THE BIG PRESS and THE BIG TOOTH DRAGNET

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers: "THE BIG PRESS and THE BIG TOOTH DRAGNET"

Release Date: August 13, 2025
Host: Jon Hagadorn
Podcast Series: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers
Network: 1001 Stories Network
Website: www.1001storiespodcast.com

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Episode Overview

In this gripping episode of "1001 Radio Crime Solvers," listeners are taken back to the golden age of radio detective stories with a detailed recounting of two intertwining cases featured in the classic "Dragnet" series. Hosted by Jon Hagadorn, the episode delves into the meticulous investigations led by Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith, showcasing the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of deception and crime.

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Case 1: The Forgery Scheme

Timestamp: 09:00 - 11:15

The episode kicks off with Detective Sergeant Joe Friday briefing his partner, Frank Smith, about a significant forgery operation threatening the financial integrity of the city. Two criminals, Leslie P. Bergen and Gene McLean, have been orchestrating an elaborate scheme to pass phony checks amounting to approximately $70,000. These fraudulent checks are cleverly designed, with consistent yet subtly flawed border designs that make them suspicious upon close inspection.

• Joe Friday (09:02): "The check forgers had been working for over a year... 70,000. It's a lot of money, isn't it?"

• Frank Smith (09:05): "Sure is. People will just read those bulletins. They never learn."

The detectives analyze the reports, distribute circulars with descriptions and faulty check images to local businesses, and canvass print shops to trace the origin of the forgeries. Despite their efforts, initial leads prove unfruitful, prompting the involvement of Lieutenant Saunders and Sergeant Bomi from San Francisco.

After weeks of investigation, a breakthrough occurs when the forgers attempt to cash a suspicious check at a local Check Cashing Agency on Pico. Joe Friday and Frank Smith identify Leslie P. Bergen based on the check's irregularities and his demeanor during the interrogation.

• Leslie P. Bergen (10:22): "If I haven't done anything wrong, then I got no reason not to show you."

Despite Bergen's attempts to deflect suspicion, forensic evidence and witness testimonies lead to his confession and subsequent conviction.

Outcome: Leslie P. Bergen and Gene McLean are tried and convicted of 10 counts of forgery, serving their sentences at the San Quentin State Penitentiary.

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Case 2: The Mysterious Disappearance and Murder

Timestamp: 34:00 - 56:28

Following the resolution of the forgery case, the narrative shifts to a deeply personal and tragic case involving the disappearance of Bertha Schroeder, the wife of Henry Rudolph Schroeder. The disgruntled husband reveals a history of domestic strife, including verbal and physical abuse, which raises suspicions about Bertha's sudden absence.

• Frank Smith (35:55): "Well, Mama's gone. I don't know how long it's been, but she isn't with Papa."

Detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith delve into the Schroeder family dynamics, interviewing various family members and neighbors to piece together Bertha's last known movements. Key evidence emerges when a piece of dental bridge work belonging to Bertha is found burned in an incinerator, linking Henry Schroeder directly to her disappearance.

• Henry Schroeder (56:27): "I didn't mean to do it. I came home late, ... she was dead. I didn't mean to do it."

Confronted with the evidence, including blood stains in the Schroeder home and inconsistencies in Henry's statements, Schroeder breaks down and confesses to the murder, revealing a culmination of years of domestic tension.

Outcome: Henry Rudolph Schroeder is tried and convicted of murder in the first degree, leading to his execution in the lethal gas chamber at San Quentin State Penitentiary.

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Key Investigative Techniques Highlighted

1. Forensic Analysis: The importance of detailed forensic work in both cases is emphasized. From identifying printer defects in forged checks to conducting DNA tests on blood stains, the episode showcases the pivotal role of science in solving crimes.

2. Canvassing and Community Engagement: Detectives actively engage with the community, distributing bulletins and photographs to gather leads, demonstrating the value of public cooperation in crime-solving.

3. Interrogation Strategies: The assistant's disciplined approach during interrogations, applying pressure while maintaining professionalism, is highlighted through Joe Friday's interactions with suspects.

4. Use of Technology: The integration of R&I (Records and Identification) and communication with other departments underscores the collaborative efforts necessary in law enforcement investigations.

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Notable Quotes

• Joe Friday (10:14): "If you haven't done anything wrong, then you got no reason not to show us."

• Henry Schroeder (56:28): "I didn't mean to do it. It's the wrong way to look at it."

• Frank Smith (35:55): "Mama's gone. I don't know how long it's been, but she isn't with Papa."

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Conclusion

"THE BIG PRESS and THE BIG TOOTH DRAGNET" offers a compelling portrayal of detective work, illustrating the unwavering dedication of law enforcement officers in unraveling complex criminal activities. Through meticulous investigation, strategic interrogation, and persistent pursuit of evidence, Joe Friday and Frank Smith bring fraudulent forgers and a murderer to justice, reaffirming the timeless appeal of hard-boiled detective narratives from radio's golden era.

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Additional Information

• Technical Advisors: The episode benefits from authentic insights provided by Chief of Police W.H. Parker, LAPD Technical Advisors Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Haughty, and Sergeant Vance Pressure.

• Production Credits: Voice talents include Ben Alexander, Art Gilmore, and June Whitley, with scripts by John Robinson and music composed by Walter Schumann.

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Listeners looking to immerse themselves in classic detective stories will find this episode both nostalgic and engaging, capturing the essence of Dragnet while delivering a comprehensive narrative of crime and resolution.

Transcript

[Joe Friday]

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Contact T Mobile Sound off for Chesterfield Chesterfield, the first and only cigarette in to give you premium quality in both regular and king size brings you Dragnet. 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 forgery detail. Two men have been passing bad checks in your city. You have descriptions of both of them. You know the names on the checks. Your job, get them. First we read you the six months report, then the eight months report. Now here is 10 full months of scientific evidence on smoking Chesterfield. A medical specialist is making regular bimonthly examinations of a group of people from various walks of life. 45% of this group have smoked Chesterfields for an average of over 10 years. After 10 full months, almost a year now, the specialist reports he observed no adverse effects on the nose, throat and sinuses of the group from smoking Chesterfield. That's the report. And Chesterfield is the first and only premium quality cigarette throughout in both regular and king size fine tobaccos, the world's best kept, tasty and fresh, wrapped in the finest cigarette paper money can buy. Yes, everything that goes into your Chesterfield makes it the premium quality cigarette. And it's the only cigarette that gives you scientific evidence of real smoking pleasure. Try much milder Chesterfield today. They're best for you 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. It was Thursday, April 8. It was windy in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of forgery detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Welsh. My name's Friday. We were on the way back from the main jail and it was 9:46am when we got to room 29. Forgery. Well, that wraps that one up. Yeah. When are we gonna reign him? Oh, figure. Day after tomorrow. Okay, well, let's get started on these other crime reports, huh? Yeah. Friday. Yeah. Skipper, See you a minute? Sure, sit down. What's up, Skipper? How's the Clemens thing going? Well, we just talked to him. Says he'll plead guilty. Mm. Well, I want you to take a look at this. Okay. Border checks, huh? Yeah, I want you two to go to work on it. Are we gonna work with Saunders and Bowmey on it? I want you to take it over. Well, sir, a case in it. Yeah, but we got a call from San Francisco last night. They got Richards up there, huh? At least they know he's operating in the Bay Area. Saunders and Bowmy left last night. They've been on that one for the last year. Looks like they can clean it up. They get back for you busters, they'll give you a hand. Well, what's the pitch on it, Skipper? It's all there. Let's take a look, huh, Joe? Sure. A bunch of paper. Near as we can figure, they've been working a little over a year. Yeah, all the checks are drawn on big companies here. You any idea where they're getting them? No, not yet. How far we got on it? Saunders and Bomi have been working on it. They got about halfway through the list of print shops in the city. Then this thing up north came up. Let me see some of the checks, will you, Joe? Sure. Here we got rubber companies, oil companies, department stores, aircraft. How about the ID when they pass them? It works. Driver's licenses, Social Security cards, lodge cards. Looks legit enough. Been a lot of people taking descriptions always match. Do they close enough? Yeah, now and then. There's a little difference, but they all match up. Close enough. Still using the same bad border? Uh huh. You notice that even though they changed the name of the company on the check, change the heading all around, they use the same border on all of them. Yeah, I see. Look there in the lower left hand corner. See? Yeah. Plate's broken. Little break in the border. All the checks they pass have the same thing. Yeah, well, you wouldn't notice it unless you're really looking for it, would you? Well, that's it. All the reports are there. Everything that's been done. It's in your lap now. Need anything, let me know. Right. Okay, Skipper. We'll get right on it. Well, from the package here, sure looks like they're scoring good, doesn't it? How much they got? Let's see. Figures. About $70,000. All the bulletins we put out know the people you cash checks for. Yeah. 70,000. It's a lot of money, isn't it? Sure is. People will just read those bulletins. They Never learn. Huh? 10:02am we started through the package. The check forgers had been working for over a year. They'd passed phony checks all over the southern part of the state. The amounts on the checks varied from 50 to $275. They carried 10 different endorsements. The names and signatures had been run through our files, but we'd gotten no identification. The writing had been checked by Don Meyer, but there were no examples in the files that matched. During the next two days, we finished canvassing the print shops in the area in an attempt to find where the bad checks were being printed. We came up with no new information. Additional circulars were gotten out to all stores and check cashing agencies in the area giving the description of the two men and lists of the companies the checks had been drawn upon. Photographs of the checks pointing out the border defect were also distributed. Two weeks went by. No results. Informants had been checked and rechecked. Known forgers had been questioned. The victims of the forgers had been shown the mug books. They failed to make any identification. From what they told us, we had the artist in the crime lab drop a composite picture of the two men. Copies of these were distributed to the people and organizations most likely to cash the phony checks. Lieutenant Saunders and sergeant Bowmey finished their investigation up in San Francisco and joined us in the search for the forgers. Tuesday, April 27, 10:14am Frank and I checked back into the office. Lousy thing. Yeah. Clutch was out. You know, I thought it was a pin. Sure felt like it. Funny feeling when you press down. There's nothing there. Yeah. Did he say when it would be ready? I thought he could have it for us in the morning. I'll check the business office and get another car. We'll try to get a good one, huh? Last one we drew was about to fall apart. Yeah, I'll get it. Forgery Friday. Yes, ma'. Am. Yes, ma'. Am. That's right. What? Uh huh. What Was that address again? Yes, ma', am, I have it. Yeah? Yeah, well, do everything you can. Yes, ma'. Am. Right away. Get your coat. What is it? Check Cashing Agency out on Pico. The guy's there now. Frank and I left the office and checked out another car. We drove out to the Check Cashing Agency on Pico. It was located near a large tool and dye plant. And they advertised that they cashed payroll checks. 10:33am we parked the car and went into the store. You the police? Yes, ma'. Am. You the one that placed the call?

[Frank Smith]

I sure am. I stalled him like you said. That's him back there. I told him that he'd have to wait for the manager to get back.

[Joe Friday]

And open the safe.

[Frank Smith]

He got pretty huffy about it at first.

[Joe Friday]

Then he said he'd wait.

[Frank Smith]

I think he's been drinking.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. All right, we'll talk to him. He's the one. You'll see.

[Frank Smith]

I spotted him right away, took one look at him and I knew he.

[Joe Friday]

Was the one you've been looking for. All right, ma', am, let's go. Sure fits the description.

[Frank Smith]

He's the one.

[Joe Friday]

Excuse me. Yeah? You wanted to cash a check, did you? Yeah, that's right. What if we could see your identification? Young lady has it.

[Frank Smith]

Here it is. He's dropped his license, his Social Security card.

[Joe Friday]

All right, thank you. Leslie P. Bergen, is that right? That's what it says. Yeah, we've seen it before. What if we could see that Check that.

[Frank Smith]

I'll get it for you.

[Joe Friday]

Well, look, there's no reason to make a federal case out of this. Give me the check and I'll go someplace else. I tell you, though. You act like this to everybody who comes in here, you ain't gonna stay in business long. Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Here you are, Officer. Here's the check.

[Joe Friday]

What's she talking about? What officer? She called him Officer. What are you, cops? You call it. How about a Joe? Yeah. Broken border. Where'd you get this check, mister? What do you mean, where'd I get it? They gave it to me at the plant. Gave you this check, huh? Yeah, that's right, Jim. What's this all about, anyway? How come you guys are so interested? I wonder if we can see what you got in your pockets. No, I don't have to show you. It's none of your business. You been drinking, mister? None of your business. You got no call to that pocket. All right, come on. Let's see what's in your pockets. What's that gonna prove? Now look, Bergen, if you haven't done anything wrong, then you got no reason not to show us, have you? Yeah. All right. Other things here on the counter. You guys couldn't regret this, you know. Is that right? You just bet I got a lot of friends in pretty high places and they're gonna hear about this. You guys be sorry you ever started this. Come on, you can go a little faster than that, can't you? All right, here. Here's some keys, chains, money clips. Pick up the money and keep that with you. Now, just the money. Now the back pockets. Back pockets? That's right. We want to see what's in them, too. Well, all righty. I'm glad to cooperate with the law. Nice to know you guys are this alert. I'm glad to know you're doing your duty. Yeah. Come on, let's get to those back pockets, shall we?

[Frank Smith]

Say, what's your name?

[Joe Friday]

Friday. Cop, huh? That's right. Friday, huh? What's your first name? Joe. Joe Friday, that's right. Now come on, get the stuff out of your back pockets. What do you stall over? I bet you think I'm trying to hide something in there, huh? Well, you're wrong. I got nothing to hide. There's my wallet, comb, and that's all this key here. Keys to your car? No, I don't have a car.

[Frank Smith]

Well, that's not true, officer. I saw him drive up. That's his car out in front. The red Ford.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right, Bergen? Well, now, maybe it is and maybe again it isn't. You want to check on it, Frank? Yeah. Here's Keith. I hate to think of it, I really do. What's that trouble you guys are going to get into when my friends in high places hear about this? Yeah, sure. Let's look at your wallet, huh? You bet. Always glad to cooperate with the law. No, you hold it. Just open it up. Any money in it? I told you, the money's in the money clip right here. You told me to keep it. You don't remember very well, do you? These your cards here? Business cards. Let me see here. Yeah, certainly they're mine. Leslie Paul Bergen, business advisor. I thought you said you worked at the plant. Part time job. What's your name? Friday. What's your first name? Joe. I told you. Joe Friday, huh? Gotta remember that. And tell my friends in high places. How about your coat pockets? Anything in them? Cigarettes maybe. Handkerchiefs for matches. That's about all. All right, let's see em. All right. Sure nice to know that we've got officers like you always doing your duty. Here. See? Nothing.

[Frank Smith]

Mm.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you say? You got this check? What check? This one here. The one you tried to cash. Oh, yeah, that check. Yeah, that check. That's the one. Well, I got it from a friend. He asked me to cash it for him. Just so happened I had the money, so I did. Anything wrong with cashing a check for a friend? How come the check's made out to you? They always make checks out to me. Always do. Down the plant. Now, look, mister, you got your stories all mixed up here. Let's go downtown and get this thing straightened out, shall we, Joe? Yeah, we hit it. 23 checks all made out to him. Found him in the glove compartment of the car. The car's registered to a Leslie R. Doyle. What's his name? Smith. First name? Frank. Frank Smith. What is this? Well, he's a happy drunk. He's checked yours, Doyle. Let me see. Never saw those in my life. Well, we found them in your car. Oh, I certainly don't understand that. In my car? Yes, that's right. Now, come on, let's go downtown. Where are we going? Downtown. What's your name? Smith. Frank Smith. Phony name, you hear? My friends hear about this policeman using alias. My friend's gonna hear about this, you know. Yeah, sure. Yeah, in high places. 10:57am the suspect admitted that his true name was Leslie Doyle and that the car belonged to him. We took him to the city Hall. Frank ran the name through R and I, but we got no make on him. His prints were old, but there was no record on him. A communication was gotten off to George Brerett in CII Sacramento, and one was sent to Washington. 11:30am we took him to the interrogation room to question him. I told you, I don't know where the checks came from. They were found in your car. So they were found in my car. That mean they're mine. Looks like you had something to do with it. They all were. Made out to you. The phony ID you got there. Well, maybe it's a joke. Maybe it was some of the idea of a gag. It's not very funny, is it, Doyle? You don't have to tell me. Say, you got another aspirin? My head's coming apart. Frankie. Yeah? Here. Yeah, thanks. Got some water. I'll get some for you. Oh, never mind. I'll take it without. Thought you might have a tap here. What?

[Frank Smith]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

You turn it on and let it drip. And then you don't give people none till they answer your questions. Yeah, sure. You take pills like I do, you get to a point where the only important thing is to get them in your stomach. All right. Now, how about the checks, huh? I told you a hundred times I didn't know anything about them. Then maybe we better fill you in, huh? Yeah, go ahead. I like to hear we got you for trying to pass a check this morning, didn't we? You want to cop out to that? So maybe one check. Like I said, that's no crime. I cashed it for a guy. Maybe it was the same guy who applied to the other ones. Oh, why don't you come off a doy? Let's stop playing games here. We made you for the forgeries, and you know it. Your description matches the one we got. You turn up with 23 checks made out to you, all drawn on different companies. The border on the checks matches the ones we're looking for. We got witnesses who identify you. I want to save a lot of time and admit it. Come on, Doyle. Doyle. Don't look like there's any other way, does it? Not from here. Well, if I cop out, will it help any? What do you mean? Like you said. Now, let's stop playing games. Well, help me out any. You're liable for one to 14 on each count. If I help, all we can do is see that it's marked down that way. That's all? That's all. Well, I got nothing to lose but not talking, that's the wrong way to look at it. You guys haven't come up with any other way? We don't make deals, Doyle. You know that. All right. I'll play it that way, too. Now, let's get this. 5, 10, huh? Your true name, Leslie Richard Doyle? Yeah. Charge suspicion, 4, 7. OPC. Forgery, April 27. Where do you live, Doyle? I told you once. Well, tell us again, would you? 19540 North Edge Hill Avenue. Is that a private home? No, it's a private. What's the number say? You got another aspirin? This headache's the worst one I ever had. Don't worry. They're gonna get worse. We continued to talk to Doyle. He told us that he'd come from back east about a year and a half ago. He said that he'd never been arrested and he had no record. He refused to tell us who his confederate was in the forgery operation. And he told us that we'd get no help from him in proving that he was mixed up in it. We booked him at the main jail, and then we got in touch With Lieutenant Saunders and Sergeant Bomi. Together with them, we arranged a special show up. The victims of the forges were asked to be present and 12 of them gave us a positive identification of Doyle as the man who'd victimized them. The other said that he was not the man. When confronted with this information, Doyle confessed to being one of the men involved, but he still refused to name his accomplice. A week went by. Each day we questioned Oil. Gradually we pieced together a picture of their operation. Doyle still refused to tell us where we could find his partner. The kickback from Washington and Sacramento arrived, but gave us no new information. All known friends and associates of Doyle were checked out. From them we found out that Doyle did work with another man, but that none of the witnesses could identify him. The rumble was that the two men had split up because of Doyle's drinking. We were able to get little other information on the missing partner. Wednesday, May 5, 11:40am Frank and I checked into Captain Welsh's office. How about it? No, nothing, Skipper. He says that he knew Doyle, but he doesn't know the other man. Any of the other leads pan out? No, none of them. Where do you go from here? Well, talking to Doyle's friend, we found out they used to hang out down on Wilshire and Olympic. You know the area down there? Yeah. Well, Frank and I've been talking it over. Looks like about the only way to bring him out is to go looking for him. Well, so you guys go down there. Well, we checked on that. The bunch down there aren't too chummy. They don't talk to strangers much. So we figured that maybe the best idea be for one of us to go undercover. Maybe pose as a thief, buy our stolen goods, something like that. We might get a line on them that way. Yeah, might work. Well, not much choice now. We've tried about everything else. Well, which one of you is going to do it? Well, I thought maybe I'd be the one. I don't know if that's such a good idea. Why not, Skipper? Joe took the last one. Yeah, but didn't you work that area when you were in Vice? Yeah, but that was a couple of years ago. Still might be some people down there who remember you. You better take this one on Friday. All right. When do you figure to start? I thought in the morning. Okay. Work out the way you're gonna keep in contact. All the details will give you the help you need to swing it. Right, Skipper? I don't know, Joe. Seems like you're always the one to Draw. This duty ought to be my turn. Sometime I'll trade with you. You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action. Smokers all over America are changing to Chesterfield because Chesterfields are premium quality throughout in both regular and king size. King size Chesterfield contains tobacco is a better quality and higher price than any other King size cigarette. That's certainly important to every king size smoker. Of course, it's the same fine tobacco as in regular Chesterfield. There's absolutely no difference except that King size Chesterfield gives you more than a fifth longer smoke. So remember, the modern way to sell cigarettes is the Chesterfield way. First and only cigarette with premium quality in both regular and king size Chesterfield is much milder. Chesterfield is best for you. Thursday, May 6, 9:30am I left my apartment and went down to the vicinity of Wilshire and Olympic. I spent an hour wandering around the bars in the area and then I checked into a small hotel down on South Hill. I registered as Joe Kelvin from Phoenix, Arizona. I told the clerk that I was in town on business and that I'd be there as long as it took me to confess. Include the deal I was working on. I spent the afternoon in a bar on fourth street and I got friendly with a bartender. I asked him if he knew Leslie Doyle and he told me that he'd seen him around but that he didn't know him very well. I asked if he'd ever seen Doyle with another man. He said that he had, but he didn't know who he was. The bartender went on to say that the two men had frequent arguments and that they usually ended up with the other man walking out and Doyle going on a drunk. He told me that I might be able to get some additional information on the man in a cafe over on fifth Street. I spent the next three days wandering around that area eating my meals in the restaurant. The end of that time I had no new leads. Frank Saunders and Bomi were still working on the case and Frank told me that the bad border check passing was still going on. Further conversations with Doyle netted them nothing. At the end of a week, I'd gotten to know one of the waitresses at the restaurant and she indicated that she knew Doyle's partner, that she knew him merely as Mac. She was unable to tell me where I could find him. I got in touch with Frank Smith and he ran the name through the moniker file and R and I, but he got no make. Friday, May 14, 10:56am I stopped for breakfast. Morning, Joe. Hi, Agnes.

[Frank Smith]

What'll it Be this morning.

[Joe Friday]

Well, let's see. Orange juice, couple of eggs, toast and coffee, huh?

[Frank Smith]

Eggs sunny side up.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. How's the bacon?

[Frank Smith]

Great. Just like always.

[Joe Friday]

All right. A couple of pieces.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Want to bring the coffee right away? Yeah. Is that the morning paper here? Yeah. Thank you. What happened to sports page.

[Frank Smith]

Here? You don't look good this morning. Bad night?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Had trouble getting to sleep last night.

[Frank Smith]

Mm. How's the deal coming?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, all right. I should line it up in a couple of days.

[Frank Smith]

What business you in, anyway?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, you could call me. Kind of a broker, I guess.

[Frank Smith]

That right?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Coffee's gonna hut.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Just what does that mean?

[Joe Friday]

What? The coffee.

[Frank Smith]

Being a broker.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, I buy things for a price, and I resell them for more.

[Frank Smith]

Things you buy? They hot.

[Joe Friday]

Well, why do you ask that?

[Frank Smith]

Just wondered. Rumbles around that you're in town buying stolen stuff.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Frank Smith]

That's what they say. Is it true?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. I haven't been talking to the same people as you.

[Frank Smith]

That the reason you want to get in touch with Mac?

[Joe Friday]

Well, look, if I answer that, I've answered the first question, haven't I? Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Is that the reason, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, it might be. Where's the sports page? Is it around? Why? Do you know where I can get in touch with him?

[Frank Smith]

I like you, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, well, I think you're nice, too. I'd like to have the sports page if you could find it for me. No, I mean it.

[Frank Smith]

I think you're all right.

[Joe Friday]

Well, thanks, Agnes. That's nice of you to say that.

[Frank Smith]

You've never tried to get fresh, different from most of the guys that come in here.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Frank Smith]

Sure. Guys all the time. Getting fresh, asking me out. Not you, Joe. You got a girl in Phoenix?

[Joe Friday]

I might have, yeah. I haven't been back for a while, you know.

[Frank Smith]

Mm. Lucky girl. What's she like, Joe? Who's that girl in Phoenix?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, I guess she's a little like you. She's a nice girl.

[Frank Smith]

You want to get married?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I don't know. It kind of depends on this deal here I'm working on.

[Frank Smith]

It'd be nice if you got married. I'm gonna get married someday.

[Joe Friday]

That'll be nice.

[Frank Smith]

Be real nice if you got married. Depends on this deal, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right.

[Frank Smith]

Okay, I'll tell you how to get in touch with Mac.

[Joe Friday]

11:14Am I continued to talk to Agnes. She told me that she didn't know where Mack lived, but that she could put me in touch with a man who might she gave me the address and I drove over to the place. It was a rooming house on South Vermont. I talked to the man. He told me that he'd seen Mac during the past week and that as far as he knew, the suspect was still living in an apartment house on 7th Street. 1:15pm I called the office and Frank Smith came out to meet me. We arrived at the apartment house and talked to the manager, Mrs. Nancy Holmes. She told us that she had a tenant named McLean who answered the description we gave her. She told us that McLean had lived in the apartment for the past eight months. She went on to say that she didn't know what business he was in, but that up until a few weeks ago he was in the company of a man called Doyle. Her description of the man matched that of the suspect. 2:46pm in the company of the manager. We went through McLean's apartment. We found 14 checks made out to him and all of them drawn on large companies. All of them had the same broken printed border. Frank and I waited for him to return. 5:32pm what are you doing here? Your name's Gene McLean? Yeah. Who are you? Police officers. These checks here, where'd you get those? On the desk over there. You got no right to go through my things. We'll talk about that downtown. Come on, let's go. Now, look, maybe you guys made a mistake, huh? Maybe you got the wrong fella. Can't we work something out? That's a pretty good thing. There's enough for everybody. I'm sure we can make a deal. No reason to act like this. Where's the press, mister?

[Frank Smith]

Huh?

[Joe Friday]

The press you print these up on. Where is it? I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know anything about a press. I don't even know what you're talking about. It won't work, McLean. We got Doyle. What's he told you? All we need. Well, then he's told you where the press is, too. We're asking you about that. Well, like I said, I don't know what you're talking about. You drive a car, McLean? Yeah. Where'd you park it, on the street? No garages in this crummy place.

[Frank Smith]

Now, that's not true, Mr. McLean.

[Joe Friday]

I'll keep your nose out of this. You've been spouting off too much already.

[Frank Smith]

That's not true, Mr. McLean. I heard everything from the hall. These officers asked me some questions and I answered them. Police have never given me any trouble. Ten years I've been Managing this place. Never had no trouble before. Now you come in here and louse things up.

[Joe Friday]

Turn it off. Come on, let's get out of here.

[Frank Smith]

Just wait a minute. Come in here and call this a crummy place. You did not heard you, did you?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I did.

[Frank Smith]

Listen, Officer, he's lying when he says.

[Joe Friday]

He doesn't have a garage.

[Frank Smith]

He may keep his car out on the street.

[Joe Friday]

Maybe that part's true, but he's got a garage.

[Frank Smith]

You just bet he has.

[Joe Friday]

Come on, let's get out of here. Stick around here and listen to this loony old bag. She's cracking up. Where is the garage, ma'? Am?

[Frank Smith]

I'll show you. It's just down the street. It's an old place. They rent it from the Pearsons. Just down the street. I'll show you.

[Joe Friday]

Tommy old bat. Real harpy. Sticking her nose in where it don't belong.

[Frank Smith]

Don't you talk to me like that. I don't know what it is that.

[Joe Friday]

These officers are looking for, but I'll.

[Frank Smith]

Just bet they'll find it there.

[Joe Friday]

6:27Pm Mrs. Holmes showed us down the street to a garage set behind a large house. The door was locked, but McLean produced the key. We went over the place, but we found nothing. 6:55pm Satisfied now? Told you there wasn't anything wrong. I told you you wouldn't find anything here. It's got to be here someplace. Joe. Yeah? How long you had this place, McLean? Couple of months. Now, we can check the owner on that. Aren't you guys ever gonna give up? You maybe got me in custody, but that don't mean you're ever gonna be able to prove anything. I think maybe we'll be able to. Joe. Yeah? Take a look here on the floor. Mm. Look here. See the old wooden floor. And most of the nails are all rusted over. And right here, they look pretty new. Looks like the wood's been moved. How about this, McLean? I don't know what you're talking about. Grab that hammer, will you, Frank? Over there. Yeah, sure. Here you go. All right. Tell me we can take a look, guys. You're wasting your time, you know that, don't you? Yeah, well, it's our time. Don't you worry about it. You want to give me a hand here, Frank? Yeah. All right. You got it? I got it. All right. It's all dug out down there. Take a look. There's something down there. How about this, McLean? I don't know what you're talking about. The press, huh? Yeah. Wait a minute. Package over here. Let's see what's in it. Look, you got no right to come in here and tear up the place. I'm gonna see a lawyer about this. How about it, Joe? Yeah. Printing press. Take a look. Engravers, plates, plug. Here's the broken border. Yep. All right, McLean, let's go. You just wait. My lawyer's gonna hear about this. Is that right? Yeah, you bet it's right. Come in here, tear up the floor. You got no warrants, you got no right. Sick of being shoved around by you guys. You haven't got any beef, McLean. I'll decide that. No, you're wrong. Huh? Somebody else is going to do that. The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On August 25, trial was held in Department 89, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial. Now, here is our star, Jack Webb. Thank you, George Feniman. Friends, here are two important things to remember. Everything that goes into your Chesterfield makes it the premium quality cigarette. And it's the only cigarette that gives scientific evidence of real smoking pleasure. Try much milder Chesterfields today. They're best for you. Leslie Paul Doyle and Gene Raul McLean were tried and convicted of 10 counts of forgery. They received their sentences as prescribed by law and are now serving their term in the state penitentiary, San Quentin, California. Forgery is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of not less than 1 nor more than 14 years. Ladies and gentlemen, with long range aircraft and atomic bombs, the enemy is only hours away from where you live. Our Air Defense Command relies on radar to detect enemy aircraft. But it is possible for low flying planes to remain undetected. You can help defend America by volunteering for the Ground Observer Corps, a group of civilian men, women and teenagers who report the presence and activity of aircraft. For information, write or phone your nearest civil defense center. 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 Haughty, wind, Sergeant Vance, pressure. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Art Gilmore, Whit Connor, script by John Robinson, music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking for a million laughs. Tune in Chesterfield's Martin and Lewis Show Tuesday night on this same NBC station and sound off for Chesterfield, Regular or King size. You'll find premium quality Chesterfields much milder. Chesterfield is best for you. Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles. Tonight, it's Adventure with Barry Craig, confidential investigator on NBC. Let's map out this week's amazing destinations and travel tips. Honestly, Will, I didn't plan any trips, but I did switch to T Mobile with their new family freedom offer. That's not the itinerary we're following. Well, I'm departing from AT&T and embarking on a new journey with T Mobile. They paid off my family's four phones up to $3200 and gave us four new phones on the house. Bon voyage. Introducing Family freedom. Our lowest cost will switch our biggest family savings all on America's largest 5G network. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com FamilyFreedom up to $800 per line via virtual prepaid card. Typically takes 15 days. Free phones via 24 monthly bill credits with finance agreement eg Apple iPhone 16 128GB $8,229.99 Eligible trade in eg iPhone 11 Pro for well qualified credits end and balance due if you pay off early or cancel contact T Mobile. All right, quick break. Knock knock. Who's there? Amazon Music. Amazon Music who? Amazon Music, where prime members can listen to top comedy podcasts ad free. No awkward interruptions, just non stop laughs from your favorite shows. It's free, it's funny and hey, it's better than my knock knock jokes. Download the Amazon music app and let the good times roll. Or go to Amazon.com adfreecomedy that's Amazon.com adfreecomediDy to catch up on the latest episodes without the ads. Sound off for Chesterfield. Chesterfield, the first and only cigarette in America to give you premium quality in both regular and king size, brings you dragnet. 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 the homicide detail. A young woman tells you that her mother has disappeared. There's no trace of her whereabouts. Foul play is suspected. Your job, investigate. First we read you the six months report, then the eight month report. Now here is 10 full months of scientific evidence on smoking Chesterfield. A medical specialist is making regular bi monthly examinations of a group of people from various walks of life. 45% of this group have smoked Chesterfields for an average of over 10 years. After 10 full months, almost a year now, the specialist reports he observed no adverse effects on the nose, throat and sinuses of the group from smoking Chesterfield. That's the report. And Chesterfield is the first and only Cigarette with premium quality throughout. In both regular and king size fine tobaccos, the world's best costly moistening agents to keep them always tasty, always fresh and the finest cigarette paper money can buy. Yes, everything that goes into your Chesterfield makes it the premium quality cigarette. And it's the only cigarette that gives you this scientific evidence of real smoking pleasure. Try much milder Chesterfield today. They're best for you. 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 story of your police force in action. It was Tuesday, August 5th. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A homicide detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. We were on the way out from the office and it was 10:46am when we got to 4298 North Estrella Street. The front door hot? Sure is, yes. Mrs. What's her name? Randall. Ella Randall. She say what this was about? I just said that her mother disappeared. She wanted to talk to us about it. Uh huh.

[Frank Smith]

Yes.

[Joe Friday]

Ms. Randall?

[Frank Smith]

Yes, that's right.

[Joe Friday]

Police officers, ma'. Am.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, yes. Come in, won't you?

[Joe Friday]

Thank you. Thanks, ma'.

[Frank Smith]

Am. I think I'll leave the door open. Hope the flies don't come in.

[Joe Friday]

My name's Friday, Mrs. Randall. This is my partner, Frank Smith.

[Frank Smith]

How do you do?

[Joe Friday]

How you do, ma'? Am. Could you tell us just what it is you want to see us about?

[Frank Smith]

Well, of course. Sit down, won't you?

[Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Frank Smith]

Ms. Randall, would you like some tea or something? I have some ready in the kitchen.

[Joe Friday]

No thanks. Just what was it about your mother.

[Frank Smith]

Mrs. Randall, now that you're here, I guess maybe I could be wrong about it. I was so sure.

[Joe Friday]

Well, just what is it, ma'? Am?

[Frank Smith]

Well, Mama's gone. I don't know how long it's been, but she isn't with Papa.

[Joe Friday]

Well, what's your mother's name? Is Randall.

[Frank Smith]

Bertha. Bertha Schroeder. My father's handling. Uh huh.

[Joe Friday]

What makes you think there might be something wrong? You said on the phone that you were pretty sure that something had happened to her.

[Frank Smith]

Well, yes, I guess I start at the beginning of a dull story. But maybe it's the best way.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Frank Smith]

Ma', am, you sure you wouldn't like a glass of iced tea?

[Joe Friday]

No thanks. Ma'. Am. Thanks just the same.

[Frank Smith]

Mind if I get some? Just take a minute.

[Joe Friday]

All right. It's a nice place, huh? Yeah, it is. Sure decorated nice. Hey, look at those trivets. What trivets? Those little things over the fireplace. Those grass. Oh, yeah, yeah. Fazeman wants some of those. Used to use them to hold irons. You know, they get hot and put them on the ironing board so they won't burn the cloth. Put them on those things. Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

I brought a couple extra glasses in case you decided you wanted some.

[Joe Friday]

If you just go ahead with the story, Ms. Randall.

[Frank Smith]

Yes, well, to understand it really, you'd have to know Papa. He came over to this country when he was just a boy, only about 16 or so. Landed here and couldn't speak more than a dozen words of English. Went to work in New York, worked as a construction man, Worked hard. Met Mama there and they got married. Right after that they moved out here, bought a house. And Papa went into business for himself.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Frank Smith]

Well, maybe it was the life he'd had when he got here. I don't know. But he always treated Mama like she was so much dirt. Mean time went on, he got meaner to her. Remember when us kids were in school? He used to yell at her all the time, get in a mood. And he wouldn't talk to any of us for days at a time.

[Joe Friday]

Is that so?

[Frank Smith]

I never knew how Mama took it. She never said anything. Just stand there and let him scream at her. And when he was finished, he'd have and take his kids out of the house, walk around for a while, and then go back to the house. By that time, Papa was so mad, he wouldn't talk to anyone.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh. Go ahead.

[Frank Smith]

Well, all of us kids married young. I got married when I was 16. Rest of the kids weren't much older than that. Papa didn't want us around after that. Said for us to get out and make our own way. Said that we had to, so there was no reason that we shouldn't. You sure you don't want some of this?

[Joe Friday]

No, thank you, ma'. Am. Thank you very much. Would you mind going ahead, Ms. Ryan?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Yes, A couple of months ago, I tried to call Mama. The operator told me that the phone had been disconnected.

[Joe Friday]

I beg your pardon?

[Frank Smith]

The operator told me that the phone had been disconnected. When I tried to get hold of Mama.

[Joe Friday]

I see.

[Frank Smith]

Now, I waited a couple of days, you know, I figured that maybe she'd call me.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Frank Smith]

Well, she didn't. You see, Once we were out of the house, none of us went back. Papa's retired, and none of us wanted to see him. It's a terrible thing to say, Mr. Friday, but it's true, ma'.

[Joe Friday]

Am.

[Frank Smith]

We all hated him, all of his kids, for what he'd done to us, the beatings and all. But most for what he'd done to Mama. She was only 52, and she looked like she was 92. It was terrible the way he treated her.

[Joe Friday]

I see.

[Frank Smith]

Like I said, we'd never go over there, but mom would come to see us whenever she could. She'd come over, visit for a little bit, you know, talk about the kids and things.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Frank Smith]

Well, I didn't hear from her, and I got a little worried that maybe she was sick. If she was, I. I know that Papa wouldn't tell us. So I went over to the old house and I rang the bell. I was kind of braced by. Because I thought I'd see Papa and there'd be an argument. But there wasn't, ma'.

[Joe Friday]

Am.

[Frank Smith]

No argument. Papa didn't answer the door. Some young woman answered it, and I asked if I could see Mrs. Schroeder right away. I knew there was something wrong.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how was that, ma'? Am?

[Frank Smith]

Well, I could see inside the front door. The living room had all been changed around. There was new furniture. Looked like the walls had been painted, too.

[Joe Friday]

What did the woman say when you asked for your mother?

[Frank Smith]

She said they didn't live there anymore. Said that they'd rented the house. You know, that they'd been living there for the past month. Well, at first, I don't think I believed her. I asked her who rented the house to her, and she said Papa did. And I asked her where he was.

[Joe Friday]

What'd she say to that?

[Frank Smith]

Well, she gave me his address. I went over there to talk to him. It was a little tiny apartment just off La Brea. He said that Mama was gone. I asked him where she'd gone, and he said that she was on a vacation. Well, I know him well enough to know that he'd never let her go away. You know when to dine his socks and keep the house clean.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

I wanted to know where she'd gone in this vacation. He said back to the old country. Said she wanted to see her family. He said they'd gotten a letter from her sister that she was sick and wanted to see Mama. Well, right then I called him a liar. Told him right to his face that he was lying. I kind of thought that he'd hit the ceiling. But he didn't. He just smiled and said that I had no call to say anything like that. He asked me why I said it.

[Joe Friday]

What was that? You thought that he'd hit what?

[Frank Smith]

Well, I thought that he'd hit the ceiling when I said that to him, when I called him a liar. I mean, you know, I told him that if mom had left, she'd have written. Maybe not to me, but to one of the kids. I called around and when I didn't hear from her, none of the kids had either. They were all worried about her too.

[Joe Friday]

I see. What'd he say to that?

[Frank Smith]

He said he couldn't understand it. So that he'd gotten a letter. That he'd gotten it not more than a day or so before. That she'd arrived safe and was having a wonderful time.

[Joe Friday]

This was a letter?

[Frank Smith]

Yes, this was a letter he got from Mama. Well, I told him I thought he was lying and he said that he'd show me the letter.

[Joe Friday]

Well, did he?

[Frank Smith]

Well, yeah, he showed. He showed me the letter, but he wouldn't show me the envelope, just the letter. He said he'd thrown the envelope away.

[Joe Friday]

But. Was the letter from your mother, Mary?

[Frank Smith]

Well, sort of. From the words it was. Told all about her trip and how she was enjoying herself. Said that she was with her sister and that she was getting better. And then she went on to tell how much she missed Papa and all.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Frank Smith]

Right away I could tell that it wasn't Mama's handwriting. She never wrote that letter.

[Joe Friday]

Beg your pardon?

[Frank Smith]

I said that I knew it wasn't Mama's writing on that letter.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, well.

[Frank Smith]

Well, that's when I thought about calling you. Then later I remembered something. And then I made up my mind about calling you.

[Joe Friday]

What was that, Ms. Randall?

[Frank Smith]

Well, Mama only had one sister living. She died three years ago.

[Joe Friday]

11:13Am we continued to talk to Ella Randall. She told us that she was sure that her mother would not have gone off of her own free will. She said that when she last saw Mrs. Schroeder, she appeared to be in good health and in good spirit. We got the names and addresses of the other children in the Shorter family. We also got the address of the Shorter relatives in Europe. Ellen Randall told us that we could find her father at the apartment and she gave us the address. 12:15pm Frank and I drove over to see him. This is ridiculous. Utterly ridiculous. Well, maybe so, sir, but we'd like to see the letter that came from your wife. Officer, I'd like very much to show it to you. Really I would, but I can't. Why not, sir? For the reason that I haven't got it anymore. I destroyed it. Burned it a couple of days ago. Who's your wife staying with, sir? With her sister. Uh huh. Well, from what we can find out, sir, your wife's sister died three years ago. How could your wife be staying with her? All right. I suppose I might as well tell you about it. Doesn't seem to be any other way. All right, sir, Right ahead. First off, my wife is not in the old country. She's not with her sister. What you heard is true? Uh huh. Officer, what I have to tell you is very hard to say. I find it hard to find the right words. That's all right, sir. You just go ahead. We've been married for 30 years. Thirty years, man and wife. And. And then she did this. Almost broke my heart. Officers. Is one of you married? Oh yes. You're my partner here is. Then you'd know what I mean. You'd know how it is, Sir. She left me. Packed her things and left. Didn't give me any reason. Just said she didn't want to be my wife anymore. He said she didn't want to share my oath. Just left. 30 years. All that time and she left. What kind of terms were you and your wife on, sir? What do you mean this term? Well, did you and your wife get along all right? Were you happy? Certainly. As I said, we were married 30 years. Yes sir, I understand that. But did you ever have any quarrels? Sergeant, all married people have quarrels. Maybe the house isn't clean. Maybe dinner isn't big enough. Maybe the children get to. All married couples have quarrels. It's part of living together. Well, from what we understand, sir, some of the arguments you and your wife had were pretty serious. The people who said that are liars. They seem pretty sure. Liars, that's what they are. Oh, sometimes maybe I'd forget myself. Get a little loud. But serious, Never. How'd you get along with your children, Mr. Schroeder? My children? Yes sir, that's right. How'd you get along with them? All right. They were a little wild. All the children over here like that. Wild. They. I don't respect the elders, but I got along good. There seems to be a difference of opinion on that too, sir. We've heard that you and your children weren't on too friendly terms. And you believe this? You think that this is true? Mr. Friery, Mr. Smith, these were my own flesh and Blood. I loved them. Still do. Maybe. That sounds hard to believe. I can imagine what you've heard. I know I've heard about this before. I know. Who told you? You didn't. I think I know, but I do. It was Ella, wasn't it? Wasn't it? Who told us isn't important, sir. But it is. You see, this is very hard for me to say. 30 years married and it's all a mistake. I knew it from the start. She was a shrew, Mr. Friday. I knew it right away. A shrew, sir? My wife, Berta, almost from the day we were married, she was a nag. All I wanted in life was to do a day's work and come home and read the paper. Maybe have a pipe of tobacco, rest, work and have my home. Maybe someday, when the children were grown, they'd say, papa was good. He gave us a good house and he was good. That's all I wanted. Yes, sir. Berta didn't want that. Always wanted more for the children. She said when I wouldn't kill myself at work, she'd get angry, talk loud to me. All I wanted was peace. When the children came along, she taught them just like her. How do you mean? Toilet them. What a mean man I was. Turned them against me. My own children. Taught them to hate their father. Their own father? Yes, sir. Well, why didn't you tell your children that your wife left you? No, Mr. Friday, I couldn't do that. This would break their hearts. They might hate me, but I don't want them to hate their mother. I couldn't do that. The Lord would never forgive me for that. Have you heard from your wife at all since she left? Not a word. I made up that letter so the children wouldn't find out. I couldn't have that. Did she take any money with her? Would you know that? Yes, she did. We have a joint account as a bank two blocks over. She made a large withdrawal the day she left. Mr. Schroeder, why'd you rent your house? It was sold by myself. The house was full of Bertha. All the things were hers. Everywhere I looked, I saw her. It hurt me, Mr. Smith. I had to get out, so I came here. It's not much, but I can read the paper and I'll send Hip a pipe of tobacco. It's peaceful. It's all I need. What'd you do with your wife's personal effects? I don't think I understand, Sergeant. Her clothes, the furniture from the house, things like that. They're in storage. I had some men Come out and take all of it away. Stored it away. Thought that maybe someday Bertha would come back and we could take up where we left off. Yes, sir. Could you give us the name of the storage company where you left the furniture? Certainly. It's out on Pico. I can give you the address. Is that important? No, sir, not really. Just something we ought to check. Don't you think it might be better if you told your daughter about all this? Or about what's happened? No, Mr. Smith. It wouldn't prove anything. Nothing at all. Well, that's the way you want it, sir. There's nothing we can do about it. It's better, Mr. Friday. Believe me. I know. If they hate me, there's not much I can do about it. But I don't want to bring him any unhappiness. I couldn't do that. Yes, sir. I'm 65 years old, Mr. Friday. I've worked hard all the time. Harder than most men. Had four children. They're all grown. They have families of their own. All this and I've got nothing. Nothing but lonely days and empty nights. Yes, sir. It's an awful thing. Just awful, sir. To work all your life and have nothing to show for it. 1:37pm we got the address of the storage company from Henry Schroeder. And then Frank and I left to go back to the office. At this point we had two stories. Both of them could be true. Both of them could be lies. There was no way of knowing. In the meantime, it was merely a matter of checking. Until it could be proved one way or the other, there was little action we could take. 2:15pm Frank and I checked back into the office and I put in a call. To the storage house. Yes, sir. I'll wait while you're checking. Huh? I don't know, Joe. Sure seems like the old guy is telling the truth. How we check this out, we'll know one way or the other. Such a nice little guy. Seems hard to believe that he'd do anything wrong. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. What was that? Uh huh. Could you tell me when. What was the name? Mm, that's right. Yes sir. All right. Uh huh. Thanks very much. That's Joe Friday. F R I D. Yeah, that's right. Michigan 5211. Extension 2521. Right. All right. Thanks again. How about it? He stored the furniture all right. Yeah, they remembered him. Talked to him a couple of weeks ago. Uh huh. Told him to sell everything. We drove out to the storage house and talked to the owner. He said that Schroeder had called them out to pack the furniture and then he ordered it stored. A week later he called back and told them to dispose of all the furnishings and personal effects. We called Schroeder's bank and they told us that there'd been no large withdrawals on the date of her disappearance. Also, she'd drawn no checks since. We got in touch with the other children and verified their sister's story. They all said that the father was hard to live with and had on several occasions struck Mrs. Schroeder. They told us that it was possible that she had left her husband, but that she would certainly have gotten in touch with one of them if she had. They said that as far as they knew, Mrs. Schroeder was in good health and she was in good condition mentally. One of the daughters said that they were planning on a shopping trip to buy school clothes for one of the grandchildren. The woman went on to say that as far as she knew, Mrs. Shorter would not have left without saying something to her about not being able to keep the appointment. We got in touch with Ella Randall. She said that she would like to accompany us when we talked to the neighbors of the Schroeder woman. She said that she could point out our mother's friends and that she would be able to trace her mother's movements about the neighborhood for us. 4:15pm we picked her up. We talked to the neighbors and they told us of hearing loud voices coming from the house. They said that Mr. Schroeder was always angry at his wife and he made no attempt to hide it. 7:30pm we went on to talk to the people who had rented the Shorter home. Come on in. Thank you very much. Mr. Armstrong. It's my partner, Frank Smith. Mrs. Randall? Yes. Mrs. Randall, I've met before. How are you, Mrs. Randall?

[Frank Smith]

How are you, Mr. Armstrong?

[Joe Friday]

Well, what's this all about? We'd like to ask you some questions about the Schroeder's if we could. Well, Mrs. Randall here would be able to answer them better for you. They're her parents. Well, yes. We'd like some information from you though, if we could. All right, go ahead. I don't think there's much I can tell you. Did you see Mrs. Schroeder when you rented the house? No. Come to think about it, I didn't. Mr. Schroeder talked about her, but I didn't see her when we took the house. Uh huh. How'd Mr. Schroeder act when you rented the place? I Don't think I understand. Well, did he seem upset? Anything at all unusual about him? As a matter of fact, there was. What was that, sir? The house was kind of old, you know, paint missing from some of the woodwork, Some of the paper was a little faded. And we asked him if he planned to fix it up before we moved it. You know, if he'd flip the bill. Yes, sir, we understand right away. I kind of expected an argument. He just seemed like that kind of a guy, you know, who wouldn't spend a nickel. He didn't have to. Mm. Wasn't like that. A smile. Said anything that we wanted, he'd have done real nice. Sure hasn't caused us any trouble. Of course, there's no reason for him to. We pay the rent on time, take care of the lawn, the flowers. I think we're pretty good tenants.

[Frank Smith]

Sure is a difference. Never looked like this when we lived here. I remember that Mama would ask him to paint the place a little. Always raised the roof. Said there wasn't any reason to do it. Said to wait until the kids were grown and appreciated a house.

[Joe Friday]

Not like that with us.

[Frank Smith]

Well, he was with his own family even when we were gone. After we left the house, he said that there wasn't any reason to fix the place up. Said that Mama and him were the only people who ever saw the inside of it. And it didn't matter to them.

[Joe Friday]

Like I said. Couldn't ask for a better landlord.

[Frank Smith]

Well, I. I kind of hate to ask this.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Frank Smith]

Well, I. I wondered if. If I could see the rest of the house, I'd. I'd kind of like to see what he did to it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, I guess it's okay. It won't take too long. I gotta eat pretty quick. Got a bowl tonight. Team's playing the league championship tonight.

[Frank Smith]

Just a look. I won't keep you.

[Joe Friday]

Don't. Keefe. Well, you know the house? Yes, it's the living room. Bedrooms are down the hall. This dining room.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, pretty paper. It made Mama so happy to have this.

[Joe Friday]

Here's a bath.

[Frank Smith]

All new tile. Just beautiful.

[Joe Friday]

Damn, makes it nice. It's a master bedroom.

[Frank Smith]

This was Papa's room. Sure is nice. Look at the pretty curtains.

[Joe Friday]

Those are ours. We said we'd put drapes in every one of them. But Sally, it's a wife, she likes curtains. Uh huh.

[Frank Smith]

We do too.

[Joe Friday]

Use this for the oldest boy.

[Frank Smith]

This was Mama's room. Oh, it's just beautiful. That's a beautiful carpet.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, he put that in too. Didn't even have to Ask for that. It's own idea.

[Frank Smith]

Wall to wall carpeting. Mama always wanted it.

[Joe Friday]

The only room in the house that has it. Do you have a cellar in this house, Mr. Armstrong? Yeah, we use it for the freezer. Sally puts up canned goods in the summer. Keep them down there. I wonder if we could see it, please. Sure. But there isn't any change down there. He didn't do anything to sell her. Yes, sir. It's all right though. We'd like to see it. Oh, sure like to make it fast. So I gotta eat, you know. Yes, sir, we understand. It won't take very long here. Treasure down this way. Had to run electricity down there for the freezer. I guess he'd have done it, but it was just an extension cord. What about having it done permanently? With no real reason to. I understand. I'll go ahead and get the light. Yes, sir. You Wanna wait here, Ms. Randall?

[Frank Smith]

Why?

[Joe Friday]

Well, no reason, ma'. Am. We just thought it might be better.

[Frank Smith]

Well, all right. I'll wait in the living room.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Thank you. Come on, Frank. Yeah. Not very big. Just real enough with a freezer and a few shelves. Uh huh. Cement floor, huh? Yeah. Frank. Yeah? I'm gonna swing that light up here. I wanna check something here.

[Frank Smith]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

What's this room under Mr. Armstrong? I mean, what's above it? Let's see, that'd be the master bedroom about there. Uh huh. The room next would begin there. That'd be Mrs. Schroeder's room, wouldn't it? From what Mrs. Randall said, yeah. Uh huh. You got a piece of paper, sir? I like to get up on the freezer. I don't want to scratch it here. Why? Something you want? Well, I just like to look. Have a piece of paper, cardboard, anything cloth. I don't see any. Go ahead. Just don't scrunch your feet around. He'll be all right. Frank, Swing the lighter. Aren't we? Yeah. What is it, Joe? I'm not sure. You got your flash? Yeah. Here you go. Okay. What is it? What do you see up there? I better call the crime lab and get him out here. What is it? Seeped through the flooring up there? Yeah. Looks like blood. You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action. All over America, smokers are changing to Chesterfield because Chesterfield is the first and only cigarette with premium quality throughout in both regular and king size. King size Chesterfield contains tobacco is a better quality and higher price than any other king size cigarette. Well, that's certainly important to every King Size smoker. Of course, it's the same fine tobacco as in regular Chesterfield. So remember, the modern way to sell cigarettes is the Chesterfield way. First and only cigarette with premium quality throughout in both regular and king size Chesterfield is much milder. Chesterfield is best for you. 8:14pm the crime lab was called and they came out to go over the place. A benzidine test was run on the stains and it was proved that they were blood stains. The carpet in the bedroom was removed and additional stains were uncovered. Frank and I checked the cellar floor, but it was solid. There was no evidence that any part of it had been torn up. A preliminary check was made of the yard, but we found nothing. The next morning at 7:58am we called the crime lab. They'd finished their investigation and told us that the stains were made by human blood. 8:10am Frank and I drove out to the house to continue our investigation. Boy, it's gonna be a scorcher. Yeah, it looks that way. Did you check that corner of the yard over there? Yeah. Doesn't look like anything's been disturbed. Well, let's talk to the neighbors again. There's got to be an inch or something. Okay. You know, I'm gonna tell Faye to get me some of those shirts with the holes in them. What do you mean, holes in them? You know, like they were back east. Little bitty holes between the material. That way you don't get so hot. Yeah. Wait a minute. Joe. What? There's something on the grass over there by the rose bed. Probably a locket or something. One of the kids drop the toy maybe? Yeah. I'll get it. Give it back to Armstrong. What do you got? Piece of dental bridge work. Looks like it's been in a fire. The crime lab was called and they went over the backyard. They checked the incinerator, and under a large heap of ashes, they found several pieces of bone. They took a sample of the ash back to the lab to examine it. We got in touch with the daughter, Mrs. Randall. We got the address of Mrs. Schroeder's dentist. Frank and I drove out to talk to him. We showed him the piece of dental bridge work that we'd found, and he identified it as positively belonging to Mrs. Schroeder. He showed us the card from his files which gave the date that he'd installed the bridge. 11:56am we called the crime lab and Lt. Lee Jones told us that the ash and the particles of bone that he'd recovered could be of human origin. 12:15pm we drove out to the apartment and took Henry Schroeder into custody. We talked to him in the interrogation room. I don't understand all this. None of it makes any sense. Well, it's pretty simple, Schroeder. Simple? You say that I killed Bertha and you say it's simple. How can you say that? Why do you say that? You must have a reason. I told you all I know. A couple of things you didn't tell the truth about, sir. Why? You said that just before your wife left you, she made a large withdrawal from your account, didn't you? That's right, she did. She did take some money. Well, in checking your bank account, we found no record of any such withdrawal. You've got no right to go through my bank account. You've got no right. This is a murder investigation, Schroeder. We've got a right to clear it up. But she did take the money. She did. You've got to believe me. It's a little hard to do, Schroeder. Since your wife disappeared, she hasn't drawn any money out of your account. Before that, she drew checks to pay the local store bills. Now, how do you explain that? I can't. I can't. I don't know what you're trying to say. I don't know what you're trying to get me to say. We're trying to get you to say the truth, that's all.

[Frank Smith]

But I am.

[Joe Friday]

I am. You said you put all the furniture from your house in storage. Now, is that right? Yes, I said that. You said you wanted to keep it in case your wife came back and you two started all over again. Yes, that's the truth. We checked the storage company. They told us you called them and ordered everything sold. Told them to sell it as soon as possible. Now, how do you explain that? You're getting me so confused, I can't think. We checked the house, the one where you and your wife lived. We found blood stains, Lots of. They're human blood. I, I don't know. I don't know. People who live there now said that you put a carpet over the floor. Only room in the house that has a carpet. I say it was your idea. I can't think. I, I, I don't know what you're saying. Well, here's a report. Here. Take a look at it. It's a list of the things we found in your incinerator. Things that were burned. Now, do you want to read it or you want me to read it to you? How about it, Schroeder? Charlie. I didn't mean it. 30 years. 30 years married. I didn't mean to do it. I came home late, real late. I'd been drinking. We had words. I hit her. I don't know what happened. I knew what I was doing. I kept hitting her. And she was dead. I didn't mean to do it. I didn't mean to. But she turned the kids against me. Turned everybody against me. Thirty years, Mary. She turned everybody against me. I'm afraid you got it wrong, mister. Huh? You did that yourself. The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On December 10, 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. Now here is our star, Jack Webb. Thank you, George Feniman. Friends, remember this Chesterfield is the first and only cigarette with premium quality throughout in both regular and king size. And Chesterfield is a cigarette that gives scientific evidence of real smoking pleasure. So try Chesterfield's today. Either way, regular or king size, Chesterfield is much milder. Chesterfield is best for you. Henry Rudolph Schroeder was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. He was executed in the lethal gas chamber at 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 Monty Wynn, Sergeant Van Spracher. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, June Whitley, Harry Bartel. Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schumann. Hell, give me speaking. This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. You chose to hit play on this podcast today. Smart choice. Make another smart choice with Auto Quote Explorer to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies all at once. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates not available in all states or situations. Prices vary based on how you buy. Marketing is hard, but I'll tell you a little secret. It doesn't have to be. Let me point something out. You're listening to a podcast right now and it's great. You love the host. You seek it out and download it. You listen to it while driving, working out, cooking, even going to the bathroom. Podcasts are a pretty close companion. And this is a podcast ad. Did I get your attention? You can reach great listeners like yourself with podcast advertising from Libsyn Ads. Choose from hundreds of top podcasts offering host endorsements or run a pre produced ad like this one across thousands of shows to reach your target audience in their favorite podcasts with Libsyn Ads, go to Libsyn ads.com that's L I B S Y N ads.com today.