Dragnet 49-10-01 018 Truck Hi-jackers - Tom Laval

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dragnet 49-10-01 018 - "Truck Hi-jackers - Tom Laval"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Dragnet 49-10-01 018 Truck Hi-jackers - Tom Laval
• Release Date: July 31, 2025
• Description: Reliving the Golden Age of Radio with iconic shows like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, and Dragnet.

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1. Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with the Narrator setting the stage for a gripping true crime story:

Narrator [00:09]: "Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent."

Dragnet is presented as a meticulous documentation of real crimes, highlighting the relentless pursuit of justice by the Los Angeles Police Department.

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2. Initial Investigation and the Arrest of Thomas Laval

Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner, Ben Romero, are introduced as they begin investigating a series of sophisticated truck hijackings in Los Angeles. The stolen merchandise includes:

Narrator [01:40]: "2600 dozen nylon stockings, 45 bolts of silk, 58 cases imported perfume."

Their investigation leads them to Thomas Laval, a 38-year-old truck driver who becomes a person of interest. Laval is interrogated about the missing goods:

Joe Friday [01:48]: "Where you dumping this stuff, Laval? That's what we want to know."

Despite initial resistance, Laval's fingerprints are found on a stolen waybill, but he vehemently denies involvement:

Thomas Laval [01:57]: "I have nothing to do with it. I don't know anything about it."

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3. Struggle and Death of Thomas Laval

As the interrogation intensifies, Laval’s demeanor becomes increasingly agitated. Frustration and exhaustion take their toll:

Joe Friday [04:09]: "We got enough to make you on this, you know that. We're gonna stay with you to tell us the truth."

The situation escalates when Laval attempts to escape:

Thomas Laval [05:22]: "Do me a favor, don't make you too big. Look, we have to walk through the hiring hall before we get to the elevators in the back."

A physical struggle ensues, culminating in Laval falling from a seventh-floor window of the Teamsters Union Hall. Despite efforts to restrain him, Laval succumbs to his injuries:

Joe Friday [07:31]: "Thomas Laval was 38 years old. He was a well-respected man in his community."

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4. Coroner's Inquest and Conflicting Testimonies

The morning after Laval's death, a coroner's inquest is held. Elizabeth Laval, the deceased's wife, testifies to her husband's respectable character. In stark contrast, eyewitnesses Pete Garfield and Jack Morris accuse the detectives of pushing Laval out the window:

Pete Garfield [08:14]: "We'll be your witnesses. We saw you push the guy out the window. We saw you kill him."

Joe Friday defends his actions, stating:

Joe Friday [09:55]: "On the morning following the arrest... He expressed a desire to assist us... When we arrived... he threw himself over the ledge."

The coroner's jury concludes Laval died by his own actions, leaving the case seemingly unresolved:

Narrator [11:01]: "The coroner's jury retired at 11:57am Eight minutes later, they returned with their decision. The deceased met his death voluntarily and by his own actions."

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5. Renewed Investigation and New Leads

A week into the investigation with no substantial leads, Chief of Detectives Ed Backstrand urges Friday and Romero to intensify their efforts:

Narrator [15:18]: "We could talk to everybody and handle them. ... $42,000 worth. Who's the last one to handle those waste bills? The warehouse yet."

Despite extensive scrutiny of the warehouse, truck drivers, and shipping clerks, the case remains stagnant until a new clue emerges from an informant:

Narrator [18:24]: "A man in a gray suit had been hanging around the coffee shop next to the Teamsters Union hall. He was peddling nylon stockings cheap."

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6. Confrontation with the Nylon Salesman

Following the tip, Friday and Romero locate Max, the nylon salesman, at a coffee shop. A tense interaction unfolds as they attempt to acquire merchandise related to the hijackings:

Joe Friday [19:32]: "We've been looking for you, Max. Some of the guys in the union hall said that you'd be around."

Max's evasive behavior raises suspicions, leading to a product exchange that further implicates him:

Max [19:51]: "Couple of hours, I can get them. Same quality."

Recognizing the urgency, Friday devises a plan to involve additional officers to monitor and apprehend Max:

Joe Friday [21:11]: "We'll drive up in our car with another man. ... Whoever you get, tell him to follow that man."

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7. Chase and Resolution

Despite meticulous planning, the pursuit faces setbacks when fellow officers Barcy and Kaplan lose track of Max. The chase continues into a secluded area, culminating in a high-speed pursuit that results in a crash:

Joe Friday [26:04]: "What's so unusual about that?"

Narrator [26:05]: "They switched. ... they're driving a 12-ton bulldog semi."

Ultimately, Garfield, Morris, and Max are apprehended. Despite the attempts to tarnish the detectives' integrity, the evidence firmly places the trio at fault for the hijackings:

Joe Friday [27:19]: "Garfield's gonna swear we pushed that truck through that window."

Their convictions are confirmed, bringing closure to the truck hijacking case:

Narrator [27:56]: "Peter Garfield, Jack Morris and John Dolfo, the stocking salesman were hospitalized and later brought to trial. They were convicted on charges of grand theft and received sentences as prescribed by law."

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8. Conclusion

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the relentless pursuit of justice by Detective Joe Friday and his team. Their dedication ensures that even in the face of adversity and false accusations, the truth prevails.

Narrator [27:56]: "Dragnet came to you from Los Angeles."

Dedication: The episode honors Motorcycle Officer Elmer Forsman of the Fresno Police Department, recognizing his ultimate sacrifice for public safety.

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• Joe Friday [01:48]: "Where you dumping this stuff, Laval? That's what we want to know."
• Thomas Laval [01:57]: "I have nothing to do with it. I don't know anything about it."
• Joe Friday [04:09]: "We got enough to make you on this, you know that. We're gonna stay with you to tell us the truth."
• Pete Garfield [08:14]: "We saw you push the guy out the window. We saw you kill him."
• Joe Friday [09:55]: "On the morning following the arrest... He expressed a desire to assist us..."
• Joe Friday [21:11]: "We'll drive up in our car with another man. ... Whoever you get, tell him to follow that man."

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Dragnet masterfully intertwines procedural investigation with personal drama, showcasing the complexities of law enforcement. Through detailed dialogue and realistic portrayals, listeners gain an immersive experience into the challenges faced by detectives in solving sophisticated crimes.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. NBC brings you Dragnet. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to burglary detail. A gang of hijackers has started to work in your city. Truckloads of valuable merchandise have vanished. The thieves are clever, seem to have a foolproof system. Your job. Find them, Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime investigated and solved by the men who unrelentingly stand watch on the security of your home, your family and your life. 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. 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 Thursday, March 6. It was windy in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of burglary detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Ed Backstrain, Chief of detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from the Record Bureau and it was 5:35am when I got to room 2A interrogation room. Read this to him, Ben.

[Narrator]

Yeah. 2600 dozen nylon stockings, 45 bolts of silk, 58 cases imported perfume.

[Joe Friday]

Where you dumping this stuff, Laval? That's what we want to know.

[Narrator]

I told you the truth. I have nothing to do with it. I don't know anything about it.

[Joe Friday]

What was this stolen waybill doing in the caviar truck?

[Narrator]

How many times I have to tell you? I don't know. Your fingerprints are all over it. You must have carried it there. I didn't carry it there. Somebody's out to frame me.

[Joe Friday]

How many in the hijack gang, Lavelle?

[Narrator]

I'm not in a hijack game. I told you, I don't know. When are you gonna let me go?

[Joe Friday]

Who's the head of the gang?

[Narrator]

I don't know any head of the gang. I want to get out of here. You're covering for somebody. I'm not covering for anybody.

[Joe Friday]

You take the wrap for all this, you're gonna have a beard down to your knees by the time you get out.

[Narrator]

I'm not taking any wrap. Then let's have it. Oh, I'm tired.

[Joe Friday]

$42,000 worth. You know who took it? You know where it is.

[Narrator]

They could have disappeared anywhere on their way from the east, the Thousand Place.

[Joe Friday]

Nothing was missing from those shipments when they came in on the train. Everything was there when they were unloaded at the warehouse.

[Narrator]

Then I Don't know. I don't know. Every dollar's worth was accounted for when it was loaded on the truck. Where is it now? I'm tired. We've been here all night. Let me.

[Joe Friday]

Val, let me read it for you again. 2,600 dozen nylon stockings, 45 bolts of silk, 58 cases imported perfume. And you're trying to tell us somebody hijacked all that from the trucks without. You know.

[Narrator]

Trucks were loaded at the warehouse. We went out to eat, we came back, got in the trucks, delivered the stuff, and that's all I know. And while you were out eating, the receipts for the load disappeared too. Is that right, Lavelle? I don't know where the way bills are. The shipping clerk, that's his job.

[Joe Friday]

We talked to him. He says one of you could have taken the way and then he's lying.

[Narrator]

I didn't take him.

[Joe Friday]

Then what was this waybill doing in the cab of your truck?

[Narrator]

I told you, I don't know. Somebody's trying to frame me.

[Joe Friday]

Why?

[Narrator]

I don't know. Somebody. I don't know why.

[Joe Friday]

Then you better come up with an answer, mister.

[Narrator]

Look, I'm tired. We've been here since 6:00 clock last night.

[Joe Friday]

We're all tired. Who you covering for? What are you trying to build? Any of that coffee left, Ben?

[Narrator]

It's cold.

[Joe Friday]

That's all right. You want some, Lavelle? No. All right. Now, look. Let's get one thing straight. We've been here all night. We can be here all day tomorrow, the day after that and the day after that.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

We got enough to make you on this, you know that. We're gonna stay with you to tell us the truth.

[Narrator]

Everything I've told you, all I'm gonna tell you if we stay here for six months. You got it?

[Joe Friday]

All this your home phone? Hillside 8321? That's right.

[Narrator]

8321.

[Joe Friday]

What time does your wife get up, Lavelle? What do you mean, Ben? Get an outside line. Yeah.

[Narrator]

You're not gonna call my home?

[Joe Friday]

It's Hillside 8321. Ben, outside, please.

[Narrator]

Don't do that. Don't. Not my wife.

[Joe Friday]

Please.

[Narrator]

All right. Ask the questions again. This time I'll give you the answers.

[Joe Friday]

Thomas Laval was 38 years old. He was a well respected man in his community. Sometimes it's like that. You can question a man for hours and he'll never give you any information. But somewhere in every man's makeup, there's a weak point. We were lucky enough to find Laval's. He told us that he would give us the locations where the hijacked goods were hidden. He told us the addresses were written on the ledge of a Windowsill on the seventh floor of the Teamsters Union Hall. It was 8:30am on the seventh floor. Is that right?

[Narrator]

Yeah. Do me a favor, don't make you too big. Look, we have to walk through the hiring hall before we get to the elevators in the back. Yeah. These handcuffs, they'll see them. All the guys in the hall, they know me. Can't you take them off my wrists.

[Joe Friday]

Till we get in the elevator? Sorry, Lavelle.

[Narrator]

I won't try anything, but don't make me walk in front of them with these on.

[Joe Friday]

Sorry.

[Narrator]

Just till we get in the elevator. Can't you do that? I don't want the guys to see me.

[Joe Friday]

Well, here's my overcoat, Lavalle. Drape it over your hands here and they won't see the cuffs. There you are. Come on.

[Narrator]

Hi, Tom. How are you? Hi. It's new, Tom. Not much.

[Joe Friday]

Let's take the elevator.

[Narrator]

Yeah. Cigarette?

[Joe Friday]

No, thanks.

[Narrator]

Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Okay, thanks.

[Narrator]

It's down this way. Let me show you to the left. A window up ahead. There?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

This one. I don't see anything on the windowsill. It's on the outside. Open the window and let me check. Yeah, Let me see.

[Joe Friday]

Ben, grab him. He's trying to jump.

[Narrator]

Get back here.

[Joe Friday]

Get back out of your head.

[Narrator]

Let me go. Get him, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

I can't hold him. He's pulling me out. Hold on, Ben. Grab me. Joe.

[Narrator]

Joe. He's slipping.

[Ben Romero]

Hang on.

[Narrator]

Try, Joe. Hold on.

[Joe Friday]

He's kicking loose.

[Narrator]

I can't hold him. Hold him, Joe.

[Ben Romero]

Bam. Bam.

[Joe Friday]

I couldn't hold him.

[Narrator]

You almost went with him.

[Joe Friday]

Let's get downstairs.

[Ben Romero]

What happened?

[Joe Friday]

Call an ambulance. There's been an accident. Thomas Laval was 38 years old. He was a well respected man in his community. He died with the same reputation we had. A prisoner who'd met his death while in our custody. In cases like this, we had to have witnesses. By the time we got to the street, the usual accident crowd had gathered.

[Narrator]

Anybody here see the accident? What? You want witnesses?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Did you see it?

[Narrator]

Yeah, we saw it.

[Joe Friday]

Let's get their names.

[Narrator]

Ben, My name's Pete Garfield. This is Jack Morris. We'll be your witnesses. You'll probably be subpoenaed for the inquest tomorrow morning. Sure, we'll be there. We saw you push the guy out the window. We saw you kill him.

[Joe Friday]

The next morning at 10am in the basement of the hall of Justice. Harold J. Lane, Deputy Coroner, City and County of Los Angeles read the report of the findings of the autopsy on the body of the deceased, Thomas Laval. As is customary at a coroner's inquest, the identification witness was called to testify first.

[Narrator]

Elizabeth Laval. Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth shall help you God?

[Ben Romero]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Be seated. State your name.

[Ben Romero]

Elizabeth Laval.

[Narrator]

What is your address?

[Ben Romero]

1216 East Camarillo Drive.

[Narrator]

What is your occupation?

[Ben Romero]

I'm a housewife.

[Narrator]

What is your relation to the deceased?

[Ben Romero]

His wife.

[Narrator]

Have you viewed the body of the deceased in this office?

[Ben Romero]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Who was the deceased husband?

[Ben Romero]

Thomas Lavelle.

[Narrator]

Is there anything further you wish to add? Thank you. Step down, please. Joseph Friday. Raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth shall help you God, I do. Be seated. State your name.

[Joe Friday]

Joe Friday.

[Narrator]

What is your address?

[Joe Friday]

4656 Collis Avenue.

[Narrator]

What is your occupation?

[Joe Friday]

I'm a police officer in and for the City of Los Angeles.

[Narrator]

Are you the investigating and arresting officer on this case?

[Joe Friday]

I am.

[Narrator]

Will you state briefly the facts relating to the death of the deceased.

[Joe Friday]

On the morning following the arrest by us of the deceased on suspicion of grand theft merchandise? He expressed a desire to assist us in the apprehension of suspects involved in these thefts and the recovery of property taken in them.

[Narrator]

Did he assist you?

[Joe Friday]

Well, he informed us that if we took him to the Teamsters Union hall, he'd be able to obtain addresses of the locations where the stolen property was catched.

[Narrator]

You then took him there?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, we did.

[Narrator]

What happened?

[Joe Friday]

When we arrived, he requested us to remove his handcuffs. We refused. The deceased then informed us that the addresses were written on a window ledge on the seventh floor. When we arrived at the window, under the pretense of searching for the addresses, he threw himself over the ledge. I grabbed his left leg to restrain him, but he kicked loose.

[Narrator]

Did you at any time have any idea that the deceased planned such action?

[Joe Friday]

I did not.

[Narrator]

What did you do then?

[Joe Friday]

We immediately went to the location of the body and had an ambulance dispatched.

[Narrator]

Do you have anything further to state?

[Joe Friday]

No, I have not.

[Narrator]

Are there any questions from the jury? That's all, Officer Friday. Step down. Peter Garfield. Raise your right hand. Yeah. Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? So help you God? Yeah. Be seated. State your name. Pete Garfield. What is your address? 1654 North Pico. What is your occupation? Truck driver down at General Warehouse. Did you know the deceased? Yeah. How did you know him? I worked with him. And that cop's a liar. And so is his buddy sitting over there. Please confine the testimony of this inquest to facts. Were you present at the time the deceased met his death? I told you I was. Those two cops pushed Tom out of the window. Where were you at the time the deceased was pushed or jumped from the window? Jack and I just left the Union Hall. We were going out the front door when it happened. What attracted your attention? I heard him scream. When I looked up, Tom was falling. That cop was standing at the window watching him. Did you see the officer push him? Yes, I saw him. Did I understand you to say you were on the street outside the building at the time? Yeah. And you saw the officers push the deceased from the window on the seventh floor from your vantage point? Yeah. Isn't it true that that's a physical impossibility? What is? That you could have seen what you testified to from where you were standing. I know they pushed him. You know or you saw? I know. That's all. Tom wouldn't jump out of a window. Then it's true you didn't see the officers push the deceased out of the window? No, I didn't see him. Is there anything further you'd like to add? They must have pushed them. Any question from the jury? That's all. Garfield, step down. Dorothy River. Raise your right hand.

[Ben Romero]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you're about to give to be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth to help you God?

[Ben Romero]

I do.

[Narrator]

Be seated. State your name.

[Ben Romero]

Dorothy River.

[Narrator]

What is your address?

[Ben Romero]

211 South Beverly Drive.

[Narrator]

And what is your occupation?

[Ben Romero]

I'm a stenographer at the Teamsters Union Hall.

[Narrator]

Were you present the morning the deceased met his death?

[Ben Romero]

I was.

[Narrator]

State where you were and what you were doing.

[Ben Romero]

I was in our office on the seventh floor doing some filing.

[Narrator]

Please state what you witnessed.

[Ben Romero]

The filing cabinet in our office is by the door. The office faces on the hallway and the door happened to be open. I heard a commotion and looked out. I saw those two officers struggling with a man.

[Narrator]

Did you hear any conversation?

[Ben Romero]

Yes. I heard that officer there say, get back here. Get back. The man outside the window yelled, let me go. Let me go. This officer here, Officer Friday said, he's pulling me out. Hold on, Ben, grab me.

[Narrator]

How far from the window, were you?

[Ben Romero]

I'd say about 15ft.

[Narrator]

Do you have anything else to add?

[Ben Romero]

Yes. As the two policemen started downstairs, Officer Friday said to me, call an ambulance. There's been an accident.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Ms. River.

[Ben Romero]

Those officers didn't push that man out the window. They were trying to hold him.

[Joe Friday]

After hearing additional witnesses, the coroner's jury retired at 11:57am Eight minutes later, they returned with their decision. The deceased met his death voluntarily and by his own actions. The Homicide detail continued the investigation of Laval's death. A week went by with Homicide working one side. We hoped that they might turn up additional leads in the hijacking case. Nothing turned up. It seemed that with the death of Thomas Laval, our leads came to an abrupt stop. On Tuesday morning, March 16, at 9am we got a call from Chief of Detectives Ed Backstrand.

[Narrator]

Now, once more. What about the way bills on these shipments? You checked them?

[Joe Friday]

Everything.

[Narrator]

We could talk to everybody and handle them. And talk to him some more. $42,000 in merchandise doesn't just disappear. Who's the last one to handle those waste bills? The warehouse yet.

[Joe Friday]

And Plur? The bills were signed and stamped two hours after he found them in his desk. They disappeared.

[Narrator]

What about the truck drivers? You checked them out?

[Joe Friday]

Talked to all of them. Nothing so far.

[Narrator]

Nothing was missing from those shipments until they left the warehouse. Is that right? Yeah. And somewhere in between the warehouse and the delivery points, $42,000 worth of goods disappeared.

[Joe Friday]

Somebody's got to be hijacking those loads. We know that, but how do we get to it?

[Narrator]

Maybe they're working alone. Maybe they're working with the truck drivers. It's one of the other. It's got to be.

[Joe Friday]

We just hadn't lost Laval.

[Narrator]

Well, you lost him. That doesn't close the case.

[Joe Friday]

You got a suggestion?

[Narrator]

Yeah, I got a suggestion. Crack it. You are listening to Dragnet authentic stories from official police files. And now an important announcement. Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to announce that Starting next Thursday, October 6th, Dragnet will be brought to you by Fatima Cigarettes. We'd like to take this opportunity to thank you, the Listener, for your excellent response to our efforts in bringing you these weekly authentic presentations of actual cases from official files. Your letters are the only indications we have that Dragnet is a source of your listening pleasure. We'd like to hear from all of you. Starting next Thursday, October 6, over most of these same NBC stations, Dragnet will be heard weekly at 10:30pm Eastern Standard Time, immediately following the Supper Club. Check your newspaper for local release time.

[Joe Friday]

We stayed on the job. Another week went by. No leads. We spent so much time at the general warehouse where the merchandise disappeared that we almost got to be a part of the crew. We got to know everybody. We made frequent visits to the Teamsters Union Hall. That got us Nothing. On Wednesday, March 26th. We reported in for work at 8am.

[Narrator]

Friday. Romero. Yes, Giver. You fooled around just long enough. They hijacked another load last night. $38,000.

[Joe Friday]

What outfit?

[Narrator]

Same general warehouse. Who's your contact down there? Ray Hobart, shipping clerk. Hop down there right now and get the details right. Ed, there are two ways to solve this thing.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

You can get those hijackers now or wait till General warehouse goes out of business. Get on it.

[Joe Friday]

Hobart. Who was the shipping clerk on duty last night?

[Narrator]

I was working for Siggy Siegelmeister. He's out with a cold. And you saw the stuff was loaded on the trucks and you checked the way? Bill as usual. Everything as usual. Checked the trucks out at 2am Went back to the office, filed away bills.

[Joe Friday]

You work a pretty heavy schedule, Hobart. You started at 2am and you're still on duty.

[Narrator]

It took the last four hours of segi shift. At 2am to 6am he had a call. I was back here at 10 this morning to start my own shift. When did you find out? The way bills were missing on that shipment last night, just before I went off. Maybe half past five, quarter six.

[Joe Friday]

How about the truck drivers who handle that load? Hobart, you got him?

[Narrator]

Let's see. I got it right here.

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Narrator]

Here you go, Sergeant. Jack Morris and Pete Garfield.

[Joe Friday]

Jack Morris and Pete Garfield were brought in for questioning. We double checked with Homicide and found that their reports on Morris and Garfield tallied with ours. No previous records. Both men had been tailed for a reasonable length of time since their testimony at the Laval inquest. Their actions failed to implicate them. Four days after the second hijacking, we got a tip from one of our informants down in the warehouse district. He told us that a man in a gray suit had been hanging around the coffee shop next to the Teamsters Union hall. He was peddling nylon stockings cheap. There had been other reports like this, which we had followed up, but none of them had paid off. Usually such leads didn't pay off, but we couldn't be sure. They had to be checked. At a few minutes before 5 that afternoon, we found the nylon salesman in the gray suit in the back booth of the coffee shop adjoining the union hall.

[Narrator]

Look, Mag. Take a look. The finest. You can't do better 51 gauge nylon. Look good, huh? Sure do, don't it, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, they do. We've been looking for you, Max. Some of the guys in the union hall said that you'd be around.

[Narrator]

Sure, I sold lots of these around the hall. Truck drivers just like you, buying them like crazy. Good deal. Sure looks like it, man. How many, Bergam? We have many each of one. Four bits a pair, you name it.

[Joe Friday]

You got a couple of dozen for us?

[Narrator]

Couple of dozen? No, not on me, but I can get them. Many as you want.

[Joe Friday]

Well, we're kind of in a hurry. Can you get them for us fast?

[Narrator]

Couple of dozen. Better make it three dozen, Hunt, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, if you want three dozen. Can you get them now?

[Narrator]

Couple of hours, I can get them. Same quality.

[Joe Friday]

Want to meet me here? Oh, I don't know. We wanted them for tonight. My wife's birthday, you know.

[Narrator]

Well, maybe an hour and a half. How's that? Three dozen.

[Joe Friday]

Meet you here.

[Narrator]

Oh, look, Mac, maybe we're both heading the same direction. Can't we go with you and pick up the nylon? Save time for all of us. No, I don't think so. No. Can't you wait hour and a half? How's that? Never find a better buy.

[Joe Friday]

I'm sorry, Mac. I wish we had the time. Well, where do you have to go to pick up these nylons?

[Narrator]

Oh, way out. Sunset Boulevard, near Fairfax. Can't you wait? I'll make it fast.

[Joe Friday]

Can't we pay you and then go out and pick them up ourselves, huh?

[Narrator]

No, don't work that way. No.

[Joe Friday]

Can't you wait here?

[Narrator]

I'll make it fast. We ought to be home now, Joe. Yeah, I'm sorry, mister. We'll have to skip it.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Maybe we can pick up something on the way home, Ben. Candy or something. Wife likes candy.

[Narrator]

No, look, fellas, I. I don't want to see you lose out on this deal. I'll meet you halfway. How you mean? Look, together we'll go out to Sunset in Fairfax, huh? Near the place. You wait there at the hamburger stand, and in five minutes I'll bring you the stuff. Okay?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. We're late already, but all right, it's a deal. I'll call the wife and tell her we're gonna be a little later. Three dozen. That right.

[Narrator]

Three dozen of the best. You can't do better.

[Joe Friday]

All right. I'll be back in just a minute.

[Narrator]

253.

[Joe Friday]

253.

[Narrator]

Chief of Detective's office. Chandler.

[Joe Friday]

Mike, Joe. Friday. Back strand there.

[Narrator]

Out right Now, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Well, then do me a favor, Chandler. Make it fast. Get a couple of men out to Sunset in Fairfax as fast as you can. Tell them to watch for Ben and me. You got that?

[Narrator]

Yeah. What else?

[Joe Friday]

We'll drive up in our car with another man. Ben and I'll get out of the car and go in the hamburger stand. The other man will walk off. Whoever you get, tell him to follow that man. You got it?

[Narrator]

Right.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Just tail him. See where he goes, see what he does.

[Narrator]

Okay, Jill. Right away. All set, Jill? She got dinner ready?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, just about. We better hustle.

[Narrator]

Sure. Best deal in the world. Let's go.

[Joe Friday]

At five minutes to six, we pulled up at the corner of Sunset Boulevard in Fairfax. It was almost dark. Ben and I got out of the car and started over for the hamburger stand on the corner. We caught a glimpse of Barcy and Kaplan. One of our detective cars parked in a gas station on the opposite corner. They had their eyes on our man when the traffic signals changed. The man crossed the street and headed down Fairfax. Barcy and Kaplan waited a minute, and then they took off after him. He turned at the next corner and disappeared from sight. Ben and I ordered a cup of coffee and we sat down to wait. At half past six, we were still waiting. At five minutes to seven, I went across the street to the drugstore and called the office. Barsy and Kaplan hadn't been heard from their car. 105k was not acknowledging calls. I had my call switch from Communications to Backstrand's office.

[Narrator]

Well, they lost him Friday. I don't know how they lost him, but they lost him.

[Joe Friday]

Who's out there now?

[Narrator]

Sullivan and Whitney took a detail out there. They're combing the neighborhood right now.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how did it happen? A man just doesn't disappear into thin air.

[Narrator]

That's what I keep telling you about that stuff that's been hijacked.

[Joe Friday]

The search for the nylon salesman went on all that night? Most of the next day. From his description, we ran a make on him. No previous record. He had disappeared completely. We were right back where we'd started from. The only thing we could do was to start backtracking, requesting the people at General Warehouse, the truck drivers, the shipping clerks. We kept a close check on Garfield and Morris, and we went back to the only possible lead still remaining. Mrs. Lavalle. She could tell us nothing more than we already knew when we left her. We started on the neighbors for the second time around. For the rest of the day, we canvassed the immediate neighborhood. We got as Many opinions of the Laval's as they had neighbors. At 3:30 that afternoon we visited with Ms. Gertrude Langster. A 50 year old maiden lady who lived almost directly across the street from the Laval house. She'd been out of town the first time we covered the neighborhood.

[Ben Romero]

The old saying goes, Sergeant, there's no fool like an old fool. Oh, say, if I told you the chances I had when I was a girl. Yeah, but we just not truck drivers like that Laval man. God rest his soul. But fine wealthy men, bankers, lawyers. Templeton Grant. You remember him?

[Narrator]

No, ma'.

[Joe Friday]

Am.

[Ben Romero]

I was engaged to him once. Butterfly waist, that's what he used to call me. I was slim in those days. Would you like to see some pictures of me as a girl?

[Narrator]

No, no, thank you, ma'.

[Joe Friday]

Am.

[Narrator]

We'd just like to ask you a few questions, that's all.

[Joe Friday]

Could you tell us if the Laval's had many visitors to their house in the past six months or so?

[Ben Romero]

Oh my no. Funniest thing. I am the nosy type, Sergeant. I like to know everything that goes on around my neighborhood. And you can take my word for it, the Lavals never. You know, Sergeant Friday, you remind me of a young man I used to be engaged to just a few years ago.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, Ms. Langston.

[Narrator]

Now would you tell us please, did you have any reason to think that there was something a little out of the ordinary about the Laval?

[Ben Romero]

Oh, little out of the ordinary, he says. But my dear man, yes. Here he was a truck driver and there she was with a home furnished like the asters. Well, I even used to see him cut some of the things home in that car. Or here's beautiful things. Rugs and glassware, bolts of fabric. Oh, gorgeous.

[Narrator]

And he'd bring these things home after work, is that it, Ms. Langston?

[Ben Romero]

Anytime, anytime. Day or night, weekends, anytime after 4.

[Narrator]

Joe, we better call office.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Are you sure of all that you've told us, Ms. Langston?

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, my dear man, of course I'm sure. I watched him week after week.

[Joe Friday]

Well, thank you.

[Ben Romero]

Won't you stay for a cup of tea? I'll have Josephine fix it.

[Joe Friday]

Josephine? No, thank you, ma'. Am.

[Ben Romero]

Well then perhaps a glass of sherry?

[Joe Friday]

Thank you, no. But there is something.

[Ben Romero]

Yes?

[Joe Friday]

I wonder if we could use your phone, please.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, yes, in the hall, next to the umbrella stand.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

City Hall 25, 23.

[Ben Romero]

25, 23.

[Narrator]

Thanks, Trent.

[Joe Friday]

Friday, Ed. Nothing much here.

[Narrator]

Well, there's something here. Bossy and Kaplan just called. Pete Garfield left his house half an hour Ago. Then he picked up Morris.

[Joe Friday]

What's so unusual about that?

[Narrator]

Nothing, except the guy driving the car is the little man in the gray suit. The nylon salesman. Barcy and Kaplan are tailing him.

[Joe Friday]

Where are they now?

[Narrator]

Headed north out Riverside Drive.

[Joe Friday]

There's nothing out there but a golf course and a lot of riding stables.

[Narrator]

I don't care what they do for recreation. Go get them.

[Joe Friday]

With red light and siren. It took us 12 minutes to pick up Barcy and Kaplan on Riverside Drive. At 4:23pm we pulled up in front of the Blue Pony riding stables. Marcy and Kaplan's car was overturned just beyond the driveway leading up to the riding academy.

[Narrator]

Kaplan's hurt. I called an ambulance. They rammed us.

[Joe Friday]

What kind of a car are they in? They switched.

[Narrator]

They're driving a 12 ton bulldog semi.

[Joe Friday]

Which way they head?

[Narrator]

Going north. Got a three minute lead on you. Newmatic Commercial, Adam653.

[Joe Friday]

Let's go, Ben.

[Narrator]

Can you see him, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

No, not yet. Watch that crossing.

[Narrator]

Up ahead. Joe, that's a semi. Can you read it?

[Joe Friday]

Wait a minute. Adam653. That's them.

[Narrator]

Took a right on Lankersham.

[Joe Friday]

Don't lose him.

[Narrator]

They're pushing that semi too hard. Look at that trailer sway. They'll have to stay on Lankersham. They're going too fast to turn now.

[Joe Friday]

Traffic's closing in up ahead of them.

[Narrator]

They better not turn.

[Joe Friday]

That's what they're doing.

[Narrator]

Look at that trailer, Whip.

[Joe Friday]

They're going over into that star front. Come on, Ben.

[Narrator]

They all right.

[Joe Friday]

Wait a minute. Let me see. Yeah, they're banged up, but they're alive.

[Narrator]

There they are, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Garfield, Morris, Little man and the grace of.

[Joe Friday]

It's funny, isn't it?

[Narrator]

What's that?

[Joe Friday]

Garfield's gonna swear we pushed that truck through that window.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard is true. Only the names were changed. Changed to protect the innocent. Peter Garfield, Jack Morris and John Dolfo, the stocking salesman were hospitalized and later brought to trial. They were convicted on charges of grand theft and received sentences as prescribed by law. They are now serving their terms in the state penitentiary. You have just heard the 18th in a new series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office of Acting Chief of Police W.A. w.H. Wharton, Los Angeles Police Department. Tonight's program is dedicated to motorcycle officer Elmer Forsman of the Fresno, California Police Department. Who on the afternoon of October 6, 1946, gave his life so that yours might be more secure. Remember, starting next Thursday night, October 6th, Fatima cigarettes. Invite you to listen to Dragnet immediately following the supper club. That's 10:30pm Eastern Standard Time over most of these same NBC stations. Check your newspaper for local release time. Dragnet came to you from Los Angeles. Judy Canal Boba joins the star lineup of Saturday shows tonight on NBC.