 Monday, January 21st. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch at a robbery detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Didion. My name's Friday. It was 2:56pm When I got to room 27. A robbery, Joe? Yeah, sure.

[Captain Warman]

Cold out.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Paper says you'd warm up a little before the end of the week. I hope so. How'd your weekend go? Don't bring it up. What happened at my house? There's only one thing that could happen. What do you mean? My brother in law, Armand. All the time he just sits around the house. Sits there and reads those detective magazines. Doesn't he work? If he's ever held a job, he's kept it a secret. Just moves around between the relatives. This year it's Fay's turn. He just sits around all day, huh? Yeah. Reads those detective magazines. Always sending for those books that are sent in the plain wrappers. You know, the ones that tell you how you can have a business in your own home. Yeah, I know what you mean. Well, this time he really did it. He sent for one that tells you how to go into the house cleaning business. I thought at first it might be a pretty good deal. You know, if it worked out, he could give Fay a hand with a House? Well, Saturday morning, the book gets to the house with all the formulas and instructions for making the cleaners for the rugs and the upholstery. Yeah. First off, he borrows five bucks from me to buy the stuff to mix the formulas. Then he goes to the kitchen and takes all of Faye's good pans to mix up the goop in and. Smells terrible. All those bleaches and soaps. I'm sitting in the front room watching television. All in all, I'm pretty comfortable. He comes in, he says the room is filthy and he's gonna clean it. Tells me to get out of the room and that he's gonna surprise all of us. Yeah, well, he did. Faye and I took the kid down to the barber's to have her haircut. Did a little shopping for the weekend. You should have seen the house when we got back, Joe. Just miserable. What had he done? First off, he wasn't there. Left a note on the kitchen table telling us that he was out for a walk. I kind of figured what had happened, so Fay and me walked into the living room. Joe, you wouldn't believe it. Is that so? They almost fainted. Pretty awful, huh? Worse than that room was beautiful. Everything in it was clean as a whistle. All spotless. Curtains, carpet, the upholstery. Even the tables had been waxed. What's wrong with that? Sounds to me like a pretty good deal, Fay. But what about her? Right away she starts climbing all over me. Reads me off for being so mean to him. Says all about how I should be ashamed of myself. Said that I should have thought of the house cleaning gimmick myself. I should have given him a hand in cleaning up the place. And that the next day off, we have to do the whole house. I tell you, Joe, no matter what the guy does, it always ends up making me look bad. Well, you say you've only got this year with him, huh? Yeah. Then he goes to Faye's sister in Piedmont. I'll sure be glad when that time comes. Yeah, don't blame it, hot shot. I'll get it. ADT211 bank robbery in progress. It took us a little over four minutes to get to the bank at the corner of Lebanon and Broadway. In that time, the bandit had completed the robbery and made good his escape. A radio car had arrived at the scene and the officers had gotten a description of the car and of the bandit. They called the information into communications and a broadcast was gotten out to all cars in the vicinity to be on the alert for the holdup man. 2:40pm Frank and I arrived at the bank back there. Bank yard? Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

I couldn't con.

[F]

What you want me to do?

[Frank Smith]

Try to stop and have him shoot that gun off. He'd have killed half the people in here.

[F]

I'm not saying that you should have actually tried to stop him. All I'm saying is that there is something that you should have done. You just stood there and looked at him. You could see the gun. There must have been something you could do.

[Joe Friday]

I beg your pardon, sir.

[F]

You get away. You're probably in cahoots with the robber. You probably came back to get the rest of the money. Well, Gibson, don't just stand there. Stop these men.

[Joe Friday]

We're police officers, sir.

[F]

You see, Gibson, they're police officers. You have a badge or something? After this, I don't think I'll trust anyone again.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Here's our identification. Oh, yes, Officer Friday, this is my partner, Frank Smith.

[F]

How do you do? I suppose you want to ask me a lot of questions.

[Joe Friday]

Well, there are some things we'd like to know, sir.

[F]

You'd like to talk in my office? I guess it'll be more quiet there.

[Joe Friday]

That'll be fine.

[F]

Would it be all right if Gibson came along? I'd like to have him see how a couple of real detectives work.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. I think it'll be all right.

[F]

Fine. Back this way. Officer Friday, this is Gibson, the bank guard. Now, use the. This, Mr. Jones?

[Joe Friday]

That's Smith, sir. Frank Smith.

[F]

Oh, yes, Smith.

[Harry Field]

Sorry.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[F]

Just sit down any place.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Thank you.

[F]

Now, you listen good, Gibson.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Mr. Allen, you were the victim, were you?

[F]

I certainly was. It was just three o' clock. Gibson was just putting up the chain across the door. You know, to keep people out.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[F]

Gibson was out there. I was in here in my office. Go ahead, Gibson. Tell the officers about it.

[Frank Smith]

Yes, sir. Well, he parked his car right in front of the bank, and when he pulled up, I thought it was a customer trying to get in before the bank closed. I held the chain for him.

[F]

That was nice of you.

[Joe Friday]

What happened then, Mr. Gibson?

[Frank Smith]

As soon as he got the doorway, I saw the shotgun. Had it kind of under his coat, you know. I tried to stop him, but he had the gun pointed right at me. He said that if I made a move, he'd as soon shoot me as look at me.

[Joe Friday]

Mm. You sure it was a shotgun or anything?

[Frank Smith]

Yes, sir. I could tell it was a 12 gauge. It was sawed off. Told me, get over in that little alcove near the Entrance to our escrow department. I did. Then he told me to hand over my gun. I started to get it out of the holster and I thought maybe I'd have a chance to surprise him. But he must have known what I was planning.

[Joe Friday]

Why do you say that?

[Frank Smith]

He told me to face into the corner. Then he took the gun out of the holster.

[Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Frank Smith]

Well, I did what he told me what happened then? He asked me where the manager was. I found it out. His office.

[Joe Friday]

Well, to this time, did any of the people in the bank have any idea what was going on?

[Frank Smith]

No, sir. The way he acted, he knew what he was doing right off. I knew there wasn't anything I could do. Kept thinking about the people in the bank. That shotgun. Didn't want anyone to get hurt.

[F]

The only bright thing he did.

[Joe Friday]

All right, you want to go on? What happened then?

[Frank Smith]

Well, like I said, he asked where the manager's office was. I showed him and he told me he wanted me to go back there with him.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Frank Smith]

We walked back there, he put the shotgun under his coat, and by some miracle, nobody saw it.

[F]

That's where he brought me into the picture. He just walked in, told me it was a stick up. He had this little leather bag, the kind a doctor uses. He opened it up, told me to walk in front of him. He made me carry the bag. Kept the gun at my back all the time. I could feel it. Made me walk down the row of windows, the ones into the teller's boxes. Each one he made me stop and ask the tellers for the money.

[Joe Friday]

Did he touch anything at all, do you remember?

[Harry Field]

No.

[F]

No. He wore gloves all the time. He was real careful. Wouldn't touch anything. After I put the money into the bag, he'd tell each one of them that if they made a sound, he'd kill me, then come back and kill them too. It was terrible. Almost scared me to death.

[Joe Friday]

Well, who was it that turned in the alarm, Walter?

[Frank Smith]

The cleanup man, sir. He was in the back of the bank and he came out of the vice president's office. He saw the robber and then he sneaked back into the room and called you. The bandit just barely got out of the place when the police car pulled up.

[F]

We gave the other officers a description of the car and the bandit.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. We heard the broadcast. All the cars in the area have been alerted.

[F]

I wonder if I could have a drink of water. Officer, I'm so nervous. I'm still not over it. My stomach's going to be grinding for a month.

[Joe Friday]

You're A member of the Federal Reserve here, aren't you?

[F]

Oh, yes. Well, then the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be in on it, too.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[F]

Water's right over here. I keep it in the office for my pills. I have ulcers, you know. Would you like a drink?

[Joe Friday]

No, sir. No, thank you. Thank you. Well, what happened after the man finished taking the money from the cages?

[Frank Smith]

He walked out of the front of the place and got in his car. By that time I could hear the sirens of the police car coming. He just left. On the way out, he said if we told him anything about him, he'd come back and kill us.

[F]

Yes. He looked right at me when he said it. You've got to give me some sort of protection. I'm not going to make a sitting duck of myself.

[Joe Friday]

We'll take care of that. Could you give us a description of the man, sir?

[F]

I've already given it to the two officers who are here.

[Joe Friday]

Well, we know, sir, but if you wouldn't mind.

[F]

Of course not.

[Joe Friday]

How tall would you say he was?

[F]

Oh, about 5, 11, maybe 6ft.

[Joe Friday]

How old would you say he was?

[F]

30, 35 around in there.

[Joe Friday]

How much do you think he weighed?

[F]

About 160, maybe more. I'm not very good at guessing weights.

[Joe Friday]

How about his coloring? Was he dark or light?

[F]

Light.

[Frank Smith]

Light.

[F]

He had real light blonde hair. His eyebrows were almost invisible. They were so light that you almost couldn't see them at all. Same with his eyelashes.

[Joe Friday]

How about his clothes?

[F]

Beg your pardon?

[Joe Friday]

His clothes. What was he wearing?

[F]

Well, he had on a blue shirt.

[Frank Smith]

No, I'm sorry, sir. I think it was a white shirt.

[F]

Was it? No, I'm sure it was blue. I remember because he was wearing a brown coat. I thought that he certainly didn't have very good taste, what with wearing a blue shirt and a brown coat. No, Gibson. No, the shirt was blue. No tie, brown coat and black loafer shoes. I remember these because they were the only thing about him that looked. They look like those ones that are advertised in the magazines. You know, skums or something like that. Black.

[Joe Friday]

Was there anything unusual about them?

[F]

I beg pardon?

[Joe Friday]

Anything unusual about him. Anything that might cause you to remember him, Ignore him if you saw him again.

[F]

Well, they were the bandages.

[Joe Friday]

What's that, sir?

[F]

When he came in, he had bandages on his face. One over his right eyebrow, another on his chin. Right here, sort of on the throat.

[Joe Friday]

You mean regular bandages?

[Frank Smith]

No, sir. They were those adhesive kind, you know, with the gauze on the tape, all together.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah. And you say he had one over the right eyebrow and one on his chin.

[F]

Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith]

I still think it's a white shirt.

[F]

I said it was blue. Are you trying to say that I don't know blue when I see it?

[Frank Smith]

No, sir. I just think that you might have made a mistake in all the excitement, Officer.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[F]

It was a blue shirt, all right, sir.

[Joe Friday]

How about his car, the one he got away in?

[F]

It was parked right out in front.

[Joe Friday]

Did you see it?

[F]

Certainly I saw it. I was standing right in the door when he drove away.

[Joe Friday]

Can you describe the car for us?

[F]

Yes, like I told the other officers, it was a late model Buick, dark blue copay.

[Frank Smith]

I'm sorry, sir, but it was a green Ford.

[Joe Friday]

Now, let's see if we can't Lester Alan tell his story, Mr. Gibson. We'll check it with you when we finish with him. All right.

[F]

I don't know what you're trying to prove with these officers. After the way you handle the affair, there's no use trying to impress them with your prowess as a detective. It was a dark blue Buick coupe.

[Joe Friday]

Anything unusual about the car that you could see? Any dented fenders, stickers, windshield emblems, anything like that? Would you remember?

[F]

No, I didn't notice anything special.

[Frank Smith]

No, sir. It looked pretty new, as far as I could tell.

[Joe Friday]

All right, fine. Well, you two gentlemen have helped us a lot here. There are some questions we'd like to ask the other people in the bank.

[F]

Oh, yes, that's what the other officer said. I told them all to stay. You like to talk to them now?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[F]

Fine. I'll send them in here to you.

[Joe Friday]

No, we can talk to them out there, sir. Be all right?

[F]

Oh, fine. Gibson. Maybe you can help them.

[Joe Friday]

Officer. Yes.

[Frank Smith]

I didn't want to tell you while we were in there. He'd probably make some remark. I didn't even tell the other officer. It's about the license number of the bandit's car.

[Joe Friday]

Did you get it?

[Frank Smith]

Well, not all of it, sir. Just the first three numbers.

[Joe Friday]

The bank guard went on to explain that in the confusion, he had failed to give the information about the license number to the other officers. We continued to talk to him. He told us that the bandit had tied a cloth over the rear license plate and that as he drove away from the scene, a corner of the cloth had come loose and he was able to see the first three numbers of the plate. We call this information into communications and a supplemental broadcast was gotten out in company with agents from the FBI. We talked to the rest of the employees in the bank from them we got a fairly good description of the holdup man and of his car. They agreed that it was a late model dark Ford sedan. With FBI agent Tom Ashford. Frank and I checked by the office and asked the stats office to make a run on the mountain. We checked the oddity file and R and I on the possibility that the tape might have been used to cover scars or other marks that would make identification easier. 9:46pm we stopped and got some sandwiches and coffee and then we went to the DMV offices.

[Frank Smith]

Hi, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

George, you know Frank. Yeah, hi. How's it going? George, this is Tom Ashford, agent from the FBI. He's working with us on this thing.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, hi. Glad to know you. Yeah, same here.

[Joe Friday]

Where do we find the files here, George?

[Frank Smith]

Oh, what's your number again?

[Joe Friday]

1U5. That's all we have.

[Frank Smith]

Not much. Oh, you'll find the files for that number in these drawers here. You know what kind of car it is?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Ford sedan, late model. We're not sure what year.

[Frank Smith]

Well, go to it. I don't envy you.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, 9,999 possible.

[Frank Smith]

Well, that's it for the night. I think I'll shove off. Anything you guys need, there'll be somebody here. You can give me a call. I'll leave my home number on the desk.

[Joe Friday]

Right. Thanks a lot. Good night, George.

[Frank Smith]

Good night. Hope you find it before I get back.

[Joe Friday]

So to wait. Well, let's get going. Right. Let's see. 1U5. It took us the next eight hours to go through the almost 10,000 license registrations. Each file card had to be checked for a similarity of make and model. Each automobile in the Los Angeles area was listed and then each one in the entire state. Each of them had to be checked out. 6:02am Tuesday, January 22nd. We finished checking the file. That does it.

[Frank Smith]

I didn't know there were so many cars in California, let alone that many with a license that begins with 1U5 in the Los Angeles area.

[Joe Friday]

What's the total, Joe? How's it look? Well, we got a place to start here. 302 names. 6:30am we checked back into the office and then we went home to get a couple of hours sleep. At 8:30am Frank, Tom and I met in the robbery office. Captain Didion had assigned four other teams of men to work with us. The FBI had also assigned additional agents. The list of possibles was divided up and we began to check them out. We spent three days on it. In each instance, we didn't talk to the person Involved directly, but to their neighbors. We didn't explain what it was that we were after, merely that we were conducting an investigation. We ran into the usual false leads, the usual petty jealousies and the neighborhood feud. It all served to slow us down and make the job more difficult. There'd been no replies to the local or the APB that we'd gotten out on the car or the bandit. The stats office had come up with two possibles on the mo. These were both checked out, but let us know where. We went back to checking out the license plate numbers. January 28th. The names on our list were down to seven. The next one was a Mr. Ivan Q. Field. We rang the bell to the house next door and waited.

[Harry Field]

Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

Sorry to bother you, ma' am. Police officers. Wonder if we could talk to you.

[Harry Field]

Please. Well, what's it about? I haven't done anything.

[Joe Friday]

No, ma' am. We'd just like to ask you a couple of questions about your next door neighbor, Mr. Field.

[Harry Field]

I should have known. I thought a couple of times about calling you about him myself. Miserable man.

[Frank Smith]

I wonder if we could come in, ma' am. Might be better than talking on the porch.

[Harry Field]

You just bet you can come right in. I'll tell you what you want to know.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you very much.

[Harry Field]

What do you want him for? What's he done?

[Joe Friday]

Well, we're just conducting an investigation, ma' am. A few things we'd like to know about Mr. Field.

[Harry Field]

Well, you don't have to play cozy with me. I know what kind of people they are. Can't understand it either, ma' am. I said I couldn't understand it. His brother's so nice. A real gentleman. Seems hard to believe that they'd even be related, let alone be brothers. Nothing but trouble since he and his wife moved in.

[Frank Smith]

You mean it's not their house?

[Harry Field]

Of course not. Don't think either one of them could afford the rent on a one room apartment, let alone a house.

[Joe Friday]

Would you know if they have a car?

[Harry Field]

No, no, not them. Like I said, I don't think he's ever worked. Just lives off his brother. His brother has a car. It's real nice.

[Joe Friday]

What kind of a car is it, ma' am? Do you know?

[Harry Field]

Yes, it's a Ford.

[Joe Friday]

You know what model?

[Harry Field]

Model?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. Is it a coupe or a sedan?

[Harry Field]

Oh, sedan. Real nice. Sort of a dark green. Only I guess it really isn't dark. Then it isn't light, really, just green. Pretty, though.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. Do you know if Mr. Field is in right now?

[Harry Field]

Yes, I think so. I saw him out in the backyard a couple of hours ago, him and his wife. She was prancing around in one of them skimpy little sun suits. Terrible. No decency at all. I tell you, Officer, neither one of them's any good.

[Joe Friday]

Do you know what Mr. Field does for a living?

[Harry Field]

Oh, you mean, does he work?

[Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Harry Field]

Oh, no. At least I've never seen any indication that he does. All he does is just sit around the yard and throw rocks at my cats. Terrible. That's what I was gonna call you about. Isn't there a law or something about throwing things at poor dumb animals?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am.

[Harry Field]

Of course, cats aren't really dumb. Lots of times I think they're a lot smarter than some people I know.

[Frank Smith]

Wonder if you could describe Ivan Field.

[Joe Friday]

For us, ma' am?

[Harry Field]

Oh, sure. He's kind of a little man. Not very big.

[Joe Friday]

About how tall man?

[Harry Field]

Oh, maybe 5ft 7.

[Joe Friday]

How about his coloring?

[Harry Field]

You mean his hair?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. Dark.

[Harry Field]

Very dark.

[Joe Friday]

Lets us out when he looks that way. Well, thank you very much, ma' am. Sorry to cause you all this trouble.

[Harry Field]

Oh, no trouble at all. Are you going to arrest him now?

[Joe Friday]

No, ma' am.

[Harry Field]

Well, why not? What about the rocks and my cats?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I think the SPCA are the people you want to talk to on that.

[Harry Field]

Well, all right. But I tell you right now, Mr. Field isn't going to like it. He likes my cat. Isn't going to like the idea at all when he hears about it. Just wait until he gets home. I'll tell him about his brother's been acting.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, just a minute, ma' am.

[Harry Field]

Yes?

[Joe Friday]

You mean that the man living next door isn't Ivan Field?

[Harry Field]

No, I didn't say it was. It's his brother, Harry.

[Joe Friday]

Brother?

[Harry Field]

What's the matter with you, young man? Don't you hear? Well, everything I say, you ask me to repeat.

[Joe Friday]

I don't mean to, ma' am. Just that I want to be sure of what you say.

[Harry Field]

What's going on here? First, you ask me a lot of questions about Mr. Field. And then I tell you that he isn't home. And his wife went back east for the holidays. They haven't come back yet. While he was gone, he said that his brother could use the house. I thought at first it would be nice. Then I found out Harry is nothing like his brother. Nothing at all.

[Joe Friday]

I wonder if we could describe him for it.

[Harry Field]

My, you want to know about everybody, don't you?

[Joe Friday]

Well, we just like a description of Harry Field, ma' AM that's all.

[Harry Field]

Well, he's taller than Ivan. Harry must be close to six feet. Doesn't look anything like Ivan in any other way. Ivan's dark and Harry's light. His hair almost doesn't have any color. He's real blonde.

[Frank Smith]

How long ago did they move in?

[Harry Field]

Well, now, let me see. Elizabeth. That's my Persian cat. Well, Elizabeth had her last litter in December, December 12th. Harry and his wife moved in the next morning. I remember that because I was up most of the night with Elizabeth. She didn't need me. Awfully independent. But it was the morning that they moved in. Oh, I remember it well. Elizabeth had six little kittens. It was December 13th when Harry moved in.

[Joe Friday]

And they've been using Ivan Field's car.

[Harry Field]

Oh, my, yes. Hardly a day goes by, but what, they don't drive it somewhere?

[Joe Friday]

Wonder if we could use your phone, ma' am.

[Harry Field]

Oh, sure. It's on the table there in the hall.

[Joe Friday]

Thanks. I'll check the name through R and I know. Okay. Would you happen to know if this Harry Field has any marks or scars on him?

[Harry Field]

Well, now, let me see. I think so. Seems to me that I saw him and his wife out in the backyard one day. He was wearing swimming trunks, and she was in one of those sun suits I told you about. Disgraceful.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am.

[Harry Field]

Well, it seems to me that he had a scar on his leg. Yes, just above the knee. I think it was the right leg.

[Joe Friday]

No, what I meant, ma' am, was does he have any marks on his face, on his forehead or on his chin?

[Harry Field]

No, no. No marks. Oh, wait a minute. The other day I noticed he had a cut over his right eyebrow. Looked like he'd been in a fight. Probably a drunken brawl.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Anything? Dr. Cunningham? He checked the name. Looks like it might be the same one.

[Frank Smith]

What's that?

[Joe Friday]

They paroled a Harry Q. Field from San Quentin. Description checks out. When they parole? December 10th last year. Did a term for robbery.

[Vera Gay]

You are listening to Dragnet. The authentic story of your police force in action.

[Captain Warman]

Chesterfield was first to name its ingredients. Ingredients that give you the best possible smoke. Now, Chesterfield is first to give you scientific facts in support of smoking.

[Vera Gay]

Nose, throat and accessory organs not adversely affected by smoking Chesterfields. First such report published about any cigarette.

[Captain Warman]

A responsible consulting organization reports a study by a competent medical specialist and staff on the effects of smoking Chesterfields. For six months, a group of men and women smoked only Chesterfield. 10 to 40 a day, their normal amount. 45% of the group of smoked Chesterfields from 1 to 30 years for an average of 10 years each. At the beginning and end of the six months, each smoker was given a thorough examination, including X rays and covering the sinuses, nose, ears and throat. After these examinations, the medical specialist stated.

[Vera Gay]

It is my opinion that the ears, nose, throat and accessory organs of all participating subjects examined by me were not adversely affected in the six months period by smoking the cigarettes provided.

[Captain Warman]

Remember this report and buy Chesterfields. Either way you like them. Regular or king size. Premium quality Chesterfields and much milder.

[Joe Friday]

January 28, 4:30pm we called the office and told them of the latest developments. Tom Ashford called the local FBI office and arrangements were made to take Harry Field and his wife into custody. A further check on him was made through R and I and we found that his record listed four arrests for armed robbery with only one conviction. He spent four and a half years in San Quentin before he'd gotten his parole. The name of his brother was also checked. He had no previous record. The car in Field's driveway matched the one used by the bandit. 5:12pm the men from Robbery arrived and the plan for taking Field was formulated. The working detective knows that to successfully apprehend an armed and dangerous suspect, he must act quickly and employ the one big advantage on his side, the element of surprise. By moving rapidly before the suspect becomes aware of any attempt to apprehend him, the officer, in many cases can not only avoid bloodshed but can often have a better chance of preserving any and all physical evidence necessary to prosecute the suspect. 5:36pm we were ready to move in. All set, Joe.

[Frank Smith]

The men are on back.

[Joe Friday]

Good. No indication he knows what's up. The lights are still on. Let's hope it stays that way.

[Harry Field]

Officer.

[Joe Friday]

Mr. Friday, the Jenkins woman.

[Harry Field]

Yeah, Officer.

[Joe Friday]

Ma' am, would you mind keeping your voice down? We don't want Bill to know we're here.

[Harry Field]

Well, I'm not talking loud, but there's something I want you to know.

[Joe Friday]

Well, it'd be better if you went back into your house, ma' am. Just stay there till this is over with you.

[Harry Field]

That's sort of what I want to tell you about, ma' am. Well, I got to thinking and I figured maybe Harry wasn't too bad a sort after all.

[Joe Friday]

We don't want to be rude here, but I think it'd be better if you go back in your house. All this talking is allowed to let him know that we're here.

[Harry Field]

But that's just it. I don't want anybody hurt so I can called him What? I called him, told him he didn't have a chance to give himself up.

[Joe Friday]

Unknowingly, Mrs. Jenkins had made it impossible to take the suspect without violence. By warning him she had put him on the alert. We had no alternative now but to apprehend him as best we could. 5:40pm McCaleb and Crowley are covering the back.

[Frank Smith]

Other fellas are covering the side windows.

[Joe Friday]

All right, let's.

[Frank Smith]

What do you want?

[Joe Friday]

Open up. Come on, Field. We want to talk to you.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I'll be there in a minute. Take it easy.

[Joe Friday]

Open up, Field. Police officers.

[Frank Smith]

All right, I'll be there in a minute.

[Joe Friday]

Let's go. He's Stalin Block. Come on, let's hit it.

[Frank Smith]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

All right, stand there where you fireplace, Joe. I'll get it.

[Frank Smith]

Guys, I'm parole. You cops won't leave him alone. I'm straight. Bag's full of money, Joe. Partially burned my money. I could do what I want with it.

[Joe Friday]

You bet you can. Hands behind you. Come on, I'll take him down. All right, he's clean, Joe.

[Frank Smith]

You got him, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, we got part of the loot too. He's trying to burn it.

[Frank Smith]

Crawl in.

[Joe Friday]

I'll shake the rest of the. Right, Mac. All right. How about it, Field? We got the money. People who can identify you. Car parked in the driveway fits the description. You've been through this before. You got out of queue on December 10th. You pulled this job on January 21st, is that right?

[Frank Smith]

Like I said, I fell once. I did my time.

[Captain Warman]

Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, Mac?

[Frank Smith]

Found his wife hiding in the back bedroom. Found a sawed off shotgun.

[Joe Friday]

All right, let's get him out of here.

[Frank Smith]

Say, Frank.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Frank Smith]

Message came in for him before I left the office.

[Joe Friday]

Forgot about it. Say who it was, Frank?

[Frank Smith]

No, I didn't leave a name.

[Joe Friday]

Here's a number.

[Frank Smith]

One's your phone.

[Joe Friday]

Right away. Call it now.

[Frank Smith]

We can take Field in.

[Joe Friday]

Good, Mac, thanks. We'll be right behind you. We want to talk to his wife anyway.

[Frank Smith]

Okay, Field, let's go.

[Joe Friday]

All right, come on, Frank. Come on. Hollywood 24709. I don't know anybody with that number. Well, a simple way to find out is to call him. It's kind of late. Well, go ahead and call him anyway. Yeah. Here's the phone.

[Frank Smith]

I'll check with you later, Joe. Frank.

[Joe Friday]

Right, Tom. We'll check you. Bye, Tom. Come on, let's go. I want to use the phone. Oh, yeah, go ahead. You got a dime? Just a minute. Yeah, I'll leave it for the call. Wonder who it Is. Hello? What place is this? Oh, well, this is Frank Smith. Were you looking for me? Yeah, yeah, he does. Oh yeah, that's. That's the right address. Yeah, I should have known. What's that? Call from the Murphy House Cleaning Company or they were my brother in law. Call them in to clean up our house. Yeah, what about it? Now they want to know where to send the bill.

[Captain Warman]

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

[Vera Gay]

On February 19, trial was held in federal court. City of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Captain Warman]

Now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you. George Feniman. Before a case goes to trial, the working detective has to get all the evidence. He interviews witnesses, takes statements, checks and rechecks. He tries to get all the facts. As a smoker, you too should be interested in facts. You should know Chesterfield is first to give you scientific data in support of smoking. Nose, throat and accessory organs not adversely affected by smoking. Chesterfield. The first such report ever published about any cigarette. Remember that and next time buy Chesterfield. Get them regular or king size. You'll find premium quality Chesterfields give you the best possible smoke.

[Vera Gay]

Harry Q. Field was tried and convicted of violation of the federal bank robbery statute. He received a sentence of 20 years in a federal penitentiary. McNeil Island, Washington. Investigation showed his wife Dora Field was not implicated in any way in the robbery. 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 Fraser. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Whit Connor, Jack Crucian. Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Captain Warman]

Sound off for Chesterfield. Either way you like them regular or king size. Chesterfield gives you the best possible smoke. Much milder Chesterfield.

[Vera Gay]

Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed. From Los Angeles.

[Captain Warman]

Tonight, it's Barry Craig, confidential investigator on NBC.