THE BIG WANT AD and THE BIG SHOPLIFT

Summary

Podcast Summary: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers Episode: The Big Want Ad and The Big Shoplift
Date: August 12, 2026

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Overview

This episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers presents two classic Dragnet radio cases: "The Big Want Ad" and "The Big Shoplift." Host Jon Hagadorn curates stories from the golden age of radio, featuring hard-boiled detectives solving intricate crimes. In these two cases, Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero work through two distinct capers in 1950s Los Angeles: a sophisticated auto theft ring that preys on private car sellers, and an elusive wave of shoplifting in upscale department stores. Both stories unfold with methodical investigative work, leading to dramatic and emotionally charged conclusions.

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Case 1: "The Big Want Ad" (Auto Theft Ring)

Main Theme

An organized gang is stealing cars from private citizens by posing as legitimate used car buyers, using forged company checks and a polished routine.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Victims and Modus Operandi

• Innocent private citizens are targeted after placing car sale want ads in local papers.
• The gang's approach is systematic:
  • A frontman (posing as a buyer for a reputable car lot) offers the asking price and leaves a small deposit with a seemingly legitimate (but forged) company check.
  • Later, an "employee" of the same car lot picks up the car and leaves a forgery for the full payment.
  • The cars—and the thieves—vanish.

Police Investigation

• Sgt. Joe Friday and Sgt. Ben Romero interview Mrs. Palmer, a recent victim, who provides thorough descriptions of both suspects and details of their scheme.
  [03:06] Mrs. Palmer: "He gave me a check for $50, sort of a down payment to hold the car for him. It was a certified company check."
• The detectives confirm this method matches numerous recent thefts across Los Angeles.
• Leads include:
  • Tracing the source of forged checks and business cards.
  • Attempting to intercept future thefts by warning parties who place weekend want ads.
  • Tracking down the suspects through social connections and a break in the case involving a cocktail lounge regular, Frank Curtis.

Break in the Case

• Investigation widens when a suspect’s wife, Betty Newhall, is found after being reported for drunk and disorderly conduct with her injured child. This personal crisis prompts her to reveal the names, addresses, and operations of the auto theft gang. [20:05] Betty Newhall: "Car business. I knew what he was doing."
• The ring's mastermind, Joseph Newhall (alias Henderson), is arrested after a hotel raid where evidence of the fraud is found. [23:30] Sgt. Romero: “Two full pads... Company check. Dan Barton's used car.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [05:14] Sgt. Romero: "They've been cheating people who can least afford it."
• [23:47] Sgt. Friday: "Well, you better learn a lesson, mister. Next time you fight, don't pick a 10 year old."

Resolution & Sentencing

• Newhall and his associates are found guilty of grand theft and forgery. His wife is convicted as an accomplice. [25:53] Narrator: "Henderson, alias Newhall, was tried and convicted...grand theft and forgery..."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:30]: Mrs. Palmer interview and scam description.
• [07:16]: Detectives trace source of forged checks.
• [11:24]: Connection made via Frank Curtis and cocktail lounge lead.
• [15:49]: Disappearance of Mrs. Betty Newhall.
• [18:45]: Betty Newhall found; provides details on crooks.
• [22:51]: Arrest at hotel and confession.
• [25:53]: Case resolution and sentencing.

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Case 2: "The Big Shoplift" (Wave of High-End Shoplifting)

Main Theme

A mysterious wave of shoplifting hits high-end stores in Los Angeles, with the detectives facing a case lacking pattern, leads, or suspects—until a psychological twist emerges.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

Store Investigations and Suspicions

• A high-end department store, Anthony's, reports its most expensive item yet stolen: a silver blue mink stole. [30:56] Mr. Elliott: "Silver blue mink stole, satin lining...complete description of it for you."
• Rising losses focus suspicion on employee Dorothy Kirkman, whose transfer within the store coincides with increased losses in each department. She denies involvement and leaves for a new job.

Widening Inquiry

• Detectives check Kirkman's story and keep her under surveillance but find no solid evidence against her.
• The missing fur is unexpectedly found abandoned at a bus depot, creating confusion. Witnesses describe a tall, attractive blonde woman as the one who abandoned the parcel.

Emergence of a New Suspect

• More stolen goods appear discarded in various public places (vacant lots, hotel lobbies), hinting at a psychological dimension.
• Investigators identify Mrs. Virginia Sterling, the wife of a Beverly Hills surgeon and a "fine customer" at every affected store, as matching the witness descriptions. She is confronted but initially denies everything.

Psychological Confession

• Mrs. Sterling ultimately confesses, revealing a lifelong struggle with kleptomania stemming from loneliness and the need to feel significant. [52:43] Mrs. Sterling: "It always means so much to me, taking things, not being caught...Things I took, they never meant anything to me. Just taking them..."
• Her confession is poignant; her emotional isolation is underscored as the detectives wait for her husband to arrive. [54:25] Mrs. Sterling: "No, I'm alone. He's alone. It'll never be all right anymore."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [36:47] Dorothy Kirkman: "The only thing I ever took home from that store was my paycheck."
• [53:55] Mrs. Sterling: "There ought to be an answer someplace. There isn't anything worse than being alone, is there?"
• [54:42] Sgt. Friday: "But you won't be alone anymore."

Resolution & Sentencing

• Mrs. Sterling is convicted on multiple counts of grand theft. [55:55] Narrator: "Misses Virginia Sterling was tried and convicted on several counts of grand theft..."

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [30:02]: Store manager Mr. Elliott details the shoplifting problem.
• [35:47]: Interview with Dorothy Kirkman.
• [39:31]: Recovery of the fur at the bus depot.
• [43:15]: Theory arises of kleptomania; unusual disposal of stolen goods.
• [46:04]: Mrs. Sterling is identified, background established.
• [48:44]: Mrs. Sterling confronted.
• [51:00 - 54:51]: Mrs. Sterling's emotional confession and police empathy.
• [55:55]: Adjudication and wrap-up.

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Memorable Character Moments

• Mrs. Palmer's preparedness and detailed diary help the police significantly.
• Mrs. Sterling’s deeply human and vulnerable confession contrasts with the cold calculation of the auto theft gang, illustrating different faces of crime.

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Conclusion

These two stories from Dragnet, as featured on 1001 Radio Crime Solvers, exemplify the slow, methodical puzzle-solving of classic police work and the complexity behind both criminal schemes and the individuals who commit them. The first case focuses on cunning fraudsters exploiting trust, while the second explores the personal anguish and compulsion behind a theft spree. Together, they remind listeners that justice is both procedural and personal, involving not just law but humanity.

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Recommended Listening for:
Fans of detective fiction, crime procedural enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the human stories behind vintage radio drama.

Find more episodes at:
1001storiespodcast.com

Transcript

[Narrator]

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 to auto theft detail. A gang of criminals masquerading as legitimate auto dealers start to work in your city.

[Sergeant Friday]

Innocent people are cheated out of thousands of doll. The thieves are clever. They work a foolproof formula. Your job, Stop them,

[Narrator]

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.

[Sergeant Friday]

It was Tuesday, February 19th. It was chilly in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of auto theft. My partner's Ben Romero, the boss is Captain Nelson, and my name's Friday. We were on the way out from the office and it was 10:25am when we got to the corner of 38th street and Maxbury Avenue. The Greenleaf Day Nursery School.

[Sergeant Romero]

Mrs. Palmer, is that right?

[Sergeant Friday]

I think so. Just a minute. I got her written down. Yeah.

[Sergeant Romero]

Mm. Excuse me, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am. Look at. Hello, Policeman, partner, man outside.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Oh, yeah, Tom. Going to get all about it. Is that it?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. We've been handling similar complaints the last month or so. We'd like to have you tell us everything that happened in your case, if you would, please.

[Mrs. Palmer]

One of the most underhanded things I've ever heard of, Sergeant. It would have been the same thing if he'd held me up with a gun. Just out and out. Robbery.

[Sergeant Romero]

Could you give us some of the details, ma', am, how you were first approached on the deal.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Excuse me a minute, please, children. Time to go inside now. We're going to color pictures with the crayons this morning. Mrs. Johnson has them all ready for you inside. Bruce, Michael, Sandra, go along now. Inside, everyone. Certainly. We're so warm, weathered. Hurry up and come. Children always raise such an uproar. We have to keep them indoors. Worst part of running a day nursery, the winter months.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma', am.

[Sergeant Romero]

I suppose.

[Sergeant Friday]

About your automobile, Ms. Palmer. We understand you had it up for sale. You advertised one of the local newspapers.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Yes, that's right. I ran one of those three day want ads over the weekend. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I thought I'd get more for my car if I sold it myself. I mean, instead of selling it to a used car lot.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Am.

[Sergeant Friday]

How many answers did you get on your wantabs?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Well, just the One way it turned out, this man came out and looked at my car first thing in the morning. He offered to pay me exactly what I was asking for it. So I sold it to him. That's just the way it went.

[Sergeant Romero]

Who was this man, Mrs. Boman? Was he representing some auto company?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Yes, he said he was anyway. Gave his name as Joseph Newhall. I've got his card inside. Said he was a buyer for Dan Barton's Used Car Lot on South Cap Street. Nicely dressed man. He made it all seem so honest.

[Sergeant Romero]

How was the deal arranged? Could you tell us? I mean, transfer the car payment and so forth?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Well, he gave me a check for $50, sort of a down payment to hold the car for him. It was a certified company check.

[Sergeant Romero]

I see.

[Mrs. Palmer]

He told me he'd be back that afternoon with a certified check for the full amount of the car, $800.

[Sergeant Friday]

Did he take your car with him then?

[Mrs. Palmer]

No, he didn't. That's why I had no reason to be suspicious. He left me the check for $50 and said he beat her with the money. Said in the meantime, one of the employees from the used car lot might be along to pick up the car to save me the trouble of driving it downtown myself.

[Sergeant Romero]

Same mo, Joe, all the way?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah, looks like it. Well, how did it go after that, Ms. Palmer?

[Mrs. Palmer]

This worker from the used car lot came to the house to pick up the car about one o' clock that afternoon. Gave me a check for the full amount of the car and I gave him the pink slip. Had a pair of white coveralls on, lettering on the back of him. Dan Barton Juice Cars. Looked like a typical mechanic or something. I wasn't the least bit suspicious.

[Sergeant Friday]

How about the buyer, this Joseph Newhall, did he show up later in the day?

[Mrs. Palmer]

No, he never came back. I've never seen him since. Haven't seen my car either. I call that Dan Barton Juice Car Lot. The next morning, they told me they never heard of Joseph Newhall. Just made me sick, Officer. I can't afford to lose the money I had in that car.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma', am.

[Sergeant Romero]

We understand. The same things happen to a dozen people like you around the city.

[Sergeant Friday]

Do you remember what this man Newhall looked like, Ms. Palmer? His physical description, maybe? The clothes he was wearing?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Yes, I've got it all written down, Sergeant, in my diary. Would you like to step inside, please? I've got my little office at the back of the school here.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right, thank you very much.

[Mrs. Palmer]

I always make a record of everything in my diary. I've kept going Ever since I was a girl in college, every day.

[Sergeant Romero]

I suppose you've got all the information on your car? The make, license number, things like that?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Oh, yes, indeed. I got everything together I thought might help you. Right up these stairs, please.

[Sergeant Friday]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Romero]

Go ahead.

[Sergeant Friday]

How about the description of the man in overalls? The one who came to pick up your car? Would you remember him, ma'?

[Sergeant Romero]

Am?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Yes, I've got that for you too. Everything I thought would help. Just have a seat there, officers. I've got the things in my desk here.

[Sergeant Romero]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Friday]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Palmer]

I wouldn't mind the whole thing so much, but as I say, I can't afford to lose the cash. I had tied up my car.

[Sergeant Romero]

That seems to be the way the thieves operate, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Romero]

They've been cheating with people who can least afford it.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Terrible thing, just out and out robbery. There you are, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Friday]

Thank you, ma'.

[Sergeant Romero]

Am.

[Mrs. Palmer]

There's the description of my car. License number, all the rest.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, that's right.

[Mrs. Palmer]

And here's the description of the two men, Joseph, all the coveralls who picked up my car.

[Sergeant Romero]

Have you got that deposit check? New or gave him his. Palmer, the check for fifth dollar.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Right here, Sergeant. I saw that company about at Dan Barton's used car lot. It's a forgery. Not worth the paper it's printed on.

[Sergeant Romero]

I love you.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah, same as the other.

[Mrs. Palmer]

One thing I don't understand how those crooks get these checks to begin with. Did they steal them?

[Sergeant Friday]

No, ma'. Am. We figured they had them printed up. We're still trying to find out where.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Well, you know what the men look like. You'll be able to find them now, won't you?

[Sergeant Romero]

Only wish it worked that way, ma'.

[Frank Curtis]

Am.

[Sergeant Romero]

We've had good descriptions on both men for a month now. Hasn't helped too much.

[Mrs. Palmer]

I don't understand it at all. As I say, they're only common crooks. They can't be that smart, can they?

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, there's only one way we can judge. We've been hunting every day for a month now.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Yeah, there's still.

[Sergeant Friday]

In the space of 33 days, the auto theft gang had victimized a dozen private citizens throughout the city. In each instance, the approach and the method of operation had been the same. The front man for the gang would personally answer a want ad inserted in the local newspaper by a private citizen advertising the sale of his automobile. The frontman would represent himself falsely as a buyer for Dan Barton's used car lot. A well known and legitimate used car dealer, he'd offer to pay exactly the sale price which the private party was asking as a deposit. The so called buyer would leave a counterfeit company check for 50 or $100 with a promise that he would return later in the day with a certified check for the full amount. After a few hours, another man posing as an employee of Dan Barton's youth would call for the car and drive it away. Neither the car nor the so called buyer were ever seen again. All efforts to trace them went for nothing. 11:40am Ben and I went back to the office and got out a broadcast and a supplementary APB on Mrs. Palmer's car and also on the phony car buyer who called himself Joseph Newhall. After lunch we met with Sergeant Lindsay, one of the other four men out of auto theft detail who were working the case with us.

[Sergeant Romero]

How'd you make out this morning? Army. That didn't go anywhere at all. Wasn't bad as far as it went. We found the place where they had the printing done.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah, where was that? Small in the Valley.

[Sergeant Romero]

Printed up the phony checks with that heading on it. Dan Barton's used car. Got out some business cards for him too.

[Sergeant Friday]

What was the name? Did you find out?

[Sergeant Romero]

Same one. Joseph Newhall. He ordered the checks and the business cards. Printer described him for us. Same guy. Where'd it go from there? No place. Printer told us Newhall had a car. He couldn't give us a license number. Couldn't even remember the make of the body style. Thought it was a late model car. It's about all that's.

[Sergeant Friday]

Not much else.

[Sergeant Romero]

No address on him either.

[Sergeant Friday]

With a will call order, paid for in cash. This is if Newhall comes back? Uh huh.

[Sergeant Romero]

Yeah, it's covered. I don't figure there's much chance Newhall's gonna do that. You ordered enough checks printed up the first time? Last him a year. Well, I guess that's one lead we can forget. How about that special run the stats office made for us yesterday? Anything come out of that?

[Sergeant Friday]

No, nothing. All the possibles on the list were checked out, all of them clear. Nothing from Barton's used car lot either. Everybody on their staff's been checked out. All their ex employees too. No signing. One of them might have had a hand in it. Yeah.

[Sergeant Romero]

Oh, either of you seen the captain since this morning?

[Sergeant Friday]

No, why?

[Sergeant Romero]

Well, that idea we were talking over at the last meeting.

[Sergeant Friday]

He figures we'll go ahead with it this weekend.

[Sergeant Romero]

How's he figure? I'm working, you know, I'm in personal contact. Yeah, that's right. Most of the private Parties who want to sell their cars themselves use that

[Sergeant Friday]

want ad deal over the weekend.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

They get a special record every Saturday and Sunday.

[Sergeant Friday]

Oh, I know.

[Sergeant Romero]

Thursday night's the deadline for having the

[Sergeant Friday]

ads in if they're going to run the full weekend.

[Sergeant Romero]

And that's when we start working on it.

[Sergeant Friday]

We get in touch with every private party who's filed a want ad for the weekend. Advertising a sale of their car.

[Sergeant Romero]

Yeah, we'll contact them by phone.

[Sergeant Friday]

Every one of them.

[Sergeant Romero]

We advise them that if anybody representing themselves as a buyer for Dan Barton, Hughes Car Lott answers their want ad, they're to get in touch with us right away. If they can't stall the man long enough, we tell them to accept the information on the man the car is driving. It ought to work out if we can get any kind of cooperation. It's gonna be a big job. We'll have to cover all the want ads and all the papers. We've got a good description of that phony buyer. Joseph Newhall. If they planted a want ad in

[Sergeant Friday]

one of the papers, maybe he's the

[Sergeant Romero]

one of the gang who brought the ad in. It's possible one of the ad takers might remember him. Might be worth checking anyway.

[Sergeant Friday]

Could be they might have phoned him. The ad, too. That wouldn't help much.

[Sergeant Romero]

Might as well. It's not foolproof, but it's a different approach. It's a plan. Anyway, we've tried everything else we can

[Sergeant Friday]

think of to reach the thieves. I get it. Auto theft. Party time. Yes, sir. Mm. When was that, Mikey? Yeah, as soon as we can. Thank you. Well, maybe we won't have to wait for the weekend.

[Sergeant Romero]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Friday]

Man out in Echo Park. He runs a candy store out there. He advertised his car for sale in this morning's paper. Said the first one to answer it was a buyer from Dan Barton's used Car lot. Gave his name as Joseph Newall. Looks like the same mo.

[Sergeant Romero]

They make a deal?

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, the candy store owner wouldn't go for the deposit check. He wanted the full amount. Said the deal didn't sound right to him.

[Sergeant Romero]

How does it stand now?

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, Newhall said he'd come back with a check for the full sale price.

[Sergeant Romero]

When?

[Sergeant Friday]

Eight o' clock tonight, 2:20pm we drove out and questioned the candy store owner further. His description of New hall tallied with the others, but again, the potential victim had failed to get any kind of a description of the car Newhall was driving or the license number. Ben and I staked out at the house. 8pm came and went. The suspect failed to show. By midnight, there was still no sign of him. Well, the way it shaped up, Newhall apparently had a policy of making a deal at first contact or forgetting about it. He probably figured that if a person was at all suspicious, the interval would give him time to check. And Newhall wasn't giving away any odds. All day Wednesday, the stakeout went on. No sign of the suspect. On Thursday night, the local newspapers gave us lists of names and phone numbers of all private parties who had ordered want ads for the coming weekend to advertise the sale of an automobile. We divided up the names and six of us took turns on the phones and started calling each party. We warned them about the car theft ring and advised them of what steps to take in the event Joseph Newhall or one of the other gang members approached them with a proposition to buy their car. One of the private parties we Contacted was a Mr. Roy Harmon. Then got on one extra thing we'd prepared. Sergeant Ormsby used the other extension and called another party running an ad.

[Sergeant Romero]

Sergeant or police department auto. How's that?

[Frank Curtis]

Yes.

[Sergeant Romero]

And one of the gang usually goes under the name of Joseph New. Contacted it.

[Frank Curtis]

All

[Sergeant Romero]

right, thank you.

[Sergeant Friday]

What was that all about?

[Sergeant Romero]

A man by the name of Harmon runs a cocktail lounge out on South Cole. He took in a check over the bar last night. Company check from Dan Barton's used car lot says it was signed Joseph Newhall.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, he ought to remember who passed it.

[Sergeant Romero]

He does. I got it right here. A man by the name of Frank Curtis, he's a regular customer at the bar. Harmon says this Curtis came in the place last night with a man in a dark suit, and the man seemed to be a friend of Curtis himself. When I asked him what the friend looked like, he described him. It was Newhall.

[Sergeant Friday]

What about that check business?

[Sergeant Romero]

Harmon says he was standing boy at the time told me this Frank Curtis and Newhall had quite a few drinks together and he ran out of money. Newhall wanted to cash a check, but Harmon said no, he didn't know him. Well, this Frank Curtis is a regular customer at the Barn. He offered to endorse it. So check for New hole. So Harmon said okay, any case.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, how well does Harmon know this customer?

[Sergeant Romero]

He is this Curtis pretty well. Lives across the street for me.

[Sergeant Friday]

We checked Frank Curtis through R and I, but he had no previous criminal record. We left the rest of the list for the other men and Ben and I drove out and talked to Roy Harmon, the owner of the cocktail lounge where the suspect, Joseph Newhall had cashed a check with the help of his friend Frank Curtis. Harmon told the same story he'd given Ben over the phone. Curtis was a longtime neighbor of his and a steady customer at his cocktail lounge. As for Newhall, he'd never set eyes on him until the night before. Harmon gave us the home address of Frank Curtis and we checked it out. Mrs. Curtis answered the door and told us that her husband Frank was working the newly inaugurated night shift at an aircraft plant in the south end of the city. Ben and I drove down to the plant and after checking with the personnel office, we finally located Curtis at his work. He was an assistant foreman and one of the aircraft assistant assembly shops.

[Frank Curtis]

It's the truth, Sergeant Romero. The last time I saw New hall

[Sergeant Friday]

before the years ago used to work

[Frank Curtis]

at a work plant together. Come on. Or anyway. Have you done something? We understand you endorse a check of new hole for $50. You know him that well? I mean, that you'd endorse checks for him? Well, maybe I shouldn't have. Wife's always telling me I ought to be more careful who I'm signing checks for. Well, what happened anyway? Wasn't the check any good?

[Sergeant Friday]

You have any idea where we could find this friend of yours, this New Hall?

[Frank Curtis]

Well, I don't know. During the war, he and his wife lived in this housing project off North Maine. I know they moved from that place, though. As a matter of fact, old Joe didn't tell me where he was living. I gave him my address, told him to drop over for a beer sometime. Don't remember getting his address though. Couldn't tell me what this is about, huh?

[Sergeant Friday]

Just a routine check. We'd like to locate Newhall, that's all. Got a few questions we'd like to ask him, Sir.

[Frank Curtis]

Excuse me. We were to watch it here, Sergeant. Men coming through with that jig. Okay, fellas, straight on through. All clear. Vertical finish on the yellow tree. We're getting busy again, all right. Seems like the old swing ship days all over again. War years. Yeah. You mentioned a minute ago that New hole is married, Ms. Scurvy. Yeah, that's right. What about his wife? Can you tell us anything at all about her? Betty? No, no, I don't think so. Her and Joe seem to get along all right. Got along pretty well, matter of fact. Nice girl, Betty. I never minded her much.

[Sergeant Friday]

Does Newhall have any children? You know that?

[Frank Curtis]

No, no kids. Both of them work, her and Joe. Uh huh.

[Sergeant Friday]

Would you know if Newhall's wife is still working?

[Frank Curtis]

I Don't know. Probably is, but. Yeah. Yeah, matter of fact, she is. Joe happened to mention it the other night when we were talking. Just happened to think of it. Boy, ain't I remember. I asked about Betty and he said she was still working. Same old place. Him old job, that's all. Where is this place she works? Do you know? Yeah. City Hall.

[Sergeant Friday]

We continued questioning Frank Curtis and he told us that to the best of his knowledge, the suspect's wife, Betty Newhall, had a civil service rating. And that she'd worked as a file clerk in the record room of one of the bureaus in the municipal. The next morning, Ben and I got in touch with the civil service officials at the City Hall. They got out a tracer on the wife of the suspect. 11:20am I got it. Auto theft, Friday. Yes, sir. How's that? I didn't hear when. Yeah, I see. Yes, sir. Right. We'll check with you in about an hour. Bye. I don't know why we always have to do it the hard way. Well, I'm always a call back on Newhall's wife. Most of it checks out just the way Curtis told us.

[Sergeant Romero]

What's the run?

[Sergeant Friday]

Betty Newhall quit her job a month ago. Hasn't been around, hasn't been seen since. Civil Service can't even come contact her.

[Sergeant Romero]

What's the deal?

[Sergeant Friday]

She moved. No forwarding address, Not a trace of her.

[Mrs. Palmer]

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[Narrator]

Knx 1070 news radio,

[Sergeant Friday]

Saturday, February 23rd. The strongest lead we'd had to the auto theft gang began to fade. Mrs. Betty Newhall, the wife of our principal suspect, wasn't to be found. We checked out all our known friends and relatives, the places she was known to frequent.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

There wasn't a trace of her.

[Sergeant Friday]

Then got all the available information on her from the Civil Service office. And we got out of broadcast in the supplementary all points bulletin. We Found out she had a 10 year old school. So we checked with the Board of Education to see if the boy was registered in one of the city schools. He wasn't listed. Still no response. We stayed honest in the meantime. The weekend was wearing past the halfway point. The other two teams of men working the case were standing by. But apparently none of the private parties who were running want ads over the weekend advertising the sale of an automobile had been approached yet by either Joseph Newhall or some other member of the gang. If they did make a contact, it hadn't been reported. Saturday night. Still no response. 8:50pm, Ben and I had some supper at Johnny Coken's place and then we went back to the office.

[Sergeant Romero]

Not a bad meal at all, huh?

[Sergeant Friday]

Pretty fair for a Saturday night.

[Mr. Elliott]

Good soup.

[Sergeant Romero]

Yeah, there's nothing like that corn chowder Johnny puts out. It's the best.

[Sergeant Friday]

Sure we should do something about that coffee. Like taking a shot of adrenaline, isn't it?

[Sergeant Romero]

It is. Pretty strong, isn't? Excuse me. Maybe that's what's giving me this heartburn.

[Sergeant Friday]

Where's Armsby? I thought he was covering.

[Sergeant Romero]

So did I. He was here when I left. Joe. Ben.

[Sergeant Friday]

Hi. Army. Thought we lost you.

[Sergeant Romero]

I'm taking a call from Hollywood Division. Good piece of news.

[Sergeant Friday]

What's that?

[Sergeant Romero]

U Haul's wife. They found her

[Sergeant Friday]

at approximately 25 minutes past 8 that night. A dark haired woman in her late 30s had brought a young boy into a pharmacy in the Hollywood area. Apparently the woman had been drinking, but she was not intoxicated. The young boy with her, whom she identified as a 10 year old son, was badly cut and bruised about the face and head. The woman insisted that the pharmacist on duty treat the boy and attend to his injuries. After arguing with the woman, the pharmacist called the Hollywood Receiving Hospital. An ambulance was dispatched and the boy and his mother for retreatment at Hollywood Receiving. The woman gave her name as Betty Harrison and her son's name was George Harrison. But a routine identification check by officers next door at the Hollywood Division station disclosed her true name as Mrs. Betty Newhall. The desk sergeant ordered her held for interrogation and notified our office immediately. 9:30pm Ben and I arrived at the Hollywood Division.

[Sergeant Romero]

Your boy George, Mrs. Newhall, how did he happen to get beat up like that? Pretty bad for a little fellow.

[Mrs. Palmer]

I warned Joe about hitting little George. I told him if he did it again, I'd walk out. Well, I did walk out. I don't care what happens to him.

[Sergeant Romero]

You mean the boy's father did that to him. Beat him up like that.

[Mrs. Palmer]

He's not George's father. Second marriage. My name is to be Donnelly. I have two kids. One died. When the divorce came through, I got custody of George and I married Joe Newhall.

[Sergeant Friday]

You know why we're looking for your husband in his new hall?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Yeah, I think so.

[Sergeant Friday]

Why do you think so?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Car business. I knew what he was doing.

[Sergeant Romero]

Do you have any idea at all where we can find your husband?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Not sure. He might be a lot of places. Just can't get over what he did to George.

[Sergeant Friday]

No reason at all.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Ken came home and asked if he could go to the show. Husband got up and slapped him. Been drinking? Quite a bit. He hit the kid with his closed fist. Kept hitting him. A grown man slugging a 10 year old kid like that. I don't care about any man where George is concerned. Nobody's gonna treat a kid of mine like that.

[Sergeant Romero]

You said you knew about your husband's dealing in the car business, Mrs. Newhall. How much do you know about it?

[Mrs. Palmer]

I didn't have any part of it, I can tell you that much. It was his idea from the beginning. My husband's got the men together to work the racket. He made all the plans, he gave all the orders.

[Sergeant Friday]

How is it you quit your job at the City hall in such a hurricane?

[Mrs. Palmer]

My husband's idea. I guess he thought if anything happened, he didn't want to be traced that easy. Then he had to go and get drunk that night, cash that check. He always did stupid things like that.

[Sergeant Friday]

How about the gang your husband has working with him, Ms. Newhall? Can you tell us anything about them?

[Mrs. Palmer]

Yes, I can. Police all is working with him. I know of Stedman and Curry, Reese and Jack Whitmore. Maybe there's someone else besides them but I don't know of.

[Sergeant Romero]

You know where these men live, ma'?

[Sergeant Friday]

Am?

[Sergeant Romero]

Where we can find them?

[Mrs. Palmer]

I think I do. Yeah. I got the addresses at home this time. They're probably on there.

[Sergeant Romero]

I didn't know the places they were supposed to be staying.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Yeah, I got the addresses at home.

[Sergeant Friday]

How about the cars they got on this deal? They were working. What are they doing with them? Do you know that?

[Mrs. Palmer]

I don't know for sure. They were moving them east, I think. Selling them back there.

[Sergeant Romero]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Palmer]

Am. I do always get that the marriage of jealousy hands could be for they didn't like kids, they didn't want to have a home. Why'd they have to be that way?

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, I'd like to ask you something

[Mrs. Palmer]

if I could, yeah.

[Sergeant Friday]

Why'd you marry him? 10:43pm we stopped at the New hall apartment on the way back to the City hall, called the office and arranged for a stakeout. The wife of the suspect, Betty Newhall, gave us the names and addresses of the people she knew to be working with her husband, Joseph Newhall, and the auto theft gang. She had no information to offer on the cars they might be driving. When we got to the office, we took a complete statement from Mrs. New hall and then she was booked in at the main jail on suspicion of Grand Theft Auto. 1109pm Together with Wilson and Ormsby, we started checking out the addresses of the gang members. Our first two stops we got nothing. On our last two, we did a little better. We picked up a Jack Whitmore, Curly Reese and a Carl Steadman, three of the names which Mrs. Newhall had mentioned. We took them downtown and booked him in at the main jail. That still left the principal suspect, Joseph Newhall, unaccounted for. At 1:45am the next morning, we got a tip as to his whereabouts. A small hotel on East First Street. We checked it out. The man answering New Hall's description was registered in room 209 on the second floor. We got a pass key from the room clerk on duty and started up the stairs.

[Sergeant Romero]

209. Down this way.

[Sergeant Friday]

Gilbert. Yeah.

[Sergeant Romero]

Seven.

[Sergeant Friday]

Here we are. See if we can get a rise, huh? Yeah,

[Frank Curtis]

yeah,

[Sergeant Romero]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Friday]

Police officers. I'd hold it there. Sit down, then. Yeah. Hey, what is this? What's this all about? You generally sleep with your clothes on, New Hall?

[Sergeant Romero]

Look, I don't know what you're talking about. What is this, shakedown? He's clean, Joe. I'll take his bag. And I'll stay out of those things. You haven't got any right breaking in here like this, going through my property.

[Sergeant Friday]

Let's relax, New Hall. It won't take long.

[Sergeant Romero]

Two full pads of them, Joe. Find them in his suitcases. Company check. Dan Barton's used car.

[Sergeant Friday]

We talked to your friends, mister. We got one side of the story. You want to come downtown, give us yours.

[Sergeant Romero]

You get nothing from me. Not unless you're my lawyer. You can't hold me on any charges. Grand theft auto, New Hall. We got the witnesses, we got the evidence. If you got something to say, say it. If you have them, we'll get along downtown. You haven't got anything on you. Haven't got enough to hold me an hour.

[Sergeant Friday]

We're going to give it a try for a full five hours. We Questioned new hall both at the hotel and later downtown in the interrogation room. And after five hours of questioning, he finally broke and admitted being the mastermind behind the auto theft racket.

[Sergeant Romero]

Your true name is Joseph Woodard Newhall, is that right? Yeah, that's it. You can't blame the whole setup on me though. My wife had a hand in it just as much as I did.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, we've already got her. Still, you want to give us yours.

[Sergeant Romero]

She's just as much to blame as I am. We didn't hurt anybody anyway. Just a con deal, that's all. We didn't hurt anybody. How do you figure that? Well, just a simple con deal.

[Sergeant Friday]

People advertising their cars for sale or

[Sergeant Romero]

trying to cheat out a few bucks for themselves. We just out figured them, that's all.

[Sergeant Friday]

We ready to dictate a statement for us?

[Sergeant Romero]

You know, we out figured you two. You'd never reached us.

[Sergeant Friday]

If it wasn't for my wife, we'd reach you.

[Sergeant Romero]

Not in 30 years, you wouldn't. Where'd you go in circles? Just one hitch. Wife and that stupid kid. Hers just because I slapped him around a little. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, you better learn a lesson, mister.

[Sergeant Romero]

Why?

[Sergeant Friday]

Next time you fight, don't pick a 10 year old.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On May 29, trial was held in Superior Court Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. A check of his fingerprints revealed that Joseph Newhall's true name was Joseph Orin Henderson and that he had a previous record of forgery and burglary in the state of South Carolina. Henderson, alias Newhall, was tried and convicted along with his associates in the Auto Theft gang on eight counts of grand theft and forgery of a fictitious check. They receive sentences as prescribed by law. Grand theft is punishable by imprisonment for not less than one or more than 10 years. Forgery of a fictitious check is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year or in the state penitentiary for not more than 14 years. The wife, Betty Newhall, was convicted as an accomplice and was sentenced to served one year in the county jail.

[Sergeant Friday]

Ladies and gentlemen, our security and the peace of the world are in danger.

[Narrator]

While hundreds of millions behind the Iron Curtain are victims of vicious lies about

[Sergeant Friday]

the United States and other free nations. Join the crusade for freedom through your

[Narrator]

local crusade Committee or by writing to General Clay, Empire State Building, New York City.

[Sergeant Friday]

Make a contribution to its work. Help truth fight communism. Join the crusade for freedom.

[Narrator]

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. Fatima cigarettes, Best of all King size

[Sergeant Friday]

cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles.

[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Fatima cigarettes, Best of all, King size cigarettes brings you Dragnet. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a burglary detail. A wave of shoplifting breaks out in your city. There's no pattern to the thief's operation. There are no leads. Weeks pass. The number of thefts keep growing. Your job, stop them. In Fatima, the difference is quality. Confirmed by smokers coast to coast. In Fatima, the difference is quality. Confirmed by latest Fatima sales reports. Yes, Fatima quality. The finest domestic and Turkish tobaccos. Superbly blended to make Fatima extra mild to give you a much different, much better flavor and aroma. So compare Fatima. See for yourself. Why thousands and thousands of king size cigarette smokers are switching to Fatima every day. Enjoy all the advantages of extra length plus Fatima quality, which no other king size cigarette has.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Remember Fatima's cost, the same as the cigarette you're now smoking.

[Narrator]

But in Fatima, the difference is quality. Next time, buy Fatima Best of all king size cigarettes. 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.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

It was Tuesday, August 22nd. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of burglary detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Wisdom. My name's Friday. It was 2:18pm when we got to Anthony's Store for Women. The General Manager's office.

[Sergeant Romero]

Mr. R. Come right in. Thank you. Thank you. My name is Romero, sir. I talk to you on the phone. This is my partner, Sergeant Friday.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

How's you?

[Mr. Elliott]

Certainly glad to see you. Let me get another chair here.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Thank you very much.

[Mr. Elliott]

I haven't had time for my after lunch cigarette yet. Care to join me?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

No, thank you, sir.

[Sergeant Friday]

I got a light?

[Mr. Elliott]

Oh, yeah, thanks. Well, I guess you know what the problem is. No need for me to go all the way back and start from the beginning.

[Sergeant Romero]

I didn't get it quite clear on the phone, Mr. Elliot. When did this last thing come Up.

[Mr. Elliott]

Well, the way we have figured out, it must have happened around closing time yesterday between 5 5:30.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

We figure the store was pretty crowded at that time. Was it?

[Mr. Elliott]

Yeah, it's pretty busy with aspects special pre winter showing in the fur department. No one noticed it was gone till

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

after we'd closed up. Can you give us a description of the piece of merchandise, Mr. Elliott?

[Mr. Elliott]

Yes, you got it right. Complete description, you see. Silver blue mink stole, satin lining, two slash pockets, silver chain fastener. Complete description of it for you.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes.

[Sergeant Romero]

I see.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

These are the code numbers and the serial numbers on it?

[Mr. Elliott]

That's right. The whole thing's getting way out of hand, Sergeant. We had a lot of things lifted from the store the last few weeks, but nothing this big. If this keeps up, I don't see how we're going to get our insurance renewed.

[Sergeant Romero]

I guess your store detectives are working on this latest one, the missing fur.

[Mr. Elliott]

Yes, but it's the same as all the recent cases we've had. They haven't been able to find a thing. All the personnel have been checked. All the people who were around the department when the fur was stolen. I mean those it was possible to check on. As far as we know, they're all clear.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

What were the circumstances of this thing, Mr. Elliot? I mean, was this mink stole on a display rack? Did one of the models have it on? Exactly how was it?

[Mr. Elliott]

Well, it was modeled. Yes. After it was shown to several parties, it was put back in stock. We have a special rack for the stoles. Regular enclosed cabinets, sliding doors on it. Cabinets usually open during store hours. I see. There was a store detective in the department at the time. All those salespeople were standing around. Can't understand why one of them didn't see it happen.

[Sergeant Romero]

Mr. Elliott, you say this is the first time an expensive item like this has been lifted from your store?

[Mr. Elliott]

That's right.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

About the personnel, Mr. Elliott, you say there's been a check made on each one of them since this thing started?

[Mr. Elliott]

Yes, sir, that's correct.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

And there's no reason to be suspicious at all of any one of your people?

[Mr. Elliott]

Well, as a matter of fact, there is one, Sergeant. Sales girl. She was up in five in the sweet 16 shop. Then she was moved down to cosmetics on A street.

[Sergeant Romero]

What is it that makes you suspicious for her?

[Mr. Elliott]

Well, before I say anything, I want to make it perfectly clear to you. We've never had any real proof that there was something wrong there. Dorothy started with us eight years ago. That's a girl's name. Dorothy Kirkman. She came to us right out of high school. She seemed to be doing all right. Got along with the customers, dressed neatly, always on time. And all of a sudden, this shoplifting started. We didn't think there was any connection at first. Thought it was only coincidence.

[Sergeant Romero]

How do you mean?

[Mr. Elliott]

Well, just for instance. Hey, wait a minute. Get the file in there. Right here in the desk. I see.

[Sergeant Romero]

There you are.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Here it is.

[Mr. Elliott]

Out of the first 14 items that disappear, six of them are out of Dorothy Kirkman's department. Right out of her section. Cashmere sweaters, expensive blouses, scarves. As I say, at first we wrote it off to coincidence. But it kept recurring. Her section almost seemed to be the focal point of all the shoplifting. That was at the beginning, of course.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Did you have the Kirkman girl watched, Mr. Elliott?

[Mr. Elliott]

Yes, we did. The department head kept an eye on her. And, Well, I guess Dorothy noticed it. She resented it quite a bit. Had a little spat with the head of the department. We thought it'd be best for everyone if she transferred. So we had to move downstairs to cosmetics.

[Sergeant Romero]

How did that arrangement work out?

[Mr. Elliott]

Well, the first few weeks, fine. And we started missing things out of cosmetics. A lot of it didn't amount to too much. A lot of it did. Makeup kits, expensive perfumes. This time he called her in, tried to talk to her about it in a nice way. She got very resentful.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

She denied knowing anything about it. Is that it?

[Frank Curtis]

Yeah.

[Mr. Elliott]

She got very upset. Plus, there is one thing I will say. The items are. Cosmetics are on display all over the counter. It's easy for anybody to pick them up. The fact still remains that stealing began in her department upstairs. She moves over to cosmetics, and all of a sudden the loss is increased there. What would you figure?

[Sergeant Romero]

Yes, sir, I see what you mean.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Wonder if you could have somebody point out this Dorothy Kirkman for us? Mr. Elliot, I think maybe we'd better have a talk with her.

[Mr. Elliott]

I'd like to help you, Sergeant. I'm afraid that's not possible.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Oh?

[Sergeant Friday]

How do you mean?

[Mr. Elliott]

She quit last Saturday.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

We got all the information available on Dorothy Kirkman from the store's personnel files. And then we called the office and gave him a description of the stolen fur. We asked them to check the Kirkman girl through R And I. She had no previous criminal record. Before we left the store, we went to the fur department, talked to all the sales people concerned. But we were unable to come up with anything new regarding the theft of the silver blue mink stole. We drove out to Dorothy Kirkman's last known address. She wasn't at home, but her mother was. The mother told us that the day before her daughter had started on a new job as a sales girl at the House of Raymond, an exclusive shop specializing in all types of cosmetics.

[Sergeant Friday]

We checked the phone book and found

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

that the House of Raymond was located in the same 10 block stretch along Wilshire Boulevard where the shoplifting campaign was going on. It was one of the few places along there that the thieves hadn't bothered. It was three blocks from Anthony's Store for Women, the Kirkman girls. Former place of employment. 4:05pm we located her behind one of the front counters. Across the aisle, half a dozen women were listening to a makeup demonstrator giving a talk on complexion care. Dorothy Kirkman seemed pleasant and cooperative.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

No, I don't mind telling you, I got sick and tired of being called a thief. That's why I quit Anthony's. Little of that goes a long way.

[Sergeant Romero]

You started work here at Raymond's yesterday, Ms. Kirkman, is that right?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Yes, that's right. I think I'm going to like it a lot better than Anthony's.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

While you were working there at Anthony's, ma', am, I suppose you'd heard that quite a bit of shoplifting was going on.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Yes, I knew about it. Guess every girl in the store knew it. They had a big personnel meeting about it.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

You have any suspicions of your own, Ms. Kirkman?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

How do you mean that?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Well, I mean, was there anyone in particular that you might have been a little suspicious of? Maybe one of the customers?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

No, I've waited on some real weird ones, but I didn't see any of them ever try to walk out with anything. All I Knew was what Mr. Elliot told us at that meeting.

[Sergeant Romero]

Well, this might be an embarrassing question for you, Miss, and we'd have appreciate an honest answer.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Yes.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

What about the Seals girls you worked with?

[Sergeant Romero]

Did any of them ever give you cause to be suspicious?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

You mean, do I think any of them were doing the stealing? No. There was some of them I didn't like. I didn't trust them either. But I wouldn't accuse them of stealing. I wouldn't accuse anybody unless I had proof. That's more than I can say for some people I know.

[Sergeant Romero]

Well, by any chance, did you happen to be in Anthony's this past Monday?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Monday? No. Why do you ask?

[Sergeant Friday]

When you were working on the fifth

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

floor up the street at Anthony's, we understand that when the merchandise first started disappearing, a pretty good percentage of it was out of your section that's what

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

they told me is.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

And then when you were transferred downstairs to the cosmetics counter, quite a few things started disappearing from there. Now, we'd like an honest answer. Ms. Kirkman, do you have any explanation at all for this?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

I'll tell you the same thing I told them at the store, Sergeant. I can't explain it, but I didn't have anything to do with it, believe me.

[Sergeant Romero]

Well, you'll have to admit, Miss, it's pretty much of a coincidence, isn't it, Sergeant?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

You can call it anything you want to. I didn't have anything to do with it. The only thing I ever took home from that store was my paycheck. Would you excuse me, please? Customer I have to wait on.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Yes, ma', am.

[Sergeant Friday]

Go right ahead.

[Mr. Elliott]

Huh.

[Sergeant Romero]

What do you think?

[Sergeant Friday]

I don't know.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

She's a nice enough girl. Seems to be telling the truth. Could be a coincidence the way it worked out.

[Sergeant Romero]

Nothing to prove otherwise.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

4:38pm we finished questioning the suspect, Dorothy

[Sergeant Friday]

Kirkman, and Ben and I went back

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

to the office and made arrangements to have the girl kept under temporary surveillance.

[Sergeant Friday]

A bulletin had been gotten out on

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

the missing fur stole. The pawn shop detail had been notified and a description of the fur had been placed on the stolen property list. The following day, along with Sergeants Dick Rubles and Jim Tabor, we continued our investigation of the latest shell shoplifting complaints. It went slow. A lot of legwork and no progress. Like the dozens of other items of merchandise which had vanished in the last eight weeks, there wasn't a trace of the missing fur stole. More men were added to the special detail on duty in the 10 block area where the stealing was going on. Anybody in the city who'd ever served time for shoplifting was checked and rechecked. Constant surveillance was maintained. Over a half a dozen known thieves who we figured might be involved. It got us nothing. Wednesday, August 23, 5:30pm no leads, no progress. We went back to the office.

[Sergeant Romero]

Sure hope I get home before 6 o' clock tonight. I want to see that shoe repair man out in our neighborhood.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Well, what's the matter? You need some half soles?

[Sergeant Romero]

No. I went in his shop the other day and he conned me into a

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

new set of arch supports.

[Sergeant Romero]

Matter of fact, he didn't even call them arch supports.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

What do you say they were?

[Sergeant Romero]

Metatarsal supports. You know, supports from metatarsals. Yeah, that's one of the bones in the foot. He sold me a pair of these things and told me I should wear only one of them. In my right shoe.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

What's the matter with that? Isn't it working out?

[Sergeant Romero]

Miserable. Feel like I've been walking around with one foot in a bucket. I'll check the book.

[Sergeant Friday]

Okay. Anything?

[Sergeant Romero]

Yeah, sure is. From Robles.

[Sergeant Friday]

What do you got?

[Sergeant Romero]

That mink fur. It's been found.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Two hours before, at approximately 3:30pm in the main depot of the Santa Fe bus lines, a 38 year old housewife, a Mrs. Harriet Briggs, noticed an unclaimed parcel lying on one of the benches in the depot waiting room. When it became apparent to Mrs. Briggs that the parcel was either lost or forgotten, she picked it up and took it to the clerk in charge of lost and found articles. In checking the package for some kind of identification, they discovered the silver blue mink stole inside. A car was dispatched to pick up the fur and it was identified as the garment taken from Anthony's Fur Salon. Mrs. Briggs volunteered to come along to the office to give what information she could. A stakeout was placed at the bus depot in case anybody called for the package. 5:50pm we interviewed Mrs. Briggs in the squadroom.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

That's right, Officer. It was just a little before 3:30. I was in the bus depot there waiting for my husband. That's when I first noticed this package lying on the bench just across from me.

[Sergeant Romero]

I see. Where'd you go on, please, Ms. Bray.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

I didn't think anything of it at first. I went on reading the afternoon paper, but no one came for the package. It was just lying there. Was there a long time?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

How long would you say, ma'?

[Sergeant Friday]

Am?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

I mean, before you picked it up and took it to the lost and found clerk?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Oh, I'd say 20 minutes, half an hour. That much at least. I left it with the young man at the counter there and I told him I'd be back to see if anyone claimed it. Well, when I did get back, that's after I had dinner with my husband Carl. We found out what was in the package. Certainly strange, don't you think, officer?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Romero]

Did you happen to notice at all who it was that left the package there?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Well, I'm not really sure, Officer, but I think I know who it was. A tall woman. She had a brown jacket. If I remember rightly, I think you'd say she was in her early 30s.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Have you ever seen this woman before, Ms. Briggs?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

No, I never did. Very attractive as I recall. She wore glasses.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Anything else about her you might have noticed?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Let me think. She had blonde hair. I remember that much. The reason I do remember it Is cause she wore it like I used to when I was a girl. You know, sort of a back in a. In a bun like this.

[Sergeant Romero]

And you're pretty sure that this woman you describe is the one who left the package there?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

If I remember rightly, she was the. She's the only one that sat across from me. Guess it must be her. If it wasn't her, I don't know who else it could have been.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

All right, Ms. Briggs, thank you very much. We appreciate it.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

That beautiful fur. I know that woman must be just sick about losing it. Certainly hope you find her, Officer.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

So do we. We had the stats office make a run for us and all females with shoplifting records who fitted the description of the woman who'd left the mink stole in the waiting room at the bus depot the following morning. We checked with the men on stakeout at the depot. They told us nobody had come back to report losing such a parcel. Together with rubles and tabor, we. We spent most of the day checking out the names on the list of known shoplifters which the stats office had made up for us. Names of possible suspects who physically resembled a tall blonde woman seen at the depot.

[Sergeant Friday]

We got nowhere.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Either they had ironclad alibis or they had since moved out of the city. We ran down every possible angle on the freak recovery of the missing fur stove. During the next 10 days, the case

[Sergeant Friday]

got more involved than it already was.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Some of the stolen articles of new merchandise began showing up, but not through any of the channels we expected. Some of the items were found dumped in sidewalk refuse cans. Some were found in hotel lobbies, in the post office, in theaters. Some were found tossed in vacant lots. The only logical answer we could figure was that it was the work of somebody who was stealing for just the love of stealing.

[Sergeant Friday]

A kleptomaniac.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Tuesday, September 4th. A 15 year old girl in one of the exclusive residential neighborhoods reported finding two parcels containing women's clothing and expensive costume jewelry. They still had the price tags on them and they totaled $360.

[Sergeant Friday]

Ben and I drove out to talk

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

to the girl, a Patricia Denver's.

[Sergeant Romero]

Where'd you happen to find these things, Patricia Delight?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Right down the block. There I was on my way home from the show. I took the things home and showed my mother. She called the police. If nobody claims this package with the costume jewelry, can I keep it? Certainly. Beautiful.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

No, I'm afraid not, miss. We know who the things belong to. We're going to have to return them.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Oh, I certainly don't understand that.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, how do you mean?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Well, as far as I could see, she threw the things away. I thought she didn't want them.

[Sergeant Romero]

What do you mean? Who didn't want them?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Well, the lady who threw them in the empty lot.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

You saw who it was that threw the packages in that lot, did you?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Yes. I was on my way home from the show, just like I told you. I could see this lady walking up ahead of me. She was about a block away, I guess. When she went by the lot, I saw her take these packages from under her arm and toss them in the grass. She wouldn't do that if she wanted them, would you?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

She did. You get a good look at this woman? You have any idea what she looks like?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

She's a good looking woman. Tall. She has beautiful blonde hair. Husband's a doctor.

[Sergeant Romero]

And you know who she is? You've seen her before?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Well, I don't know where to talk to. I just see her around the neighborhood.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Does she live around here?

[Sergeant Friday]

Do you know that?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Yeah, right next door to my girlfriend.

[Narrator]

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[Mr. Elliott]

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[Narrator]

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[Sergeant Romero]

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[Narrator]

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[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Tuesday, September 4th, 5:15pm with the help of the 15 year old girl, Patricia Denver, we got the name and address of the woman who had been seen tossing the parcels of stolen merchandise into a vacant lot in the west end of the city. The woman was identified as a Mrs. Virginia Sterling, the wife of a Dr. Bruce Sterling, a fairly prominent young surgeon with offices in Beverly Hills. Mrs. Sterling and her husband had no children. They leased a richly furnished apartment in a residential section of the city that was considered better than the upper middle class. We checked Virginia Sterling through R and I, but she. She had no previous criminal record that we knew of. Together with sergeants, Rubles and tabor, we covered the various stores along Wilshire Boulevard that had been victimized in the recent shoplifting campaign. We found that Mrs. Sterling had charge accounts at almost every one of the stores. Generally speaking, we found her accounts in very good standing. And among the store people, she was regarded as what is referred to as a fine customer, a good spender and a good credit risk right down to the Retail Credit Association. There was nothing but favorable reports on the woman. 7:15pm Ben and I had a hamburger and some chili and a cup of coffee for dinner. And then we drove out to the apartment of Dr. Sterling and his wife. Mrs. Sterling answered the door and invited us in. We identified ourselves. She told us the doctor was out on a call. She showed us into the living room. Modern furniture, indirect lighting, expensive rugs.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Won't you sit down, gentlemen?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Thank you very much.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Can I get you a drink? I was just having my coffee and brandy.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

No, thank you, Mr.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

I really don't know when the doctor will be back. Was called over to the hospital. Is there anything I could help you with?

[Sergeant Romero]

Well, as a matter of fact, Mrs. Sterling, we came out to talk to you, not your husband. Oh, really?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

What is it you wanted to talk to me about, Sergeant Romero?

[Sergeant Romero]

Well, ma', am, we understand that you do quite a bit of your shopping along Wiltshire Boulevard. Is that right?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Well, yes, I shop downtown quite often. Except for the problem of parking, I find it a lot more convenient. Why do you ask?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Ms. Sterling, do you do much of your shopping at Anthony's? I believe that's out in the Wilshire district.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Yes, I do. For my sports clothes especially. They have a very good selection.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Would you remember if you were in Anthony's on the 22nd of last month? I believe that was a Tuesday.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

On a Tuesday, no. I don't think I could remember one

[Sergeant Romero]

way or the other.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

I really don't have any special day for shopping. I just go when I feel like it or when I need something.

[Sergeant Romero]

Have you ever been in the first line at Anthony's, ma'?

[Narrator]

Am?

[Sergeant Romero]

Have you ever made any purchases there?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

I suppose I've been in almost every department at Anthony's at one time or another. I can tell you, though, I've never bought any foods there. As I told you, the main reason I go there at all is because of their sportswear. Could you tell me what this is about? Please.

[Sergeant Romero]

Routine investigation, Ma'.

[Frank Curtis]

Am.

[Sergeant Romero]

I wonder if you could tell us this. Do you have any occasion to travel in the area of the Santa Fe bus depot by bus?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

No, I don't think I've been on a bus since. Well, since I've been married. And that'll be six years this coming December.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

You've never been in the Santa Fe bus depot downtown?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

No, I think I know where it is. I've driven past it. I've never been inside, though. Why should you want to know that?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Well, Ms. Sterling, we're going to be honest with you. This has to do with an investigation we're on. Now, we've had a couple of reports that you were seen at the Santa Fe bus depot on August 23rd. That was on a Wednesday. Reports came from pretty reliable people.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Well, I certainly consider myself reliable, and I say I've never been there. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like some kind of explanation for this questioning.

[Sergeant Romero]

You mean you have no idea why we drove out here to talk to you?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Of course not. Number one, I don't understand your questions at all. Number two, I'd like to know what they have to do with me.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

What has this to do with you, ma'?

[Mr. Elliott]

Am?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Last August 23, a woman in a brown sports jacket answering your description left a package in the Santa Fe bus depot. This package contained a mink stole taken from Anthony's. The woman who left the package in the depot fits your description perfectly.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

That's all? It's a coincidence?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Maybe. I suppose you've read in the papers about the big increase in shoplifting. Most of it's taking place right in the area where you say you do most of your buying. Well, we've checked out every single one of the cases, Mrs. Sterling. Took us a long time. We found a dozen salespeople in those stores. Every one of them tells us that you were around a particular store when the shoplifting took place. Law of averages, Ms. Sterling. You show up too often in the reports.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Would you please leave my house? Both of you, please?

[Sergeant Romero]

I'm sorry, Ms. Sterling, but you'll have to come along with us.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

What do you mean by that? Don't you know you can get in trouble making false accusations? I'm going to call my husband right now.

[Sergeant Romero]

Yes, ma', am. If you like. Go right ahead.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Sergeant.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

What is it? What do you want to know? You can tell me.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

I think you know already.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

What do you want? Tell me, please.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

We've got your story, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Right up to this afternoon. You went shopping today. You stole things as usual. When you tried to get rid of them, you were seen right in this neighborhood. The vacant lot down in the next corner. You threw him away there. Somebody saw you.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

They didn't know it was me.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Romero]

They knew it was you.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Yes. How can I make them understand? Do you know?

[Sergeant Romero]

No, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Horrible shame. I couldn't tell my husband. I couldn't tell Bruce. I couldn't.

[Sergeant Friday]

Oh, never mind.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

We'll tell him for you. 9:35pm we got in the car and drove Mrs. Sterling downtown to the city hall. We took her to the interrogation room, called a police stenographer, and we began to take her complete statement. One of the first things she did was to admit full responsibility for the series of shopliftings which had been going on for over two months. She told us that her kleptomania, the urge to steal things, had started with her as far back as the her junior high school years. She admitted as a girl she stole books, tablets, pencils, pieces of chalk. And as she grew older, it seemed to get more serious with her. It carried over into her college years. And that's when her stealing first got her into trouble.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

It's when I joined this sorority was just like high school. I was all alone. We had a lot of clever girls in our house. Some of them were smart, some of them were pretty. All of them seemed to be doing something except me. I had to prove it to them. I guess I had to prove it to myself. I was smart, too, see.

[Sergeant Romero]

You figured that taking things was the best way to prove that.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Yes, I suppose so. Of course, it wasn't easy. You know, the awful part was I got caught one day. It was kind of a relief in a way. I mean, how could they know I was just as smart as they were if they didn't find out what I was doing?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Did you stay on at college after that, Ms. Sterling?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

Oh, no, I couldn't. After that, they voted me out of the city. There wasn't anything to do but leave, so I left.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

What happened after that?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

I went to New York and stayed with an aunt I have there. Got a job, had several jobs. The same thing came up again. I lost two of the jobs. Same thing over again. I just couldn't help. It always means so much to me, taking things, not being caught, getting away. Getting away. Things I took, they. They never meant anything to me. Nothing. Just taking them, not having anyone knowing, that's all that was important. It made up for that feeling, being all alone.

[Sergeant Romero]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Romero]

And this thing went on. I mean, even after you were married?

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

No, not at first. I guess maybe a year or two. We were very happy, Bruce and I. Then he got busy, came out here and began to build his practice. I didn't see as much of him. We both wanted children. We wanted them very much. There weren't any. Bruce began to spend more time away from home. Just like before. Same thing. I wasn't important. I was all alone again. Wasn't anybody. You know what I mean, don't you, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Romero]

Am.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

There ought to be an answer someplace. There isn't anything worse than being alone, is there?

[Sergeant Friday]

I get it.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

INTERROGATION ROOM Friday yeah, Dick?

[Sergeant Friday]

Mm?

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

He is on his way now.

[Mr. Elliott]

Yeah, right.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Thank you. Dr. Sterling just called, said he was on his way in. He ought to be here in a couple of minutes.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

I don't want to see Bruce. He's so good. I wouldn't know how to tell him.

[Sergeant Romero]

Don't worry, ma'.

[Frank Curtis]

Am.

[Sergeant Romero]

It'll be all right.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

No, I'm alone. He's alone. It'll never be all right anymore.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Well, he's on his way in now, and he wants to see you.

[Dorothy Kirkman / Virginia Sterling]

What can I tell him? What's it gonna be like? What's gonna happen after this?

[Sergeant Friday]

I don't know, ma'. Am.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

But you won't be alone anymore.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On December 9, trial was held in Superior Court Department 88, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. And now, here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Sergeant Friday (Burglary Detail)]

Thank you, friends. A few minutes ago, we told you exactly why smokers all over the country are switching to king size Fatimas. It's because Fatimas are extra mild because they have a much better flavor and aroma. Now, if you haven't tried Fatimas yet, here's where you come in. We feel so sure that you'll enjoy Fatima quality that we make this offer. Buy a pack of Fatimas if you don't like Fatima's better than the king size cigarette you've been smoking. Just return the pack and the unsmoked cigarettes and we'll send you your money back plus postage. You see, we're convinced that Fatima is the best of all king size cigarettes. Buy a pack of Fatimas today.

[Sergeant Friday]

I know you'll agree.

[Narrator]

Misses Virginia Sterling was tried and convicted on several counts of grand theft and received the sentence as prescribed by law. The terms to run concurrently grand theft is punishable by imprisonment for not less than one or more than ten years. 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. Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, King size cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles.

[Sergeant Romero]

Stay tuned.