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Gang Busters 41-03-28 (0231) The Case of the Nickle and Dime Bandits
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Gang Busters 41-03-28 (0231) The Case of the Nickle and Dime Bandits
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Your faithful friend when muscles ache and pain presents Gang Busters. Calling the police. Calling the G Men. Calling all Americans to war on the underworld. Gangbusters brought to you the men and women of America by the makers of Sloan's Liniment. With the cooperation of leading law enforcement officials of the United States, Gangbusters presents facts in the relentless war of the police on the underworld. Authentic case histories that show the never ending activity of the police in their work of protecting our citizens. America's crusade against crime. Now, for those of you who are familiar with the name Schwarzkopf, just an editorial note and we'll get right back to the program. Colonel Schwarzkopf, who oftentimes interviews the lawman who brings in the story to Gangbusters is of course in actuality the father of H. Norman Schwarzkopf, general of the United States Army. And so this is kind of interesting to hear him portrayed, his father portrayed as a law enforcer. And also interesting, there's a. The character of the lawman, a sheriff, I'm sorry, a judge who comes on the program. Judge Miller is played by none other than Bill Johnstone, who about the same time was playing the shadow on the Mutual Network. So there's a couple of interesting voices to listen for. Here now for our proxy interview between Colonel Schwarzkopf and Judge L.D. miller of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Picture our setting is a special office turned over to Gangbusters by Commissioner Lewis J. Valentine of the New York City Police. Colonel Schwarzkopf, Judge Miller. I understand that Charleston and Rogers, the Nickel and Dime bandits, were hunted by the police of six states. Yes, Colonel Schwarzkopf. Actually, eight different police departments were after them within a period of 30 days. But why do you call these particular criminals the Nickel and Dime Bandits? Well, Colonel James Carlson, the brains of the combination, had a theory of crime different from any criminal in all my experience. I got a new slant on stickups that'll pay big dividends. I'm going to get me a smart partner that knows how to use a gap. Then we're going to go through the Mississippi Valley pulling little jobs, nickel and dime jobs. When we pulled enough of these nickel and dime jobs, we'll have just as much jack as if we'd stuck up a dozen big banks. On December 4, 1939, following a term at Minnesota State Reformatory, Charleston drove up to a roadside tavern near Minneapolis. The owner was talking to a customer. Be right with you, mister. Anything else, sir? That'll be all, Bill. Charge it, will ya? With a fancy car like that, you want me to charge it? Something else fancy. Right behind you, pal. Turn around. Look out, Bill, he's got a gun. A special kind of gun, mister with a hair trigger. Come on, bolt of you back up into that hot dog joint before I turn this cannon loose on you. I want your dough. Oh, I got some change. Give it to me. Here you are. Now, you open up that cash register. Here. 35 bucks. It's all I got. I know what I need. Scoop out that change and stick it in my pocket. Nickels and dimes, huh? I'd like to see you for five minutes without that gun. Here's a change. Thanks, white guy. Now get out of here. Not so fast. You empty your pockets. Pretty brave, aren't you, with a gun? Yeah, and it's liable to go off any minute. No sort of punk's gonna take Martha. I warned your wife, Gunny, though. Bill, you're not getting away from me. I'll show you. Give me a gun. You're all proof, son. Look at me get hurt. Yeah, I guess so. Pretty bad. I dropped all three of those bullets, but I got his gun. Ain't gonna need a doctor. What do we do with this guy? Lock him in the washroom. Yeah. You'll make it all right. Yeah, sure. I got the special gun. You're right. Yeah. Give back my money. All right. Here you are. Oh, come on, you, into the washroom. You'll never get me to jail. Inside, punk. Okay, white guy. I'll lock it and then phone the police. Better get an ambulance, Bill. You're bleeding bad. Hello? Hello, Operator, get me the police. Sit down, Bill. What's a. The washroom window there, up front. There he goes. He's in his car. Stop. Stop or I'll shoot. It's jammed. That guy's special pistol jammed and saved his own life. Des Rare Judge Miller for the victim to turn on his assailant at gunpoint and disarm him. It is, Colonel. Fortunately, the wounds of the tavern owner were not serious. Johnson made a dash for Chicago, where he went into partnership with another criminal named Joe Rogers. Together, they stole a late model car and started south, blazing a trail of robberies from Illinois to Louisiana. On the night of December 17, in Blytheville, Arkansas, Charleston and Rogers committed an unusual robbery showing a peculiar obsession. Blytheville, Arkansas Robbery. Two men broke into a house and stole large collection of pistols, automatics, shotguns and rifles. Seen escaping in blue or black Dodge sedan. Notify all gun dealers to be on lookout for unusual weapons of foreign make. A few days later, Colonel Charleston and Rogers were in Minneapolis waiting in a stolen new Buick sedan across the street from a small apartment house. Boy, this is the life, Roger. You said it, Charleston. Cops and newspapers screaming about us from here to New Orleans. Nothing for us to do but sit back and take it easy. Sure. Like a drink? Right now? Yeah. So would I. Wish that baby yours would hurry up. It's only 10 past 11. I told her to sneak out at quarter past. She made up her mind to come with us. Hope so. You know me, Rogers. Wine, woman and song. Yeah, I know. But when are we gonna quit this small time stuff and go after something big? Like what? Banks. Forget it, Rogers. Knock over a bank and every cop in the States after you. Just think of the dough we could pick up in banks. Or we've been getting the places you pick as chicken feed. Nothing but nickels and dimes. There's nothing you can't buy with nickels and dimes, Rogers, if you got enough of them. Sure, but we could. There's no but to it. It adds up, see? And the rap for little jobs is nothing like it is for a bank. But in one bank job, we. Listen, SAP. Hey, take it easy, will you? Banks have gods, and the gods have guns and tear gas. They have balconies to ambush bank bandits. They have burglar alarms to call the cops. Don't you see? We can get as much in a flock of gas stations as we could in a dozen banks. And no risk. Maybe you're right. The way I figure it. Hold it, Charleston. Here comes your girlfriend. Oh, hello, baby. Hello, Jim. Jim, glad to see you. You and me both. Get in the car. Okay. It's my pal, Joe Rogers. Pleased to meet you. How are you? Oh, what's up? Where are we going? We're going south, kid. How'd you like to go with us? South? Oh, gee, I'd love to, but what about my folk? Send them a postcard. Yeah, just say, having a wonderful time. I wish you were here. What are you guys gonna do? We got special ideas. Swell clothes, good liquor and plenty to keep us busy. What do you say? I say, what are we waiting for? Baby, you're gonna be perfect. Let's go, Rogers. Where to? Back to New Orleans where it's nice and warm. We're gonna make some stops on the way. And where we stop, nobody's ever gonna forget us. This will be a joyride. That was near Midnight, Colonel, on December 21, 1939. Three days later, Chief C.R. bryan of the Chattanooga, Tennessee Police was sitting in his office when police Captain Homer Edmondson walked in with a message in his hand. Good morning, Captain. Good morning, Chief. Bryan, this just came in on the Teletype. Thought you'd like to look at it. From Sweetwater, huh? Yes, sir. Two men wanted here for robbery of roadside Cafe this morning, 3am One man about 20, weight 150, blue eyes, light hair. The other one older, weight about 140, dark hair, slender. Both bandits wearing leather jackets. That's a pretty complete description, Chief. These bands took $60 in currency, cigarettes, liquor and a large amount of nickels and dimes. Heavily armed. Large amount of nickels and dimes. That sounds familiar. You're right, Captain. This is the sixth report in the last few days that used those exact words. Yes, and each report was nearer Chattanooga. Have you broadcast this message to the patrol cars? Yes, sir. Right after it came in. Set it out again, Captain. This is the first good description we've had of those men. They try anything here, I want every man on the force to be waiting for them. Right, Chief. Wait a second, Chief. Brian speaking. Send some cops over quick. Chief, I've just been robbed. Who's this? Jack Parker. I got a filling station at Main and Watkins. I just opened up 10 minutes ago and two guys walked in and. Hold on a minute, Captain. There's been a hold up over at mainland. Watkins, the filling station. Send a patrol car over there right away. Right away, chief. Go ahead, Mr. Parker. What happened? These two guys walked in, Chief. They both wore leather jackets. They had four guns between them. And they cleaned out the cash register. How much they get? 7 bucks. Almost all small change. Nickels and dimes, huh? Well, I know it don't sound like much cheap, but it's a lot to me, Mr. Parker. I don't care if it was 7 cents or $7 million. If these bandits are the men I think they are. They're going to try to pull some more jobs like this here in Chattanooga. And we're going to get them. The next afternoon, Colonel, the woman manager of a small dry goods store in Chattanooga. Saw two men, apparently customers, walking into her store. May I help you, gentlemen? Yeah. Let me see some shirts. The best you got. And I want to see some socks and ties. Certainly. Right over here. What size shirt, sir? 15 color. 34 sleeves. And I want size 11 socks. Here they are. Just take your pick. That's just what we're gonna do, sister. Stick em up. Hold them. Take it easy, sister. One peep out of you and I'll drill you. Please get down on the floor behind our counter and don't move if you want to live. Yep. Pretty fancy looking stuff. Get some for me. What kind of shirts you getting? Silk. The most expensive I can find. Okay. His hair looks swell. Green silk. You ready, pal? Yeah, let's go. Hey, sister, where's your cash register? There in the back of the counter. But there's only a. I know, I know. There's only a little change. That's what they all say. How much, pal? 10 bucks and about five and change. Thanks for the service, lady. Be sure to tell our friends about you. And remember, sister, if you move off that floor before or out of this store, it'll be the last time you ever move. Exactly 44 minutes later, Colonel, in a Chattanooga liquor store on the other side of town. Will that be all, gentlemen? Just the three bottles of whiskey? No, that ain't all, mister. Reach for the ceiling. What do you want? Don't shoot them. Pile of cups. Why do you get. All right, keep them covered, man. What are you going to do? I'm going to teach you not to be so nosy. That'll teach you to ask me what I want. Please, please don't kick me again. Come on, pal, let's get out of here. Get the dough. Okay. Take everything, even a small change. How much is it? It's about 90 bucks. Here. Hey, here's something else, pal. Nice new gap for your collection. Say, not so bad. Different from any I got. Maybe I ought to try it out on this wise guy. No, no, please. Okay, mister, but just so you won't run afterwards, here's something more to remember. His butt. Oh. That brutal holdup was the third the Nickel and dime bandits committed in the heart of Chattanooga within 24 hours, Colonel. It redoubled the efforts of the police to catch Charleston and Rogers and resulted in a gun battle that Chattanooga will long remember. Law enforcement officers within a radius of 50 miles of Chattanooga cooperated. And a special meeting of police representatives at the office of Chief C.R. bryant. All possible angles were discussed. Unfortunately, men, we have a complete description of these two bandits and definite identification clues. What are they, Chief Bryan? Well, first suspend, there's the nickel and dime angle. So anyone seen spending an unusual amount of silver is a definite suspect. Then there's the gun angle. The gun angle. It's this Frazier. These men are crazy about guns. They take pride in them, not just as weapons, but as items to collect. So the bandits might just show off their gun sometime without saging a hold up, huh? Particularly if they'd been drinking. That's still another clue, Chief. Brian. The amount of liquor they consume, judging by the amount they've stolen. And the girl with them, the one that's been seen in their car. Now we have her description. All right, Captain Edmondson. These are all valuable clues, men. And we have one other advantage. From what these bandits have said to their victims. They don't expect the police to go after them seriously just because the thefts have been relatively small. Exactly. That gives me an idea, Chief. What is it, Edmondson? Maybe we can get these bandits through a weakness in their own system. How, Captain? Let's give these clues to every reliable citizen in the vicinity of Chattanooga. Every small storekeeper. Then when the bandits do show up again, they'll be spotted immediately. Then it's understood every available man is to stay on duty till these bandits are behind bars. I want them and custody before somebody gets killed. Within one hour after that meeting, Colonel, merchants, filling station employees, liquor store proprietors, business people all over Chattanooga were planning to cooperate with the police. Cooperate with police? Listen, I'm staying right here at the store. If those bandits come back this way, I'm going to be ready for them. Those nickel and dime crooks come anywhere near me, I'm going to call the police. I'll know them. If I ever see them again, I'll be glad to cooperate. I've got a score to settle with those rats and I'd like to see them both behind bars. If they ever come into my place, I'll. Nickels and dimes, eh? I get it. If those buzzards stick their noses in my place, I'll be waiting for them. You can count on me. That night, Colonel. December 26, 1939, at the Rock Castle Roadhouse, 10 miles west of Chattanooga. The cashier, Bill Raper, was standing behind his counter. Hey, yo, cashier. Yes, sir? I want a bottle of whiskey. Well, I'm sorry, sir. We're not allowed to sell liquor in bottles except the guests of Rock Castle. I've a guest here. Me and my pal are in one of the cabins right next door. Oh, I'm begging your pardon. Sure. Here you are. That'll be 165, please. You have to take it and change. Change? Fistful buddy. Here. 25, 50, $10. 20, 30, 55, 65. Right. Thank you, sir. Your bet is right, sir. What are you staring at? Oh, why, I See anything wrong with me? No, I. I was just thinking what a good looking green. Green silk shirt you have on. Oh, that. Yeah. Yeah, it is good looking. Everything I got's good looking. Look at this hey. Hey, watch. Ah, don't be scared. I ain't gonna use it on you. Boy, that's some pistol. Bet your life it is. Special automatic. Only one like it in the country. Yes, sir. Well, is there anything else you want? Yeah, yeah, sure. I almost forgot. Give me some of those box lunches you got, huh? How many? Let's see now. Three. Here they are. Do you want me to carry them for you? Yeah, that's right. Getting a little rocky. Hey, Joe, take over, will you? I'll be right back. Let's go, sir. Now, which cabin is it? Second one on the left. Is this the cabin? Yeah. Yeah, I'll know. Hey, open up. Come on. Come on. Come on, open up. It's me. Come on. Pipe down, will you? Come on, let me in. Where's Babe? I reckon I'll be getting along, mister. Yeah, yeah, sure, sure. See you later, mister. Good night. Yeah, I'll see you later. Operator. Operator, get me the police. Police headquarters. Chief Rhinestone. Chief, listen, this is Bill Rape out at Rock Castle. Yes, Bill? Those two nickel and dime crooks you're looking for, they're here. How do you know? I'm positive, chief. Every single clue you give me. The nickels and dimes, the guns, the liquor, everything checks. Did you notice a car? Yes, sir. It's a big, black, new 1940 Buick. Where are they? In a cabin right next door. How many? Three of them, sir. Two men and a girl. That's what I call fine cooperation, Bill. Sit tight and don't say a word to anyone. I'll send an emergency squad out there right away. Fifteen minutes later, Colonel, Captain Homer Edmondson with a group of picked men from the Chattanooga police force, including detectives Shipley and Carson, met members of the county uniformed police under Captain Dyer outside the Rock Castle roadhouse. The cashier, Bill Raper, was waiting for them. Which cabin are they in, Mr. Reaper? That one with the lights on, Captain Edmondson. All right, men, says one. Fraser, you stick with me. All right. Now, we'll go to the front of the house. Shipley, you and Carson, couple of back with Captain Dyer. You got that? What's our plan, Captain? Simply to close in and get those bandits. We can't start shooting. We're absolutely sure these are the men we want, but if they show the slightest resistance, open fire with riot guns immediately. Ready? Yes, sir. Let's go. Watch it. They turned out the lights. Better stand back. I'll knock. Open up. Who is it? Police. Just a minute. Hurry it up. All right, copies. Come and get it. Get back Man, Captain, just listen. Those bullets bounce. All right, men, open up with the aria guns. Right, Captain. Get down low, Babe. Those cops are using riot guns. We'll fix them, Jimmy. I'll load your pistols. Roger. Yeah. Cover the back door. I'll cover the front. Okay, Charles. Come on, coppers. Try and take it. You'd better give up in there. You're surrounded. We'll give up. Hot lead. Give me another cat, Babe. This one's empty. Hey, Jimmy, how is it in the back, Rogers? Can't see them. It's too dark out there. Well, they're all around us. Jimmy. Keep down, Babe. Babe, you hit? Oh, my head. Told you to keep down. All right, coppers, you got my gal. I'm sure you can't get away with that. Charleston. Charleston. There's a copper creeping up in the back. You cover the front, Rogers. I'll get that. Copy. He's coming right up to the back door. What are you gonna do, Jimmy? Shut up, Babe. I'm running this show. Open your hands, all three of you. I'm waiting for your cousin, Jimmy. You killed him. I'll say I killed him. I got his gun, too. Jimmy, they got Rogers. Lie down on the floor, Babe. I'll get him for that. All right, coppers, I got one of you. Who's next? Captain Edmondson. Yes, sir. They killed Shipley. Shipley? How? He broke in the back door. Shot down before it had a chance. The dirty dogs. Give me a rat gun, Fraser. Yes. Mine's empty, Captain. I'm going after him now. Wait. Don't go up there. It's probably a trap. There goes one of them out the side door. Stop, Ralph. Fire. He's running for the woods. I can't see him. There, between those big trees. Missed him. It's so dark, I can't see. We'll never find him in this darkness. What will we do, Captain? He might be hurt. Dyer, you and Carson follow him. I am going to get some bloodhounds. What's the matter with the dogs, Captain? Why are they stopping? Too dark for him, I'm afraid. They lost the trail, Fraser. What? After we followed that banner for almost eight miles. It's all right, Sussman. Those bloodhounds have told me just what I want to know. That'll get you, Kim. For the last two miles, the bandits trail has followed right along these railroad tracks. That's right. But now we've lost it. I can't see what that is. We're headed toward Chattanooga, not away from it. Doesn't that mean anything? To you men. You mean you thought maybe the bandit would jump afraid away from Chattanooga? No, Sussman. I thought he'd had four Chattanooga, but I'm. I couldn't be sure. Now I know he's gone back to the city where we can lay our hands on him. With one of the nickel and dime bandits, Joe Rogers, Dead Colonel, and the bandit's girlfriend in a prison hospital. The chapter. The police combed the city for the remaining bandit, now definitely identified as James Charleston. Later that night, after visiting hundreds of rooming houses, two police officers, Patrolman Fraser and Sussman, climbed the stairs of a cheap rooming house an hour after midnight. What number did Landlady say, Fraser? Room six. Yeah, it's room number six. Right up there. They have the stairs? Yeah. Landlady said her new border arrived an hour ago. Have your gun ready. Bet I will. Sussman, turn on your flashlight. I'll try the door. Right. The door's unlocked. That's lucky. Careful now. Easy, easy. There. He's in bed, sound asleep. Wonder if he's a guy. We won't. He's pretty young for a bandit. Let's make sure. Susan, pull down the covers. A pistol there in his right hand. And another one next to him. He's starting to wake up. Grab him. Huh? Would you look on? Let him do nothing. I got him, Fraser. Put the bracers on him. Charlton, you're all through. You cops are crazy. I'm not the guy you want. No general light. Fraser. Let's see those two guns. That don't prove nothing, copper. I didn't kill nobody. I like guns here. I collect them. Well, this is one gun you never should have collected, Charleston. It's the gun you took from Detective Shipley after you killed him. And it's the last gun you're ever going to collect. And so, Colonel Schwarzkopf, through splendid police work and excellent citizen cooperation, the criminal activities of James Charleston came to an abrupt end. Placed on trial in my court for robbery and murder on February 27, 1940, he was quickly found guilty. I sentenced him to life imprisonment in the Tennessee State Penitentiary. He's there at this very moment. And what happened to the girl who was with Charleston and Roger to Judge Mower? For months, she hovered between life and death with a bullet touching her brain. The doctor said her mental faculties would be impaired indefinitely. And under the circumstances, she was freed in the custody of her parents. Thank you, Judge Miller, for a fine case. I'm particularly pleased with the way you brought out the great value of public cooperation. With the authorities. When the police thus frankly solicit help from our law abiding citizens and those citizens promptly and comprehensively cooperate, no criminal can escape. Every time the police and the people work together, the end is inevitable. Crime does not pay. And now the clues. Special bulletin. All citizens watch for murderer 24, 5ft 5 inches, 135 pounds. Dark brown hair, slicked back, brown eyes. This man with tall sandy haired companion having wrinkled face. Wanted for brutal murder several days ago. Refrigeration engineer near San Antonio, Texas. May be traveling in black Ford station wagon and may have in possession of.44 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver with cedar handle. Warning citizens of Pennsylvania, be On lookout for man 28, 5ft 8 inches, 160 pounds, brown hair, gray eyes. Occupation, farmer. This man wanted in connection with feud slaying last week, Indian Head section of Fayette County, Pennsylvania. If you have any information concerning these clues, notify your local police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation or gangbusters at once for Sloan's Liniment. Next week, the case of the missing corpse. Here reenacted for the first time the inside factual account of one of the most fantastic cases in all criminology. Learn how a dead man faced his murderer. Sloan's Liniment brings you one of Philip H. Lord's most astounding dramatizations in America's crusade against crime. All Americans to war on the occupant.