Dragnet: The Big Odd 12/01/1953

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio Episode Summary: Dragnet: "The Big Odd" (Original Air Date: December 1, 1953; Release Date: December 24, 2024)

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Dragnet, titled "The Big Odd," listeners are transported to mid-20th century Los Angeles, where Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, tackle a perplexing case of truck hijackings and kidnapping. The episode seamlessly blends authentic police procedural elements with the era's signature radio drama, providing an immersive experience for fans of classic detective storytelling.

The Crime: Kidnapping and Hijacking

The narrative kicks off on a warm Wednesday morning when Russell Gilmore, a truck driver, becomes the victim of a meticulously planned robbery. Sergeant Friday introduces the case with a sense of urgency:

[03:14] Joe Friday: "It was Wednesday, June 4th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day."

As Gilmore recounts his harrowing experience, the detectives learn that fourteen loaded trucks have been stolen by a gang of truck hijackers who have also resorted to kidnapping and beating drivers who dare to challenge them. Gilmore's testimony is crucial, providing the first morsels of evidence needed to trace the culprits.

Victim Interview: Unraveling the Details

At the county hospital, Gilmore delivers a detailed yet traumatic account of his ordeal. His vivid description includes the kidnappers' actions and physical characteristics, albeit through the limited lens of a traumatized memory:

[05:19] Mr. Gilmore: "Oh, I'm a kind of a student of phrenology. I could tell about those fellows, real plain."

His attempt at identifying the criminals through phrenology (a now-discredited method of character determination based on skull measurements) offers a unique yet flawed perspective. Nevertheless, his insights about the suspects' physical demeanor provide a starting point for the investigation.

Investigation: Crime Lab and Detective Work

Sergeant Friday and Smith visit Central Station's crime lab, where Detective Ray Pinker meticulously analyzes paint chips found on the victim's truck. Pinker's expertise leads to the identification of a specific 1953 Hudson Jet involved in the crime:

[09:42] Ray Pinker: "We found evidence that the truck had hit a car, lifted some paint."

The matching of paint samples not only narrows down the potential locations of the crime but also connects the stolen truck to a particular vehicle, adding a tangible lead to the case.

Suspect Identification: The Search Intensifies

Armed with the paint analysis and Gilmore's map-based recollections, Friday and Smith coordinate a citywide search. Their efforts culminate at a residence on Cedar Street in Compton, which matches the victim's description of a house with a steep driveway and a damaged wooden porch:

[16:27] Joe Friday: "The interior walls of the garage were rough wooden studs. Between them we could see chicken wire embedded in plaster."

The detectives' discovery of Conrad Lewis's name on the mailbox brings a pivotal suspect into focus. Lewis, previously convicted of armed robbery and recently released, becomes the primary person of interest in the case.

Confrontation: Closing In on the Culprit

Friday and Smith confront Lewis at his residence, leading to a tense standoff. Despite Lewis's initial resistance and attempts to deflect suspicion, the accumulating evidence forces him into a corner:

[25:05] Joe Friday: "We got the plant. What? We got the plant. They moved in on it."

As the confrontation unfolds, Lewis's desperate attempts to evade conviction highlight the complexities and challenges of policing during the era.

Trial and Resolution: Justice Served

The episode culminates in the trial of Conrad Lewis and his accomplices. The court proceedings are depicted with the gravity and formality befitting a serious criminal case. Lewis is ultimately found guilty on multiple counts of grand theft auto and kidnapping, receiving sentences in line with California law:

[28:21] Narrator: "Conrad Austin Lewis and his confederates were apprehended and brought to trial on 11 counts of grand theft auto and one count of kidnapping. They were found guilty and sentenced as prescribed by law."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joe Friday on the Investigation's Progress:

  [07:54] Mr. Gilmore: "A couple other things that might help you."

• Gilmore's Description of the Kidnappers:

  [05:19] Mr. Gilmore: "Oh, I'm a kind of a student of phrenology. I could tell about those fellows, real plain."

• Crime Lab Expertise:

  [10:15] Ray Pinker: "We just put this chip we lifted from the truck in the hole."

Conclusion

"The Big Odd" exemplifies the classic Dragnet formula—meticulous investigation, detailed forensic work, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Sergeant Friday and Frank Smith's dedication to solving the case underscores the virtues of integrity and perseverance within law enforcement. For listeners who appreciate authentic old-time radio detective stories, this episode offers a compelling glimpse into the collaborative efforts of police work during the Golden Age of Radio.

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Credits:

• Host/Author: Choice Classic Radio
• Script: John Robinson
• Music: Walter Schuman
• Voice Actors: Ben Alexander, Vic Perrin, Virginia Gregg, Jim Griffin
• Technical Advisors: Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brasher
• Production: Liget and Myers

Disclaimer: All names and details in this episode have been fictionalized to protect the innocent.

Transcript

[Joe Friday]

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[Frank Smith]

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[Joe Friday]

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[Russell Gilmore]

My school uses Podbean.

[Conrad Lewis]

My church too.

[Joe Friday]

I love it. I really do.

[Russell Gilmore]

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].

[Conrad Lewis]

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

[Narrator]

Dragnet is brought to you by Chesterfield. Made by Liget and Myers. First major tobacco company to give you a complete line of quality cigarettes.

[Conrad Lewis]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail. A gang of truck hijackers has been working in your City. They've stolen 14 loaded trucks. They've kidnapped and beaten one of the drivers. There's no clue to their identity. Your job, get em. With the winter season coming on, Young America and all of us will be concentrating on our favorite winter sports. Ice skating, bowling, basketball, skiing. One thing you'll notice, whatever young America does, wherever it goes, Chesterfield goes along. Yes, Chesterfield is the choice of young America. Chesterfield is the choice of more. Thousands of smokers everywhere. People are learning the facts about Chesterfield. Learning that Chesterfield is highest in quality, low in nicotine. Learning that Chesterfield is really mild, really satisfying. How about it friends? Change to Chesterfield yourself. Smoke America's most popular two way cigarette, regular and king size Chesterfield. Best for you.

[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, June 4th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A robbery detail. My partner's Frank Smith, the boss of chief of detective Stad Brown. My name's Friday. We were on the way out from the office and it was 9:47am when we got to the county hospital, Ward 419. Hi, Mr. Gilmore.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah, I know you guys?

[Joe Friday]

No, sir, we're police officers. This is my partner, Frank Smith. My name's Friday.

[Russell Gilmore]

I do, sir.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Hello. A couple of stools over there. Drag them up. Sit down.

[Russell Gilmore]

I'll get them. Here you go thanks.

[Joe Friday]

How do you feel, Mr. Gilmore?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Rough, real rough. Feel like I've ridden 50 miles in the back of a ready mixed cement truck. Weren't for the pills they'd be giving me, I think I'd go off my rocker. Mm.

[Joe Friday]

You wanna tell us what happened?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah, as much as I can remember. Only goes so far. Then there's a room full of black.

[Russell Gilmore]

If you'll tell us what you can, please.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah. Yesterday. That's when it was. Yes sir, Yesterday morning. I checked in for work. Had a load I was gonna take over to Phoenix. Supposed to shove off about 10, 10, 15.

[Russell Gilmore]

Did you know what you were carrying?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah, I saw the way Bill. Some of the stuff they were loading, used furniture. Didn't make any difference to me. They load the truck and I'll drive it.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Mr. Gilmore]

I went across the street, little coffee place over there, got my vacuum bottle filled and came back. By that time they had the truck loaded. I signed the way Bill in the office and went out and got into the truck. The two guys were waiting for me.

[Russell Gilmore]

They were in the cab of the truck then?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah, sitting there, kind of scrunched down so you couldn't even see them from the outside.

[Joe Friday]

Awesome.

[Mr. Gilmore]

As soon as I opened the door, one of them had a gun pointed at me. Told me to get into the truck like there was nothing wrong. Just start the motor and get the truck away from me.

[Joe Friday]

Did they get out of the truck at that time?

[Mr. Gilmore]

No, no, they were waiting for me. When I got there. They told me to drive away and I did. Wasn't gonna mess around with them having a gun.

[Russell Gilmore]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Mr. Gilmore]

We drove about three blocks and he told me to pull into an alley just off of Santa Fe.

[Joe Friday]

Santa Fe in what? Do you remember?

[Mr. Gilmore]

By Porter Street, Between Porter and Enterprise.

[Joe Friday]

I see. Like to go ahead.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Then they told me to pull into the alley and when I did, they made me get out of the truck, took me around back and broke the seal and told me to get inside.

[Joe Friday]

And that's what you did, Officer, if.

[Mr. Gilmore]

They'D have told me to jump off the city hall, I'd have gone. I hadn't done it with that gun pointed at me. I'm a coward. Fellow waves a gun around and I'm gonna do just like he tells me. Yes, those guys are mean. You could tell.

[Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Oh, I'm a kind of a student of phrenology. I could tell about those fellows, real plain.

[Russell Gilmore]

Student of what?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Phrenology. You know, bumps on the head, they all mean something. Of course I didn't get a chance to make a good examination of these guys, but I could see it. Real criminal heads. Mom stole me some. One fella had a head that was one of the worst I'd ever seen.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Gilmore]

He was mean to his mother. I could tell. Had a bump right here. Here. You see?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Mr. Gilmore]

He was mean to his mother.

[Joe Friday]

I see. Well, what happened after they tied you up?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Just left me there.

[Joe Friday]

I see. You want to go on?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah. They must have drove for about 20 minutes when they stopped. Pulled in some sort of a driveway.

[Russell Gilmore]

How do you figure that?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Well, right after they stopped, they made a half U turn, then backed up. Backed up this ramp. Steep. Then they stopped and took me out of the truck, blindfolded me and made me get out of the truck.

[Joe Friday]

Now, this place where they stopped, that's where they unloaded the furniture. Did they?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah. I must have taken it out of there. Heard them thumping around the truck. Sounded like they were unloading it.

[Russell Gilmore]

Well, now, what'd they do after they got all the furniture out?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Put me back in. Drove out to where you found the truck after they. They both climbed into the back, picked me up. Don't remember much after that.

[Joe Friday]

Both of them worked you over, huh? Yeah.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Both of them got in their licks. Especially the one who was mean to his mother. He was vicious. He was mean. They kept hitting me with her fist until I just passed out. Couldn't remember anything after that till I came to in the back of the truck. That's when I called the cops and the guys in uniform came out. I guess they're the ones who called you.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Now, is there any way that you might be able to tell us where they took you?

[Mr. Gilmore]

You mean when they unloaded the furniture?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Well, I think maybe. I got an idea. I tried to figure out how fast they was driving. And after you've been a driver for a while, you get to know. I'd say they were going about 20 miles an hour. We were still in town. My own guess is that they were not Alameda. Must have gone out Santa Fe and then turned onto Alameda.

[Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Mr. Gilmore]

I remember hearing kids yelling. That'd probably be Santa Fe High School. Yeah, I guess we went out Alameda to maybe 43rd or 44th, and they turned right. Kind of hard to figure it. Then the truck got tied up in traffic. It was hard to tell if they were stopping for that or they're just at a light. But I'd say that they were out to about Avalon. Maybe they went up to San Pedro. I Don't think so. I'd say Avalon. Then they turned left and headed for Hawthorne. Not sure how far they went, but I figured maybe around Rose of Crowns. And then they turned a couple more times and they stopped and drove up that steep ramp.

[Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Russell Gilmore]

Now you figure they ended up around Rosecrans and Avalon.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah. Yeah. Guess that's not much help, though, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Well, it gives us an idea where to start looking.

[Mr. Gilmore]

A couple other things that might help you.

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Well, it seems that when we started to back up the ramp, I heard a bump, like they backed into a car. They didn't hit it hard, but I bet they did hit a car.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Mr. Gilmore]

After that, they pulled the truck forward and stopped and backed up again. This time they scraped into the side of a house. I could feel it run along the side of the truck. Sounded like they might have torn up some of the wood on the house.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Will that help any? Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Sir, we'll have our crime lab check the truck and see if they can come up with anything.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Sure hope you can. Oh, you talked to my boss yet?

[Joe Friday]

No, sir, but he's been notified. We understand.

[Mr. Gilmore]

I bet he's plenty sore about it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, we wouldn't know about that. But he should understand that it wasn't your fault.

[Mr. Gilmore]

He should, but he won't. I know that.

[Russell Gilmore]

Right.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah. He doesn't understand anything that doesn't go on his way. Spotted a mile off.

[Joe Friday]

What's that, sir?

[Mr. Gilmore]

His head. All kinds of bumps.

[Joe Friday]

10:06Am we continued to question the victim, Russell Gilmore. He gave us descriptions of the two men who kidnapped him. He also told us that at one time he heard one of the men call the other by the name Leo. Further, he told us that when the two bandits had taken him from the truck, they placed him in a garage. He was able to feel the wall. He said that he was sure it was a plaster wall and as much as he could feel the studs and the wire holding the plaster. He said that at one time he heard a woman come out of a house and say something to the thieves while they unloaded the truck. He told us that the garage wasn't very large because there was no echo on the sounds that were made in the building. We called the office and got out a supplementary broadcast on the thieves carrying their descriptions. 10:40am Frank and I left the county hospital and drove over to Central Station. We went up the crime lab and talked to Ray Pinker.

[Ray Pinker]

On the right rear fender, we found evidence that the truck had hit a car, lifted some paint Chips got in here.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh. Looks like a blue car, huh?

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah, we checked the paint with the Ditzer production color book. Here, I'll show you. We got all the paints cataloged by color.

[Russell Gilmore]

Uh huh.

[Ray Pinker]

Here, this is the one.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, but Ray, there are a lot of blues here. How can you be sure this is it?

[Ray Pinker]

Well here you see they got a color patch on each page in the book. Hole in the patch.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, this little hole here, huh?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Mm.

[Ray Pinker]

We just put this chip we lifted from the truck in the hole. Now lay it down. Get this lamp there. Color matches, get em the same light and you can see they're the same paint.

[Russell Gilmore]

Huh. Look at that Joe. Same.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I see. Well what do we got out of it, Ray?

[Ray Pinker]

Car the truck hit was a 1953 Hudson jet. It was a single tone car. You know the top color matches the body color. Yeah, you only use this on one color cars unless you got a special order.

[Joe Friday]

Did you find any house paint on the side of the truck?

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah, over here. Might be able to do a little better on that for you.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Ray Pinker]

House the truck ran into is about 36 years old. Might be a little more than that, but it's right around there.

[Joe Friday]

How could you come up with that?

[Ray Pinker]

Been painted 18 times. Figure once every two years you come out with 36.

[Russell Gilmore]

Yeah, but how do we know it's been painted every two years?

[Ray Pinker]

We don't Frank. Just guessing, but the layers of paint are pretty even. Might indicate they did it regularly. You know, didn't let the paint go too far before they redid it.

[Russell Gilmore]

Oh yeah.

[Ray Pinker]

Here are the chips of the house paint.

[Joe Friday]

Here.

[Ray Pinker]

I put one up under the microscope. Now take a look Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Mr. Gilmore]

You see?

[Joe Friday]

Okay, I haven't got a. Wait a minute, I'll adjust it. Yeah, I see what you mean.

[Ray Pinker]

I noticed that the first coat was a cream white. And they stuck pretty much to that for the next half dozen paint jobs. Then they changed to a barn red, then to a green, then back to cream white. That goes on for three layers and then to the blue. That's on it now.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Russell Gilmore]

Ray, if we find the house, can you tell us if it's the same one?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Shouldn't be too hard.

[Ray Pinker]

Aren't many of them around.

[Joe Friday]

Well how many?

[Ray Pinker]

Well, 18 coats would be 18 factorial, that's multiplying 18 times 17 times 16 times 15, so on to times one. I got it worked out for you.

[Joe Friday]

I hope you have. I'm not with you at all here.

[Ray Pinker]

Well look, works out to 1 in 6,002,373,705,728,000 chances of finding its twin.

[Russell Gilmore]

Uh, that's pretty long odds.

[Ray Pinker]

Well, if every man, woman and child on the face of the earth owned 10 houses apiece, there wouldn't be another one like it.

[Joe Friday]

11:37Am we put in a call to Leighton Prince. Harlan Stahl told us that his crew had gone over the truck thoroughly but had failed to come up with anything. We contacted the stats office and asked them to make a run on the MO that the thieves had used. They told us that the results would be ready for us Late in the afternoon. We contacted hit and run detail, but there'd been no reports that could have been the car that the truck had hit. We went to the office and got a large map of the city. Then we drove out to the county hospital to talk to the victim again. We asked him to trace his movements while he'd been held prisoner in the back of the truck. He drew a line down Santa Fe Avenue up to Alameda, then over to avalon Boulevard on 43rd Street. From there, he traced the streets down to Rosecrans Avenue. He drew a circle on the map centered on the intersection of Rosecrans Avenue and Avalon Boulevard. He told us that we'd find the house we were looking for inside the circle. Before we left him, we made arrangements for the mug shots to be taken to the hospital for him to check for a possible identification of the suspects. 12:40pm we contacted records and Identification Division and asked them if they'd had any luck on running the name Leo. We were told that they had three possibles for us. The addresses on the packages were not in the area that had been circled by the victim, Russell Gilmore. We got in touch with Lieutenant Jack Smyers and filled him in on the developments. He called Metro Division and made arrangements for three additional teams of men to work with us in a search of the streets within the circle drawn by the victim. He also contacted the divisional commanders and asked for their cooperation. The men were instructed to find a residence with a steep driveway leading to a detached garage. The house would have a wooden porch on the right side of the house. As it faced the street, it would be damaged to the wood on the porch. Also, there was a possibility that a Hudson automobile would be parked either in the driveway or on the street right next to it. The car would have some damage done to it. 5:15pm Frank and I got back to the office from the search area. Man, I'm sure tired. Well, I'm with You a lot of streets out there?

[Russell Gilmore]

Yeah. A lot of houses on the streets. Wonder how the guys from Metro are doing.

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. I'll get it. Robbery fighting. Yeah. Mm. Just a minute. Let me get there. Yeah. Okay. Hang on to it. We'll be right out. Right. All the Metro boys did some good, huh? The house, they found it. The address given us on the phone was 1486 Cedar street down in Compton. It took us 35 minutes to get out there from the City Hall. The officers from Metro Division Reserve stood by until we got there. We found the house. Located on Cedar between Dwight street and Towada Avenue was a one story frame building with a stucco garage in the rear of the lot on the left. Front side of the house was a wooden porch which had been scraped by some large object. Several of the pickets in the railing were broken. On the street in front of the house next door, we found a 1953 Hudson Jet painted a light blue. There was a dent in the left rear fender. We couldn't tell for certain, but the color of the car and the color of the paint on the porch seemed to match the chips that we'd seen in the crime label. While the officers from Metro covered the rear of the building, Frank and I rang the front doorbell. There was no answer. We checked the garage, but we found nothing that would tie the house owners in with the robbery kidnapping. The interior walls of the garage were rough wooden studs. Between them we could see chicken wire embedded in plaster. The physical description of the house, the ramp leading to the garage, the garage itself and the car parked on the street matched in every detail the picture that we'd been given by the victim. 6:10pm we got the name Conrad Lewis from the mailbox in front of the house. And while the officers from Metro checked it with our office, Frank and I went next door to talk with the neighbors.

[Myrtle Richards]

Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

Wonder if we could talk to you, ma'am.

[Myrtle Richards]

Sure. Who are you?

[Joe Friday]

Well, it might be better if we got in off the porch.

[Myrtle Richards]

You ain't coming in here unless I know who and what you are.

[Conrad Lewis]

We're police officers.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yes, ma'am. Here's our identification.

[Myrtle Richards]

Oh, yeah. Well, come on in.

[Russell Gilmore]

Thank you, ma'am.

[Myrtle Richards]

I'm Myrtle Richards.

[Russell Gilmore]

This is my partner, Sergeant Friday. I'm Frank Smith.

[Myrtle Richards]

How do you do?

[Joe Friday]

How are you, ma'am?

[Myrtle Richards]

You just sit down. I'll turn off the television.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Myrtle Richards]

Comedy. I've seen it before a couple of times. I always laugh at them again, though. They're funny.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am.

[Myrtle Richards]

It's a great moon to the people. Television. This one's only 12 inch, but I think maybe next year I'll get a bigger one. Maybe even color. They got it now, you know. It's true color. It's beautiful.

[Russell Gilmore]

Yes, ma'am.

[Myrtle Richards]

Of course, I ain't actually seen it myself. I just read about it, you know. Beautiful. Well, I'm a great fan. I got it on all day right from the early show to the late, late show. I understand next week one of them stations are gonna start early. Early show. Now that'll be nice, won't it?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am. Sure. I wonder if we could ask you a few questions.

[Myrtle Richards]

Why, certainly. You just go right ahead.

[Joe Friday]

That car out front, does that belong to you?

[Myrtle Richards]

The blue one?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am.

[Myrtle Richards]

Yeah, that's mine. I just got it a few months ago. That's what you hear about, huh?

[Joe Friday]

I beg your pardon?

[Myrtle Richards]

About how somebody hit my car. Big dent. Isn't that what you're here for?

[Joe Friday]

No, not exactly. Do you know who hit your car?

[Myrtle Richards]

No. I wish I did. If I knew, I'd sue him. Imagine hitting the car that's parked right at the curb. Not leaving a note or something to say who did it. Person who ran into me must be insured. Wouldn't cost him nothing. All he had to do is leave a card.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am. When will the automobile hit you?

[Myrtle Richards]

Yesterday morning. I walked down to the market to do some shopping and get some things for dinner. Pretzels, potato chips. Things to eat while I watch the tv. When I got back, the dent was there. Did it while I was gone. Did it and didn't even leave a card.

[Russell Gilmore]

Yes, ma'am. Could you tell us who lives next door to you, please?

[Myrtle Richards]

Which side?

[Russell Gilmore]

The left side, over there.

[Myrtle Richards]

Well, that's Lewis's house. Why are you asking about them?

[Joe Friday]

How long have they lived there? Do you know?

[Myrtle Richards]

Yeah, I guess it's been about 10 years. They moved in right after Conrad. That's Mr. Lewis. Right after he opened up the new store.

[Joe Friday]

What line of business is he in?

[Myrtle Richards]

Well, he got some kind of a shipping business. Has deals with different stores all over the state.

[Russell Gilmore]

Did you see Mr. Lewis yesterday?

[Myrtle Richards]

Yes, matter of fact, I did. He come over like usual at 5:30.

[Joe Friday]

Usually come over at that time, does he?

[Myrtle Richards]

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Yeah. You see, there's a TV show he likes to see. I watch it. But his wife don't care for it. She watches something else. So Conrad comes over here. He was here last night.

[Russell Gilmore]

Did you see him during the Day at all?

[Myrtle Richards]

No, I didn't.

[Joe Friday]

You know where they are tonight?

[Myrtle Richards]

I'm not sure, but I think they went to the movies. Seems to me Mrs. Lewis said that her and Conrad was going to a show over in town.

[Russell Gilmore]

That's probably for us. I'll get them.

[Myrtle Richards]

I imagine so. Didn't anybody come calling on me this time of night?

[Russell Gilmore]

Oh, it's Henderson. Joe, I'll be right back.

[Joe Friday]

Right. Have you noticed any trucks in the neighborhood lately, Mrs. Richards?

[Myrtle Richards]

Oh, well, I'll have to think about that for a minute.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Mm.

[Myrtle Richards]

You don't mean like the garbage you can truck, do you?

[Joe Friday]

No, ma'am. Large moving vans.

[Myrtle Richards]

See the others? Quite a bit.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Myrtle Richards]

Well, now, let me see. Well, there were some people who just moved into a new house down the street. That was about a month ago. That didn't help.

[Joe Friday]

Well, thank you, Ms. Richards.

[Russell Gilmore]

Joe, see you a minute?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Excuse me, please. Ms. Richards.

[Myrtle Richards]

Yeah, you go right ahead.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Russell Gilmore]

Anderson ran the name Conrad Lewis through the files.

[Joe Friday]

He's been convicted for armed robbery.

[Narrator]

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

[Conrad Lewis]

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[Narrator]

A doctor has been examining chesterfield Smokers for 20 months. Almost two full years now. We've just received his latest report and it confirms again, no adverse effects to the nose, throat and sinuses from smoking Chesterfield.

[Conrad Lewis]

That's a matter of record. And so is this. Chesterfield is the only cigarette proved highest in quality, low in nicotine. Those are the facts about Chesterfield. More good reasons why Chesterfield's taste so good smoke so much milder. How about it, friends? Smoke America's most popular two way cigarette. Chesterfield regular and king size. Best for you.

[Joe Friday]

The record showed that Conrad Lewis had been arrested for suspicion of armed robbery 10 years before he'd been brought to trial. Convicted and sent to San Quentin. He'd served six years and then he'd been released. He was not on parole at the time. Frank and I parked our car down the street from Lewis's house and we waited for him to return. At 10:57pm we saw a dark colored Lincoln sedan turn onto the street and swing into the driveway of the Lewis residence. A man and a woman got out of the car and entered the house. Frank and I waited a few minutes and then we walked up to the front door and rang the bell. Yeah? You Conrad Lewis?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Yeah, that's right. Who are you?

[Joe Friday]

Police officers. Like to talk to you.

[Mr. Gilmore]

Sure. Come on in. What's this all about?

[Frank Smith]

Something wrong?

[Joe Friday]

You own a truck?

[Mr. Gilmore]

Hmm?

[Joe Friday]

A truck. Do you own one?

[Russell Gilmore]

No.

[Frank Smith]

You mind telling me what this is all about?

[Russell Gilmore]

Can you account for your time since Monday night?

[Frank Smith]

Why?

[Russell Gilmore]

Can you?

[Frank Smith]

Look, I don't know what this is all about, and I'm not gonna tell you a thing until you let me know what you want. Now, what do you want?

[Joe Friday]

The answers to those two questions. 12:15am it had been only a little over 48 hours since Russell Gilmore had been kidnapped and beaten, and we had a suspect in custody. However, Lewis refused to admit any complicity in the crime. We talked to him for several hours, but he told us nothing. He admitted that he'd been arrested before and that he'd served time in San Quentin. However, he stuck to his statement that since his release, he had done his best to live by the law. With the evidence at hand, he was booked at the main jail on a charge of suspicion of violation of section 211pc. We obtained the keys to his place of business and Frank and I went out to check it. It was a large wholesale store selling used furniture. A search at the premises failed to turn up any of the stolen merchandise. While Frank went through the stock rooms, I checked the business ledgers.

[Russell Gilmore]

Nothing back there either. Joe, how'd you do?

[Joe Friday]

Well, according to these, Lewis does a big shipping business.

[Russell Gilmore]

That's what the woman next door told us.

[Joe Friday]

Been making shipments up to Oakland. Regular books tell what they were? Yeah, right here. He's been sending large lots of used stuff to a place on MacArthur Boulevard. There's a whole list of it here. Tables, living room sets, TV sets.

[Russell Gilmore]

Better get in touch with the police up there and have them check this place out, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Without that stolen property, we're not gonna have a very good case against them.

[Russell Gilmore]

You got the address of the place up north?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Let's go back to the office and get a call in.

[Russell Gilmore]

Right. Sure hope they come up with the answers.

[Joe Friday]

Well, if they don't, we might be in trouble. Yeah, the DA's office is liable to throw the whole thing out. Thursday, June 5, 8:20am we put in a call to Captain of Inspectors Tony Bulger in Oakland and asked him to check on the recipient of the furniture shipment from Lewis. We also gave him as detailed a description of the stolen merchandise as we were able to obtain. In the meantime, Lewis had been admitted to bail and was released Thursday, 11:15pm Frank and I got back to the office from checking a lead on one of the suspects who'd driven the truck. I got it. Robbery, Friday. Yeah. Yes, it Is all right. Tony Bulger from Oakland.

[Russell Gilmore]

Let's hope we called it.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah? Yeah. Tony? Yeah? What'd he say? Well, that's the way it looked from here. What? Yeah, right. Okay. Thank you.

[Russell Gilmore]

How about it?

[Joe Friday]

When you talk to the man who bought this stuff, he's clean.

[Russell Gilmore]

How about the merchandise itself?

[Joe Friday]

It's all stolen. 11:20pm we got in touch with Lt. Smyers and filled him in on the new developments. After we talked to him, we contacted Officers Max Herman and Ed Benson and made arrangements to meet them at the house on Cedar Street. It took us less than half an hour to get out to Compton. The other officers were there by the time we arrived. While they covered the back door, Frank and I went up to the front.

[Russell Gilmore]

You think he knows it's us?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. Try it again. The car's in the driveway. We know he's in there.

[Russell Gilmore]

Wait a minute. Sounds like somebody's coming now.

[Ray Pinker]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

What are you doing out here? Aren't you guys ever gonna get all the way?

[Joe Friday]

Mind if we come in and talk?

[Frank Smith]

I got a choice?

[Joe Friday]

No, you haven't.

[Frank Smith]

Well, then, come on in. Want to go through the house again?

[Joe Friday]

That won't be necessary.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I'm glad of that. What's it about this time?

[Joe Friday]

Same as before.

[Frank Smith]

Maybe you better spell it for me.

[Joe Friday]

We can go that route if that's the way you want it.

[Frank Smith]

Go ahead. I like fairy tales.

[Narrator]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

We got a report from a victim who was robbed and kidnapped. He was able to give us a description of this house, of your garage and the whole setup.

[Frank Smith]

You've been on a spike again. You're seeing things.

[Joe Friday]

We took a sample of the paint from your front porch. It's matches. Paint found on a truck that was hijacked.

[Frank Smith]

Lot of houses in LA not painted like this one. You think you're gonna send me to the joint with a batch of paint?

[Joe Friday]

It's gonna help.

[Frank Smith]

Look, cop, you know, I've been the rounds. I've seen enough trouble to know it's rough to get a conviction with circumstantial evidence. That's all you got with me. Nothing more. Now, why don't you go home and I'll just forget you were here tonight.

[Joe Friday]

We got the plant. What? We got the plant. They moved in on it.

[Russell Gilmore]

The man you sold the stolen furniture to is willing to testify.

[Joe Friday]

You know, we got your code. Now, why not cop out?

[Frank Smith]

That's the way it hangs, huh?

[Joe Friday]

That's the way.

[Frank Smith]

All right, I'll get my coat and go.

[Joe Friday]

Just point it Out. We'll get it for you in the closet. Never mind. He's making a help outside. He's in his car. Come on. He's heading down toward Rosecrans. Better hit the siren.

[Russell Gilmore]

Right.

[Joe Friday]

He's turning on the Rose crayons. Take a left.

[Russell Gilmore]

I got him.

[Joe Friday]

See him? Wait a minute.

[Russell Gilmore]

Yeah, up ahead there. Dry shot?

[Joe Friday]

Better not too many people around. Can't you close in on them? I think we're pulling up, making a turn.

[Russell Gilmore]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Stay with him.

[Russell Gilmore]

Hang on.

[Joe Friday]

It's a dead end, Frank.

[Russell Gilmore]

Yeah. Decent trouble, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Come on. Well, let's get him out of there. Yeah.

[Russell Gilmore]

Hey, that door is stuck.

[Joe Friday]

Wait a minute. I'll give you a hand there. Can you get him?

[Russell Gilmore]

Better call an ambulance. The motors in his lap.

[Joe Friday]

Is he still alive? Looks like it.

[Russell Gilmore]

Can you help me here?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, let me get in there.

[Russell Gilmore]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

Come on. Let's put him down here. Yeah. All right. Take it easy, Lewis.

[Russell Gilmore]

I'll call the ambulance.

[Joe Friday]

Right. Take it easy, Lewis. We've sent for a doctor.

[Frank Smith]

I didn't see the sign. I didn't know the street didn't go through.

[Conrad Lewis]

Lousy break.

[Frank Smith]

Lousy break. I'd have made it if I stayed off this street. You'd never got me if I'd stayed off the street. I'd just turned the car and all of a sudden I was on a dead end.

[Joe Friday]

Afraid you're wrong there, mister, huh? You've been there a long time.

[Conrad Lewis]

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

[Narrator]

On October 14, trial was held in Department 97, Superior Court of the State of California. In and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Conrad Lewis]

Now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[I]

Well, here it is. The most talked about Christmas gift of the year. The Chesterfield Christmas carton. Now featured in nearly a million three hundred thousand retail tobacco stores from coast to coast. The famous covered bridge has been honored this week by a new Christmas tune, the Kissing Bridge.

[Joe Friday]

You'll be hearing a lot of it.

[I]

Between now and Christmas. So give the gift that everybody's talking about. America's most popular two way cigarette, regular and king size Chesterfield Premium quality Chesterfield. Best to give, best to get for Christmas.

[Narrator]

Conrad Austin Lewis and his confederates were apprehended and brought to trial on 11 counts of grand theft auto and one count of kidnapping. They were found guilty and sentenced as prescribed by law. Grand theft auto is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of not less than 1 nor more than 10 years. Kidnapping is punishable by imprisonment for a term of from one to 25 years in the state penitentiary. 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 Perrin, Virginia Gregg, Jim Griffin. Script by John Robinson, music by Walter Schuman, Hal Gibney speaking.

[Conrad Lewis]

Watch an entirely new 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.

[Narrator]

Buy new Fatima the smooth smoke with Fatima tips of perfect cork king size for longer filtering and Fatima quality for a much better flavor and aroma. This Christmas, give Fatima in the special Christmas carton cork tip and plain ends too.

[Joe Friday]

Here Merrill Muller and the news next.

[Narrator]

On the NBC radio.