Dragnet 49-12-29 031 The Roseland Roof Murders

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Dragnet 49-12-29 031 The Roseland Roof Murders"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Episode: Dragnet 49-12-29 031 The Roseland Roof Murders
• Release Date: June 12, 2025

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Introduction

"Dragnet" stands as a quintessential representation of the Golden Age of Radio, immersing listeners in authentic police procedural dramas. In the episode titled "The Roseland Roof Murders," Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero navigate the complexities of apprehending a dangerous gang responsible for a series of armed robberies and a high-profile murder. This detailed summary captures the episode's key events, investigative procedures, character dynamics, and the eventual resolution of the case.

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Plot Overview

Assignment to Robbery Detail

The episode commences with Detective Sergeant Joe Friday being assigned to the Robbery Detail, tasked with dismantling a gang of heavily armed and efficient hold-up men who have terrorized the city with over a dozen robberies. The gang's notoriety is heightened by their propensity for violence and quick escapes, making them a formidable adversary for the police force.

Notable Quote:

"You’re assigned to robbery detail. A gang of hold-up men have been running loose in your city. They’ve committed more than a dozen robberies. They’re heavily armed, quick to shoot. Your job: Stop them." – Dragnet Narrator [01:04]

Stakeout at Rex Pharmacy

Joe Friday and Ben Romero embark on surveillance near Rex Pharmacy at Naomi and South Alameda streets, anticipating the gang's next move. Utilizing information from an informant named Johnny Powers, they prepare for a potentially dangerous encounter, equipping themselves with firearms and maintaining a vigilant watch.

Notable Quote:

"The gang hasn't missed a weekend for two months. There's no sign of any other job that they might have pulled Saturday?" – Ben Romero [07:16]

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Investigation Process

Witness Identification and Car Description

A pivotal witness, Sergeant Don Basie, provides critical information about the crime scene and the suspects. Basie describes the maroon-colored 1940 or 1941 Pontiac sedan involved, noting the partial license number "699" and the presence of four to five armed individuals.

Notable Quote:

"I saw this man ahead of me... some guys got out. They ran over to the man... I heard shots. Man ran for the stairs here and it looked like he stumbled and fell. A bunch of guys jumped back in the car and drove away." – Don Basie [10:25]

Narrowing Down Suspects

The detectives collaborate with the Department of Motor Vehicles to sift through 123 potential car registrations matching the description. Through meticulous elimination over two weeks, they narrow the list down to six, then four, and eventually two prime suspects: Emil Thurston and John Lacombe.

Notable Quote:

"We picked up the possible combinations... 123 possibles to check." – Joe Friday [13:06]

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Stakeout and Arrest

Finalizing the Suspect

After extensive research, Joe and Ben identify Emil Thurston as the primary suspect. A stakeout at Donnelly's garage on Temple Street leads to the suspects' appearance. Utilizing a concealed paint locker, they maintain a strategic position to observe and eventually confront the gang members.

Notable Quote:

"The trap was set. We waited... They pulled up." – Joe Friday [22:15]

Confrontation and Apprehension

As Thurston and his associates arrive, Friday and Romero execute their plan flawlessly. The detectives approach the suspects with caution, leading to the apprehension of Thurston, Lacombe, Newton, and the injured Harold Steeves. Steeves collaborates with the authorities, providing crucial testimony against his accomplices.

Notable Quote:

"The suspects were booked at different divisions to keep them separated." – Dragnet Narrator [26:01]

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Trial and Conclusion

Legal Proceedings

The episode delves into the legal aftermath, highlighting the rigorous process of gathering and presenting evidence. Detectives Friday and Romero testify, reinforcing the case built by Harold Steves, whose cooperation was instrumental in securing convictions.

Notable Quote:

"The jury found Emil Thurston, John Lacombe, and Lloyd Newton guilty of first-degree murder and robbery." – Dragnet Narrator [27:02]

Escalated Tension: Jailbreak Attempt

Despite the initial successes, the episode heightens tension with a daring jailbreak attempt by Thurston and Lacombe. Their escape leads to a city-wide dragnet, culminating in a high-stakes pursuit that ends with both criminals being apprehended after a car chase and collision.

Notable Quote:

"They can't make it. They're skating through, they're skidding." – Joe Friday [30:38]

Final Verdicts and Sentencing

Emil Thurston and John Lacombe receive life sentences for their heinous crimes, while Harold Steves is given special consideration for his cooperation. The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the police force's commitment to justice and public safety.

Notable Quote:

"Emil Thurston, John Lacombe, and Lloyd Newton were convicted and sentenced to life terms for their crimes." – Dragnet Narrator [32:35]

---

Character Dynamics

• Detective Sergeant Joe Friday: Portrayed as methodical, determined, and steadfast, Friday exemplifies the archetypal police detective dedicated to upholding the law.

• Detective Ben Romero: As Friday's partner, Romero complements Friday's persona with camaraderie and shared resilience, navigating the challenges of the investigation together.

• Don Basie: The crucial witness whose testimony provides the detectives with the necessary leads to pursue the gang.

• Harold Steves: A young associate who turns state's evidence, highlighting themes of redemption and the complexities of criminal networks.

---

Investigative Techniques

The episode showcases classic investigative methods, including:

• Stakeouts and Surveillance: Demonstrating patience and strategic planning in monitoring suspect activities.

• Collaboration with Other Departments: Emphasizing inter-departmental cooperation, particularly with the DMV and Homicide units.

• Witness Interviews and Testimonies: Highlighting the importance of firsthand accounts in building a solid case.

• Data Analysis and Elimination Process: Illustrating the use of available data to methodically narrow down suspects.

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Conclusion

"The Roseland Roof Murders" offers a compelling narrative that underscores the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement. Through meticulous investigation, strategic operations, and collaboration, Detectives Friday and Romero dismantle a dangerous criminal gang, ensuring safety and order within the community. The episode not only entertains but also pays homage to the dedication and challenges faced by police officers during the Golden Age of Radio.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. Introduction to the Case:

   "You’re assigned to robbery detail. A gang of hold-up men have been running loose in your city. They’ve committed more than a dozen robberies. They’re heavily armed, quick to shoot. Your job: Stop them."
   – Dragnet Narrator [01:04]

2. Witness Testimony:

   "I saw this man ahead of me... some guys got out. They ran over to the man... I heard shots. Man ran for the stairs here and it looked like he stumbled and fell. A bunch of guys jumped back in the car and drove away."
   – Don Basie [10:25]

3. Narrowing Down Suspects:

   "We picked up the possible combinations... 123 possibles to check."
   – Joe Friday [13:06]

4. Setting the Trap:

   "The trap was set. We waited... They pulled up."
   – Joe Friday [22:15]

5. Trial Testimony:

   "The jury found Emil Thurston, John Lacombe, and Lloyd Newton guilty of first-degree murder and robbery."
   – Dragnet Narrator [32:35]

6. Chase and Apprehension:

   "They can't make it. They're skating through, they're skidding."
   – Joe Friday [30:38]

---

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of "The Roseland Roof Murders" episode, providing listeners and readers with an in-depth understanding of the narrative, characters, and investigative processes that define this classic "Dragnet" installment.

Transcript

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[Dragnet Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, for a more authentic presentation, portions of the program you are about to hear were actually recorded on the scene. The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Fatima Cigarettes Best of all Long Cigarettes brings you Dragnet. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to robbery detail. A gang of hold up men have been running loose in your city. They've committed more than a dozen robberies. They're heavily armed, quick to shoot. Your job. Stop them.

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[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. 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 Saturday, July 21. Was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of robbery detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from the Record Bureau and it was 6:55pm when I got to room 27. A robbery detail.

[Ben Romero]

All right, Joe, you ready?

[Dragnet Narrator]

Let's go.

[Ben Romero]

Where'll I dump this topcoat? Yeah, it's too hot out tonight for that.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, the rest of the guys take off already?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, we better hustle.

[Joe Friday]

How many men are working this thing tonight?

[Ben Romero]

Must be at least 50 covering every drugstore in the south central area.

[Joe Friday]

Which one did we drop?

[Ben Romero]

Naomi and South Alameda. Rex Pharmacy. Yeah, parking lot across the street. We can cover the pharmacy from there.

[Joe Friday]

We better check out a Thompson from the business office first, huh?

[Ben Romero]

It's a good idea. We might as well be ready. They are. Who got the tip?

[Joe Friday]

The gang was moving into the south end of town?

[Ben Romero]

Johnny Powers, one of his informants.

[Joe Friday]

Okay, here we are.

[Ben Romero]

Business office. Yeah, I'll take care of it. Thanks.

[Joe Friday]

Hey, Bear, do you want to check out a Thompson for us?

[Ben Romero]

Okay. Funny. Have er.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, kind of.

[Ben Romero]

There's a sign out book.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Ben Romero]

You might as well give us a shotgun while you're at it, Blair. Okay.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Check these out for an hour.

[Ben Romero]

Sounds like a busy night for you fellas.

[Joe Friday]

Maybe.

[Ben Romero]

Thompson's okay. So the shotgun. Want to sign up for the shotgun, too, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Okay.

[Joe Friday]

One Thompson submachine gun, one shotgun. You got those serial numbers there, Blair?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Thompson 678-11-6781 1. Yeah. Shotgun, 655-228-5228 O Bry. Serial number 2288.

[Ben Romero]

Ben Romero.

[Joe Friday]

What's your serial number, Ben?

[Ben Romero]

2633.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah, 33. Six shells for the shotgun, 50 shells for the Thompson. Okay. All right, I'll sign for him. Okay.

[Ben Romero]

Gang's pretty rough.

[Don Basie]

I understand.

[Ben Romero]

Gun heavy.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's what they tell us.

[Ben Romero]

Okay.

[Joe Friday]

There's the book, all signed.

[Ben Romero]

Okay.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Here you go.

[Ben Romero]

A lot of firepower there.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Hope you don't have to clean them when we bring him back. We went down to the basement of the city hall, picked up our car, 80k and drove out to Naomi and South Alameda streets. We located the parking lot and pulled in. There were four other cars parked in the lot so we wouldn't be conspicuous. Ben and I got in the back seat out of the light. From our vantage point, we had a clear view of the entrance to the Rex Pharmacy across the street. We had the shotgun and the submachine gun on the seat beside us. We listened to the calls coming on the radio and we waited.

[Ben Romero]

There's no cooler here than Disney office.

[Joe Friday]

Hot and sticky, huh?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. Paper says it's going to be worse tomorrow.

[Joe Friday]

Roll down your window, will you? And get some air in here.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

The pharmacy isn't doing much business. Not more than a dozen people in there in the last hour.

[Ben Romero]

No soda fountain again? Sure is hard.

[Joe Friday]

You have to talk about it. What time you got?

[Ben Romero]

10 minutes to 10.

[Joe Friday]

Little slow.

[Ben Romero]

Hang here.

[Joe Friday]

I'll get it. That gang's gonna show up here? Wish they'd get it over with.

[Ben Romero]

Bowers might have got a bum tip.

[Joe Friday]

The gang hasn't missed a weekend for two months.

[Ben Romero]

I wonder how much time the average cop spends waiting.

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. Put it all together and make a fine vacation. What do we do? Sit this out till the pharmacy closes?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. 2:00am always hot.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Midnight came and passed. The traffic on South Alameda thinned out. Only an occasional customer entered the pharmacy across the street. Ben kept complaining about the he. We waited.

[Ben Romero]

That's it, Joe. There go the latch. Drugstore's closing. Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Guy's locking the doors. There he goes.

[Ben Romero]

We might as well shove off, too.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Let's get in the front seat.

[Ben Romero]

There's not much call for this shotgun tonight. There's no use checking it in.

[Joe Friday]

Same duty to mine. Attention all units. All units in the vicinity of a hill on the corner of Hill and Geneva Alley and 211in shooting code three.

[Ben Romero]

Hit the light. Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Come on, let's rol. Sunday, July 22, 2:15am Ben and I pulled up at the Merchant Security Trust Company on the corner of South Hill and Geneva Alley. Two patrol cars were already on the scene and four uniformed officers were trying to keep back a crowd of people who had gathered at the top of a flight of marble stairs which led off the street down one flight to the bank's ninth depository. At the bottom of the stairs, an elderly man was sprawled out face down, his right arm twisted under him. The man was dead. Ben counted.

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[Joe Friday]

Five bullet wounds in the victim's back. We interviewed the only witness, a young sailor.

[Don Basie]

My name is Basie. Sergeant Don Basie, Quartermaster second class.

[Joe Friday]

Here's my ID card.

[Ben Romero]

You saw the shooting, Mason?

[Don Basie]

I was about half a block away. I just came out of the bar down the street there. The top hat?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Don Basie]

Had a couple of beers and I left and I started walking back to the hotel.

[Joe Friday]

When was that?

[Don Basie]

About five after two.

[Joe Friday]

Go on.

[Don Basie]

Well, before I got to the corner, I saw this man ahead of me. He across the street and headed over for the bank. Then this car pulled up and some guys got out. They ran over to the man and it looked like they were frisking him.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Don Basie]

All of a sudden I heard shots. Man ran for the stairs here and it looked like he stumbled and fell. A bunch of guys jumped back in the car and drove away.

[Ben Romero]

What'd you do then?

[Don Basie]

I ran up to see what I could do for the old man. He was lying down there where he is now. Nothing I could do for him. I yell for cops.

[Joe Friday]

Did you get a look at the man in that car?

[Don Basie]

No, I just saw him from A distance? Four of them, maybe five.

[Joe Friday]

What about the car? Did you see the license number?

[Don Basie]

The last couple of numbers. That's all. 699. Couldn't see the rest.

[Joe Friday]

What was it, a coupe or sedan?

[Don Basie]

A sedan. Maroon color. It was a Pontiac. Either 1940 or 41.

[Ben Romero]

You sure about that?

[Don Basie]

I used to own one back in Delaware. 1940 model. I sold it to my brother when I went in the Navy. I'm sure, all right.

[Joe Friday]

And you're sure about the number of men in the car?

[Don Basie]

Oh, yes, sir.

[Ben Romero]

Four or five.

[Don Basie]

No more.

[Joe Friday]

I see. Thanks. Will you drive back to the office with us and give us a full statement?

[Don Basie]

Sure, Sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

Anything you say.

[Ben Romero]

You can wait in the car, Vasi. We won't be long.

[Don Basie]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

What do you think?

[Ben Romero]

I don't know. Drugstore gang said there were four guys. Could be no description.

[Joe Friday]

Maroon car, three numbers off the license plate.

[Ben Romero]

Pretty thin.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Looks like a hard summer. We completed our preliminary investigation. The coroner arrived and the body was taken to the county morgue in the basement of the hall of Justice. The victim was identified as Walter Conroy, the proprietor of the Flowerland Dance hall on South Hill Street. Together with Officers Fremont and Hearst from Homicide. Ben and I spent most of Sunday tracking down employees of the dance hall and interviewing them. We sent a rush teletype, the Department of Motor Vehicles in Sacramento. Containing the partial license number. Plus our scan information on the car, which the suspects drove. Early Monday afternoon, Ben and I, along with Captain Ed Walker of Robbery Detail, met with Chief of Detective Stat, Brown.

[Dragnet Narrator]

What kind of a motive are you working on?

[Ben Romero]

Robbery. Dance hall manager. Conroy was on his way to the bank's knife depository when this bunch caught up with him. He had the night's receipts with him from the Dante.

[Dragnet Narrator]

How much they got, Walker?

[Ben Romero]

$350.

[Joe Friday]

They missed over a thousand Conroy had.

[Ben Romero]

In an inside pocket.

[Dragnet Narrator]

No idea who pulled the stick up.

[Joe Friday]

Could have been that drugstore gang.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Why them?

[Joe Friday]

They haven't missed working a weekend night for two months. There's no sign of any other job that they might have pulled Saturday?

[Ben Romero]

Just a hunch, Chief. Nothing to go on.

[Joe Friday]

We'll have to guess our way for a while.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Sacramento. Checking the description of the car, the numbers off the license plate?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. Ought to have an answer this afternoon.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Any leads on the drugstore gang at all?

[Joe Friday]

Plenty.

[Ben Romero]

None of them good. Suspects are loaded down with guns. That's all we know.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Excuse me. Brown speaking. Just a must. Friday.

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[Joe Friday]

Okay, thanks. Reached. Over here, Freddie. Yeah, Ralph. How many? Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Well, I Got an answer from DMV Sacramento about the hold up car.

[Ben Romero]

What'd they say, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Well, they looked up the possible combinations of 19, 40 or 41 Pontiac sedans with the number 699 on the license plate. Yeah, 123 possibles to check.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Not my choice.

[Ben Romero]

No car of that description on the hot list.

[Joe Friday]

The killer might be the legal owners.

[Ben Romero]

123.

[Joe Friday]

Even after we check them, we still might not have the right party.

[Dragnet Narrator]

That's right. If we got a better lead, we'll work on it.

[Joe Friday]

Nope.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Well, then ride this till it falls apart.

[Joe Friday]

For the next 13 days, Ben and I, Fremont and Hearst from Homicide, plus a half a dozen other men hacked away at the list of 123 car registrations. Any one of which could have been issued to the hold up car. The color of the sedan didn't help us much to start with since California vehicle registrations do not include the colors of the cars. After 14 days of gradual elimination of possibles, the field was narrowed to six, then four, then two. August 6th, Monday, 5:30pm Ben and I were called to Thad Brown's office.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Gentlemen, you checked out that last possible yet?

[Ben Romero]

About 20 minutes ago. It didn't pan out.

[Joe Friday]

What about Hearst and Fremont? They had one left right here.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Could be the answer. Yeah, 1940 Pontiac sedan. License number 4XA699. Last registration, San Diego.

[Ben Romero]

Sounds good.

[Dragnet Narrator]

We teletyped the San Diego police. They say the car's been sold to a woman out in Santa Monica.

[Joe Friday]

Anyone checked her?

[Dragnet Narrator]

Well, that's what I want you two.

[Joe Friday]

For San Diego and Santa Monica. Well, it's in the right area.

[Ben Romero]

Can't afford to miss now. I hope it's the right one.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Well, it's gotta be. Check it.

[Joe Friday]

Ben and I checked the woman in Santa Monica on Mrs. Fielding. She told us that she had sold the car six months before to a friend who lived in Bakersfield. We contacted her friend. He told us the car had been traded in by him to an auto dealer in Pasadena. We checked the dealer. He said the car had been sold off his used car lot two months before. The new buyer had given his name as Amos Thurston. Two names were given as reference. Lloyd Newton and John Lacombe. We ran a routine check through the Record Bureau.

[Ben Romero]

Ran him through.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Fellas.

[Joe Friday]

Here's the packages.

[Ben Romero]

Get a make for him on all three.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you find on Thurston?

[Dragnet Narrator]

Let's see.

[Ben Romero]

Thurston two time loser, second time up to Q on five counts of armed robbery on parole from Quentin now, how about the other two?

[Dragnet Narrator]

Lacombe. Let's see.

[Ben Romero]

Preston Reformatory. Two terms went up three years ago.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Violation of Dyer Act. He's on parole, too.

[Joe Friday]

What about Newton?

[Ben Romero]

Did you make him, uh, two terms in Oklahoma? They're looking for them now, John.

[Joe Friday]

Parole. Can I look at that? Just a minute, Frank.

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[Joe Friday]

I have all three of them. Take a look, Ben. Each one of the mama sheets on these three guys?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Right here under General M.O. see?

[Ben Romero]

Mm. Thurston, heavily armed at time of arrest.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. This one, lacombe, heavily armed. This one on Newton, same thing.

[Ben Romero]

I'm happy.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Come on. At the time he purchased the car, suspect Emil Thurston listed his home address as 1517 North Hoover Avenue. Previous robbery victims positively identified Thurston and his companions at 1517 North Hoover. The landlady also identified Thurston and his companions as tenants. She told us they drove a red sedan and they parked the car at a Temple street garage. An immediate stakeout was placed on the apartment house and we started the canvas of Temple street garages from Hoover Avenue down to Rampart Boulevard. At 4:00pm Ben spotted the car in Donnelly's garage on Temple street near Michigan Drive. The garage attendant told us that the owner of the car had given his name as Emil Thurston. We showed him the mug shots.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, used to park his car in here a while back. Then he came in yesterday morning with these two guys and said he wanted a paint job.

[Richard Karn]

Hi, I'm Richard Karn and you may have seen me on TV talking about the world's number one expandable garden hose. Well, the brand new pocket hose Copperhead with pocket pivot is here and it's a total game changer. Old fashioned hoses get kinks and creases at the spigot, but the Copperhead's pocket pivot swivels 360 degrees for full water flow and freedom to water with ease all around your home. When you're all done, this rust proof anti burst hose shrinks back down to pocket size for effortless handling and tidy storage. Plus your super light and ultra durable pocket hose. Copperhead is backed with a 10 year warranty. What could be better than that? I'll tell you what. An exciting radio exclusive offer just for you for a limited time. You can get a free pocket Pivot and their 10 pattern sprayer with the purchase of any size Copperhead hose. Just text water to 64,000. That's water to 64,000 for your two free gifts with purchase. W A T E R to 64,000 by texting.

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[Ben Romero]

Doesn't look like he needs a paint job to me. They offered me 20 bucks extra if I do it in a hurry. He wants the car painted green.

[Joe Friday]

When's he going to call for the car?

[Ben Romero]

About 10 o' clock tonight. These jobs take time. He's not gonna like it if the car's not finished.

[Joe Friday]

He won't like it if it is. Come on, Ben.

[Dragnet Narrator]

You are listening to Dragnet authentic stories of your police force in action. Now here is an authentic report from Fatima cigarettes in 1949, Fatima doubled, tripled and quadrupled its smokers.

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[Dragnet Narrator]

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[Dragnet Narrator]

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[Joe Friday]

7Pm Tuesday, Aug. 7. Chief of Detective Stat Brown and Capt. Ed Walker swung the entire robbery detail into action. The stake out at the apartment house on North Hoover continued. An additional detail of men was stationed in a vacant store on Temple street, directly opposite opposite Donnelly's garage. Donnelly's garage was a small family outfit and the only spot from which we could cover it thoroughly without being seen was from a large paint locker set up against the right wall. The garage man cleared enough room so that Ben and I could fit into the locker in a half stoop position. Two small latches were rigged up so that we could pull the doors closed from the inside. Four ventilation holes at the top and bottom of the doors provided us with peepholes. At 8 o' clock that night, Ben and I took our places inside the locker. The trap was set. We waited.

[Ben Romero]

Can you see all right, Joe? Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

It's hot in here.

[Ben Romero]

Stale air, tight fit. I'm getting a clamp on my shoulder.

[Joe Friday]

What time did that garage man say he closed?

[Ben Romero]

11 o' clock. There's lousy painters. Smells.

[Joe Friday]

Stuffy.

[Ben Romero]

Hey, that car pulling in, can you see the driver? Wait a minute.

[Joe Friday]

It's nothing. Somebody getting gas?

[Ben Romero]

Okay, show up. I wouldn't want this to go on another night.

[Joe Friday]

Well, don't count on it.

[Ben Romero]

Foot's going to sleep.

[Joe Friday]

Why don't you stand still? What time you got?

[Ben Romero]

Let me see. Get the light on in here. 10 minutes to 9.

[Joe Friday]

Thanks. The popular conception of the working detective rarely includes a glimpse of his everyday run of the mill duties. Filling out forms, conducting interviews or waiting long, monotonous hours parked in a car or standing half crouched in a garage paint locker. It's slow, dull and tedious. And it's 95% of the police officer's job by 10 o' clock. But that night there was still no sign of Thurston and his friends. The cramped locker got more cramped with the passing minutes. The air was thick with paint fumes. We waited. At 10:55, a taxi pulled to a stop in front of the garage. Three men got out.

[Ben Romero]

You see him, Joe?

[Joe Friday]

Wait till they step into the light. There's another guy still in the cab.

[Ben Romero]

Here they come. There's the first guy.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, it's Thirsty.

[Ben Romero]

Fourth guy's getting on the again.

[Joe Friday]

That looks like Newton.

[Ben Romero]

That's him.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, it's lacombe. Right behind fat guy. Here they come.

[Ben Romero]

Sure do look. The boy.

[Joe Friday]

All right, unlatch your door, but don't open it. Quiet, Ben.

[Ben Romero]

What's the matter, Matt? You're stuck. Wait a minute.

[Joe Friday]

You get it?

[Ben Romero]

No, it's really stuck.

[Joe Friday]

Tap it with your gun stock. Come on.

[Ben Romero]

Easy. There. There it is. This little slide.

[Joe Friday]

You see where they are now?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. Talking to the garage man. Not looking this way?

[Joe Friday]

No, they just stay that way, huh? You ready?

[Ben Romero]

Okay.

[Joe Friday]

Don't tip them off till we're right on top of them. Let them get away from that garage man, huh?

[Ben Romero]

Right.

[Joe Friday]

All right, let's go. Approximately 25 or 30 yards separated us from the suspects. I glanced across Temple street at the vacant store where Thad Brown and the other men were staked out. 25 yards is a long way to walk when you're approaching a murderer and you know that he won't hesitate to kill you in order to escape. Ben flipped the safety off the machine gun. We were almost halfway across the garage, 15 yards away. Thurston turned and saw us.

[Ben Romero]

Look out, Joe. I got one of them.

[Joe Friday]

They duck behind the car. Went up the stairs. Three of them. Come on.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Where they go?

[Joe Friday]

Up the stairs.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Bumper after.

[Ben Romero]

Up this way, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Watch it, Ben.

[Ben Romero]

Get out there somewhere. Back in that corner. Up there. You're tracked. Go down. Your gun.

[Joe Friday]

All right, Ben, give it over.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Stop.

[Ben Romero]

Hold on. Your guns. Throw them down.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

There's three of them, six of them.

[Joe Friday]

All right, now come on down with your hands behind your head. Cover me, Ben. I'll frisk them.

[Ben Romero]

Right, you up on the end, get your hands in the back of your head.

[Joe Friday]

All right, stand still. All right, next one, blunt clean. All right, McComb, watch him, Joe.

[Ben Romero]

Rest of your gun back. Keep your hands up. You all right, Joe? Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Two more guns on him.

[Ben Romero]

All right, you two hold it. Here comes the chief.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I'll get these guns together here.

[Ben Romero]

Lacombe, he's not much of a fighter.

[Joe Friday]

Not without a gun. The suspects were booked at different divisions. To keep them separated. Emil Thurston and Lloyd Newton were taken to Hollenbeck park and booked on suspicion of armed robbery and murder. John Lacombe was booked at Highland Park Jail on the same charges. The other suspect who had been wounded in the escape attempt was identified as Harold Steeves, 19 years old. He was treated for a leg wound at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital and then transferred to the prison ward at the county hospital. During the next two days, each of the suspects was questioned individually. Thurston, McComb Newton would admit nothing. The 19 year old Steves broke down and agreed to turn state's evidence. We took his statement to Chief of Detective Stad Brown.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Gentlemen, what did the boy tell you?

[Ben Romero]

Just about everything, boss. They pulled the drugstore hold ups and they killed that dance hall owner, Walter Conroy.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Which one of them?

[Joe Friday]

Well, the kids says Thurston shot him. He says Thurston's the gang leader.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Good. You finally got a count on those guns you took off him.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, 12 of them. Each one of them was ready to go, bullet in every chamber.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Did you get a complaint from the DA's office yet?

[Ben Romero]

They were ring. Preliminary hearing set for Monday.

[Joe Friday]

Fine.

[Dragnet Narrator]

You got him in jail, I'll put them in prison.

[Joe Friday]

The apprehension of the criminal doesn't mean the end of a case for a police officer. He spends just as much time helping the convicted the criminal after he's caught. Evidence must be Gathered and authenticated and presented to the District Attorney's office. If confessions are possible, they must be obtained and put in order. The officer must also help out in formulating the case and in testifying at the trial of a suspect. On October 30, almost three months after the Thurston Gang was apprehended, they were brought to trial in Superior Court. It was a routine affair. Harold Steves took the stand and told the story of the gang's activity. The victims identified the suspects and testified to the robberies. Both men and I took the stand and testified to the arrest and possession of guns by the defendants. We received no cross examination. On the morning of March 2, the case went to the jury. Ben and I had lunch with Lt. Rambo from Robbery in the City hall cafeteria and it was five minutes past one when we got back to the office.

[Ben Romero]

All right. Sure was good soup today.

[Joe Friday]

It was a nice lunch. You want to check the man?

[Ben Romero]

I didn't. You.

[Joe Friday]

I'll get it. Robbery Friday.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

When? Right. Lacombe and Thurston. I just broke jail. Within seven minutes, a dragnet for the escaped criminals had been thrown around the entire City. Chief of Detective Stat Brown directed the operation. At 14 minutes past one, he called us to the photocopy room. The machines were turning out duplicate mug shots of Thurston and lacombe for distribution at the rate of one every four seconds.

[Ben Romero]

You want us to stand by, Chief?

[Dragnet Narrator]

For the moment, yeah. We got all the help we need on the street.

[Joe Friday]

How'd they pull the break anyway?

[Dragnet Narrator]

Slug the deputy when he brought in their lunch. Used a steel leg from one of the benches in the prisoner's tank. Yeah, they beat the deputy right into the ground, but he held on to Newton. He didn't get away.

[Joe Friday]

How'd Thurston and lacombe ever get out of the building?

[Dragnet Narrator]

He saw a real freak. They slugged the elevator man and got down to the basement. Right then. An ambulance crew was wheeling a body in the morgue. The attendant left the ignition keys in the ambulance.

[Ben Romero]

Shouldn't be too rough to track them if they're in an ambulance.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Tougher than you think. How are those copies coming, Frank?

[Ben Romero]

Fast as we can make them, Chief. Have another badge for you in a minute.

[Joe Friday]

You had any reports at all yet, boss?

[Ben Romero]

Couple.

[Dragnet Narrator]

They're moving fast.

[Joe Friday]

Frank, you want to get that? I can't see in this dark room.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, I'll get it. Yeah, Chief. Frowning there?

[Don Basie]

Yeah, Come on in.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Walker. What do you got?

[Ben Romero]

Kill that dryer, will you? Oh, yeah.

[Dragnet Narrator]

What do you got gas station out on Sunset.

[Ben Romero]

Lacombe and Thurston just held it up.

[Joe Friday]

We picked up our car in the City hall garage and drove out to the service station on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Lorraine Drive. Detectives Ruiz and Stomwell from Robbery were already on the scene. The two escapees had abandoned the ambulance there, robbed the station of $56 in currency and stolen a 1938 gray Packard coupe. License number 7 Robert 6336. We left the station and started to cruise the area. It was 1:55pm Attention all units. Attention all units.

[Ben Romero]

Get it up.

[Joe Friday]

6380 North Sunset at 2:11 progress. 6380 North Sunset. A 211 in progress. Code three.

[Ben Romero]

This is a 6100.

[Joe Friday]

Come on. 6380 north, baby.

[Ben Romero]

Push it.

[Joe Friday]

Hey, that car pulling out up ahead there?

[Ben Romero]

Great coupe.

[Joe Friday]

Wait a minute. Seven Robert. That's them.

[Ben Romero]

Life's changing. They can't make it.

[Joe Friday]

They're going through. They're skidding.

[Ben Romero]

They hit the lamp post, broke it off.

[Dragnet Narrator]

All right, pull up.

[Ben Romero]

Come on. Right.

[Joe Friday]

All right, let's go.

[Ben Romero]

Lucky if they live through this one. Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Come on. Help me with this door.

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[Ben Romero]

Can you take them here?

[Joe Friday]

I'll get lacombe.

[Ben Romero]

You look okay. Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Get Thurston out of here.

[Ben Romero]

All right, Come on. Come on.

[Joe Friday]

All right, lacombe, come on.

[Ben Romero]

Oh, sure you will. Come on.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Don't try to walk. How's thirsty, Ben?

[Ben Romero]

Seems okay. A couple of stretches.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Sit down over there.

[Ben Romero]

That's funny. They don't look very tough.

[Joe Friday]

I can't sway their part. They haven't got their guns.

[Dragnet Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. On March 3, 1947, trial was held in Superior Court Department 91. City and county of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial.

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[Dragnet Narrator]

New York Division, Fatima sales up 132%. Chicago Division, Fatima sales up 453%.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

Los Angeles Division, Fatima sales up 545%.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Yes.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

In 1949, more and more smokers discovered that Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes.

[Dragnet Narrator]

They found Fatima extra mild.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

They found Fatima has a much different, much better flavor.

[Dragnet Narrator]

They found the name Fatima means the best in cigarette quality.

[Fatima Cigarettes Announcer]

In 1950, enjoy Fatima yourself. Best of all long cigarettes.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Emil Thurston, John Lacombe and Lloyd Newton were convicted of first degree murder and robbery and sentenced to life terms for turning State's evidence. 19 year old Harold Steeves received special consideration As a result of the jailbreak. Thurston and Lacombe were convicted of assault and escape. They are now serving life terms in the state penitentiary. You have just heard Dragnet, a new series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office of Acting Chief of Police W.A. wharton, Los Angeles Police Department. Dragnet honors the city of Pasadena, State of California, and the men who make up the Pasadena police force, another of America's great law enforcement agencies. One of these men, Chief of Police Clarence H. Morris, traffic specialist and veteran police administrator, dedicates his life to making yours more secure.

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Fatima Cigarettes the best of all long cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Portion Transcribed from Los Angeles.

[Dragnet Narrator]

Be sure to hear songs by Morton Downey tonight on NBC.

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[Joe Friday]

What have you been doing?

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