Dragnet: The Big Cut 09/14/1954

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Dragnet – "The Big Cut" (09/14/1954)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: September 16, 2025
Original Broadcast: September 14, 1954
Theme: A methodical investigation of a daring jewelry store burglary in 1950s Los Angeles, following Detective Joe Friday and partner Frank Smith as they unravel a case involving break-ins, a trail of clues, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

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Overview

In this classic episode of Dragnet, Det. Joe Friday and Frank Smith work a burglary detail after a jewelry store is robbed via an adjoining barbershop. $5,000 worth of merchandise is stolen, leading the detectives through a procedural investigation—examining clues, interrogating suspects, and employing the latest police techniques. The story offers a glimpse into the Golden Age of American police drama, where attention to evidence and dogged police work bring the case to a satisfying conclusion.

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Key Discussion Points & Investigation Breakdown

1. Crime Scene Investigation

• [03:54] Arrival at Scene & Initial Assessment
  • Joe Friday and Frank Smith arrive at Ray Hemp’s Jewelry Store (6247 28th Street): “We were working the day Watch out of burglary detail… it was 10:18am when we got to... the jewelry store.”
  • Ray Hemp, the owner, describes discovering the burglary and shows the detectives a large hole cut in the wall connecting to a barbershop.
  • Only a few watch bands remain; most valuable watches (notably Longines) are stolen.
• [04:52] Inspection of Barbershop
  • The detectives note an open back door and find no signs of forced entry on doors, suggesting the culprit entered via the barbershop.
  • Discovery of a stocking footprint with what appears to be blood stains in the barbershop:

    "Can you see it?... looks like a stocking foot, huh?" – Joe Friday ([07:05])

  • Blood stains suggest the thief cut his foot during the break-in, likely at the skylight.

2. Evidence Collection & Community Canvass

• [09:46] Crime Lab Involvement
  • The crime lab arrives to collect blood samples, fingerprints, plaster dust, and investigate potential entry/escape routes.
  • Frank and Joe canvass the neighborhood but yield no eyewitnesses.

3. Lead Development

• [11:44] Narcotics Tie-In
  • A break comes from Narcotics: Frederick Gabriel Garth, previously arrested for burglary and narcotics, is picked up.
• [12:19] Interrogation of Garth
  • Garth claims innocence but, under pressure, implicates Victor Gordon, who supposedly bought a stolen watch for $5.

4. Tracking Down the Fence

• [13:38] Victor Gordon’s Apartment
  • Gordon is evasive about his watch; after searching his room, police discover a .38 Colt in his closet and the stolen Longines watch in his medicine cabinet.
  • Notable exchange:

    “If I had a watch, I'd be wearing it, wouldn't I?...” – Victor Gordon ([14:48])

5. Identification of the Real Burglar

• [19:42] Gordon’s Statement and New Lead
  • Gordon insists he bought the watch from a man named "Kermit" and provides Kermit’s girlfriend’s address.
  • Positive ID links “Kermit” to Kermit J. Wayne, an ex-con and expert safe burglar known for tunneling methods.

6. Physical Evidence and Stakeout

• [22:26] Blood-Stained Socks
  • Searching Wayne’s room turns up a pair of socks with blood stains, matching the evidence from the crime scene.
• [23:10] Stakeout for Kermit Wayne
  • Detectives stake out the apartment and disable Wayne’s car to await his return.
  • Memorable dialogue about broken clocks and chicken hatcheries while waiting ([23:10–24:36]):

    "Clocks that are broke—twice a day, they're right. How’d you like to be right only twice a day?” – Frank Smith

7. Arrest & Confession Attempt

• [24:57] Wayne’s Arrest
  • Wayne is arrested; he has a limp and examination reveals a cut foot.
• [25:50] Recovery of Stolen Goods
  • Wayne’s girlfriend unwittingly holds a suitcase full of watches and rings from the burglary, revealing Wayne’s duplicity even to his loved ones.
  • “Said he'd always promised to buy her a good watch. Never had.” – Detective ([26:27])

8. Confrontation and Outcome

• [27:05] Evidence Presentation
  • Despite mounting forensic evidence, including blood, matching socks, and clothing debris, Wayne maintains his silence, demanding a lawyer.
  • Friday lays out the case:

    “When you went into that jewelry store, you cut your foot, you left blood smears all over the place. You gotta stay away from comic books. We got pictures of the smears. Our crime lab matched them up with a pair of socks that we found in your room…” ([27:56])

  • Wayne remarks bitterly about luck:

    “Don’t think you’re so smart. You ain’t. You just got the breaks, that’s all.” ([28:20])

  • Friday retorts with a final lesson:

    “Once in a while, a brakes fall on your side. Something else you should have learned real young. You wouldn’t be worrying about the brakes now. What’s that? The Eighth Commandment.” ([28:27])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Discovery of the Blood-Stained Print:

  “Looks like it could be blood... Might have cut his foot.” – Frank Friday ([07:19])

• Comic Relief – Clocks and Chicken Hatchery:

  “Clocks that are broke—twice a day, they're right. How’d you like to be right only twice a day?” – Frank Smith ([23:33])

• The Reality of Police Work:

  “You just got the breaks, that’s all.” – Kermit Wayne ([28:20])
  “Something else you should have learned real young... The Eighth Commandment.” – Joe Friday ([28:27])

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Case Resolution

• [29:34] Trial & Sentencing
  • Kermit J. Wayne is tried and convicted of first-degree burglary—minimum five years in state prison.
  • Victor Gordon is convicted of violating the Dangerous Weapons Control Act—sentenced to up to one year in county jail or a $500 fine, or both.

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Episode Highlights

• Consistent, methodical detective work: canvassing, evidence collection, informant questioning.
• Forensic science in 1950s law enforcement: crime lab analysis, physical matching of evidence.
• Authentic, stoic style of Joe Friday and dry humor by Frank Smith.
• Thematic focus on personal responsibility, fate, and moral code in crime and policing.

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Highlight | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------| | 03:54 | Detectives arrive at the scene and inspect the shop. | | 07:05 | Discovery of bloody stocking print—critical clue. | | 09:46 | Crime lab involvement; canvassing for witnesses. | | 12:19 | Interrogation of Fred Garth leads to vital new lead. | | 14:48 | Search and questioning of Victor Gordon. | | 19:42 | Gordon’s statement leads detectives to Kermit Wayne. | | 22:26 | Discovery of blood-stained socks in Wayne’s room. | | 24:57 | Stakeout and arrest of Kermit Wayne. | | 26:11 | Stolen goods recovered from Wayne’s girlfriend. | | 27:56 | Forensic evidence confrontation; Wayne’s denial. | | 28:27 | Joe Friday’s Eighth Commandment retort. | | 29:34 | Sentencing and official resolution. |

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Conclusion

A tightly constructed, procedural detective drama exemplifying Dragnet’s “just the facts” reputation, this episode delivers on suspense, wit, and forensic intrigue. Listeners experience a full, deliberate police investigation—everyman dialogue, subtle humor, and an abiding sense of justice guided by the law and a moral code. The timeless lesson: sometimes, you win or lose by the breaks, but the law always catches up.

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Transcript

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For [e-mail].

[B]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect.

[E]

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[B]

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[E]

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.

[F]

It was Sunday, September 8th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day Watch out of burglary detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is chief of Detective Stad Brown. My name's Friday. We're on our way out to the scene and it was 10:18am when we got to 6247 28th Street. The jewelry store.

[G]

I'll be right there.

[F]

Yes, sir.

[D]

It's not a very big place.

[F]

Probably more room behind that partition there.

[D]

Yeah, I'm coming.

[G]

You're the police?

[F]

Yes, sir, that's right. This is my partner, Frank Smith. My name's Friday.

[G]

I'm glad to meet you.

[D]

How you do, sir?

[G]

My name's Hemp.

[F]

Ray Hemp.

[G]

This is my store.

[F]

Yes, sir.

[G]

Sorry I kept you waiting. I was back in the kitchen making some tea. I was a little nervous, you know. Thought it might help you gentlemen care for some?

[F]

No, sir.

[D]

No, thanks, sir.

[F]

When did you discover the theft?

[G]

Well, I got back to the store about 40 minutes ago. I saw what had happened and I called the police right away.

[D]

Is everything like you found it?

[G]

Yes, sir.

[D]

These cases open?

[G]

That's right. I haven't touched anything in here. Didn't want a chance messing anything up.

[F]

Yes, sir.

[D]

Didn't leave very much, huh?

[G]

Couple of watch bands is about all. Really cleaned out the place.

[F]

Now, about the watches. What kind were they?

[G]

Mostly wrist models. A couple of pocket size, all different brands. But I just got a bunch of long jeans in. Took every one of them. Cleaned me out.

[F]

Can you tell us how they got into the store?

[G]

Yes, I'll show you how. They chopped a hole right through the wall.

[F]

All right, sir.

[G]

Right through the wall in the back. Came right through. You can see there. Goes right into the storeroom of the barbershop next door. Sure made a mess of the place. Plaster all over the floor.

[D]

Yes, sir.

[G]

Pretty much ruined the wall, too.

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

Wanted to make sure they'd have enough room. See the hole? Must be about three feet of cost. You.

[G]

You can see there right into the storeroom.

[F]

Yes, sir.

[D]

I better check over there, huh?

[G]

Oh, I forgot to tell you. The back door to the barbershop is open. Before you officers arrived, I checked out in the alley, and I saw it wide open. I guess that's how they got in.

[F]

Who owns the barber shop? Mr. Hemp.

[G]

Ed Justin. Had the place over 15 years.

[F]

You know where he lives?

[D]

Yes.

[G]

He isn't home, though. As soon as I saw that hole, I tried to call him.

[F]

You can give us his address and phone number, can you?

[D]

Yes.

[F]

We'll want to talk to him.

[G]

I've got one of his cards up front.

[F]

All right, sir. We'll check next door.

[G]

Look at that hole. Must be a good three feet across, wouldn't you say?

[F]

Yes, sir.

[G]

Here, let me get that door for you. Look at that. What's that size of that door?

[F]

Heavy. Double locked.

[G]

Burglar alarm system out in front on the skylight up there doesn't stop him.

[F]

Yes, sir. Well, we'll check next door.

[D]

Seems like kind of a nice little guy, huh? Yeah. Wonder why the thief didn't close the door when he finished.

[F]

Probably nothing left to steal. Take a look at the door here. It doesn't look like it was forced.

[D]

Uh, Justin might have left it unlocked. Boy, they sure made a mess in here, too.

[F]

Yeah, looks like they had a head start.

[D]

This place must use a lot of hair oil. Yeah.

[F]

Only that's liquid soap there.

[D]

Oh, yeah. Doesn't look like there's any tools around. How you doing?

[F]

Take a look.

[D]

Want me to find something?

[F]

Come here.

[D]

What?

[F]

In the dust here. Can you see it?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Any impressions?

[D]

Huh. Looks like a stocking foot, huh?

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

The guy must have worked with his shoes off.

[F]

That's the way I'd call it. You notice right here in the middle of the print, the stains?

[D]

Yeah. Looks like it could be blood.

[F]

Possibly. Might have cut his foot.

[D]

What do you think?

[F]

Let's call the crime lab, have him send the crew out to go over both places.

[D]

Yeah. Joe. No. Take a look at the skylight up there. Mm. It's broken. You better check the roof, huh? All right. Sure looks like hair tonic.

[F]

Yeah, it's green.

[D]

Yeah. There's the drain pipe there. Might have used that to get up.

[F]

We'll have the crew check it. Let's go back in.

[D]

Yeah? Mr. Hemp?

[G]

Yes? Find out anything?

[F]

Well, we're not sure yet, sir. I wonder if you could tell us Is there some way to get to the roof of the building here?

[G]

Oh, yes, yes. Come on, I'll show you.

[D]

There.

[G]

There, you see up in the corner. Trap door hinged, swings right up. Been a while since I've used it.

[F]

You have something we can use to get up there?

[G]

No, I've got a ladder. I'll get it.

[F]

All right, sir. Want me to give you a hand with that?

[G]

Oh, I can get it all right.

[F]

Here, you better let me help you with that.

[G]

I'll swing my end over and you can walk it right up under the trap door.

[D]

Careful now. All right.

[G]

How's that?

[F]

That's fine. I'll get it. Wanna steady the ladder, Frank?

[D]

Yeah. Can you get it?

[F]

No, this bolt stuck. Just a minute.

[G]

It's probably rusty. I told you I didn't use it very often.

[D]

Yes, sir.

[F]

Okay, that's got it. Okay, enough. Hang on, will you, while I boost myself up?

[D]

I got it. Okay. All right.

[F]

You want to come up, Frank?

[D]

Yeah. All right.

[F]

Let me give you a hand.

[D]

Yeah. Wait till I get my foot on the ledge. All right.

[F]

Come on.

[D]

Okay.

[F]

You gotta lose some weight. Let's take a look at that skyline, huh?

[D]

Yeah. Well, I'm glad we didn't hit this tire rough at noon and it's still plenty warm. You can see all the hemps placed through this one.

[F]

Good spot to case it from, isn't it?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Let's check that broken skylight.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Take a look. Yeah. More smears.

[D]

Not much doubt about these.

[F]

Looks like blood all right, doesn't it?

[D]

Maybe they did case the stores from here.

[F]

Could have cut his foot on a piece of glass, couldn't he?

[D]

That figures. Still, not much to go on.

[F]

Yeah, it'd take a pretty big cut.

[D]

To make these smears.

[F]

Well, that'd be something in our favor.

[D]

How do you mean?

[F]

It won't heal overnight. The crime lab crew arrived and started their investigation. Photographs were taken of the interiors of both stores and samples of the plaster and lath materials were held as evidence. Latent fingerprints went over both the jewelry store and the barber shop. Frank and I checked with the people in the neighborhood but none of them could recall seeing any automobiles or strangers loitering in the vicinity. At 7:20pm the barber, Ed Justin, returned. We questioned him. He said he didn't recall locking the back door to the shop. And he said it was more than possible that he did leave it open. We got a complete list of the stolen merchandise from Ray Hemp along with the case and movement numbers of the watches. These were distributed to pawn shops throughout the city. Frank and I went back to the city hall and had the stats office start a run on the M.O. used in the burglary. 9:47pm Lt. Lee Jones from the crime lab called to say that they'd finished their examination of the physical evidence. He told us that the stains we'd found were blood and that he'd have the grouping test finished for us in the morning. He went on to say that the suspect should have particles of plaster, dust and other debris in his clothing. Also, if we were able to find the socks that the thief had worn, the pattern of the material would identify them. At 10:15pm Frank and I finished the log and we checked out of the office. The next morning, we started to run down the list that the stats office had furnished us. It took two full days to question all of the men named. At the end of that time, we had what we'd started with. Nothing. We talked to informants. None of them could tell us anything. Wednesday, 11:40am Frank and I checked into the office. I better check the book, huh?

[D]

Yeah. What do you got?

[F]

A call from Lucarelli over at Narcotics.

[D]

Yeah?

[F]

Says they picked up a guy this morning. Luke talked to him, figured maybe we'd want to see him.

[D]

He say why?

[F]

Well, he didn't spell it out. He saw our teletype on the jewelry store thing. Yeah, it's about some watches. We put in a call to Sergeant Roxy Lucarelli at Narcotics Division. Five minutes later, the suspect was brought to our office. He was identified as Frederick Gabriel Garth. He had a record listing several arrests for burglary and narcotics. He'd served one term at the county jail on the narcotics charge. He was brought into the interrogation room where Frank and I questioned him. What are you giving me trouble for? I'm clean.

[D]

They found nothing on me.

[F]

Is that so? Sure, the marks are old. Been a long time since I had a fix. Well, what do you want from me?

[D]

Information.

[F]

On what? You've been around a while, haven't you, Gareth? Sure. I'm a native son.

[D]

And you must have a lot of friends. A couple.

[F]

Any of them selling wristwatches?

[D]

What do you mean?

[F]

Well, you don't need a drawing for this. Now, any of your friends selling watches cheap?

[D]

No.

[F]

You sure about that? What are you trying to build?

[D]

The way it came to us. You can steer us to a cheap watch.

[F]

Well, you got it all wrong. I don't even own a watch. If I could buy one cheap, I'd have one.

[D]

Is that right? Well, sure.

[B]

I always wanted a Good one.

[D]

You know anybody who can lead us to a good buy?

[H]

Well, what's in it for me?

[F]

What do you got now? Nothing. Well, you're gonna leave the same way. No reason for me to give you a hand then, is there?

[D]

Then put it down that we're gonna have you in here again. The way you act now will go on the books.

[F]

How about it, Gareth? Who's gonna know? You, Smith and me.

[D]

For real.

[F]

Won't do us any good to spread it around town, will it?

[D]

Okay.

[F]

I met a guy last night, showed me a watch he bought for $5. What'd it look like?

[D]

Gold.

[F]

Pretty good watch.

[D]

This fellow friend of yours?

[F]

I know him, that's all. He got a name?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Victor Gordon. Where'd you see him? Hot dog stand. Where's that? Out on Western. Western's along street, corner of St. Andrews.

[D]

What does Gordon do for a living?

[F]

I don't know. I just see him around the hot dog stand once in a while. You live around there? Yeah, I got a room near 39th and Western. I don't know the number. It's a big green place. Got those kind of plastic shingles on the roof. Red ones. You show it to us?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

A friend of mine has a car. We drove him home a couple of times.

[D]

Did you get a good look at the watch last night? Yeah. What kind was it?

[F]

Longines.

[D]

You're pretty sure about that, Are you sure?

[F]

I looked at it pretty good. He took it off his wrist, asked.

[H]

Me if I thought it was worth five bucks.

[F]

I told him it was at least.

[D]

I'd pay that for it.

[F]

It was a real beauty, all right. Can you give us a description of this Gordon fella?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

We want you to show us where he lives. Well, I've ridden this far. No reason to get off now.

[D]

You got any more on him?

[F]

You're gonna find out anyway.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

This Gordon, he's an ex convict. We checked the name and description of Victor Gordon through R and I. We found that he'd served one term for armed robbery in an Eastern penitentiary and was not on parole at the time. A check of the ex convict registration gave us his present address. We also found that he was employed at the Belden Aircraft Corporation in San Fernando. We took Fred Garth out to the address on Western Avenue to verify it for us. He pointed out the house and asked that we drop him off near a streetcar line. After that, Frank and I returned to the rooming house and we went up to the third floor. We knocked on the door to Gordon's room And he asked us in. I know what you're climbing on me for. Wilder questions. You ask him to get answers, don't you? We'd like a few. Look, you tell me what all this is about, maybe it'll shake up my memory. All right. The way we heard it, you were wearing a new watch last night. Well, you got it wrong. Is that so?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

I haven't got a watch. We got it different.

[D]

Look here.

[F]

You see one? If I had a watch, I'd be wearing it, wouldn't I? You had one last night, mister. Well, you're crazy. I haven't got a watch. We heard different. Somebody lied to you. I showed you. I'm not wearing one.

[D]

You don't mind if we look around the place? Go ahead.

[F]

You won't find anything. All right. I'll check the closet.

[D]

Okay.

[F]

You're wasting your time. You're not going to find anything. Well, then you haven't got anything to worry about, have you? Go ahead and mess up my room.

[D]

Tear it apart.

[F]

You're not going to find anything. Why don't you just simmer down there? I just don't want to have to.

[B]

Put all that stuff back.

[D]

Joe. Yeah?

[F]

What do you got? Take a look.

[D]

Found one of the shoes there.38 Colt. Yeah, how about it?

[F]

You satisfied now? This gun yours, Gordon? Never saw it before. Found it in your closet. It isn't mine. Won't hold. You want to tell us about it?

[D]

All right.

[F]

So you found a gun. Is something wrong? You got a short memory, haven't you? Maybe I got it wrong. I thought you guys were looking for a watch. There's a law that says an ex con can't have a gun. You want to know that? How about it, Gordon? All right, get your coat.

[D]

Gonna take me downtown?

[F]

You called it.

[D]

What charge?

[F]

We'll let you know when we write it up. It's a bad beef. Oh, yeah, sure.

[D]

Well, it is.

[F]

I don't know what you're after, but I had no piece of it.

[D]

You wanna get the watch?

[F]

It's in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.

[D]

All right.

[F]

You sit still. I'll get it. I bought it. I paid five bucks.

[D]

We'll get to that. How about it, Joe?

[F]

Yeah. You got a pen knife?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Give it here.

[D]

I'll open.

[F]

All right. You want to give me the number? I'll check it against the list.

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Wait a minute.

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[D]

Kind of hard to see. It's 16758. I think the next one's a nine.

[F]

Let me see then. Yeah, that's a nine.

[D]

Is it on the list?

[F]

Wait a minute. Look, I didn't steal it. I was wrong about the gun, but I didn't steal the watch.

[D]

Look, just sit still. How about it?

[F]

No, it's not here. Wait a minute. Try the other side. Gordon, you're in trouble. Yeah, I know.

[D]

The gun.

[F]

No, that's only half of it. This watch?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

It's listed as stolen.

[E]

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

[B]

There are more than 60 million cigarette smokers in America who smoke many brands. In choosing your cigarette, be sure to remember this. You will like Chesterfield best because only Chesterfield has the right combination of the world's best tobaccos. Tobaccos that are highest in quality, low in nicotine. Best for you. You and I smoke for relaxation, for comfort, for satisfaction. And in the whole wide world, no cigarette satisfies like a Chesterfield. You smoke with the greatest possible pleasure when your cigarette is Chesterfield. The right combination of the world's best tobaccos. Yes. These six words. Highest in quality, low in Nicotine mean Chesterfield is best for you. Buy them king size. Get a carton of Chesterfield today. Chesterfield, regular, Chesterfield, king size. Both at the same price in most places.

[F]

The suspect was taken downtown in question. He continued to deny any part in the thefts. We put in a call to the place where he worked and we verified that he'd been there on the night of the burglary. After a half hour of questioning, Victor Gordon told us about the man he'd bought the watch from. He said he didn't know his full name, that he knew him only as Kermit. He went on to say that his girlfriend had been with him when he bought the watch and could verify the story. We contacted the girl, Celia Kirk, and we talked to her. She told us the same story we'd gotten from Gordon. She volunteered the information that Kermit lived in the 3800 block on Gramercy Place. She also told us that his girlfriend lived in the 2900 block on Ninth Avenue. We got a complete description of the man and we checked it through R and I. We came up with a package for a Kermit J. Wayne. When the mug shot was shown to Gordon and Celia Kirk, we got a positive identification. Wayne's arrest record went back to the time he was 15. He was listed as an expert safe burger and had used a tunneling M.O. on several occasions. Gordon was booked in at the main jail on a charge of violation of the dangerous weapons control Law of 1923, Section 2, 5:40pm Frank and I left the office and drove out to the address on Gramercy Place. Wayne lived on the second floor rear. He wasn't there in the company of the landlord. We went through his room.

[D]

Pretty dirty.

[F]

You want to check the dresser? I'll get the trunk.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Hey, Joe, look.

[D]

I guess everybody's got this calendar, huh?

[F]

Yeah, it's real popular.

[D]

Pretty good. Hey, look at this.

[F]

Did you turn something?

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

Drawer full of dirty T shirts.

[F]

You gotta put them someplace.

[D]

Whoa. I'd have gloves for this job. How you doing with the trunk?

[F]

There's nothing much in it. More of those calendars? Wayne must be a fine arts patron.

[D]

Dirty shirts in this one?

[F]

I don't know. Maybe the guy hasn't heard of laundries. What do you think? Well, the trunk checks out.

[D]

Well, how do you like that? I should have known.

[F]

Dirty socks.

[D]

Whole drawer full of them.

[F]

Well, he's neat anyhow, huh? I'll check the closet. A lot of hangers. Not many clothes.

[D]

Maybe the guy's broke, but that's no reason to be so dirty. How about that bundle there?

[F]

I haven't looked at it yet. Wait a minute.

[D]

It might be his clean shirts.

[F]

No pair of pants.

[D]

Figures they're dirty too.

[F]

Wait a minute. Something in the pocket here. Pair of socks.

[D]

That makes you wrong. What? If he was so neat, they'd be with the others.

[F]

Maybe he had a reason for keeping him here.

[D]

Why?

[F]

Take a look.

[D]

He had a reason.

[F]

Blood on this one. We checked out the rest of Wayne's room, but we turned up nothing to further tie him in with the burglary. We got a description of his car from the landlord, and before we left we made arrangements for a stakeout to be set up on his room. We took the pair of pants and the blood stained socks down to the crime lab for examination. 8:20pm Frank and I drove over to Ninth street to try to find Kermit, Wayne's girlfriend. We checked the 2900 block and we found a car that matched the description of the one owned by the suspect. We checked the white slip and found the car was registered to Wayne. Frank pulled two of the leads to the spark plugs and we went back to our car to wait for Wayne to show up. The night dragged on. 4:29am it's been almost eight hours, huh? Yeah. Something had happened.

[D]

Don't you put in with you, Joe, did you ever notice around the city all the clocks that are stopped?

[F]

No, I can't say that I have.

[D]

You know, on business. Places, storefronts, walls, all over.

[F]

Well, what brought that on?

[D]

Oh, just thinking a little while ago, you know, some smart fella did a lot of work fixing them.

[F]

All the clocks that don't run, Mm.

[D]

They're only right two times a day. What? Clocks that are broke twice a day, they're right. How'd you like to be right only twice a day?

[F]

Some fellas would be all right.

[D]

Like who?

[F]

Guys that bet on the horses.

[D]

Oh, yeah, probably would. Never thought of that. Wouldn't be so good if you worked in a chicken hatchery, though. Where? Chicken hatchery.

[F]

What do you mean?

[D]

Well, those guys up there, they look at baby chicks, they're a day or so old, and they tell what they're gonna be. You know, men or women. What? Well, they're gonna be roosters or hens.

[F]

Oh, yeah.

[D]

Pretty good money in it.

[F]

Well, that's a new one on me.

[B]

Yeah, but you gotta be right.

[D]

None of this twice a day stuff. You know, say a guy about a hundred little baby chicks expecting to get, you know, 98 hens and two roosters. Uh huh. And he finds out he got just the opposite 98 roosters and 2 hens. How do you think he'd feel?

[F]

Disappointed.

[D]

You bet he wouldn't. That guy'd be looking for a new job, too.

[F]

Well, maybe he could fix those clocks, huh?

[D]

Sure be a lot of money in it for somebody, huh?

[F]

Cross the street. Yeah, I see him talking to somebody inside there.

[D]

I can't see him too good. It's about the right height, though.

[F]

Yeah, he's coming this way now. Notice the walk. Checks out all the way.

[D]

Yeah, it's him all right.

[F]

Wait till he gets in the car. All right, let's go. Right.

[D]

Hey.

[G]

Hey, fella.

[F]

You Kermit Wayne? Hey, what is this? Police officers. Are you Kermit Wayne?

[D]

Yeah. Why?

[F]

Get out of the car.

[D]

Come on.

[F]

Keep those hands where you can see them.

[D]

Why? You want to talk to me? Come on, get out.

[F]

Just put it down the way you walk, huh? This don't make sense. Does to us.

[D]

What do you mean?

[F]

You're limp. The suspect was taken down to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. An examination showed that he had a bad cut on his right foot. We contacted the office and another team of men were sent out to the apartment of Wayne's girlfriend to go over the place. Frank and I took the suspect back to the office.

[D]

8:25Am don't guess we can expect much from Wayne's girlfriend. If she's anything like him.

[F]

No, he's a clam, that's for sure. We're gonna need something strong to open him up.

[D]

Right. Eight.

[F]

Yeah.

[D]

Mac.

[F]

What'd you do out there?

[H]

Maybe we got something for you.

[F]

Yeah?

[H]

Where is the guy?

[F]

The next office.

[D]

Here. You taking a trip, Mac?

[H]

Uh, suitcase is for you. Watches, rings. Wayne's girlfriend didn't know it, but she was in the jewelry business.

[F]

Look at this. All on jeans. How about serial numbers?

[H]

Haven't checked them yet. As soon as we found this, we came right over.

[F]

All right, we'll run them. Do you have any trouble?

[D]

No.

[H]

Really? She was pretty cooperative. Didn't see what was going on.

[D]

Mm.

[H]

We told her Wayne was in custody. Gave her a big story. Tells easier than it was.

[D]

How'd you locate the stuff?

[H]

When we told her about Wayne, she remembered the suitcase he wanted her to keep for him. He told her it was some war souvenirs. Didn't like to leave them in his room. Real surprised when she saw the contents. Then she got mad. Said he'd always promised to buy her a good watch. Never had.

[F]

She can start looking For a new Santa Claus, huh?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

Wayne won't be shopping for some time. We checked the serial numbers on the watches and we found that they were the ones taken in the burglary of the jewelry store. All of the other merchandise matched the description that we'd gotten from Ray Hemp. 9:18am all right. You want to tell us how you cut your foot?

[D]

I'm giving you nothing. You did it on the skylight over the barbershop, didn't you? You tell me.

[F]

I don't know. Maybe I cut at the beach.

[D]

We don't think so.

[F]

I want to see a lawyer.

[D]

I'll talk to him, but I got nothing for you guys. All right.

[F]

We got something here we want you to see. Wayne.

[D]

How about it, Wayne? Look familiar? Who you kidding?

[F]

Bunch of watches. I seen watches before. Who hasn't? These are a little different. Look at the suitcase. Doesn't ring any bells. Don't mean nothing to me. You guys are trying to trap me.

[D]

I know how you are.

[F]

It won't work this time. I learned all about you cops a long time ago. I get it. Burglary, Friday. Yeah, right. Both of them, huh?

[D]

Oh, good.

[F]

Okay, we'll check with you. Want to give us a story now, Wayne?

[D]

I'll talk to a lawyer.

[F]

That phone call there? They just called the third strike on you, mister.

[D]

More blood.

[F]

All right, I'll give it to you straight. When you went into that jewelry store, you cut your foot, you left blood smears all over the place. You gotta stay away from comic books. We got pictures of the smears. Our crime lab matched them up with a pair of socks that we found in your room. The pants we found are loaded with debris that you picked up when you went through that wall. And we can prove it came from the same place. Sound like we're bluffing.

[D]

You want to tell us about it now?

[F]

Don't think you're so smart. You ain't. You just got the brakes, that's all. Just the brakes, that's all?

[D]

Yeah.

[F]

You cops ain't smart.

[D]

I learned it real young.

[F]

Once in a while, a brakes fall on your side. Something else you should have learned real young. You wouldn't be worrying about the brakes now. What's that? The Eighth Commandment.

[B]

The story you've just heard is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[E]

On January 16, trial was held in Department 98, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[B]

Now, here is our star, Jack Webb.

[F]

Thank you. George Feniman. You know, almost a hundred years ago, Charles Kingsley wrote this about tobacco. He said, tobacco is a lone man's companion. It's like a bachelor's friend, a chili man's fire. Well, I like to think these words describe what Chesterfield means to millions of smokers today. The right combination of the world's best tobaccos. The best cigarette ever made. Chesterfield. Highest in quality, low in nicotine. Best for you.

[E]

Kermit J. Wayne was tried and convicted of burglary on the first degree. Victor Cavell Gordon was found guilty of violation of the Dangerous Weapons Control act and received sentence as prescribed by law. Burglary in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of not less than five years. Violation of the Dangerous Weapons Control act is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than one year or a fine of 500.

[F]

Or both.

[E]

Such fine and imprisonment.

[B]

Ladies and gentlemen, the Dragnet feature motion picture will soon be showing at your local theater. It's in color and widescreen. We hope you'll go see it. We hope you'll like it.

[E]

You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department. Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Van Spreescher. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Jonathan Hole, Herb Ellis. Script by John Robinson, Earl Schlay. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[B]

Watch an entirely different Dragnet case history each week on your local NBC television station. Please check your newspapers for the day and time Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles. Be sure to listen to Dragnet at the same new time next week. Like them filtered, like them king size. Then for you, this is it. King size. L and M filters at the same low price as L and M regular. Have the miracle tip for the effective filtration you need. Yes, it's the filter that counts. And L and M has the best. You get much more flavor, much less nicotine. A light and mild smoke. Buy L and M filters. Just what the doctor ordered. It's America's highest quality and best filter chip cigarette. Buy a carton. King size or regular? Both at the same low price. Lux Radio Theater presents Wuthering Heights tonight on the NBC Radio Network.