Dragnet: The Big Strip 01/31/1956

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Dragnet - "The Big Strip" (01/31/1956)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Strip
Date: July 28, 2026
Summary By: [Your Name/AI]

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Episode Overview

This episode of Dragnet, titled "The Big Strip," takes listeners into a detailed investigation by Detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith of the Los Angeles Police Department’s auto theft detail. A professional gang has been stripping cars across the city, and the officers’ pursuit leads them from high-speed chases and tragic accidents to uncovering an organized ring of thieves and their fence. The drama features a blend of procedural police work, emotional encounters with victims' families, and steady unraveling of criminal networks, reflecting the show's signature realistic style.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Crime Introduction and Initial Pursuit [(02:07 – 03:52)]

• Friday and Smith are staking out a parking lot when they spot a suspect breaking into a Cadillac.

• The ensuing chase results in the suspect crashing, causing injuries and ultimately his own death.

• The victim is identified as Charles Roxford, a 16-year-old.

  Notable Quote
  Mrs. Roxford (upon learning of her son’s death):
  "Oh, Charlie. He was only a baby. Just a baby." [(05:40)]

2. Notifying the Family [(03:52 – 08:16)]

• The detectives must inform Mrs. Roxford of her son’s involvement in car theft and his death during an attempted escape.

• The sequence is somber, highlighting the emotional burden carried by both police and families.

  Notable Quotes

  • Mrs. Roxford: "He doesn't drive. Oh, but Charlie doesn't have a car. He doesn't drive." [(06:01)]
  • Joe Friday: "Somebody should have tried a long time ago." [(08:16)]
  • Friday reflects on the slow path to crime taken by many youths, alluding to early intervention.

3. Modus Operandi of the Car Strippers [(08:16 – 09:53)]

• Friday details three types of car thieves: professionals, joy riders, and car strippers.

• The current focus is on strippers — thieves who target car accessories like radios, tires, and mirrors.

• The gang has stolen over $12,000 in accessories in recent weeks.

• Police efforts are hampered by the thieves’ speed and professionalism.

  Notable Quote
  Joe Friday: "They could break into a car and remove the radio as well as other accessories in under 10 minutes." [(09:06)]

4. A Typical Theft Investigation: Dr. Halsey's Case [(11:16 – 15:01)]

• Dr. Halsey's car radio is stolen within minutes of parking his car.

• Officers conduct thorough questioning but find all fingerprints belong to Dr. Halsey.

• This exemplifies the quick, bold strikes by the thieves and challenges in gathering evidence.

  Notable Moment

  • Dr. Halsey (trying to be helpful): "Never knew my fingers were so big." [(14:18)]

5. Escalating Frustration and Break in the Case [(15:01 – 17:25)]

• Weeks go by with continued thefts and dead ends.

• A stolen car is recovered in Topanga Canyon, stripped of all valuables, again offering no new leads.

• The turning point comes when a boy (Herb Martin) is arrested for running a red light in a car full of stolen gear, including a radio linked back to Dr. Halsey's earlier theft.

  Notable Quote
  Joe Friday: "Picked up a kid for running a red light. Driving a hot run...the radio was stolen from Dr. Halsey." [(17:10)]

6. Interrogation Leads to Gang Exposure [(19:21 – 20:42)]

• Herb Martin, 19, is questioned. He admits to possessing the stolen goods but denies involvement with the full gang.

• Under pressure, Martin refers to "the others," leading the detectives to press him for information about the broader operation.

• Martin provides the names of two associates involved in the stripping ring.

  Notable Exchange

  • Frank Smith: "You look good for it." [(19:57)]
  • Herb Martin: "Look, maybe I lifted the radio and stuff, but that don't mean I'm in on the other. Sure, I got no choice... but I'm not going to take it for the others." [(19:59–20:11)]

7. Tracing the Stolen Goods to the Fence [(20:42 – 26:27)]

• The two youths point to Richard R. Ogden as their contact.

• Ogden’s whereabouts are tied to the Meyer Garage, owned by Alan Meyer.

• While Ogden is initially evasive, confrontation leads to mutual accusations between Ogden and Meyer, exposing Meyer as the main organizer and fence.

  Notable Quotes

  • Richard R. Ogden (betraying his boss):
    "Sure, I stole him. I had the kids go out and pick him up. But he set it up. He sold him to the stations. He took most of the money. The whole thing was his idea." [(25:18)]
  • Alan Meyer (stunned):
    "Why, Dick, why'd you do a thing like that? Hmm? If what these officers say is true, well, gee, that's awful. Why would you do a thing like that?" [(24:52)]

8. Resolution and Aftermath [(26:27 – End)]

• Police seize Meyer’s business records, confirming the ring’s operations.

• Both Meyer and Ogden are arrested and tried for receiving stolen property; other participants also tried and sentenced.

• Friday’s closing reflection and the Dragnet narrator affirm the punishment for their crimes.

  Notable Quote
  Narrator: "On January 21, trial was held...Richard R. Ogden and Alan Y. Meyer were tried and convicted of receiving stolen property... Investigation of the records of Alan Y. Meyer uncovered the names of the other men involved in the thefts..." [(26:32–27:52)]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Grief of a mother:

  • Mrs. Roxford: "Oh, Charlie. He was only a baby. Just a baby." [(05:40)]

• Social commentary by Joe Friday:

  • "Somebody should have tried a long time ago." [(08:16)]

• Revelation of the mastermind:

  • Richard R. Ogden: "The whole thing was his [Alan Meyer's] idea." [(25:18)]

• Betrayal within the gang:

  • Alan Meyer: "Ten years we've been friends. I trusted you all that time. Then you sold me out. Why?"
  • Joe Friday: "Well, that shouldn't be too tough for you to figure, huh? You showed him how." [(26:17)]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Description | |------------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | 02:32 | Dragnet Introduction | Set-up for the auto theft investigation | | 03:52 | Roxford Crash Aftermath | Suspect dies; family notified | | 08:16 | Auto Theft Categories Explained | Crime typology outlined by Friday | | 11:16 | Dr. Halsey Case | Fast theft and failed evidence collection | | 15:57 | Continuing Frustration | Weeks pass with no progress | | 17:10 | Breakthrough at Wilshire | Stolen radio traced to new suspect | | 19:21 | Herb Martin Interrogation | Youth cracks under questioning | | 20:42 | Gang Structure Uncovered | Names and roles identified | | 21:53 | Meyer Garage Showdown | Confrontation with Alan Meyer | | 26:32 | Trial and Sentencing | Justice served; case closed |

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Conclusion

"The Big Strip" offers a classic Dragnet procedural, balancing methodical police work with the human cost of crime. The episode’s strongest moments lie in its emotionally charged family notification, the incremental frustrations of real investigations, and the ultimate unraveling of the criminal hierarchy through persistence and teamwork. It’s a testament to Dragnet’s enduring power: true crime, step by step, with respect for the reality behind the headlines.

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Transcript

[Choice Classic Radio 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 Cigarettes Announcer]

Sound off for Chesterfield. Chesterfield, the first and only cigarette in America to give you premium quality in both regular and king size, brings you Dragnet.

[Narrator/Commercial 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 to auto theft detail. A gang of car strippers has been

[Dragnet Narrator]

operating in your city.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

From their M.O. you know they're professionals, they move fast. Your job, get them. Friends. You remember some months ago we read you our first report, the six months report on the effects of smoking. Then more recently, we read you the eight months report. Now here is the latest one. The full 10 months report confirms again

[Chesterfield Cigarettes Announcer]

the group examined showed no adverse effects on the nose, throat and sinuses from smoking Chesterfields.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

This from a medical specialist who is making regular bi monthly examinations of a group of people from various walks of life. 45% of them have smoked Chesterfield for an average of over 10 years.

[Chesterfield Cigarettes Announcer]

After 10 full months, the specialist reports he observed no adverse effects on the nose, throat and sinuses of the group from smoking Chesterfield.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

That's the report. Buy much milder Chesterfield, regular or king size, the cigarette that's best for you.

[Dragnet 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 Tuesday, August 5th. Was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of auto theft detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Nelson. My name's Friday. I was on my way back from the telephone booth and it was 10:23pm when I got to the parking lot.

[Frank Smith]

Our car you called in?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, they haven't hit tonight so far.

[Frank Smith]

What's the time now?

[Joe Friday]

A little after 10:30. Parking lot's about empty.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, the attendant left a few minutes ago.

[Joe Friday]

Frank.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I see him over there going for that Cadillac. Yeah. You got a good look at him?

[Joe Friday]

No, it's too dark. He's forcing the door. Come on. All right, hold it up there.

[Frank Smith]

He's in the car, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

All right, hold it up. He doesn't want to shock him for that intersection. He never gets through.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Come on.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

That looks pretty bad.

[Alan Meyer]

Joe.

[Herb Martin]

Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

He really cracked into that Dodge, didn't he? All right, let us through, please.

[Frank Smith]

Come on, please. Let us through.

[Joe Friday]

I'll check the Cadillac.

[Alan Meyer]

Right.

[Frank Smith]

I'll get the other car. Okay. The three people in that Dodge are lucky. Doesn't look too bad. I'll call the ambulance.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, we'll tell them to hurry. I don't think this one's going to wait. 10:46pm the ambulance arrived, and after emergency treatment at the scene, the victims were removed to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. A traffic car had been dispatched to investigate the accident. Upon arrival at the emergency hospital, we were informed that the suspect had died on the way. The dead body was identified by his personal effects as Charles Roxford, age 16. The Juvenile Bureau was contacted and they requested that in the course of our investigation, we notify the boy's family. 11:27pm Frank and I drove out to the address. Listed on the victim's identification was a house above the Sunset Strip. We rang the bell and waited.

[Frank Smith]

I'll try it again.

[Joe Friday]

Griffin. Somebody's coming.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Yes?

[Joe Friday]

Mrs. Roxford?

[Mrs. Roxford]

That's right. What is it?

[Joe Friday]

Police officers, man. We like to talk to you.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Police? Well, come in.

I don't know what you want with us, but come in.

[Frank Smith]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Come into the living room.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you very much.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Now, sit down. What is it?

[Frank Smith]

There's been an accident, Mrs. Roxburn.

[Mrs. Roxford]

An accident?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Frank Smith]

Am. Pretty bad one.

[Mrs. Roxford]

What's this got to do with me?

[Frank Smith]

Well, you see, ma', am, your boy was Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Well, we're sorry to have to tell you this, ma', am, but your boy was in an accident tonight.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Charles?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Am.

You said it was a bad accident?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, we did.

[Mrs. Roxford]

How bad? How bad?

[Joe Friday]

Your son's dead, ma'.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Am. Charles?

Charles Roxford. You're sure you have the right house?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

We're sorry, Ms. Roxford.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Oh, Charlie. He was only a baby. Just a baby.

Oh, you're sure there's no mistake? You're sure?

[Joe Friday]

Afraid not, ma'.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Am.

[Mrs. Roxford]

How did it happen?

[Joe Friday]

It was an automobile accident, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Roxford]

In an automobile?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Your boy was driving a car.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Oh, but Charlie doesn't have a car. He doesn't drive.

[Frank Smith]

Your boy was driving a stolen car, Mrs. Roxford.

[Alan Meyer]

What?

[Frank Smith]

Your son had a stolen car, ma'. Am. He was trying to get away.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Well, that's not true.

[Joe Friday]

Afraid it is, ma'.

[Frank Smith]

Am.

[Mrs. Roxford]

No, you're lying to me. Charles wouldn't do a thing like that.

[Frank Smith]

Pray. That's the Way it is, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Oh, that's terrible. I can't believe that Charlie would do something like that. I thought I knew him.

I didn't think he'd do anything like that.

Well, did you see it?

The accident? Were you there?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, we were.

[Mrs. Roxford]

How did it happen?

[Joe Friday]

Well, he'd stolen the car, ma'.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

He tried to escape. He ran the car out into a crowded street. One of the cars in the traffic didn't have time to stop. Your boy ran right into him.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Wasn't there something you could do to stop him?

[Joe Friday]

We tried, ma'.

[Frank Smith]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

Yelled at him. He almost ran us down.

[Frank Smith]

You know where your boy was tonight, Mrs. Roxford?

[Mrs. Roxford]

No. No, he had dinner and said he was going out. I thought he was going to a show or something. No, I didn't know where he was going.

[Joe Friday]

Did he leave the house alone?

[Mrs. Roxford]

Yes. Left right after dinner, about 8.

Said he'd be back later. Said he'd see me later, that he left.

[Frank Smith]

Is there anything we can get for you, Mrs. Roxford?

[Mrs. Roxford]

No.

No, nothing.

[Joe Friday]

Where's your husband, ma'?

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Am?

[Mrs. Roxford]

I guess he's at his office. He sells insurance. Said he had to meet a client tonight. I don't know what he's gonna do

when he hears about this. Gonna hit him awfully hard. Awfully hard?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Frank Smith]

Am.

[Mrs. Roxford]

He and the boy were very close. I don't know what he's gonna do when he hears about it.

[Frank Smith]

Did the boy give you any idea during dinner as to what he was gonna do after he left?

[Mrs. Roxford]

No.

No, he didn't.

I didn't talk much to him.

Well, you see, I wasn't here.

I was out most of the afternoon. I didn't get home till just before he left. He just finished dinner and then he left.

[Frank Smith]

I see that.

[Mrs. Roxford]

I was at the bridge club. I always go on Tuesdays.

Oh, if I'd known. If I'd only known what was going to happen.

Am I going to see him?

[Joe Friday]

Well, we want either you or your husband to identify him.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Now, Charlie. He's dead. Just a baby. Just a little boy. You were there. You could have done something. Your police officers. Isn't that your job, lady?

[Joe Friday]

Burnt?

[Mrs. Roxford]

Well, isn't it your job to help people to do something when they're in trouble?

[Joe Friday]

Well, yes, ma', am, I suppose it is. But was a little late for that lunch.

[Mrs. Roxford]

What does that mean?

[Joe Friday]

Well, he was 16 when we met him. Ms. Roxy.

[Mrs. Roxford]

What's that got to do with this?

[Joe Friday]

Somebody should have tried a long time ago. Most car Thefts fall into three basic categories well known by all police officers. First, the cars that are stolen by professionals who change the motor numbers, forge owner certificates, repaint the bodies and sell them throughout the country. The second group consists of joy riders, thieves who steal the cars for a few hours merely to ride around in them and then leave them on the streets. The third category, and the one we'd been working on for the past six weeks, dealt with the activities of car strippers. Their MO Followed the usual pattern for this type of crime. The car would be stolen and then driven to some lonely part of the city. There, all usable accessories would be removed. Radios, tires, air horns, side mirrors. Anything that could be resold would be taken. In certain cases, the articles would be stolen while the car remained parked where the owner had left it. We found that the gang had become so proficient that they could break into a car and remove the radio as well as other accessories in under 10 minutes. Avenues of sale for the stolen merchandise had been checked. Known dealers and stolen property had been questioned. As the days went on, the total of thefts went up. By the 5th of August, the gang had stolen over $12,000 in automobile accessories. In the instances where we'd been able to get a description of men loitering in the vicinity of the strip cars, we'd had the witnesses check mug books in the hope of identifying the thieves. We'd gotten no new leads. Physical evidence at the scene of the abandoned cars had been checked and rechecked. It netted us nothing. A week passed August 14, 8:15am Frank and I got back to the office.

[Frank Smith]

The captain's really boiling, isn't he?

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

You can't blame them, though. They gotta stop cold. We gotta get a break in it sometime.

[Frank Smith]

All the luck can't stay on their side. I don't know.

[Joe Friday]

It looks like it could happen that way.

[Frank Smith]

Anything on the steakhouse last night?

[Joe Friday]

Nothing that we got so far. Maybe something later. I got it follows that Friday. I beg your pardon, ma'?

[Herb Martin]

Am?

[Joe Friday]

Well, no, well, yeah. What was that again? Oh, yeah, yeah. Well, yes, ma'.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

All right. What was that address again? Yes, I, I. All right, well, we'll send a unit out. I'm sure they can help you. No, I suggest you get in touch with the spca. No. Spca. Yes. That's all right.

[Alan Meyer]

Bye.

[Joe Friday]

There's a dandy one.

[Frank Smith]

What's that?

[Joe Friday]

Woman lost a cat from her car. I want to know if we'd get

[Frank Smith]

it back for him.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, so it's real easy to recognize. He has a Collar on him. He answers the name of Tabby.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, that makes it easier out of that. Smith.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, that's right.

[Frank Smith]

Uh huh. Where are you calling from, sir?

[Joe Friday]

So that's on Wilshire, right?

[Frank Smith]

All right, so we'll be right there.

[Joe Friday]

Anything? Yeah, Dr. Alan Wilshire.

[Frank Smith]

Parked his car out in front of his office.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Came back in 10 minutes. His car radio was gone.

[Joe Friday]

8:56am Frank and I got to the doctor's office. Was in a large medical building out on Wilshire Boulevard. We went up to the second floor and talked to the man who placed the call, a Dr. Alex Halsey. He told us that he'd stopped at his office on the way to a hospital call. He parked his car immediately in front of the building. When he returned 10 minutes later, he found that the radio had been stolen from his office. We called the crime lab and latent fingerprints detailed crews of men were sent from both divisions. They went over the car for possible physical evidence. Frank and I, along with Dr. Halsey, went down to the street. We talked to him while the officers worked.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Darnest thing I ever saw. I tell you. I wasn't in the building more than 10 minutes. 10 minutes outside?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Came back and I could see right away that the door had been open.

[Frank Smith]

Huh.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

First I thought maybe I'd left it open. Then when I got in the car, I knew right away. As soon as I saw the radio was gone.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Did you notice anyone loitering around your car when you parked it? Anybody suspicious maybe?

[Alan Meyer]

No.

[Richard R. Ogden]

No, I didn't.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Of course, I might not have noticed anyone. Had my mind on Julie.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Julie?

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Yes, I'm operating on her this afternoon. Poor little kid has an intestinal disorder. Only three months old.

[Frank Smith]

Gee, that's too bad.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Yes, she'll be fine. Though of course the parents are worried. They always are. Can't convince them there's nothing to worry about.

[Frank Smith]

Yes, sir. And you didn't notice anyone, huh?

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

No, like I said, I didn't.

[Joe Friday]

You sure you locked your car, sir, when you left it?

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Oh, yes, I'm sure about that. Always make it a practice to lock

[Joe Friday]

it when I leave it.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Lots of times I leave instruments in it. Always have to be careful about the instruments. Yes, sir, I always lock it.

[Frank Smith]

How about the windows?

[Chesterfield Cigarettes Announcer]

What?

[Frank Smith]

The windows. You roll them all the way up.

[Richard R. Ogden]

Roll them up?

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Well, now, once in a while I don't try to think of that. I'm not sure about this morning.

[Richard R. Ogden]

No.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Come to think of it, I guess I didn't close them this morning. Such a wonderful Day?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Well, that's probably how they got into your car.

[Frank Smith]

You happen to have the serial number of the radio, Dr. Halsey?

[Herb Martin]

No.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

No, I don't think I have. Might be on the papers. I just got to the car a couple of months ago. Might be on the papers. I can check them for you.

[Joe Friday]

All right, sir. That'll help.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

I'll have my secretary look them up for you right away.

[Joe Friday]

Anyone else drive the car, Dr. Halsey?

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Oh, no, sir. Don't believe in that. I'm the only one been the only one to drive it. Don't believe in lending the car to somebody else. Never have believe in it.

[Chesterfield Cigarettes Announcer]

Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Excuse me a minute, Dr. Halsey.

[Herb Martin]

Surely.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Leonard.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Got a couple of clean prints on the dashboard. Might belong to thief. Yeah, I can check the doctor.

[Frank Smith]

It might be his.

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Wait a minute. I'll get the kit.

[Frank Smith]

I know.

[Joe Friday]

Hey, Dr. Halsey.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Yes, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Okay.

[Joe Friday]

This is Sergeant Tankerley of the fingerprint department. He'd like to check your prints.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

How do you do, sir?

[Sergeant Tankerley]

All right, Doctor. I wonder if I could look at your fingers, please.

[Alan Meyer]

Surely.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Can you tell just from looking at them what you want to know?

[Sergeant Tankerley]

No, sir. But you see, the prints we found are poor. If your prints were loops, there'd be

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

no reason to take them.

[Frank Smith]

Oh.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Oh, yes, I see.

[Joe Friday]

How about it, Lynn?

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Better roll them up for comparison.

[Joe Friday]

We're gonna take your prints, doctor, if you have no objection.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Oh, no, no, of course not. Glad to help.

[Joe Friday]

All right, sir, you wanna step over here?

[Sergeant Tankerley]

We can take them in the officer's car.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Yes, glad to.

[Alan Meyer]

Here, I'll get the door.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

I'll get the pan. Now, doctor, if you let me have your hand. Surely.

[Herb Martin]

Here.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

No, sir. If you let me do it, it'd be a little easier.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Oh, yes. Just trying to help.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

I will put them on the card.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Never knew my fingers were so big.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Just that we're taking the print of the whole tip of the finger, sir.

[Joe Friday]

Makes it look that way.

[Frank Smith]

Oh.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Oh, I see you. Huh?

[Joe Friday]

All right, doctor, you can get the

[Sergeant Tankerley]

ink off with this, I think. Here, I'll pour a little on this cloth. Here you go.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Yes, yes, thank you.

[Joe Friday]

What do you think, Leonard?

[Sergeant Tankerley]

I'll check them now.

[Frank Smith]

Sure be a break if they were the thiefs.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Well, there must be. Couldn't be anyone else's.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how about your family, Doctor? Possible the prince could be theirs. Lynne.

[Dr. Alex Halsey]

Oh, no, no. No chance. Jenny, that's my wife, she has her own car. Kids always use that one. Like I said, I'm the only one who uses this

[Joe Friday]

how about it, Lynn?

[Frank Smith]

Make them?

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Yeah, they belong to Dr.

[Joe Friday]

10:02am the crime lab crew gathered what physical evidence they could find and returned to check over their findings. Frank and I took a report from Dr. Halsey. We talked to his secretary. She was unable to find the ownership papers on the car. We drove over to the dealer who had sold him the car and got the serial number of the stolen radio. We notified pawn shop detail and gave them the information. For the next three weeks, stakeouts on the parking lots in the central area continued. Arrests were made, but the thieves apparently had no connection with the gang we were after. They kept hitting, but the speed with which they operated made apprehending them difficult. On Friday, September 5th, we got a call that a stolen car had been recovered out in Topanga Canyon. We drove out to check on it. The tires, radio horns, heater, spotlights, fog lights and the side view mirrors had been taken. The seat covers had been removed and the hubcaps were missing. Again, there was no physical evidence that gave us a lead to the thieves. That night at 10:52pm Frank and I checked back into the office.

[Frank Smith]

Another long day?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Kind of tired myself.

[Frank Smith]

Kind of hate to call Faye.

[Joe Friday]

Why is that?

[Frank Smith]

Oh, this morning when I left, I told her I'd be home for dinner.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

Well, didn't you call her?

[Frank Smith]

No, I forgot all about it. She's really going to be sore.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, well, she'll get over it. I don't know, Joe.

[Frank Smith]

It's going to be a couple of days of quiet around the house, I think.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Why?

[Joe Friday]

Just cuz you missed a meal.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, it ain't that.

[Joe Friday]

She had tamale pie for dinner.

[Frank Smith]

Boy, she sure makes it good, too. Out of cheese, you know. Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Well, she can warm it up for you when you get home. Here, go ahead.

[Frank Smith]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

You want to sign us out? I'll check the book.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I'll get it. Anything?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, a call from Brennan out in Wilshire. I'll call him. Hello? Brennan around?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Dragnet Narrator]

All right.

[Frank Smith]

Say what it was about?

[Joe Friday]

No, I'm calling him now. Yeah, Hi, Brennan. It's Friday. Yeah, we did, huh? Where'd that happen? No kidding. Those are the brakes, I think.

[Mrs. Roxford]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Okay. Yeah, thanks, Ben. Picked up a kid for running a red light. Driving a hot run.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Car was fixed up with a lot of new stuff. Guys out of Wilshire checked it over.

[Frank Smith]

Huh?

[Joe Friday]

According to the serial number on the radio, was stolen from Dr. Halsey.

[Dragnet Narrator]

You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic

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[Joe Friday]

11:27pm Frank and I drove out to Wilshire Division. We checked with Sergeant Brennan and he told us how the boy had been picked up. He'd run a red light at the corner of Pico and La Brea. He'd been stopped by two officers in a cruiser car. He was driving a cut down 49 Ford that was equipped with Cadillac hubcaps, white sidewall tires, Chrysler horns and a Cadillac radio. The officers had started to question him and he'd attempted to escape. He'd been apprehended and brought to the station to be interrogated. In checking the serial number of the radio, the men from Wilshire division had discovered that it was stolen and had left word for us. 11:45pm we went to an interview room to talk to the boy.

[Frank Smith]

What's your name, son?

[Joe Friday]

Martin. First name?

[Herb Martin]

Herb. Herb Martin.

[Joe Friday]

You know why you're here, don't you?

[Herb Martin]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

You want to tell us where you got that stuff?

[Alan Meyer]

I bought it.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Where?

[Joe Friday]

In different places.

[Dragnet Narrator]

You remember where?

[Herb Martin]

Not right off.

[Frank Smith]

How old are you?

[Herb Martin]

19.

[Frank Smith]

Where do you live?

[Herb Martin]

It's on the report.

[Frank Smith]

We're asking you.

[Joe Friday]

Come on, Herb.

[Herb Martin]

8297 Marianne Drive.

[Joe Friday]

Where were you going when they stopped you?

[Herb Martin]

Home.

[Frank Smith]

Where'd you been?

[Alan Meyer]

Around.

[Joe Friday]

Same place. You bought that stuff on your car, huh?

[Herb Martin]

Yeah, that's right.

[Joe Friday]

Now look, you better come off this young fella. You might think you're a big man, but you got things a little mixed up here. You got caught with a carload of stolen accessories. Been a lot of stealing going on around town. The way your car looks, you could be responsible for it.

[Herb Martin]

Yeah, well, I'm not.

[Frank Smith]

You look good for it.

[Herb Martin]

Look, maybe I lifted the radio and stuff, but that don't mean I'm in on the other. Sure, I got no choice. You got me nailed for the stuff you found, but I'm not going to take it for the others. Maybe I stole that stuff, but that was for me. I didn't sell it like the others. Now leave me alone.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Huh?

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean, others?

[Herb Martin]

I don't know what you mean.

[Frank Smith]

You said the others.

[Herb Martin]

Well, I didn't mean others like that.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how did you mean it?

[Herb Martin]

Well, like the guys you're looking for.

[Frank Smith]

That's not the way it sounded.

[Joe Friday]

No, you said it like you know who you're talking about.

[Herb Martin]

I didn't say it like that.

[Frank Smith]

That's the way it sounded.

[Joe Friday]

That's right, son.

[Frank Smith]

Now, why don't you tell us who you meant?

[Joe Friday]

Look, Herb, we haven't got all day.

[Frank Smith]

Come on, boy.

[Joe Friday]

We're gonna get him sometime.

[Frank Smith]

What do you mean?

[Richard R. Ogden]

All right, I'll tell you.

[Joe Friday]

We continued to talk to Herb Martin. He told us of the activities of a gang of car strippers who were working on order. He went on to say that from what he heard, if someone wanted to pick up some fast money, a connection could be made with a man on the corner of Sunset and Western. The man would give the order for the stolen merchandise and say where and at what time it was to be delivered. Herb told us that he had the opportunity to do business with the man, but that he turned it down. He was unable to identify the man who made the contact and said that he'd never heard him referred to by name. He gave us the names and addresses of two of the men were working for him. 12:45am Frank and I left and drove back downtown. With the assistance of officers from Wilshire Division. The two young men were brought in for questioning. They identified their contact as a Richard R. Ogden. We ran the name through R and I and found that Ogden had a previous record of petty theft from the 510 in his package. We obtained his last known address, but the landlady told us that he'd moved and left no forwarding address. She told us, however, that she thought we could find him at the Meyer Garage on South Hoover. We drove over and found that it was a small place on the corner of Hoover and Mariposa. The owner, Alan Meyer, told us that Ogden did work for him, but that he was out. He said that the suspect was expected back almost anytime. While we talked to him, Meyer worked on a small foreign car.

[Alan Meyer]

Great little cars. Get a real kick out of working on him.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, sure. Nice looking.

[Joe Friday]

Do you sell Them, do you?

[Alan Meyer]

No, I just service them. Well, now and then I get accessories for them. You know, I order them up, install them. Cost too much to keep a regular stock of them.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. When did you say that Ogden would be back?

[Alan Meyer]

He should be here now. Probably got hung up someplace.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Yeah.

[Alan Meyer]

Latest thing is a hard top made out of laminated fiberglass. Is that right? Yeah, fits right over them. Kind of makes them look like a small Rolls, you know? Then with wire wheel caps, baggage racks, wind wings. You can put a lot of money in them.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I guess so. What about all this other stuff here? Is that for these foreign cars, too?

[Alan Meyer]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Oh, tires and hubcaps.

[Frank Smith]

Here?

[Alan Meyer]

No, no, that's where I make most of my money. I go out and buy them from Rex, bring them back here, straighten them up, resell them to the independent stations around town. Things sell them a lot cheaper than new ones run. We both make a little money out of it.

[Richard R. Ogden]

Yeah.

[Alan Meyer]

Say, you guys like some peanuts?

[Frank Smith]

No, no, no, thanks.

[Alan Meyer]

You don't mind if I have some, huh? Sure you don't want any?

[Joe Friday]

No, thanks very much.

[Alan Meyer]

I guess I'm hungry. In the morning. I'll keep these things around to munch on.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Alan Meyer]

Go through a whole can of these a day. That'd kill me. And get started on the things you can't stop. You sure you don't want some?

[Joe Friday]

No, no, thanks. How long you known this Ogden Meyer?

[Alan Meyer]

Oh, I see. Guess it's been 10 years. Anyway, he went to work for me a year ago. Good man. Brought a lot of business in. Say, what is it you want to see him about?

[Joe Friday]

We like to talk to him.

[Alan Meyer]

You don't want to tell me, huh?

[Frank Smith]

Be better if we talk to him, Mr. Meyer.

[Alan Meyer]

Yeah. Well, here he is now. Hey, Dick. Yeah? A couple of fellas here want to see you.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, what is it?

[Joe Friday]

You Richard Ogden? Yeah, that's right. Police officers.

[Frank Smith]

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

[Richard R. Ogden]

What is it you guys want me for?

[Joe Friday]

Like talk to yoga?

[Richard R. Ogden]

Well, go ahead.

[Frank Smith]

Might be better if we went outside.

[Alan Meyer]

Well, look, you can talk to him here. I got some work I can do in the office.

[Frank Smith]

Don't want to bother you, Mr. Meyer.

[Alan Meyer]

No, no trouble at all.

[Richard R. Ogden]

Now, what's this all about?

[Joe Friday]

You know a couple kids named Jerry Z. Swanson and Harry T. Benson? Swanson and Benson?

[Richard R. Ogden]

No, I don't think I do.

[Frank Smith]

They say they know you. Say they do some work for you.

[Alan Meyer]

I'm sorry to bother you.

[Joe Friday]

Forgot my peanuts. It's all right, sir.

[Chesterfield Cigarettes Announcer]

I'll Be in the office if you need anything.

[Alan Meyer]

Thank you, sir. No. Anything at all.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith]

What about it, Ivan?

[Richard R. Ogden]

What about what?

[Joe Friday]

You know, the kids. This Benson and Swanson.

[Richard R. Ogden]

No, I told you what.

[Joe Friday]

All right, mister, let's go downtown. We'll talk it over there, huh?

[Herb Martin]

What for?

[Richard R. Ogden]

Why are you pulling me in?

[Joe Friday]

Want you to meet the two boys if you don't know them.

[Richard R. Ogden]

Well, what's that gonna prove?

[Frank Smith]

We wanna know why they named you.

[Sergeant Tankerley]

Why?

[Frank Smith]

They said you were responsible for the car stripping that's been going on.

[Richard R. Ogden]

You mean you believe em?

[Joe Friday]

We've got no reason not to. I don't think they'd stage a thing like this. They got a lot to lose.

[Richard R. Ogden]

So have I. You get me down there and those two kids point me out and I haven't got a chance. Even if I'm not the one, and they say I am, you won't give me a break.

[Frank Smith]

If you haven't done anything, you got nothing to worry about.

[Richard R. Ogden]

I'm not going. Alan.

[Alan Meyer]

Hey, Alan. Yeah, what is it, Dick?

[Richard R. Ogden]

Come here, will you?

[Alan Meyer]

Yeah, right away. What's the matter? Something wrong?

[Richard R. Ogden]

These guys are gonna take me to jail.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Well, what for?

[Alan Meyer]

What's he done?

[Joe Friday]

We want to talk to him, Meyer. We think he's involved in some car thefts.

[Alan Meyer]

Well, I know that's not true. Dick wouldn't do a thing like that. I know. I've known him a long time.

[Frank Smith]

No, I'm sorry, sir, but the information we've got says you did.

[Alan Meyer]

Why, Dick, why'd you do a thing like that? Hmm? If what these officers say is true, well, gee, that's awful. Why would you do a thing like that?

[Richard R. Ogden]

What are you talking about?

[Joe Friday]

All right. Come on, Iger, let's go.

[Richard R. Ogden]

No, I'm not going.

[Alan Meyer]

I think you better do what the officers say, Dick. It'll be better if you don't cause any trouble.

[Richard R. Ogden]

Well, wait a minute. What are you trying to prove with this?

[Alan Meyer]

I don't know what you mean. Next thing, you'll be trying to involve me in this.

[Richard R. Ogden]

Yeah, well, that's just what I'm gonna do.

[Alan Meyer]

You see, officers, that's terrible.

[Richard R. Ogden]

Don't you listen to him. He's the guy behind the whole thing. Look over there. The tires, all this stuff. Sure, I stole him. I had the kids go out and pick him up. But he set it up. He sold him to the stations. He took most of the money. The whole whole thing was his idea.

[Alan Meyer]

Well, Dick, how can you say that?

[Richard R. Ogden]

Well, I can say it because it's true. I'll tell you all about it? You take him downtown. I'll tell you all about it. You're not gonna let me stand for this alone.

[Alan Meyer]

And I think that he'd do a thing like this to me after we've been friends for so long. Bring me stolen merchandise to sell.

[Joe Friday]

You got anything to back up what you're saying, Augur?

[Richard R. Ogden]

Sure, I have. Just bet I can back it up.

[Frank Smith]

Go ahead.

[Richard R. Ogden]

Well, you look at his books. Not the ones he's got out in the open, but you look at the ones in the safe.

[Alan Meyer]

It's all there.

[Richard R. Ogden]

All the deals he's made with the owners of the stations, all the orders, what he paid the kids for them

[Joe Friday]

and what he got for him.

[Richard R. Ogden]

Didn't think I knew about it, did you? Whole lousy year I've been doing the dirty work for him.

[Frank Smith]

Well, I've had it.

[Richard R. Ogden]

I'm through.

[Frank Smith]

I've had it.

[Joe Friday]

Let me take the beef.

[Richard R. Ogden]

What a crumb. I'll show he.

[Joe Friday]

I don't understand it.

[Alan Meyer]

Friends for so long, I'd have gotten you out. Ten years we've been friends. I trusted you all that time. Then you sold me out. Why?

[Joe Friday]

Well, that shouldn't be too tough for you to figure, huh? You showed him how.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

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

[Dragnet Narrator]

On January 21, trial was held in Department 87, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Now, here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you, George Feniman. Remember, only Chesterfield gives you this scientific evidence on the effects of smoking. After 10 full months, the group examined showed no adverse effects on the nose, throat and sinuses from smoking Chesterfield. Now, speaking personally as a Chesterfield smoker, I know they're best for me either way you like them, you'll find Chesterfield is best for.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Richard R. Ogden and Alan Y. Meyer were tried and convicted of receiving stolen property. They received sentences as prescribed by law. Receiving stolen property is punishable by imprisonment on the state penitentiary for a period of not more than 10 years, or in the county jail for not more than one year. Investigation of the records of Alan Y. Meyer uncovered the names of the other men involved in the thefts. They, along with Herbert S. Martin, Jerry Z. Swanson and Harold T. Benson, were tried on a charge of grand theft auto and convicted. They were sentenced to the state penitentiary at San Quentin, California, for the term 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

[Joe Friday]

than 10 years, ladies and gentlemen, 10

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

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[Dragnet Narrator]

You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brazier. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Sarah Selby, Art Gilmore, script by John Robinson, music by Walter Schumann, Hal Gibney.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Speaking

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

for a million laughs, tune in Chesterfield's Martin and Lewis show Tuesday night on the same NBC station and sound off for Chesterfield, either regular or king size, you'll find premium quality Chesterfields much milder. Chesterfield is best for you.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed From Los Angeles.

[Narrator/Commercial Announcer]

Tonight, it's Adventure with Barry Craig, confidential investigator on NBC.