Dragnet: The Big Gap 02/08/1955

Summary

Dragnet: "The Big Gap" (02/08/1955)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Date: December 16, 2025
Episode Theme:
This episode of Dragnet tells the real-life-inspired story of a clever jewelry swindle in Los Angeles, following the methodical work of Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith from the Bunko Fugitive Detail. Their investigation is sparked by a pawn shop owner’s tip and unfolds into a tale of con artistry, heartbreak, and the challenging pursuit of justice.

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Main Theme and Purpose

• The episode centers on a jewelry swindle targeting elderly newcomer Garfield Hunt, whose trust is exploited by cunning conmen under the guise of a real estate and jewelry opportunity.
• Dragnet dramatizes how detectives pursue the perpetrators through witness accounts, hard evidence, and procedural police work, illustrating both the dedication of law enforcement and the limitations they face when evidence fails to materialize.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Initial Tip-off: Pawn Shop Suspicion

[01:17–03:27]

• Fred Alpin, a pawn broker, senses something is off when an agitated man tries to pawn an extravagant ring, claiming it’s a $5,000 emerald.
• Alpin, suspecting a con, only offers $5 for the ring, identifying it as green glass, not an emerald, and is later alarmed when the man asks to buy a gun.
• Alpin provides the detectives with the man’s description and license plate number.

“Started calling me a crook. Said the ring was an emerald. Shouted, screamed all over the place. It's an emerald, he said. A $5,000 emerald. That hook of glass.”
— Fred Alpin ([02:18])

2. Hunt’s Disappearance and Backstory

[03:54–07:36]

• Mrs. Hunt tells Friday and Smith her husband rather uncharacteristically didn’t come home, detailing his recent restlessness after retiring and investing in a new tailor shop in the Valley.
• The emotional strain of her worries paints a sympathetic portrait of the Hunts’ hopes and vulnerabilities.

“Never happened before. About 37 years.”
— Mrs. Hunt ([04:29])

3. Interview with Garfield Hunt—Victim’s Account

[07:36–15:36]

• Found sitting in his car, Hunt explains how he fell for the scam. A friendly stranger, “Norman Crist,” fakes a connection through mutual acquaintances, then spins a tale about a real estate deal needing fast cash.
• Hunt is lured into putting up $1,500, his life’s savings, after a supposed “impartial” appraisal by conmen posing as jewelers next door and a fake offer to go in on the deal.
• After the deal, when the conmen disappear and the ring is revealed as worthless, Hunt is devastated, unable to face his wife.

“Been married 37 years. It was Sarah's money too. Not just because she's my wife. It helped her.”
— Garfield Hunt ([14:35])

“All day long. Just kept thinking, 37 years. Fifteen hundred dollars. I'll… I'll have to tell her on it.”
— Garfield Hunt ([15:09])

4. Investigation and Trail to the Suspects

[15:36–19:43]

• Joe and Frank gather suspect descriptions and mug shots; Hunt IDs two known conmen, Ernest Wilcoxon and Paul Cleaver, but not “Norman Crist.”
• Inquiry at their former “jewelry” storefront confirms it was a short-term rental with a bogus business front.
• Leads from a bartender and a barmaid reveal the suspects’ hangouts and hotel (North Cross Arms Hotel), reinforcing the underworld connections and leveraging informant relationships.

“As long as they're carrying a roll, they don't come to my place. Head for them expensive joints like out on the Strip. … When they've blown their loot, they come back to me...”
— Bartender ([17:13])

5. Confronting the Suspects

[20:12–21:57]

• Brought in for questioning, Wilcoxon and Cleaver stick to an uncooperative script, claiming innocence and invoking procedural limits on detention.
• Their cool denial and invocation of legal limits highlight the cat-and-mouse nature of police work.

“72 hours, and you got to turn us loose. … We know the law.”
— Wilcoxon and Joe Friday ([21:36–21:40])

6. The Limits of Justice

[22:10–23:16]

• A call comes in: “Norman Crist” has died after a car crash, removing the direct link the detectives needed to legally tie Wilcoxon and Cleaver to the scam.
• With insufficient evidence, the DA refuses to prosecute—the conmen walk free.

“The DA's office knows they're guilty. We know it and can't do a thing. Yeah, I guess we've been wasting our time, Joe. Just fanning the ball.”
— Frank Smith and Joe Friday ([23:07–23:16])

7. Epilogue—Justice Eventually Served

[23:38–24:21]

• Two months later, the same conmen are caught in a similar scam, tried, and convicted of grand theft.
• The moral: police persistence pays off—even when the system initially fails, dogged law enforcement ensures public protection.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• A Pawn Broker's Instinct:
  “Anyhow, what's the sting?”
  — Joe Friday ([01:45])

• Victim's Self-Blame and Regret:
  “Too late to start all over. We won’t have them. There’s not a chance.”
  — Garfield Hunt ([15:18])

• Limits of the Law for Police:
  “72 hours, and you got to turn us loose. Unless you prove something.”
  — Ernest Wilcoxon ([21:24])

• Cynicism and Closure:
  “They're not smart. Huh? They tried it once.”
  — Joe Friday ([23:23])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Intro & Assignment: [00:16–01:17]
• Pawn Shop Owner’s Story: [01:35–03:27]
• Hunt Family Introduced: [03:54–07:36]
• Hunt’s Account: [07:36–15:36]
• Suspect ID and Bar Investigation: [15:36–19:43]
• Interrogation: [20:12–21:57]
• Case Stall and Frustration: [22:10–23:16]
• Epilogue and Conviction: [23:38–24:21]

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Conclusion

This Dragnet episode exemplifies both the human toll of fraud and the relentless, if sometimes frustrated, pursuit of justice by police. The tale is infused with quiet pathos—a portrait of trust exploited and hard-won savings lost—alongside the procedural realism and dry wit for which Dragnet is famous. The real-life crime and its resolution (albeit delayed) serve as a tribute to law enforcement’s commitment and an enduring cautionary tale from the golden age of radio.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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].

[Frank Smith]

Dragnet.

[Joe Friday]

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 Bunko fugitive detail. A pawn broker tells you he suspects a swindle, he isn't sure your job. Check it out.

[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.

[Joe Friday]

It was Wednesday, May 18. It was cool in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of Bunko fugitive detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Dillian. My name's Friday. I was on my way into the office and it was 7:55am when I got to room 38. Bunko fugitive.

Never know.

[Frank Smith]

Hi, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Morning. You remember Fred Alpin.

Oh, sure. Hi, Fred. Hi.

[Fred Alpin]

Hold my own, sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

Well, what's new?

[Fred Alpin]

I'm not sure. Maybe just wasting my time. Yours too.

[Joe Friday]

Fred thinks he stumbled onto a con game, Joe.

[Fred Alpin]

All right, don't look that way to me.

[Joe Friday]

Anyhow, what's the sting?

[Fred Alpin]

Well, I was just telling Smith here a fella came in last night, a little guy, he was kind of timid. Probably never been to pawn shop before. At least he wasn't as steady. You know, I can spot them straight off. Yeah, wanted to pawn a ring. Got a big green stone, fancy setting, all gimmicked up. You know, man's ring. Real fancy, though. Ask me what it was worth.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you tell him worth?

[Fred Alpin]

20 bucks, maybe 25.

[Joe Friday]

Is that what you told him?

[Fred Alpin]

You know I can't loan full value. You know that. I offered him five bucks. I would have gone up to ten if he'd oppressed me. That's better than a lot of brokers would give.

[Joe Friday]

Did he take the five?

[Frank Smith]

Are you kidding?

[Fred Alpin]

He went all the pieces. Thought he was going to have a hemorrhage. Started calling me a crook. Said the ring was an emerald. Shouted, screamed all over the place. It's an emerald, he said. A $5,000 emerald. That hook of glass.

[Joe Friday]

Are you sure you didn't make a mistake, Fred?

[Fred Alpin]

Now I ask you, Sergeant, would anybody try to pawn a 5G emerald with.

[Joe Friday]

Me, I ask you.

[Fred Alpin]

Glass, that's what it was. Green glass. A nice setting, though.

[Joe Friday]

What do you think, Joe?

The old diamond switch maybe? Could be. Sounds like the only difference is the color. You get his name? Fred?

[Fred Alpin]

Yeah, I asked him. He just shouted and carried on though. He wasn't making any sense at all. Got his license, though. Oh yeah, he's parked right in front of the place. Got the number when he drove off. Thought you might want it. I wrote it out, put it in my pocket. It should be right here.

[Joe Friday]

Wait a minute.

[Fred Alpin]

Oh yeah, here it is. The match folder on the inside. You make it out all right?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I think so. We'll check it.

[Narrator]

Uh huh.

[Fred Alpin]

Might be a good idea if you got right on it, huh?

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Fred Alpin]

Well, just before he left my place, he stopped all that carrying on. I think it sunk in what I told him. About the ring being no good.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Got real quiet, you know.

[Fred Alpin]

Kind of like he was making up his mind about something.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Fred Alpin]

Asked me to sell him a gun.

[Joe Friday]

Fred Alpin gave us a description of the man who had tried to pawn the ring. We called our branch of DMV and asked them to check the license number. They came up with the information that the automobile bearing that license was registered in the name of Garfield Hunt at 221 North Selma Avenue, Hollywood. 9:03am Frank and I drove out to talk to him. Well, it sure is a clear day. Look at those hills, Joe boy. I read in the paper you can see it for 40 miles. Yeah, I bet. Morning.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Who are you? What do you want?

[Joe Friday]

Is Mr. Hunt here?

[Mrs. Hunt]

No, no, he's not here.

[Joe Friday]

Well, he lives here, doesn't he?

[Mrs. Hunt]

Who are you?

[Joe Friday]

I'm sorry, man, we're police officers.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Police?

[Joe Friday]

That's right. He's my partner, Frank Smith. My name's Patty.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Where is he? What's happened to him?

[Joe Friday]

Mind if we come inside? Be a little easier to talk.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Oh, yes, of course.

[Joe Friday]

No.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Oh, I forgot. Sofa's still made up. Slept down here last night so I'd be near the phone. Thought he might call. Thought somebody'd call.

[Joe Friday]

Your husband didn't come home?

[Mrs. Hunt]

Never happened before. About 37 years.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Just let me fold up that blanket so you can sit down. Oh, thank you.

[Joe Friday]

You got any idea where your husband might have gone, Ms. Hunt?

[Narrator]

No.

[Mrs. Hunt]

No idea at all.

[Joe Friday]

What time do you leave?

[Mrs. Hunt]

9:35. Looked at the clock as he went out the door. Couldn't believe it. Not like God to go out that late. We usually in bed by 10.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Promised me he'd only be gone now. Promised me he'd be back by 10:30 for sure.

[Narrator]

I see.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Never heard a word from him after that. Not a word. What do you suppose happened to him?

[Joe Friday]

We're sorry we don't know, Ms. Hunt.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Well, you must have some notion.

[Joe Friday]

Sorry, we don't.

[Mrs. Hunt]

He said you wanted to talk to him.

[Joe Friday]

Just a few questions. Routine.

[Mrs. Hunt]

What about?

[Joe Friday]

We'd rather talk to him. You notify the police? That he's missing?

[Mrs. Hunt]

No. I didn't know what to do. Figured you'd get in touch with me when you found him? Guess I wasn't thinking. Very good. Never happened before.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

Are there any friends he might be staying with?

Relatives?

[Mrs. Hunt]

We don't know anybody else in Los Angeles. Just moved out here last winter in Kansas. Children grown up. Settled. Gar sold the business. We moved out here. Kansas winters can be pretty cold.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Is your husband retired?

[Mrs. Hunt]

He should be. Worked hard all his life.

[Barmaid]

Deserves the rest.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Had a little trouble with his heart last year. No, not a real attack. The doctor told him to take it easy. Not Gar, though. Was not here two months before he got all restless and fidgety. Just couldn't take it sitting around the house. Started up again.

[Joe Friday]

In business?

[Mrs. Hunt]

Yes. We had a tailor shop back in Kansas. Gar found a new business district opening up in San Fernando Valley off of Magnolia Boulevard. They were renting cheap, you know. Right at the beginning. Wanted tenants. Didn't do much business at first. But things had been getting better. Guard's a good tailor. A lot more careful than most. Learned his trade young. The days when there were tailors.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. You try to reach him there at the shop?

[Mrs. Hunt]

I called last night. Three, four times. This morning too. Nobody answered.

[Joe Friday]

Let's see.

[Mrs. Hunt]

You think you can find me?

[Joe Friday]

We'll do our best.

[Mrs. Hunt]

I guess. Maybe I should have notified you last night.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Mrs. Hunt]

I didn't know what to do. Thought you'd get in touch with me if something happened.

[Joe Friday]

Better to call us first.

[Mrs. Hunt]

I guess so.

[Joe Friday]

Then it might not happen. Misses Hunt gave us a description of her husband. We advise you to make a formal report at the Valley Division. A local and APB were sent out 3:15pm Patrol car unit 9L78 reported Hunt had been found sitting in his car. The car was parked on Mulholland Drive. Hunted readily identified himself. We asked the officers to bring him in for questioning.

[Fred Alpin]

Hi, Joe.

[Narrator]

Frank.

[Joe Friday]

Pete. Hi, Pete. Here he is. Thanks for spotting him for us.

[Frank Smith]

Sure.

[Fred Alpin]

Anytime.

[Joe Friday]

Want to Sit down, Hunt.

[Narrator]

What's enough? What do you want with me?

[Joe Friday]

Just like talk to you, that's all, Miss. Frank Smith? My name's Friday.

[Narrator]

I never been under arrest before. Not once.

[Joe Friday]

Well, now, you're not under arrest now, Mr. Hunt.

[Narrator]

What am I doing here? Why did those officers make me come with them?

[Joe Friday]

Well, you didn't go home last night. Your wife's been worried about you.

[Narrator]

Well, I was going home when they found me. Wasn't any place else to go. Sarah oughtn't to have called.

[Joe Friday]

She didn't call, sir.

[Narrator]

Well, how'd you find out?

[Joe Friday]

He tried to buy a gun. Pawn shop over on Main Street.

[Narrator]

Oh.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you want the gun for?

[Narrator]

I wouldn't have heard him. I just wanted my money back. I thought I could scare him, that's all. I don't know nothing about firearms. Thought maybe I could scare him.

[Joe Friday]

Who'd you want to scare now? Who were they?

[Narrator]

Well, they said they was renting a store next to mine. Said there was jewelers that opened up a valley branch for Lasting Wells. You know, the big jewelry store downtown here, huh? Crooks, that's what they were. Out and out crooks. Went looking for them early this morning. Back door to their store was open. You know the one next to mine? Yes, sir.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Narrator]

I couldn't find Hide the harem. The place was empty. Just a couple of fakes. Had the windows soaped over so nobody could see what they were up to. Pounding on some old boards. Making me think that they was remodeling.

[Joe Friday]

How much money did they get from you?

[Narrator]

Not them exactly. Fella working with him must have been working with him. Only way it makes sense.

[Joe Friday]

Well, now, I suppose you'd tell us about it, wouldn't you?

[Narrator]

He come into my shop day before yesterday. I was long about 1 o' clock in the afternoon. Called himself Norman Crist. He said he was from Greeley.

[Joe Friday]

Really?

[Narrator]

That's a town in Colorado where my brother lives. Said he he knew my brother had that guy.

[Joe Friday]

What did he want with you?

[Narrator]

Well, he claimed that they'd asked him to look me up, see how I was doing. Probably didn't know Ed at all. They must have told him them. Julia. Fellows, I got to thinking back. Remember I mentioned having a brother in Colorado one day when we was having lunch. Told him the town, too. Really?

[Joe Friday]

What happened then? Did he sell you the ring?

[Narrator]

Oh, you know about that too?

[Joe Friday]

Well, you tried to pawn it, didn't you?

[Narrator]

No, sir, not really. I just wanted to find out how much it was worth. So I could tell Sarah, you know. I was going to surprise her. Figured that I'd give him another day before I tried to sell it.

[Joe Friday]

Why'd you happen to buy it?

[Narrator]

Oh, I wasn't buying it outright. I was just loaning him on it. Told me he had a chance to option some property out in the Encino. Real bargain. Said he had to close the deal by 5pm that's same day he needed cash for a clincher. Had to get the money from Colorado. That's what he said. He was afraid he wouldn't be here in time. He couldn't go to the bank. Didn't have any credit in LA. Needed $3,000. He said that if I'd loan him a 3, he'd give me back 4,000 first thing the next morning. Offered me his ring for security. Said it was worth 7,000 easy. That cost him more than that.

[Joe Friday]

You hand the money over?

[Narrator]

No, sir, not by a darn sight. Told him I didn't have $3,000. I told him straight out. Said all I had was 1500 in my savings account. I guess I shouldn't have said that.

[Joe Friday]

Very Nazi.

[Narrator]

He told me he might be able to swing it for 1500. He'd have to go out there and see him in person. Said he'd come back.

[Joe Friday]

Did he leave then?

[Narrator]

No, not right away. I stopped him. I told him there was no point in coming back. I'm no jewel, I said, how do I know that ring's worth $7,000? Told me to get it appraised while he was gone. Told me to take it to any jewel I wanted to. Seemed like he sure trusted me. Leaving a valuable ring like that. Kind of sold me on him. I went next door to ask those fellows who said they was jewelers. Place was locked up, so I figured they was still out for lunch. I figured maybe they was in the drugstore down on the corner, see?

[Joe Friday]

Did you find them up there?

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Joe Friday]

What'd they say about the ring?

[Narrator]

Perfect ammo, that's what they said. One of them put a gadget up his eye, looked through a. You know what I mean?

[Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator]

Perfect ammo. Worth $10,000. Not the wall in it. Acted like they thought it was mine. Offered to buy if I wanted to sell. I told them about the other fellow, that he needed $3,000. I told him the whole story, I did. They said they'd loan him five without batting them on. Offered to make out a check right then and there. I took my wind away, they were so anxious. I said maybe we could go in 50.

[Barmaid]

50.

[Narrator]

They put up 1500. I'd put up 1500. That way the guy would have 3000 if he still needed that much. They could both make a little profit, you know, One of them asked me how I wanted the check. Should make it out for me, I thought, well, make it out cash.

[Joe Friday]

You remember how he signed it?

[Narrator]

Jones, Quincy Jones. That's the name I knew him by. Other one called himself Wyatt Truesdale. I don't think that's their real name. You probably one of those.

[Joe Friday]

What did you call them, aliases?

[Narrator]

Yes, sir. Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Yeah, that's it. Well, anyway, I went over to my bank and drew out the 1500. About 2:30, the fellow came back. The one who gave me the ring?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Said he tried to talk the real estate people into being satisfied with 1500. Wouldn't come down. Insisted on the whole 3000. I told him not to worry, that I had it. Give him my 1500. And the check. He said the check would be okay, seeing as how it was on a local bank. He promised that he'd pay me back the next morning.

[Joe Friday]

That'd be yesterday.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir. And when he didn't show up, I wanted to make sure just how much it was worth. The ring. In case something had happened to him. In case you didn't come back for it. That's why I went to the pawn shop. Offered me $5 for it. Man in the pawn shop couldn't believe him at first. Said it was just glass. Hunk of glass. Then a great light broke on me. How I'd been tricked. All of a sudden it comes to me.

[Joe Friday]

Well, why'd you stay out all night?

[Narrator]

Why didn't you go home? Well, you see, sir, I. I couldn't face Sarah. I knew I'd been swindled. Fifteen hundred dollars. Every cent that we've saved. Been married 37 years. It was Sarah's money too. Not just because she's my wife. It helped her.

[Joe Friday]

Well, we'll try and get it back for you, Mr. Hunt.

[Narrator]

I've watched the show for 37 years. Is it? That's what I kept thinking while I was sitting in my car up there in the hills. All day long. Just kept thinking, 37 years. Fifteen hundred dollars. I'll. I'll have to tell her on it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, sir, I think that's up to you.

[Narrator]

She'll know it anyway. She'll know something wrong.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator]

Too late to start all over. We won't have them. There's not a chance.

[Joe Friday]

Have what, sir?

[Narrator]

Another 37 years.

[Joe Friday]

We continued to interview the victim, Garfield Hunt, and he gave us descriptions of the three suspects. The stats office came up with 24 possibles. We showed the mug books to her. He identified two of the photographs, Ernest Wilcoxon and Paul Cleaver. Hunt was positive that Wilcoxon, Cleaver were the men who had rented the store next to his and had pretended to be jewelers. He was unable to find a photograph of Norman Crisp, the man who had sold him the ring. We pulled the packages on Wilcoxon and Cleaver. They both done time for burglary. They had not previously worked with a third person. We called the Lassing World Jewelry Company. They informed us that they were not opening a branch out in the valley. We checked with the owners of the building in which Hunt had his tailor shop. They told us the adjacent store had been rented on a weekly basis and that the renters had said they intended to use the space for temporary storage. A local and an APB were sent out on all three suspects. 5:13pm Using the information from their mama sheets, Frank and I began checking various places where Cleaver and Wilcoxon had been known to hang out. 7:12pm we went into the Black Parrot Bar on South Broadway and we talked to the bartender.

[Frank Smith]

Not by them names, I don't know.

[Joe Friday]

Well, maybe these pictures would help.

How about it?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, they come in here once in a while.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's what we heard.

Always come in together?

[Frank Smith]

As far as I know.

[Joe Friday]

Ever bring somebody with them? Tarleton fella, about 30, blonde hair?

[Frank Smith]

Nah, just two of them. Never seen him with another guy.

[Narrator]

I see.

[Frank Smith]

What do you want them for?

[Joe Friday]

You know how we can turn them up?

[Frank Smith]

They ain't here now.

[Joe Friday]

We can wait.

[Frank Smith]

Won't be in tonight. How do you know they got money? Well, Big Roll, the red headed one was in yesterday. Quincy Jones? That's what he told me his name was.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Been running a tab. He paid it up and pulled. Had plenty left over.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Frank Smith]

As long as they're carrying a roll, they don't come to my place. Head for them expensive joints like out on the Strip. You know, places like that. When they've blown their loot, they come back to me and start running up another tab. I called them on it, but what can you do? This is where I get some of their bundles. You know where they live around here somewhere. I couldn't pin it down for you.

[Joe Friday]

Who could?

[Frank Smith]

How bad you want to find out?

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Frank Smith]

It'll cost you a drink.

[Joe Friday]

You that thirsty?

[Narrator]

Not for me.

[Frank Smith]

The girl over There in the corner booth. The blonde? Oh yeah, she knows him. Been out with him a couple of times. I've seen them leave together.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Frank Smith]

I was just kidding about that drink down the house for you guys in her too?

[Joe Friday]

No, we don't want.

We'll pay for hers. It's up to you.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Hi.

[Joe Friday]

Good evening, miss.

[Barmaid]

You're new, aren't you?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Barmaid]

Am. Blake's good. Stand's a new talent.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Here.

[Barmaid]

I'll move over.

[Joe Friday]

Thanks. Thank you.

[Barmaid]

What's the matter this time?

[Joe Friday]

We're police officers.

[Barmaid]

How do you like that, ma'?

[Narrator]

Am?

[Barmaid]

Orisco said I was gonna meet somebody new today. You know, in the mine papers.

[Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Barmaid]

Didn't say it'd be cops.

[Frank Smith]

Here you are, Pink.

[Barmaid]

Where'd that come from? These guys, you shouldn't call them guys. Jake Bella buys a lady a drink that makes him a gentleman. Call me gentlemen, that's what you should say.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, sure.

[Barmaid]

To your very good health, gentlemen. Now then, what can I do for you? I'm at your server.

[Joe Friday]

The bartender says these guys are friends of yours.

[Barmaid]

I wouldn't say those pictures do him justice, but there is a resemblance.

[Joe Friday]

You know him then?

[Barmaid]

We've met. We weren't formally introduced, but we've met a lot of people in here. Not the best people in town. Maybe it's not the best bar in town, but it's convenient. I work down the street.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

You know where these men live?

[Barmaid]

Oh, you mean these two so called friends of mine?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Barmaid]

Am I? Well, you ever hear of the North Cross Arms Hotel?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Hunt]

Well, I haven't been there.

[Barmaid]

Of course, I'm not sure that's a residence, but Quincy was carrying a hotel key and one night it fell out of his pocket. I think that was the name on the tag. North Cross Arms.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Thank you.

[Barmaid]

Thank you for the brandy.

[Joe Friday]

Don't mention it. What do we owe you?

[Frank Smith]

6 bits. She drinks good stuff.

[Joe Friday]

There you go. Keep the change.

[Frank Smith]

Looks like I got one decent break. That so them paying their tab today before you pick them up?

[Joe Friday]

No, they didn't pay it.

[Narrator]

Who did?

[Joe Friday]

Man named Hunt. The clerk at the North Cross Arms Hotel told us that two men who resembled Will, Coxson and Cleaver were registered under the names of Jones and Truesdale. He said they'd gone out for the evening. He showed us up to their room. 36am we asked him about the suspect known as Norman Crist. He told us he'd never seen anybody with Wilcoxon Cleaver. Who answered? Chris. Chris. Description 2:48am, Wilcoxon and Cleaver returned to their room. We took him into custody and drove him down to the city hall for questioning.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

How many times you want to hear?

[Joe Friday]

Until we get the truth.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

Does Hunt say he gave us any money? He never gave us a cent, did he or no? We even paid his lunch tab a couple of times.

[Joe Friday]

Right.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

Always managed to out fumble us. Owes us a couple of lunches.

[Joe Friday]

He paid him back, what? 1500 bucks buys a lot of lunches.

[Narrator]

What 15?

[Joe Friday]

You got your share. You've been spending all over town.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

Hanse gave it to us.

[Joe Friday]

I still had over 600 bucks when we picked you up. Now, where'd it come from?

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

Hollywood Park. Picked three long shots yesterday. You want the names of the horses?

[Fred Alpin]

Where's Chris?

[Frank Smith]

Told you before, never heard of him. Who is he?

[Joe Friday]

The guy you worked the game with.

[Frank Smith]

Never heard of him.

[Joe Friday]

You want to take this rap yourself?

[Narrator]

What rap?

[Joe Friday]

Why'd you rent that store out in the valley?

[Narrator]

Store?

[Joe Friday]

We showed him your mug shot. The man you rented it from. He made you. You want it in person. How about it? Guess they got us there. Yeah.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

We were gonna open up a bookie joint.

[Joe Friday]

Is that right? Yeah.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

We changed our minds, looked the situation over, decided it might get a little warm out in the valley and cleared out.

[Joe Friday]

Bookie joint, huh?

[Frank Smith]

That's right.

[Joe Friday]

Not a jewelry store.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

What are you talking about? Us jewelers, Ernie and me.

[Joe Friday]

That's what you told Hunt?

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

Nothing of the kind. Laid it on the line. Told him we were bookies. Just between us. He was kind of pleased about it. Likes to play the horses himself. Like the idea of being able to lay a bet. So convenient.

[Joe Friday]

You're a liar.

[Frank Smith]

Now, look.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

Say, maybe that's what happened to his money. Maybe he lost it on a nag.

[Joe Friday]

Come on. Let's try it again. Now, why'd you rent the store?

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

You're gonna get the same answers. Same questions? Same answers. It's a waste of time.

[Joe Friday]

We got plenty.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

Uh, 72 hours. That's all you got? You can hold us on suspicion for 72, then you can turn us loose. Unless you prove something.

[Joe Friday]

We'll prove it.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

How? We didn't take any money from Hunt. Nobody says we did. Even him. If he was a mark for this. What's his name?

[Frank Smith]

Chris.

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

How do you wrap us into the package? Hunt never saw us with him. Nobody saw us.

[Joe Friday]

We'll find somebody.

[Ernest Wilcoxon]

72 hours, and you got to turn us loose.

[Joe Friday]

That's the law.

Is that right?

We know the law.

Why'd you break it? We continued to question the suspects, but we were unable to break them down. Thursday, May 19, 7:45am Another team of detectives took over the interrogation. Frank and I went back to the office.

Think they'll cop out, Joe?

I don't know. It doesn't look like it, does it? No, not unless we turn up. Chris, did you call your wife? Yeah, sure.

Ball me out. Kept dinner waiting till after 10.

You're lucky. Well, maybe.

Wonder if I'll get home tonight.

I got it. Buckle. Fugitive, Friday. Yeah, that's right. Sounds like him. How long ago? Uh huh. Yeah, Chris fits a description. Smashed up a car in the Hollywood Freeway, Georgia Street. Recognized him from our teletype.

Able to talk.

Died 10 minutes after they brought him in. At the morgue. The victim, Garfield Hunt, identified the body. He was positive it was Norman Crist, the man who had sold him the ring. Wilcoxon and Cleaver were also shown the body. They denied it they'd ever seen Chris before. The next day, Friday, May 20, the evidence against Will, Coxon and Cleaver was taken to the District Attorney's office. The complaint was refused. The evidence was deemed insufficient to bring the matter to trial. At this time, Will Coxson and cleaver were released. 6:05pm Frank and I got ready to sign out.

Well, that really tears it.

Sure does.

The DA's office knows they're guilty. We know it and can't do a thing. Yeah, I guess we've been wasting our time, Joe. Just fanning the ball.

Well, I'll tell you, we've spotted them and they're gonna stay spotted. Yeah. Next time they move in on a mark, we'll make it stick.

It wouldn't be very smart of them.

[Frank Smith]

To try it twice.

[Joe Friday]

They're not smart. Huh? They tried it once.

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

[Narrator]

Two months later, on July 12, Will, Coxon and Cleaver were apprehended for a similar crime. They were charged with one count grand theft. On November 6, trial was held in Department 98, Superior Court, State of California, in and for the county of Los Angeles. Ernest HE Wilcoxon and Paul Cleaver were found guilty of one count grand theft and were sentenced to a term prescribed by law. Grand theft is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not less than one year or for a period of from one to 10 years in the state penitentiary.

[Joe Friday]

You have just heard Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action.

[Frank Smith]

And starring Jack Webb, a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio.