Dragnet 50-10-19 ep 071 Big Grandma

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Dragnet 50-10-19 ep 071 Big Grandma"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Description: Showcases radio shows from the Golden Age of Radio, featuring beloved programs like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and more.
• Episode: Dragnet 50-10-19 ep 071 Big Grandma
• Release Date: July 23, 2025

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Introduction to the Case

Dragnet opens with Detectives Joe Friday (Jack Webb) and Ben Romero (Harry Morgan) being briefed on an ongoing forgery case. The suspect, a middle-aged woman dubbed "Grandma," has been successfully cashing over $20,000 in bad checks for nearly a decade.

Notable Quote:

• Joe Friday [02:19]: "It was Monday, April 17. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of forgery detail."

Understanding "Grandma"

The detectives discuss the elusive nature of Grandma's operations. Her meticulous planning and psychological insights have allowed her to evade capture for nine years, operating exclusively in April, October, and December each year.

Key Points:

• Methodology: Grandma uses personal checks, consistently ranging between $2 and $100, and signs over 200 aliases.
• Description: Approximately 50 years old, plump, with a friendly demeanor, altered slightly over the years to avoid recognition.
• Challenges: Each time Grandma cashes a check, it takes several days for the fraud to be detected, making the investigative trail cold.

Notable Quote:

• Detective [04:04]: "She's no amateur, don't get me wrong. But she doesn't operate like any check forger I've ever known."

Intensifying the Investigation

With no fresh leads, Friday and Romero double their stakeouts and enhance collaboration with local merchants. The Los Angeles Police Department distributes revised descriptions and meticulous details about Grandma's modus operandi to all potential victim businesses.

Notable Quote:

• Detective Besser [06:00]: "Every last bit of it. We can't fit it in a six-foot shelf. In nine years, I've had five teams of men work this thing. None of them reached her. You and Friday make the 6th."

A Break in the Case

On April 30, the flow of forged checks halts, aligning with Grandma's operational schedule ending until October. Detectives remain vigilant, preparing for her next appearance.

Notable Quote:

• Joe Friday [13:57]: "October came. Grandma started on the 10th year of her forgery career without a hitch."

The Turning Point

Grandma cashes a check on October 1 at a downtown women's shop. The detectives promptly visit the store and interview the clerk, who provides a detailed description of the suspect's attire and behavior during the transaction.

Key Insights:

• The suspect appears as a friendly, motherly figure, fostering trust with store employees.
• The descriptions remain consistent with prior reports, maintaining the suspect's elusive image.

Notable Quote:

• Joe Friday [14:07]: "You will notice the pencil slim skirt and the doll with three-quarter sleeves."

Connecting the Dots

Upon analyzing two forged checks linked to the same individual, handwriting analysis confirms similarities that suggest a mistake by Grandma—a potential opportunity to capture her.

Notable Quote:

• Joe Friday [17:05]: "Inez Lorraine Lambert entered a plea of guilty to two counts of forgery."

Narrowing Down Suspects

The detectives focus on Mrs. Mary Walker, a store customer whose charge account plate was stolen during a Boosters Club meeting—the same night checks began to appear. Handwriting comparisons point to Inez Lambert, a respected community member with an impeccable reputation.

Key Points:

• Inez Lambert's Profile: Active in civic and charitable organizations, with annual donations exceeding her household income.
• Evidence: Found physical charge account plates and matching handwriting samples.

Notable Quote:

• Detective [20:45]: "No doubt in my mind. That's Grandma's handwriting."

Interrogation and Confession

During the interrogation, Inez Lambert maintains her innocence until overwhelmed by evidence. She admits to forging checks to funnel money into charitable causes, revealing her noble yet illicit motivations.

Notable Quote:

• Inez Lambert [27:28]: "I only wanted to help the poor, like he did. I came to help the poor."

Conclusion of the Case

Inez Lambert pleads guilty to forgery, with other charges being set aside. The court sentences her according to the law, bringing an end to her decade-long spree.

Notable Quote:

• Joe Friday [28:43]: "Inez Lorraine Lambert entered a plea of guilty to two counts of forgery."

Final Thoughts

The episode underscores the dedication and meticulousness of the Los Angeles Police Department in solving intricate cases. It also highlights the complex motivations behind criminal actions, even when driven by altruistic intentions.

Notable Quote:

• Joe Friday [28:09]: "We know what your income is. We know how much that you've given to charities."

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Conclusion

"Big Grandma" serves as a compelling narrative of persistence in law enforcement and the nuanced nature of crime. Dragnet effectively captures the tension and resolution inherent in real-life police investigations, providing listeners with an engaging and authentic portrayal of the challenges faced by detectives.

Transcript

[Jack Webb]

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 a forgery detail. An accomplished check forger resumes operations in your city. The suspects described as a middle aged woman. She's written more than $20,000 in bad checks. Your job. Get her. In a moment. An authentic case from official files. Oh, no.

[Unknown]

Ah, that's different.

[Jack Webb]

Yes, what a difference. In Fatima, the difference is quality. You see, Fatima is the quality king size cigarette. Because it contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos. Superbly blended. And Fatima is extra mild with a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. Because of its quality, its extra mildness, its better flavor and aroma, Fatima has more than doubled its smokers coast to coast. Fatima's cost the same as other long cigarettes.

[Unknown]

But your first puff will tell you, ah, that's different.

[Jack Webb]

Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. Ask your dealer for Fatima, the quality king size cigarette. Best of all, long cigarettes. Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow, 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.

It was Monday, April 17. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of forgery detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Elliot. My name's Friday. I was on the way back into work and it was 7:53am when I got to room 29. Forgery detail.

[Harry Morgan]

Morning, Joe. Hi.

[Jack Webb]

How'd the weekend go?

[Unknown]

Oh, pretty slow.

[Harry Morgan]

Stayed home, did some gardening.

[Jack Webb]

How about that new lawn you put in? How's it doing?

[Harry Morgan]

If we want a lawn, we're gonna have to move.

[Jack Webb]

What's the matter now?

[Harry Morgan]

Same old thing.

[Jack Webb]

Gophers.

[Harry Morgan]

Must be hundreds of them. So many holes. The top of the lawn looks like.

[Unknown]

An old punch board.

[Jack Webb]

Oh, that's too bad. Can't you try some kind of poison on them? Or how about those new things they got out?

[Unknown]

What do they call them?

[Jack Webb]

Gopher bombs.

[Harry Morgan]

I use them, but a dozen. They eat anything?

[Unknown]

Joe?

[Harry Morgan]

Ben.

[Jack Webb]

Yeah, Ferguson.

[Unknown]

Morning, Cap. Monsieur.

[Harry Morgan]

Okay. What's up, Fergie?

[Unknown]

You ain't gonna like it. Skipper will brief you.

[Harry Morgan]

Morning, Skipper. Hi.

[Unknown]

Have a seat.

[Harry Morgan]

Yeah, thanks.

[Unknown]

You two finished up with the Benson case yesterday.

They're right.

[Jack Webb]

Yeah. It's all Washed up. We're clear.

[Unknown]

Good.

Then you can start on this one right away. You work with Frank Besser and Ferguson here.

[Jack Webb]

What is it, Grandma?

[Harry Morgan]

I had a hunched you.

[Jack Webb]

What have we done to deserve this?

[Unknown]

It's nothing any of us have done. It's what we haven't done. I want her stopped once and for all.

[Jack Webb]

Are we any closer to her than we have been, Fergie?

[Unknown]

Just about. Same, Joe.

That's why I'm putting two more of you on it. How well do you know the case?

[Jack Webb]

Just what we've heard around the office.

[Harry Morgan]

Same here. I could stand some briefing.

[Unknown]

Ferguson.

Well, you must have heard how she operates three months out of the year. April, October, December.

That's all.

[Jack Webb]

She's never been known to change that schedule.

[Unknown]

Not as far as I know. She's been doing it the same for nine years.

[Harry Morgan]

All the phony checks she cashes are personal checks.

[Unknown]

That's right. She never writes them less than $2 and never more than 100.

[Harry Morgan]

Nine years. She been going that long?

[Unknown]

Nine and a half. It'll be an even 10 this October. You want to check them out on the totals, Ferguson?

[Harry Morgan]

Mm.

[Unknown]

Up to and including the first of this month, she's cashed 1,273 checks. Totals a little over $22,000.

[Harry Morgan]

Mm.

[Jack Webb]

Anything special about the way she writes the checks?

[Unknown]

Nothing but the signatures. There's an alias list down there that'll.

Knock your eye out.

More than 200 different names.

[Harry Morgan]

Her description's still the same. About 50 years old, kind of plump, nice face.

[Unknown]

A few minor changes. Last year she had gray hair, dressed very plain. This year she dyed her hair black. Dresses a little more expensively.

[Harry Morgan]

Nine years. That's a long streak of luck for any paper hanger.

[Unknown]

That's just it. This old gal's not just an ordinary paper hanger. She's no amateur, don't get me wrong. But she doesn't operate like any check forger I've ever known. She contradicts part of her ammo, part of it she doesn't. She takes chances. An ordinary paper hanger, it never takes. And she gets away with them. Take a look at just one of these exhibits. Yeah, this one here. 28 checks passed on the same chain of grocery stores, same company.

[Harry Morgan]

She passed them all in one month?

[Unknown]

No, that's just the point. Two years ago, she passed four. Fourteen of them. Spread them out over a period of a month. Last year, she passed another batch of 14, all within three days. One year she used a different name on each check. On this Batch. She used the same name.

[Jack Webb]

Well, does she have any identification when she passes these checks?

[Unknown]

Always. Phony driver's license, Social Security cards or works. And she's got that sweet grandmother smile of hers. Clerks rarely turn her down when she shows up with a check.

You can get used to different descriptions of her, too. Give the file a look. Hardly 3 of the check victims can get together. And what she looks like. Exactly.

[Jack Webb]

Well, where are they getting stung most? Downtown or out in the neighborhoods.

[Unknown]

The neighborhoods? Anywhere from the beach area to the Valley.

[Harry Morgan]

This whole file, Skipper, that's not just.

[Unknown]

Her work, is it?

Every last bit of it. We can't fit it in a six foot shelf. In nine years, I've had five teams of men work this thing. None of them reached her. You and Friday make the 6th.

[Jack Webb]

It's April 17th. How's she doing so far this month?

[Unknown]

Fergie Cash. $624 in checks we know of since the first of the month. Same general description, same general M.O.

[Jack Webb]

No fresh leads.

[Unknown]

She's been operating nine years, Joe.

[Jack Webb]

Yeah, just as good as ever. To the working detective, there's no tougher job than tracking a lawbreaker who's half professional and half amateur. You can expect a criminal who's entirely professional to react generally the same in a given set of circumstances. And the same with the amateur. But take the two, the professional and the amateur, and intermingle their possible and probable reactions. You'll likely have a sound reason why and how an elderly woman could victimize merchants with $20,000 in bad checks over a period of nine years without being caught. Grandma, as she'd come to be known, worked only three months out of each year, April, October and December. Her apparent fine sense of timing and her knowledge of psychology was far and away superior to that of the ordinary paper hanger. If the file on Grandma was any indication, she apparently had been born to be a successful check forger. After Ben and I spent three days on the case with Sergeants Ferguson and Besser, we were almost convinced that there was only one way we could reach the suspect. She had to make a mistake.

[Harry Morgan]

Bergin. How'd you do?

[Unknown]

Pretty sour. Four checks in two days. What'd you fellows get?

Two.

[Jack Webb]

Don Meyer checked the signatures. They're all hers.

[Unknown]

Here's our list if you're interested. Meat market out in Pico, $25. Grocery in West Hollywood, $48. Two department stores downtown, 100 bucks a piece.

[Jack Webb]

How do they describe the woman?

[Unknown]

Same old yarn. She was a nice, charming little lady, about 55 or 60 small, dark hair, graying dark eyes. Nice smile. Clerk told me she reminded him of his mother.

[Harry Morgan]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

How'd you make out on those two of yours?

[Harry Morgan]

All about the same. Even the story about her looking like somebody's mother.

[Jack Webb]

One thing sure. Her timing's just as good as it was nine years ago.

[Harry Morgan]

Downtown Merchants association screaming again. They're looking for action.

[Jack Webb]

So are we.

[Unknown]

Did you talk to Captain today?

[Harry Morgan]

Yeah.

[Jack Webb]

He's looking for action, too. I don't know what we can do unless we get some kind of cooperation from the merchants. Every time the old gal pushes a bum check. It's three or four days before it gets to the bank and we hear about it. Trail's pretty cold by then.

[Harry Morgan]

Yeah. Joe and I were talking just before you came in, Fergie. We can't expect too much to happen the way we're going.

[Unknown]

Any ideas?

[Jack Webb]

More men and more stakeouts. The captain says he'll buy that. It's about all we can do.

[Unknown]

Another 10 days in April will be over. Grandma will be through pushing checks till October again.

[Harry Morgan]

I don't know, Joe. Her formula's too perfect for me. There's gotta be a flaw in it someplace. Yeah.

[Jack Webb]

You got out a bulletin of that revised description of her for you.

[Unknown]

Yeah, it's all taken care of. Special notices were mailed out.

The merchants, too.

[Harry Morgan]

I get it.

[Unknown]

Yeah.

Forgery.

[Harry Morgan]

Romero.

[Unknown]

Yes, sir.

[Harry Morgan]

Was that. That's so. Yeah, right away. Thank you. Supermarket on Temple Street. Grandma hit him with two checks. Any lead clerk says he'd remind him of his money.

[Jack Webb]

A week passed. The number of stakeouts on business places throughout the city was doubled. The MO and description of the suspect was circulated among the merchants in the downtown and suburban shopping centers. Clerks were especially warned to be on the lookout for the precautions went for nothing. Grandma's checks kept showing up at the rate of two and three a day. On April 27, she passed a check for $50 at the delicatessen on Hollywood Boulevard. We drove out to interview the owner.

[Unknown]

Mr. Hammerston, do you have one of.

[Harry Morgan]

Those circulars we sent out on this woman?

[Unknown]

Well, I'm ashamed to say it, Sergeant, but I have hanging right back there in the storeroom. The thing of it is, I never connected the two. The woman and the notice. It's the way she looks at you, you know, like you'd be a healed, even questioner.

[Jack Webb]

How was she dressed the last time she was in? Do you remember that?

[Unknown]

Well, she had kind of a plain black coat on. Say, would you excuse me a minute? I don't like to Keep customers waiting.

[Harry Morgan]

Oh, sure, go ahead.

[Unknown]

Yes.

How are you, Mrs. Lyons?

Need some cold meat for kids lunches. What do you got? Nice and fresh.

You see right there in the case. Head cheese is very fresh. Good for the kiddies. Pimento loaf's nice too.

No, kids don't like either one. Bussy. Better give me 35 cents for that small bologna, would you?

Yes, ma'.

Am.

[Harry Morgan]

Hello.

[Unknown]

Kids are so fussy nowadays. Ought to be in Europe. That's what I tell them. I know what it is to go hungry. Oh, you better give me a couple of those large kosher pickles too. Husband's crazy for them.

Yes, ma'.

Am.

And loaf of the rye too, would you know, see?

Yes, ma'.

Am.

How are the kiddies doing in school, Mrs. Lyons?

[Harry Morgan]

Fine, fine.

[Unknown]

Marilyn's in the school pageant next month. She's gonna be the queen.

Oh, that's nice.

Well, I don't know how nice it is. More work, that's all. I have to make a costume.

There you are, Mrs. Lions. Put it on the bill.

Yeah, would you do that? I'll see you the 15th of the month.

Yes, ma'.

Am.

Goodbye. Uhuh. Goodbye.

Decide to keep you waiting, Officer. I see. Now, where was I when we asked.

[Jack Webb]

You how the woman was dressed?

[Unknown]

Oh, yeah. Had a black coat on. I told you that.

[Jack Webb]

Yes, it did.

[Unknown]

Very plain looking clothes. Like any other housewife. Print dress. Some kind of a scarf around the neck. That's about all I noticed.

[Harry Morgan]

How about that description of her in the bulletin we sent you? That fit her pretty well.

[Unknown]

Yeah, I guess so. She didn't exactly seem plump to me though. Kind of a nice figure for a woman of her age.

[Jack Webb]

Do you know if any of your customers were acquainted with her?

[Unknown]

I wouldn't know that. She acted as though she knew some of them. But now that this has happened, I can see she was just putting on. She was a great disappointment to me.

[Jack Webb]

She is to a lot of people.

[Unknown]

I used to josh with her all the time. I'm a widower, you know. Thought once or twice I might even date her up.

[Harry Morgan]

Is that so?

[Unknown]

Yeah. She seemed like a real good sport. Joshing all the time. Fine personality, Just as homey as you please.

[Jack Webb]

Well, that fits in with the other descriptions.

[Unknown]

How you ever going to catch somebody like that?

[Jack Webb]

Two days later, on April 30, right on schedule, the flow of bogus checks in grandma's handwriting suddenly stopped. If she continued to work with the same timetable she'd been using for the last nine years, she wouldn't start operations again. Until the first of October. During the next five months that followed, from May to the end of September, Besser, Ferguson, Ben and I handled the usual run of check cases at the same time. We used up every spare hour we had making preparations for the suspect's next appearance. Every businessman throughout the city who might be a possible victim was alerted. A revised description of the suspect, together with her MO Was printed up and given wide distribution. Every possible precaution was taken. October came. Grandma started on the 10th year of her forgery career without a hitch. On October 1, she cast a check for $75 at a large downtown women's shop. As soon as we got the report, we went to the department where the check had been received. A fashion show was in progress.

[Unknown]

She's wearing a neat, wide velvet dinner.

Suit, the newest shade for evening wear.

You will notice the pencil slim skirt and the doll with three quarter sleeves.

[Harry Morgan]

Excuse me. Are you Mr. Montrose?

[Unknown]

Yes. What is it?

[Jack Webb]

Police officer, sir. Forgery detail.

[Unknown]

Oh, yes, that check. I wonder if you could hold on for just a moment. Yes, sir.

Ms. Janice Ford.

[Harry Morgan]

Next.

[Unknown]

She wears a gown of striking originality with rich but simple lines. A black dinner dress, the satin skirt with Kanye points. A sculptured silk and latex sweater top.

With an oval neckline punctuated with ball fringe.

[Harry Morgan]

Hey, Joe, what kind of outfit is that that the model's wearing?

[Unknown]

I don't know.

[Harry Morgan]

Not much to it.

[Unknown]

All right, Officers, would you like to step this way, please?

[Harry Morgan]

Okay.

[Jack Webb]

Yes.

[Unknown]

This is my office here. Well, I don't know what I can do for you gentlemen. Check was passed. Very unfortunate occurrence.

[Jack Webb]

You okayed the check for cashing, is that correct?

[Unknown]

Yes, the sales girl handled the transaction. She showed me the check. I knew the sales, so I okayed it.

[Harry Morgan]

Mary Walker.

[Unknown]

Yes. That's how it's checked, signed.

[Harry Morgan]

What kind of identification did the woman have?

[Unknown]

Her charge account plate. You know, the small metal card. Charger plates, we call them. I recognize that in the signature immediately.

[Jack Webb]

You know this Mary Walker pretty well?

[Unknown]

She's one of our best customers.

[Jack Webb]

You are listening to Dr. Ragnet. Authentic stories of your police force in action. Oh, no.

[Unknown]

Ah, that's different.

Yes.

[Jack Webb]

What a difference. There's a difference. You can hear. There's a difference. You can see.

[Unknown]

But the difference in Fatima is quality.

[Jack Webb]

Yes, friends, when you compare long cigarettes, you'll find that in Fatima, the difference is quality. Quality quality of tobaccos. The finest Turkish and domestic varieties, extra mild and superbly blended to give you a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. Quality of Manufacture smooth, plump cigarettes rolled in the finest paper money can buy. Quality even to the appearance of the bright clean yellow package, carefully wrapped and sealed to bring you Fatima's rich, fresh, extra mild flavor. Fatima's cost the same as other long cigarettes, but your first puff will tell you.

[Unknown]

Ah, that's different.

[Jack Webb]

Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. Ask your dealer for Fatima, the quality king size cigarette. Best of all, long cigarettes. Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow.

Friday, October 4, 2pm before we left the store, we found that another worthless check bearing the signature Mary Walker had been cashed in a different department of the store the same day. The woman had used the same means of identification. A metal charge account plate stamped with the name Mary Walker. We took the two checks back to the office and had Don Meyer in handwriting. Compared to the signatures wasn't any doubt in his mind. The writing on both checks was Grandma's. Well, it was only a hunch, but it was beginning to look as though the suspect had finally done what we'd been waiting nine years for to do. She'd made a mistake. Ben and I drove out to an address in the Wilshire district to interview Mrs. Mary Walker. She fit the same general description of the suspect, but she denied writing either one of the checks which bore her signature.

[Unknown]

It's out of the question, Sergeant. I couldn't have written the check. I haven't even been in the city for the past five days.

[Harry Morgan]

Then the signature is on these two checks here, Mrs. Walker. They're not yours.

[Unknown]

It looks like my handwriting, but it's not. I didn't write those checks. They are forgeries.

[Jack Webb]

Yes, ma'.

[Harry Morgan]

Am.

[Jack Webb]

You do have a charge account at the store, don't you, ma'?

[Unknown]

Am?

Oh, yes. I've had an account there for years. Nothing like this has ever happened, though.

[Jack Webb]

Do you have one of those charge account plates?

[Unknown]

Well, yes, I did have one.

[Harry Morgan]

You lent it to someone in your family?

[Unknown]

No, as a matter of fact, I lost it. I meant to report it to the store, but it slipped my mind.

[Jack Webb]

Do you have any idea where and when you might have lost it?

[Unknown]

Well, I think it was last Sunday night. I'm not sure. Oh, well, just a minute. I know who would remember a Nestle, but she was there. I'm sure she'll remember.

[Harry Morgan]

Who's she, ma'?

[Unknown]

Am?

Girlfriend of mine. She lives in the neighborhood.

M.

Hello, Ines. Mary Walker. Ines. Oh, just fine. And you? Oh, good. Say, Inez, which night was it we went to the Boosters Club meeting Sunday? Yes. I thought that it was. Oh, nothing. Just Some silly misunderstanding. Well, all right, Inez. Thanks for remembering for me.

Yes.

Goodbye. It was Sunday night, Sergeant. Inez Lambert and I went to the neighborhood Boosters Club meeting. I'm sure that's where I must have lost it.

[Jack Webb]

Well, you think the charge account plate fell out of your purse, isn't it?

[Unknown]

Well, either that or it was taken.

[Harry Morgan]

Why do you say that, ma'?

[Unknown]

Am?

Well, it's a serious thing. I didn't want to mention it.

[Jack Webb]

What's that?

[Unknown]

I left my purse on the chair next to me a part of the evening. When I got home, I thought I was missing a five dollar bill for my change purse. I, I, I didn't notice at the time my charger plate was gone.

[Jack Webb]

Do you remember who was at that meeting, Ms. Walker?

[Unknown]

Oh, 40 or 50 people at least.

[Harry Morgan]

How many women would you say?

[Unknown]

Dozen or so, I suppose. I'm not accusing anybody of robbery, Sergeant. I, I know it's a serious charge to make.

[Jack Webb]

Do you know if one of the club officers might have taken a list of those present?

[Unknown]

Oh, they didn't have to. We do the same thing at every meeting.

[Jack Webb]

What's that mean?

[Unknown]

We all sign the attendance book when we leave.

[Jack Webb]

3Pm Ben and I contacted the secretary of the Neighborhood Boosters Club. He gave us a list of those present at the Sunday night meeting of the club. As Mary Walker had told us, each person present had signed his or her name and address in the attendance book. We took the record downtown with us and had Don Meyer compare each signature on the list with samples of Grandma's handwriting.

[Unknown]

Number 32 on the list, fellas.

[Jack Webb]

That's it.

[Harry Morgan]

Positive, Mick.

[Unknown]

No doubt in my mind. That's Grandma's handwriting.

[Jack Webb]

How'd she sign it? Mrs. Inez Lambert. We went down the hall to R and I and had him check the name Inez Lambert through the files. She had no criminal record. Together with Besser and Ferguson, Ben and I spent the next day and a half trailing Inez Lambert wherever she went. She fitted the description of the suspect perfectly. We questioned her friends and her neighbors. We dug back into every corner of her life for the past 10 years. The results were pretty amazing. We found that she was highly respected by everybody she knew. She was active in a dozen civic and church organizations. Her reputation was spotless. It was only one hitch. Mrs. Lambert's hobby was charities. By checking back, we found that during the past 10 years, she donated an average of $3,000 annually to various charitable organizations. Her husband's total annual income was $7,000. From her bank, we obtained Specimens of Inez Lambert's handwriting. It matched almost perfectly with every signature in the Grandma file. Monday, October 7th. Ben and I called on Mrs. Lambert.

[Unknown]

Oh, yes, Officers. Won't you come in? Mary Walker was telling me about you. Come in, please.

[Harry Morgan]

Thank you, Matthew.

[Unknown]

Mary told me about the things missing from her purse at the meeting. Is that what you're inquiring about?

[Jack Webb]

Yes, ma'.

[Unknown]

Am.

[Jack Webb]

We've got a few other questions to ask you besides that.

[Unknown]

Well, you sort of caught me at a bad time. Just getting ready to put some baking in the oven for dinner tonight. Would you mind very much if we talked back in the kitchen? Got to get this done.

[Jack Webb]

No, not at all, ma'.

[Unknown]

Am.

It's back this way. Oh, there goes my cream sauce again. Boiled over. Just take a chair there, officers. I'll be right with you.

[Harry Morgan]

Thank you.

[Unknown]

Thanks.

This cream sauce is so temperamental. Can't take your eye off it for a minute. There. Should boil over now. Would either of you officers care for a cup of cocoa? Chilly out today.

[Jack Webb]

Well, no, thank you, ma'.

[Unknown]

Am.

[Jack Webb]

We only have a few questions for you. It won't take long.

[Unknown]

Yes, all right. Would you mind holding this bowl? Just a minute, Sergeant.

[Harry Morgan]

Oh. Oh, yes.

[Unknown]

I just have to get this in the oven for dinner. My husband's favorite dessert. It's called pinch pie. It's kind of meringue tart. Let's see. Take two eggs, I guess. There we are. Get these egg whites beaten up nice and light. That cup of sugar on the sink, Sergeant, would you be so kind?

Yeah, all right. Taste of sugar, ma'. Am.

Thank you. Now, what is it you wanted to know?

[Harry Morgan]

Mrs. Walker had her charge account plate stolen that night at the Boosters Club meeting. Somebody's been using it to cash bad checks in her name.

[Unknown]

Is that so? Mary didn't tell me that the same.

[Jack Webb]

Person who's using that charger plate has been cashing bad checks all over the city. Been doing it for some time.

[Unknown]

Oh, my. Well, I don't think I can help you, Sergeant. I went to that meeting with Mary. She says somebody must have been in her purse, but I didn't see them.

[Jack Webb]

Do you have that charge account plate, Mrs. Lambert?

[Unknown]

Me?

Oh, no. I have my own. Now, let me see. Teaspoon vanilla, teaspoon vinegar, teaspoon water combined in a small pitcher or cup.

[Harry Morgan]

We've got good reason to believe you have that charge account plate, ma'.

[Unknown]

Am.

[Harry Morgan]

Did you take it from Mrs. Walker?

[Unknown]

That's a silly thing for you to say, Sergeant. I told you I have My own charge plate. I never borrow anyone else's. No reason to add a few drops of combined liquid constantly.

[Jack Webb]

Did you cash two checks last week and sign them with Mrs. Walker's name?

[Unknown]

Of course not. Why should I do such a thing? Mary Walker's one of my best friends. I wouldn't do that to her.

[Jack Webb]

Even as a joke, our handwriting man compared the signatures on those two checks, Mrs. Lambert. Both of them match your handwriting, and.

[Unknown]

All of the ingredients have been added. Continue to beat the meringue for several minutes. Oh, I'm sorry. What was that you said, Sergeant?

[Jack Webb]

I said that the signatures on those two forged checks. Our handwriting man compared them with specimens of your signature. They both match.

[Unknown]

Well, then your handwriting man certainly made a mistake. There's a large white platter up in that cupboard there. Would you reach it for me, please?

[Harry Morgan]

All right. There you are, ma'.

[Jack Webb]

Am.

[Unknown]

Well, thank you.

[Jack Webb]

Now, you deny that you wrote those two forged checks last week? You deny that you've written in cash about 1,500 worthless checks in the last nine years?

[Unknown]

Of course I deny it. You're sure you haven't made a mistake?

[Jack Webb]

We're sure, Ma'. Am. I'm sorry. You'll have to come downtown with us for questions.

[Unknown]

What's that? Oh, my.

It's.

It's the cream sauce again. Sergeant, I can't leave the house now, right in the middle of getting dinner ready. My husband would be furious. If you want to talk, couldn't we do it later on?

I'm sorry, ma'.

[Harry Morgan]

Am.

[Jack Webb]

Afraid not.

[Unknown]

But you certainly can't accuse me of doing anything wrong. The folks at the church will vouch for me.

[Harry Morgan]

We've got just as many people who.

[Unknown]

Say you've cheated them.

[Harry Morgan]

People who cash those checks for you.

[Jack Webb]

Quite a few of them, ma'.

[Unknown]

Am.

[Jack Webb]

Nine years worth.

[Unknown]

But that silly nine years cashing checks. I'm sure you must mean somebody else. Sergeant, I got to get this platter green. Keep meringue upon lightly greased platter here.

Look.

[Jack Webb]

We have a record downtown on every single check that you passed since you started, ma'.

[Unknown]

Am.

[Jack Webb]

We've got specimens of your handwriting and people to identify you. We know what your income is. We know how much that you've given to charities.

[Harry Morgan]

Money's got to come from someplace. Is that what the checks were for?

[Unknown]

Excuse me. I've got to get this meringue in the oven.

Let's see.

275 degrees. I hope I put in enough vanilla.

[Jack Webb]

You want to tell us about it?

[Unknown]

I never thought about anyone Finding out. I guess I should have expected it, shouldn't I?

Yes, ma'. Am.

It was all for charity. There were so many of them. Orphanages, Old People's Home, Christmas Poor Fund. And then the overseas relief charities. They all need money. Somebody has to take care of them.

[Harry Morgan]

Your husband knew nothing about this for 10 years?

[Unknown]

Nothing at all. They were my charities. I had to have money for them. I took money from people who had it and gave it to those who didn't. What do you think, Sergeant?

Hmm?

Was I wrong? Do you think the good Lord will say I was wrong?

[Jack Webb]

I wouldn't know, ma'.

[Unknown]

Am.

I only wanted to help the poor, like he did. I came to help the poor.

[Jack Webb]

Well, there's a big difference, ma'.

[Unknown]

Am.

Yes?

[Jack Webb]

He didn't use a checkbook.

The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. On December 18, 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. Now, here is our star, Jack Webb.

Thank you. The efficiency of any local police department depends on the quality of its personnel. Each and every man is carefully selected and thoroughly trained. In uniform or plain clothes. Your police officer knows his job, and so with a cigarette. The men who make Fatima cigarettes know their job. They carefully select and blend the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos to make Fatima extra mild. Different from other long cigarettes. They cost the same, but in Fatima, the difference is quality. If you're a long cigarette smoker like I am, I'm sure you'll like Fatima best. Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow.

Inez Lorraine Lambert entered a plea of guilty to two counts of forgery. And the remaining charges were set off calendar. She was sentenced by the court for the term prescribed by law. 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. Fatima cigarettes, the best of all long cigarettes has brought you Dragnet portions Transcribed from Los Angeles.

This is Robert Young.

Here we the People, next on NBC.