Dragnet: The Big Fall Guy 06/14/1955

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet – "The Big Fall Guy" (06/14/1955, aired 2026-03-24)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Choice Classic Radio Detectives features the 1955 Dragnet story, "The Big Fall Guy." In true noir style, Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith work a robbery detail after two small businesses in Los Angeles are robbed within the same afternoon under suspiciously similar circumstances. The case explores issues of manipulation, innocence, and accountability as the detectives unravel an unusual scheme orchestrated by a cunning mastermind who preys on the gullible.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Progression

1. The Robbery Reports (02:32 – 07:30)

• Setting: Sunday, October 9th, overcast Los Angeles.
• Incident: A young man robs Paul Claypool’s delicatessen, handing over a sealed note demanding money and threatening violence if not complied with.
• Victim's Statement: Claypool gives a detailed physical description of the suspect and recounts the suspect’s silent, odd demeanor.
  • Quote:
    "That young hoodlum was in the store. I was studying him. Didn't let him catch on, of course, but I was making mental notes."
    — Paul Claypool, 03:38
• The robber never speaks, only passes the note:
  "Take all of the money out of the cash register, put it in a paper bag and hand it over... If you do, I'll kill you."
  — Claypool reads the note, 04:50

2. Second Victim, Same MO (08:24 – 10:52)

• The detectives are called to a flower shop. A nearly identical robbery occurs with the same silent approach and note.
• Victim Norma Devereaux is shaken, unable to recall many details save for "the sweater" the suspect wore.
  • Quote:
    "I remember the sweater real plain now."
    — Ms. Devereaux, 12:05
• Ms. Devereaux believes she’s encountered the suspect before, later recalling he sat at her table in a crowded Hollywood cafeteria.

3. Investigation and Victim Identifications (10:52 – 13:29)

• Both victims brought to City Hall to view mug books; they cannot conclusively identify the suspect but solidify the description.
• Ms. Devereaux brilliantly connects the suspect to the Fairway Cafeteria.

4. Suspect Comes Forward: Harvey Tilden (14:09 – 16:19)

• In a twist, a young man matching the description, Harvey Tilden, enters the robbery division to confess.
  • Quote:
    "Who robbed him? I know who it was. Yeah, I guess it was me."
    — Harvey Tilden, 14:27
• Claims he had no idea his actions were criminal; he was manipulated.

5. The Manipulation & The Mastermind "Stoney" (16:19 – 21:17)

• Harvey’s Story:
  • Suggested the note-passing/collections were merely collecting debts for "Stoney," a man he met at Hentley’s Gym.
  • After opening a note at the third targeted business, he realizes the criminal nature.
  • Confronts "Stoney," who mocks him for naivety, and leaves.
  • Racked with guilt, Harvey turns himself in.
  • Quote:
    "He said I was the biggest pigeon he ever met... I was heading right for the police station."
    — Harvey Tilden, 18:55–19:10

6. Detectives’ Skepticism vs. Intuition (21:05 – 21:17)

• Friday and Smith privately debate the story’s credibility:
  • Quote:
    "Such a darn fool story, Joe."
    — Frank Smith, 21:15
    "I just can't help believing it. Well, worry. So do I."
    — Joe Friday, 21:17

7. Chasing "Stoney" — James Brightstone (21:17 – 23:35)

• They track "Stoney" (James Brightstone) via gym acquaintances and mug shots.
• Brightstone is found, denies involvement, offers a shaky alibi, and enjoys taunting the detectives.
  • Quote:
    "He was just a pigeon. Dumbest pigeon I ever ran into."
    — Brightstone, 25:36
• Eventually, he admits to manipulating Tilden but mocks the detectives’ ability to prove it:
  "So you might as well play smart... You figure on sticking me with this rap? You gotta have a signed confession. I ain't gonna give it to you."
  — Brightstone, 25:53

8. Resolution & Court Results (26:31 – end)

• Trial Outcome:
  • The D.A. drops charges against Harvey Tilden; Brightstone is convicted of second-degree robbery (two counts).
  • Narrator:
    "The district attorney failed to issue a complaint against Harvey Tilden. James Hill Brightstone was tried and convicted of robbery in the second degree, two counts."
    — 27:12
• Emphasizes themes of manipulation, justice, and the law's capacity for discerning true criminality.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Friday’s humor with Smith:
  "Well, I don't know why it always has to be up to me, Joe, where we eat. Why don't you decide once in a while?"
  — Frank Smith, 13:42
  "All right, fine. Let's go to that new Chinese place on Broadway..."
  — Joe Friday, 13:48
• Friday on fate:
  "Well, that makes us even then, doesn't it?... So are we."
  — Joe Friday, 12:48, after Ms. Devereaux says fate is against the robber.

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Important Timestamps

• 02:32: Beginning of investigation; meeting with first victim, Mr. Claypool
• 08:24: Discovery of second robbery, Ms. Devereaux’s account
• 11:56: Ms. Devereaux recalls suspect from Hollywood cafeteria
• 14:09: Harvey Tilden enters police office, confesses
• 16:19: Tilden’s account of manipulation by "Stoney"
• 21:05: Detectives’ private discussion on Tilden’s truthfulness
• 23:06: Confrontation with "Stoney" (Brightstone) at Hentley’s Gym
• 23:30: Brightstone’s interrogation, admission of manipulation
• 26:31: Verdict and closing case summary

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Episode Tone and Style

• Language: Natural, direct, with Dragnet’s signature terse realism.
• Atmosphere: Serious, methodical, underscored by dry wit in interaction between partners.
• Central Theme: The psychology of manipulation; the line between true innocence and unwitting complicity; the persistence of good police work.

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For Listeners

This Dragnet episode delivers classic, methodical police storytelling, emphasizing both procedural detail and the ethical questions surrounding complicity and intent. The dynamic between suspects and detectives, along with the twist of a self-confessing "fall guy," makes for compelling, thought-provoking audio drama. Even without hearing the original, this summary captures all the drama, character, and suspense of one of old time radio’s best detective tales.

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Transcript

[Announcer]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows. Like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] Chesterfield brings you Dragnet. Put a smile in your smoking by Chesterfield.

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[Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail. The owner of a small delicatessen reports that he's been robbed. He says the thief casually walked out of his store and disappeared. Your job, Find him.

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[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.

[Detective Joe Friday]

It was Sunday, October 9th. It was overcast in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A robbery detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss of Chief of Detective's Thad Brown. My name's Friday. I was on my way back from communications. It was 3:48pm when I got to room 27. A robbery. I got it. Robbery Friday.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Just a second. Give me that pan. Yeah. All right. Go ahead, please. All right, I have it. What happened? How long ago?

[Detective Frank Smith]

All right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Right away. Thank you. Guy came into a delicatessen over on Sunset. Took out a pretty big order. Yeah. Sack full of money. 4:15pm Frank and I drove out to a small combination delicatessen and grocery on the corner of Sunset and Third. The owner of the store, Mr. Paul Claypool, told us that the robbery had taken place approximately 20 minutes earlier. He said that the patrol car officer who had answered his call had left to make an immediate search for the suspect.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Gave a real good description. I did?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You said that.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Kept my wits about me all the time. That young hoodlum was in the store. I was studying him. Didn't let him catch on, of course, but I was making mental notes.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I wonder if you'd tell us just what happened, Mr. Claypool.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

How's that?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, we'd like to hear about the robbery right from the beginning.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Oh, check it up on me, huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sir?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Making sure I give you the same story I gave that other cop.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh, no, sir. That's not the idea.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

I told him everything there was to tell.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, we like to hear it too, that's all.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

You ain't gonna hear nothing different than what he did.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What would you tell us, anyway?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Well, if that's how you want it. This year. Cook fella came walking into my store, big as life. That's how it begun.

[Detective Frank Smith]

That was about 20 minutes ago, was it?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Oh, it might be 21 or 2, but now it depends on how long you've been talking to me.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What'd he say when he came in?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Bandit fellow.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Nothing.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Nothing. That's what he said. Not a single solitary word.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Didn't even open his mouth. Just handed me an envelope.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Sealed. It was sealed up shut.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Struck me as being kind of peculiar.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What do you mean?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Well, lots of my customers bring in lists of things they're supposed to buy. They don't seal them in no envelope, though.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

My instinct sure was right. It wasn't no grocery list. Far from it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is that so?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Note inside, hand printed? It was.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Wonder what it said.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, that would be nice. Yes, sir.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Take all of the money out of the cash register, put it in a paper bag and hand it over. That wasn't all. You want to hear the rest? If you would, please don't do any talking. Don't try to stop me. If you do, I'll kill you. That was the end of it.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Do you still have this note, Mr. Claypool?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Right over there. It's laying on the register.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What if we could see it, please?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Well, that's up to you, I guess. Other cops said I wasn't to handle it on account of fingerprints.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We'll try to be careful with it.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Help yourself. Ain't my place to take no chances on destroying valuable evidence.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Well, had it right, didn't it? Word for word.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. You sure did.

[Detective Frank Smith]

After you read this note, What'd you do, Mr. Claypool?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

I done just what it said.

[Detective Frank Smith]

You gave him the money from the register?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

That's right. Put it in a paper bag at number eight.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What's that, sir?

[Commercial Voice 2]

Eight Eight.

[Detective Frank Smith]

That.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

That was the size of the bag.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Oh.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How much money did you give him?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

All there was a neighborhood of $50.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Most of it in bills.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Most? I'd say a couple of tens, three or four fives, some ones. Rest was changed.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. What happened next?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Fella took the bag, kind of grinned and walked out. Looked real pleased with himself.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Did you see where he went?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Left the store?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I mean after that.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Turned down the street.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You get into a car?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

I didn't see none.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You didn't try to follow him?

[Announcer]

Nope.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

I didn't aim to stick out my neck none. Figured that was up to you fellas.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Mr. Claypool, do you know if the robber had a gun?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Must have.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Did you see it?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Nope. But that there note said he'd kill me if I gave him any trouble.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Must have had a gun if he aimed to kill me. Well, stands to reason.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Was there anybody else in here when he came in?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Just me. I don't do much business this time of afternoon and not on Sunday.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Had you ever seen this man before?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Nope, not that I recollect.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I wonder if you could describe him for us.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Oh, sure. I told you I gave him a real good once over.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

First off, he was a young fella, right around 20, I'd say. Husky, about five, 10, maybe. Weighs 170. Not fat, you understand, you're just husky.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What about his coloring?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Well, I'm coming to that.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Brown hair? Medium brown. Kind of gray eyes. Medium complexion.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Any marks or scars? No. How was he dressed?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Pants. Dark colored. Serge. More than likely blue surge. They looked like they was part of a suit. Couldn't see his shirt. He had on a sweater yellowish, with one of them by them collars, that choke shoe.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

It fits all around your neck, you see, like so.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Turtleneck sweater.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Oh, is that what you call it?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Turtleneck, huh? Well, that's a right good name. That's just what it looks like. Turtle poking out his neck.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir. Is there anything else you can tell us about this man?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

What have you got in mind?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, Mr. Claypool, anything that would help us identify him?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Well, sir, he acted real funny. Almost like he didn't know what he was doing. Oh, Kind of looked at me funny too. Hmm. Don't know how to put it into words exactly.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Joe Friday]

One of you come down the city hall for a few minutes. Mr. Claypool.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

City Hall?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. We'd like to show you some mug shots. See if you can make an Identification for us.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Well, that mean closing up the store?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, it won't take very long.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Well, I guess it'll help catch this fellow.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We'd appreciate it.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Oh, excuse me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Claypool's Delicatessen. How's that?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Who?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Friday.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's for us, sir.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Oh. Oh, Here you are.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you. This Friday? Yeah, that's right. How long ago? Fountain. Yeah, I got it. Thank you. Well, we won't need you downtown just yet, Mr. Claypool.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Change your mind, huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What's that?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Flower shop over on Fountain? Yeah, Sounds like the same guy. Frank and I told Mr. Claypool we'd check with him later. We left the delicatessen, drove out to the Pringer Flora Shop on fountain and Selma. 4:42pm we talked to the victim, Ms. Norma Devereux. She seemed to be extremely agitated. She told us that a man had walked into the store about 4:30 and gave her a sealed envelope. She showed us the note the envelope had contained and it appeared to be a duplicate of the note Mr. Claypool had been given.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Did this man say anything to you, Ms. Devereaux?

[Commercial Voice]

I, I, I don't remember. I don't think so.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, did you say anything to him?

[Commercial Voice]

Oh, I was too scared.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Detective Frank Smith]

How much money did he take?

[Commercial Voice]

Well, I gave him all. There was everything in the register.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I see. But about how much would you say?

[Commercial Voice]

I'm not sure. You see, I, I don't work here. I was just helping out. The store belongs to my sister and brother in law.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Commercial Voice]

They wanted to take their children for a ride this afternoon, so I said I'd look after the shop.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Am.

[Commercial Voice]

Oh, I never should have offered. I might have known something like this would happen. I've had a funny feeling all day long.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Commercial Voice]

To bad week for me anyway. This whole week, according to my horoscope.

[Detective Joe Friday]

And you don't have any idea how much money was stolen, Ms. Devereaux?

[Commercial Voice]

Well, I don't think it was very much. A few bills and some coins. Do you happen to know what day this is? The date I mean?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Am.

[Detective Joe Friday]

This is the 9th.

[Commercial Voice]

The 9th? How I might have known. She said to be especially careful on the 9th and the 11th. Why didn't I pay more attention to that last reading? It certainly cost me enough.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Ms. Devereaux, you notice where this man went when he left the shop?

[Commercial Voice]

What?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Did you notice where he went?

[Commercial Voice]

Oh, no. No, I didn't pay any attention. I was just so relieved that he was gone.

[Detective Joe Friday]

One of you describe him for us, please.

[Commercial Voice]

Well, Ms. Deborah, I'm trying to think.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Commercial Voice]

It just comes up a blank. His face, everything about him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, how's he dressed?

[Commercial Voice]

I'm terribly sorry. I just can't remember.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, maybe we can help you. Was he wearing a coat or a sweater?

[Commercial Voice]

That's right. A sweater. I remember the sweater.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What color was it?

[Commercial Voice]

Lightish, I think. I'm not sure.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What kind of a sweater would you recall that?

[Commercial Voice]

Just a sweater, I guess.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How about his hair? Eyes? Anything at all, Miss Devereaux?

[Commercial Voice]

Well, there's one thing. I don't know whether it would do any good or not.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Commercial Voice]

Am. I feel like such a fool not being able to remember where it was or when. But I'm almost certain about it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Commercial Voice]

That I've seen him before.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Frank and I continued to question the victim. She insisted that she had met or seen the suspect sometime before the crime. But she was unable to recall the circumstances. 5:38pm we drove both victims down to the city Hall. And asked them to go through the mug books for the purpose of identifying the suspect.

[Commercial Voice]

We finished another book, Sergeant.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Seems like you sure have enough of them.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Commercial Voice]

I could only think where it was, ma', am, that I saw him before.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Could I get you folks some coffee?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

That sounds like a right good idea.

[Detective Frank Smith]

How about you, Miss?

[Commercial Voice]

What?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Would you like some coffee too, Miss Deborah?

[Commercial Voice]

That's it. That's it. I remember now. His face, everything about him. It's the same man. I'm positive it is. Oh, it was when you mentioned coffee. That's what brought it back to me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Now, just when was it you saw this man?

[Commercial Voice]

Oh, let's see. It was last week when I went shopping for a new coat. Tuesday? Yes, that's when it was. Tuesday. I was having lunch. The Fairway Cafeteria in Hollywood?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Am.

[Commercial Voice]

Well, it was crowded, and I was sitting alone. He came by and asked if he could use the same table.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. Go ahead.

[Commercial Voice]

I nodded and he sat down. I didn't pay any attention to him, not really. I just went on and finished my lunch. He was still eating when I left.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Anything else you can tell us about him?

[Commercial Voice]

I think he had on the same clothes he was wearing today. The sweater, anyway. I remember the sweater real plain now.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see. Are you sure this was the same man who robbed you?

[Commercial Voice]

Oh, yes, I know it was. That'll help, won't it? My remembering where I saw him?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, it might.

[Commercial Voice]

I'll Bet he eats there all the time. At that same cafeteria.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Am.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We'll check on that.

[Commercial Voice]

Oh, he does. I just feel certain of it. You'll see, Sergeant. It was Faith that made me go into that restaurant. And it was that made him sit at my table.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Am.

[Commercial Voice]

Was all part of a big plan. Our meeting like that and then him robbing me today. Was all part of a big plan so that you could catch him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, that's right.

[Commercial Voice]

And you will catch him. Don't you worry about that. You'll catch him. Fate's against him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, that makes us even then, doesn't it?

[Commercial Voice]

What?

[Detective Joe Friday]

So are we. Now that she remembered seeing the suspect before Ms. Devereaux confirmed Paul Claypool's description, we asked the victims to continue going through the mug books. They were unable to come up with an identification. 6:31pm Frank and I drove them home and we went off duty. The next day. October 10, 1005:00am we interviewed the day cashiers at the Fairway Cafeteria. They couldn't recall any specific customer who answered the suspect's description. 11:46am we went back to the office robbery. Freddy Gallery. Mm. Well, thanks anyway. Sloan.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Says he can't give us a lead from the way those notes were printed. Oh. Well, how about an early lunch today, huh?

[Detective Frank Smith]

It's all right with me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Where do you want to go?

[Detective Frank Smith]

I don't care.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How about you? Doesn't make any difference to me.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, suggest something.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, I told you, it doesn't make any difference.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, I don't know why it always has to be up to me, Joe, where we eat. Why don't you decide once in a while?

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, fine. Let's go to that new Chinese place on Broadway for lunch. Well, why not?

[Detective Frank Smith]

You don't want Chinese food for lunch, Joe? I don't? Of course not.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, what do you got in mind?

[Detective Frank Smith]

I might have known.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Hmm?

[Detective Frank Smith]

I'd end up making the choice.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sure is a problem, isn't it?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, it gets kind of monotonous, that's all, buddy.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's tough.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Say. Well, yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Something we can do for you?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Is this here where you the guys that handle robberies?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Locked them two yesterday.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Which two?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Grocery store and flower shop.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You know something about him, do you?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Yeah, I know something.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, just what is it?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Who robbed him? I know who it was. Yeah, I guess it was me.

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[Detective Joe Friday]

The man who had come into the office answered the description we'd received from the victims. He was in his early 20s, stocky build, about 5 10, brown hair and gray eyes. He was wearing dark blue trousers and a yellow turtleneck sweater. He told us that his name was Harvey Tilden, that he lived in a rooming house on West Ivar. He readily admitted the two robberies, but he insisted he had not meant to commit the crimes.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

I didn't know what I was doing, that's all. I just didn't know.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What are you trying to sell us? Were you drunk?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Of course not. I hadn't had a drink, not even a beer.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Well, he told me it was money they owed, that I was collecting it for him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Who told you that?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Stoney.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Who's Stoney?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Well, that's all I know him by. Stoney.

[Detective Joe Friday]

And you were collecting money for him, is that it? Uh huh. And you expect us to buy that too, don't you?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

No, I guess not.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well then why don't you try giving us the truth?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Well look now May, I'm not the brightest guy in the world. If I was, I wouldn't be in this mess. I come to you on my own accord, didn't I?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, maybe you got scared. Maybe you figured it'd go easier with you if you gave yourself up, isn't that it?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Yeah, I guess I can't blame you for thinking that. Sure was a dumb trick.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well why'd you do it then?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Cause I didn't know. Cause he told me it was just a job I was doing.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Stoney told you?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Yeah, yeah, that's right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right now let's hear it your way.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Yeah, well he said he worked for kind of collection agency, you know, where they go after them deadbeats, you know? Yeah, well he Said he had to have somebody to help him. Only part time, but the pay would be good.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Offered me the work.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

I ain't had a steady job lately. Sound kind of good to me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, Go ahead.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Yeah, Well, I was supposed to meet him yesterday afternoon, 3 o'.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Clock.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

He picked me up in front of the place where I live.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Drove me past that grocery store and parked around the corner. Gave me an envelope and he told me to take it inside, hand it to the fellow who worked there. He said I was to make sure nobody else is in the store on account of he didn't want to make the old guy feel bad by collecting the debt in front of somebody else, you know?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

So I done what he told me. I give the old guy the note, he give me the money and I took it back to stoning.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, where was he while you were in the store?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Around the corner, like I said.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Why didn't he go in with you?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

He wanted to see if I could handle it myself on my own, you know? That's what he told me. Well, then we. We drove over to that there flower place.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Same routine.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Yeah. Only this time I got kind of suspicious, you know? Yeah, she acted so scared, the lady there. Didn't seem to me that having to pay up a debt, it makes somebody so scared. I told Stoney afterwards. He said it was just an act that they all put on like that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Yeah, well, I. I didn't exactly believe him. So next place we stopped, I opened up the envelope before I went inside and I read that there note. Yeah, well, I didn't know what to do. Finally, I went back to the car and I really told him off, Stoney. I told him I wasn't no thief. I told him he had to return all that money.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What did he say?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

He just laughed at me. He said I was the biggest pigeon he ever met. I said if he didn't take back the door, I'd go to the cops. He told me you'd throw me in jail. That you'd never believe a word I told you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What happened then?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

I got out of the car. I said I wasn't no crook and nobody was gonna make me be one. I was heading right for the police station. Then I got to thinking. I seemed like maybe he was right, that nobody would believe a story like this. Well, So I went home.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. Why'd you come in today?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Well, I didn't sleep nothing too good last night. Kind of worrying me what I'd done. I figured maybe he'd find Some other sucker like me and pull that same stunt over again. I didn't want him to get away with it, so I decided to take my chances on you guys. I'm gonna get a short cow now, am I?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Do you know where the Stoney lives?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

No, he never said. Not to me.

[Detective Frank Smith]

And you don't know his last name either?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Uh, where'd you meet him?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Hentley's Gym or on Olympic. I hang out there sometimes.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You a fighter?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Well, I had some bouts, yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, how'd you and Stoney get acquainted?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Well, I don't know. We just started talking one day last week. He come in for a steam bath. And afterwards we were both watching some of the guys work out. He was there again on Saturday. That's when he offered me this job.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What kind of a car does he drive? Chevy sedan.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Oh, coupe, hard top, Last year's model.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You know the license?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

No, I don't pay no attention. It wouldn't matter if it did. I ain't much at remembering things.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Can you tell us what Stoney looks like?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Why? He's a big fella. Sharp dresser.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

How old is he?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

35, maybe 40.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What color is his hair?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Sort of red.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Anything else? Scars? Anything like that?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

No.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's the whole story, huh?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You didn't know you were robbing those stores? You didn't have any idea?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Honest, I didn't. Sounds crazy, don't it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, it does.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Joe, talk to you for a minute?

[Detective Joe Friday]

You wait right there, Tilden.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Okay. Okay.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I must think we're pretty dumb, expecting us to fall for a line like that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. What's he take us for? I don't know.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Couldn't be true. Not a word of it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Heck if it is. Yeah.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Such a darn fool story, Joe.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I just can't help believing it. Will worry, so do I. Frank and I continued to interrogate the suspect. He maintained his innocence and we were unable to shake him. We ran the name Harvey Tilden through R and I. They had nothing on them. We also ran the name Stoney through the moniker file, and we came up with two possibles. We pulled the mug shots and showed them to Tilden. He tentatively identified one of the photos, James Brightstone, but he wasn't positive. We telephoned Brightstone's last known address, a small downtown hotel. They told us he'd moved during the summer and they had no idea of his present whereabouts. We checked DMV and our own vehicle records. They reported that a late model Chevrolet was registered in Brightstone's name, Harvey Tilden. Was held in custody for further questioning. 4:08pm Frank and I drove over to Hentley's Gym on South Olympic and talked to the owner, George Hentley.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

What's your name?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Stoney. Yeah, that's right. Full name, maybe? James Brightstone. We're not sure.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Don't ring a bell. Ain't a fight game.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, we aren't sure.

[Detective Frank Smith]

How about a Harvey Tillen? You know him?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

That jerk? Sure, I know he come here pretty often on you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Just do a little boxing.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

You got a perfect record. Set six fights, six KOs. He was punching before he ever got in a ring.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Tilden says this is where he met the Stoner.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Yeah, it could be.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Take a look at this picture, will you? You ever seen this guy before?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Hey, you got a left hand, use it. Well, I wouldn't swear to it. Guy looks something like this. Been coming in lately, Works out, takes a steam bag.

[Detective Frank Smith]

You know his name?

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

I never asked.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You been around a day?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

No, not so far.

[Detective Joe Friday]

When was the last time, do you remember?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

End of last week.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Friday, Saturday.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Is he talking to Tilda?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Oh, I don't know. Maybe. Guys come in here, friendly type guys. They all talk to each other.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, here's our card. So this fella comes back, give us a call, will you?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

You want him for something?

[Detective Joe Friday]

I want to talk to him.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Okay.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

If he comes in, I'll call you.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Thanks.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Sure.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

I'm a real obliging type fella. I got no beef with you cops. Be a waste of time, though, calling you. You want to see this guy, all you got to do is turn around.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

He just walked in the door.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Frank and I talked to the man. George Hentley had pointed out he readily admitted that he was James Brightstone. He also admitted knowing Harvey Tilden. He said he had spent the previous afternoon in his room at the Jackman Hotel. We telephoned the hotel, but the clerk was unable to confirm Brightstone's alibi. 5:31pm we drove the suspect down to the City hall and continued our interrogation.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Look, why don't you guys just tell me what it is you want to know? Spell it out in real big letters and I'll give you the answer.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Same size.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Where were you yesterday afternoon?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Thought we already covered that.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Let's go over it again.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Okay, boys? I was in my hotel room.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, the clerk doesn't back you up. Well, does he?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Say I wasn't there.

[Detective Frank Smith]

When was the last time you saw Harvey Tilden?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Saturday, over at the gym.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Not yesterday, huh?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Jim isn't open On Sundays.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You know where Tilden lives? No. You picked him up at his rooming house yesterday, didn't you?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Why would I be picking a crumb up like that?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you offer Tilden a job?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Oh, that's pretty funny.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's the joke?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

I got a job myself.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Did you ever take Tillen for a drive?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Boys, I'm telling you, the only place I ever seen the guy is Antley's Gym.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah, he knows what kind of a car you got. Oh, Megan model.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Well, maybe he'd seen me and I didn't see him. Now look, this Tilden fella, he's a screwball. He don't even know what time it is. Whatever he told you, you can forget him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, there are a couple of things we can't forget.

[Harvey Tilden (Suspect)]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Tillen says you put him up to robbing two stores yesterday.

[Narrator]

Are you kidding?

[Detective Joe Friday]

He says you hired him to work for you to collect some past due bills.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Boy, this kid is really off his rocker, isn't he?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Maybe.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Where was I supposed to be while he was doing me these favors?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Outside in your car waiting for him?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Go on, boys, you interest me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, that's about it.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

And you'd pick up a guy in a phony story like that? Hey, look, I'm getting out of here. Tilden ain't the only guy who's nuts.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sit down, Brightstone.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

All right, you jokers prove any part

[Detective Joe Friday]

of it, we're gonna try to.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

I'd like to know how.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We got a team out right now checking the neighborhood of both robberies. If anybody saw your car around those stores yesterday afternoon, you got trouble.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

I got news for you guys. It don't matter where I was yesterday. You can't tie me into these jobs.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We'll see.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Matter of fact, I'll give you a hand. I might have been driving around those stores yesterday.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Yeah.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Come to think of it, I went for a ride along about 2 o'.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Clock.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Slipped my mind before it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sure.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Not that I know where Tilden pulled his heist.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You don't know?

[Narrator]

Sure.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Of course not.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Then what makes you think you were in the vicinity?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Well, I'm not saying I was. I'm saying I might have been.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, just where were you?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Who knows? It took me a real long drive.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What time did you leave your hotel?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Two o', clock, maybe.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What time did you get back? Later. How much later?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

All right, I tell you what. I'm gonna give you guys a break.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Good.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Now, I know you can keep this up for 72 hours and I got more Important things to do. So let's get it over with. Okay?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Entirely up to you.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Okay.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Okay.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Tilden was giving it to your square. He was just a pigeon. Dumbest pigeon I ever ran into.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah? Go ahead.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Well, that's it. You got it. Now what are you gonna do about it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

What do you think?

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

If you're smart, you're gonna turn me loose.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

Yeah.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Look, let me give you a little advice. Free. So Tilden was a fog.

[Paul Claypool (Store Owner)]

I.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

All right, I admit it to you guys, yeah, but to nobody else. Anybody else asked me, I deny it, the whole thing. So you might as well play smart. You figure on sticking me with this rap? You gotta have a signed confession. I ain't gonna give it to you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, now maybe we won't eat it.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Boy, you got the biggest rocks in your head. Tilden was in those stores. I watched and he took the money. I didn't. You go into court, you come out looking dumber than he does. It's my word against his. You think anybody in their right mind's gonna believe this boy? You think he'd stand a chance at convincing the jury?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, he might.

[James Brightstone (Suspect)]

Fat chance.

[Detective Joe Friday]

He convinced us.

[Announcer]

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

[Narrator]

On January 8, 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.

[Announcer]

Now, here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Detective Joe Friday]

The date, June 19. The man in question. Father. The gift for Father's Day. Chesterfield, make it a point to pick up a couple of cartons first chance you get. It's the easiest way I know to put a smile in Dad's smoking. And a nice way to remember a great guy.

[Narrator]

The district attorney failed to issue a complaint against Harvey Tilden. James Hill Brightstone was tried and convicted of robbery in the second degree, two counts. Robbery in the second degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for not less than one year. You have just heard Dragnet. A series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors. Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Vic Rodman, Virginia Gregg, Eddie Firestone. Script by Frank Burt. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Announcer]

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 this is it.

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