← Harold's Old Time Radio
Harold's Old Time Radio
Squad Cars - SA 68-08-18 (x) Burglary Alert
00:26:02
Squad Cars - SA 68-08-18 (x) Burglary Alert
Loading summary
Transcript1 lines
- [00:01]
Nicole Byer
We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Nicole Fire helping you make those rooms flyer today's style tip. When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal. Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com. ooh. Fierce. This has been your Wayfarer style tip to keep those interiors superior. Please. Wayfair. Every style, every home. Squad cars, General Motors and their dealer organization throughout Southern Africa proudly bring you the drama, the danger, the thrills and the facts. When the long arm of the law travels in squad cars, the story you're about to hear is true. Details are supplied from the official case files by the South African police. Only names and places have been changed to protect innocent people involved. Johannesburg, January 9, 12:35am the occupants of number 56, 14th Avenue, Houghton, are disturbed by a noise from the house next door, number 58. The woman, a Mrs. Garfield, hears it first. She gets up, goes to the bedroom window and peers out. What she sees causes her to call her husband. Leslie. What is it? Come and see. I'm trying to get some sleep. So was I, but I kept hearing noises. No, you're always hearing noises. Well, I'm not imagining things this time. Come and have a look. Somebody prowling around? Yes. In our garden? No. Well, then next door. Number 58 then. It's none of my business. I'm going back to sleep. Leslie, get out of that bed. You can't adopt this attitude. Who's going to stop me? Well, it's not right. Any minute now you'll be giving me a lecture about my civic duty. You just can't ignore burglars. What burglars? Well, I told you next door. Let's have a look. There's a car in the street and they keep crossing the front lawn to it. Let's have a look down there. What? Yes, you're right. What do you think he's carrying? Bundle of stuff. Looks as though it's all tied up in a blanket. Are they non Europeans or whites? Mm. Mm. Whites. Serves them right. Who? The Wisharts. They should have hired a watch boy or something. Aren't you going to do something? Like what? You've got a gun. Yes. No doubt that little lot down there have got guns too. Leslie Garfield. You're afraid. That's right. I'd rather be a live coward than a dead hero. What sort of attitude is that? A very ostensible one. I Think it's terrible. And if you're not prepared to do something about it, I am. Where's that gun of yours? Now, Valerie, don't be ridiculous. And I thought you were a man. That's got nothing to do with it. That's not my outlook. Val, please leave that gun alone. If somebody were breaking into my property, I'd like to think that the neighbors were prepared to do something about it. My dear, we can't handle this ourselves. Let's call the police. By the time the police get here, those monkeys will be miles away. Well, it's their business, not ours. Oh, get out of the way. Let me use a phone. Men, I shan't forget tonight in a hurry. I'm not going out to risk my life for the Wisharts Police. Constable hatting speaking. Good morning. Good morning. What's the trouble? There's a burglary taking place next door. And what is your name, please? My name is Mrs. Garfield. My address is number 56, 14th Avenue, Houghton. And where's the burglary number 54 or 58? 58. The people are away. They've gone to plettenberg bay for the holidays. And what is your telephone number, please? 728-2941. It seems to be quite a gang. You'd better tell your men to be careful. Are they in a car? Yes, it's parked as brazen as you like in the street at the end of the drive. All right, lady, we'll look into the matter. You better hurry, lady. We always do. 12:40am A squad car containing constable Murray as driver and constable Kendall as his crew is patrolling the wilds along houghton drive in northerly direction. Smoke? No, thanks. I've just put one out. Yeah, I think we'll work through to Lubo avenue up in bramley there and we'll grab a cup of coffee at the road. I say fine. Control to car nine. Control to car nine, come in, please. Over. Car nine to control. Receiving you. Over. Where are you? Over. The wilds going down Hutton drive. Over. Get along to 14th Avenue, number 58. There's a burglary on the go. Their car, the robbers car, is said to be parked in the street. Over. Received and understood. Over and out. Right, we are on our way. 12:42am the squad car races to the scene of the reported crime. It takes less than two minutes to get there. Constable Mores switches off his lights and approaches number 58 cautiously. He has no wish to announce their arrival. That's number 58, the one on the end. Huh? The control Said there was a car outside. It's obviously been moved. Let's stop here. We'll go the rest of the way on foot. Let's cut through this garden. We can jump over the wall. Right. Stick to the grass and keep off the gravel. Hang on a sec. What? There's somebody over there in the shadow of that tree. You go that way, I'll go this. Okay. All right. Come on with your hands off. Don't shoot it. It's me. Come into the light where I can see you. I live here. I reported what was going on. Lady, stop waving that gun around. What? The gun. Oh, I'm sorry. What's all the fuss? It's finished now. They've gone. They drove away as soon as I put the telephone down. You're too late. We didn't waste any time getting here. It was my fault. I should have phoned you sooner. What are you doing running around in the garden at this time of the night? I thought I should do something. Do you live here alone? No, with my husband. And where's he? Oh, he's. He's in bed. Flu. In the middle of summer when the birds have flown. They got away with a lot of stuff. You'd better report in. Tell them it's a job for the Robbery Squad. 1:17am Lt. Anderson of the Robbery Squad, Brixton, arrives at the scene of the burglary in response to the report from Constable Kendall. Good morning, sir. Good morning. Sorry we didn't catch them, sir. It would have saved dragging you out. Nice thought, Constable. How did they get in? No windows broken, sir. I don't know how they manage it through the front door. But there's a burglar alarm, sir. There's been a spate of burglies like this one just lately. There's somebody with them who knows alarms very well. Probably worked at installing them at one time. Always the same make of alarm. The Henderson system. I bet the door wasn't forced either. No, sir. Same gang, obviously. Have you contacted Norwood Police Station? Yes, sir. Now, who's supposed to be in charge while the owners are away? Some people in 15th Avenue, sir. Constable Marais has gone over there to let them know. Another holiday ruined. Oh, well, let's go and take a look inside. 8:32am the department divisional headquarters in Commissioner Street. Lt. Anderson is in the office of Brigadier Pelsa of the cid. Another one, eh? Yes, sir. Bearing the same stamp as all the others. Again, it was a house protected by a Henderson burglar. It didn't go off when the door was skillfully opened. No fingerprints. What are you going to do? I'm going to Anderson's. I'm going to ask them to give me details of all the people who've been in their employees since the business began. I'll check each name. A lot of work. It's the only course open to me, sir. Ah, they come and they go. Anyway, I've compiled the list you've asked for. As you'll see, there's plenty to keep you busy. He works for collection alarms now. Has done for some time. Out of the business. Driver, cover the newspaper. Shift work. Very interesting though. Gets me out and about. Yeah, I used to be with henderson alongs about 18 months ago. Where are you working now? I don't work now. Why not? I came into some money. How much? 25,000. Ront legacy. Yeah? From whom? An aunt of mine. Well, we can always check your story, you know. So check it. Odds. David. David. Hods. Have you got a record? No, not yet. Look, get off my back. I haven't done anything. Hotz, I'm going to level with you in the hope that you. Level with me. Everything points to you as the man I'm after. You worked for Henderson Alarms. You haven't worked since. You must be getting money to live on from somewhere. Look, I already told you. Yes, I know. Money from your aunt. Get your good. You can't take me in. I haven't done anything. Which is your bank? My bank? I'd like to see your statement. Well, the money's not in the bank. No way is it? Then it's tied up in shares. But you must have script for the shares. Have what? Look Arts, stop messing me about. You've got no shares and you know it. Well, that's no crime. You'll be smirking on the other side of your silly little face when a judge gets through with you. You've got a lot to answer for. Prove it. I will. I think I'd better have a chat with your mother. Hey, no, no, wait a minute. My mother's not very well lately. She worries about you. Does she? Where is she? She's out. I'll wait. She won't be back till very late this afternoon. I'm in no hurry. Okay, sit down. I'll be off then. Sit down, I said. I've got an urgent appointment. It's not as urgent as this one, my boy. Sit down. It's going to dawn on you soon that I mean what I say. But listen, I don't run the show by myself. You know. I know you don't. There are four others. Were they? Now, listen. I'll make a deal with you. I realize you've got the drop on me, eh? Very wise of you. And that you're going to arrest me here and now. It's only a matter of time. In your case, a few hours. Okay. I want to make a deal with you. Go on. I'll turn state's evidence. I'll tell you everything you want to know. You can start right now. But listen. If I do the others, they'll kill me. Divisional Headquarters, Johannesburg the same afternoon, 2:10pm Lt. Anderson confers again with the Brigadier. And he's quite right, sir. If he sings to us, puts the finger on the rest of the gang, they'll kill him when they get out. Isn't this Hots just being a little hysterical, perhaps? I don't think so, sir. And after all, Hots has known them for nearly a year. It's a tough one. Any ideas? Only one, sir. And it's a little unconventional. Let's hear it. How would it be if we used Hutz as a means to infiltrate the gang? Go on. What if Hutz introduced someone to the gang? Someone who'd be useful to them? I see. We get one of our men on the inside. Yes, sir. Sounds good. Do you have anybody in mind for the job? Well, I'd rather like to try it myself, sir. You? I think I'd handle it rather well, sir. Oh, I don't doubt that. But you're very valuable to me. How long do you think the operation will take? I don't know, sir. I haven't thought that far. How will you work it? Well, I'll need a car different from the type we normally use. We could soon fix that through the quartermaster. What else? And the car would need to be fitted with a concealed radio. If the car was used when the gang pulls a job, our people monitoring the radio would know exactly when to move in. Yes, Yes, I. I like it. And this way the gang won't be able to attach any blame to Hotz. And how will you gain the gang's confidence? I think I've got that one figured out, sir. All right. We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Nicole Byer helping you make those rooms. Flyer today's style tip. When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal. Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From Wayfair.com Ooh, fierce. This has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior. Wayfair every style, every home. We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home. This is Nicole Byer helping you make those rooms Flyer today's style tip. When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal. Print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com Ooh, fierce. This has been your Wayfarer style tip to keep those interiors superior. Wayfair every style, every home. Suppose you want to start straight away. I don't see any point in wasting time, sir. Right. I'll set the wheels in motion. 7:23pm Kotzer Street, Hillbrow. Lt. Anderson and Dave Hutts are walking to a hotel where they have an appointment with the boss of the housebreaking gang. His name's Gary. Gary Thurgood. Has he been to prison? I don't know. I don't think so. He never mentions it. What is his speciality? Well, I don't know. What's he good at? What does he do? Well, he organizes things. He's the one who tells us when and where we're going to do a job. You know who gets rid of the stuff he does? Thurgood. Where? Somewhere in Friedel. I don't know where exactly. I. I never went with him. Now, have you got the story straight about me? Yeah. Right. Yeah, this is the place. Now. In the lounge. That's a good day. In the corner. He looks tough. He is. Come on. Hello, Gary. Hi, Dave. Gary, this is a friend of mine, Ray Anderson. All right. Pleased to meet you. Yeah. Sit down. Have a drink. Thanks. What are you gonna have? Whiskey. How about you, Dave? Yeah, same waiter. Two whiskeys right off it. Two whiskeys. I brought Ray along to talk a little business. Yeah, he's in the same line as we are. Is that so? Leastways I was. I've just done a stretch and boop. What for? For getting caught. How long did you do? 18 months. That's a long time, eh? Tell me, how come you know about Dave? I didn't. You knew about me? Yeah, I used to knock around with my sister. What do you do? You name it and I'll do it. Yeah, desperately. I could start on my own again, but I'd like to make the big time stuff. And you can't do that single handed. What sort of big time stuff? Safes, banks, pay it all the rubberies too big for me. I'm not going to try and tell you how to run your business. I just want something to do and something for doing it. And what do you got to offer? How do I miss that? And I've got a car. Hot or yours? Mine. Where did you get it? I bought it. Where's what? I had some cash tucked away before they picked me up. It was still there when I got out. You know, if we had another car, we could take more stuff. Yeah, I was thinking along the same lines. Try me. If it doesn't work out, what are you to do? You mean I'm in? Okay, you're in. When do I start? Friday. Where? It's out in Bird Haven. I'll tell you all about it later when we meet the others. January 26th, 8:30am Lieutenant Anderson phones the brigadier. Mr. Knight, sir. Ber. What's the address? 64 Ravenswoods Avenue. How many in the gang? Including me, six. Will you be using your car? Yes, sir. Good. I'll have you monitored the whole time. If I may make a suggestion, sir. Yes, go on. If we arrange a trap in the house, we're going to smell of that. Rather send a squad car while we're inside. All right. You realize you may get hurt. I can look after myself. What time is the job to take place? After Madaisa. Be very interested in how you make out. I think I'll come to Brixton and handle things myself. Right, sir. Oh, and good luck. Thank you, sir. January 27, 12:17am the Brigadier is in the radio control room, Brixton, listening to a receiving set tuned to the transmitter concealed beneath the dashboard of Lieutenant Anderson's car. Slow down a bit. It's the house next to the end. It's just Ravenfield Avenue. Yeah, I thought it was Wingfield. Wingfield's the next one. That way. All right, stop here. That's it. Where do the others? Coming up now. Good. Come on, let's go. Hand me that mike. Here you are, sir. Control to car 23. Come in please. Over. 23 to control. Receiving you, sir. Over. They're going into the house now. Give them five minutes. Over. Very good, sir. Over. You are not to shoot unless it's absolutely necessary. I don't want Lieutenant Anderson hurt. Is that understood? Over. Completely, sir. Over. Where are you? Glen Hove Road, sir. We're going down the hill. We'll turn left into Somerville Avenue. Over. Right. There are five men in that gang. I want them all. Over and out. 12:23am the grounds of 64 Ravenswood Avenue, Birdhaven. The gang has affected an entry and they're busy carrying the stuff they've stolen out to the two cars in the roadway. Come on, come on, hurry up. We mustn't hang about too long. This stuff's heavy. Wait a minute. What? There's a car. Quick. In the shadows. Here. Can you see? Yes, it's the cops. Confounded luck. Now what are we gonna do? Hang on. They've stopped. They're getting out of the car. Look, the one with the torch. He'll see that stuff in the back of the other car. He has? They'll be coming down to the house in a minute. Get down. Here they come. One's going around the back. Come on, let's get out of here. What about the others? They can fend for themselves. And the stuff? Leave it. Come on, let's go. They'll chase us. Let's leave the car then. Not a chance. I paid good money for that car. Don't waste your time talking, man. Let's go. I'll tell you what. You get in the boot of the car, I'll drive. We'll be less conspicuous that way. Oh, great. Okay, come on. Just let me get the boot open. Inside, quick. Right. Now, what's happening down at the house? I don't know. Get down, wind your head and off we go. And here comes the law. Stop. Stop. Don't just stand there, chase me. I suppose he's got his hands full with the other four. Well, silly, but there's only one thing to do. 12:47am Lt. Anderson drives his car to Flying Squad headquarters in Brixton. He parks the car in the road with the engine running, gets out and sprints up the drive to the control room. Anderson. Yes, sir. Where the devil have you been? Coming here, sir. What for? I've got him in the boot. Who? Thurgood. So what do you want us to do? Send a car to chase me. Why didn't you tell me on the radio? I didn't dare risk it, sir. I didn't want Thurgood to hear me. Right, off you go. I'll have a car on your tail in 30 seconds. Right, sir. 12:58am The Brigadier orders one of the cars which has been parked in the yard out onto the road to follow Lt. Anderson. The driver and the crew have been briefed. They know what to do. They force Lieutenant Anderson to stop. And where are you off to in Satari? I've been to a party. Is this your car? Yes. What's the registration number. DJ 255697. And why were you so anxious to get away from us? Wouldn't you if you saw somebody chasing you? Not if I had nothing to be afraid of. Now who's afraid? What have you got in the car? Nothing. You can see for yourself. And in the boot? The usual spare wheel tool. All right, let's see you open it up, eh? You're wasting your time. Come on, man, out of the car. Like I said. Open the boot. I'm telling you, you're wasting your time. You'll see. All right. And what have we got here, eh? What's all this? I told you it was a joke. We've been to a party. It's not against the law to ride in the boot of a car. I didn't say it was, but it's very suspicious. Just a minute. TJ25697. Tell me, were you in Birdhaven earlier? Birdhaven? Yeah. Just hang on. Have a look at my list here. TJ25697. There was a burglary in Birdhaven a little more than half an hour ago. This car was seen driving away from the house. The driver was ordered to stop and he didn't. You're lucky you weren't shot. Come on. Where are you taking us? To Parkview Police Station to join the other four. The gang, including Lt. Anderson, was brought to trial. Sentences were imposed on them ranging from 12 months to two years. The elaborate play acting to protect Hotts, was carried right through to the end. It was made known to the gang that Hotts and the Lieutenant were being sent to the prison at Kronstadt, while Thurgood and the other three were imprisoned in Pretoria. Eventually, Hotts was set free after receiving a suspended sentence, and Lt. Anderson resumed his true identity. They prowl the empty streets at night, waiting in fast cars on foot, living with crime and violence. These men are on duty 24 hours out of every 24. They face dangers at every turn, expecting nothing less, they protect the people of South Africa. These are the men of Squad Cars. Listen again next Friday evening to another authentic story in our dramatic South African police series, Squad Cars, brought to you by General Motors, makers of the biggest and most exciting range of cars, trucks and commercial vehicles in the world. Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Beaumont, Chevrolet, Opel, Holden, Vauxhall, Bedford, GMC and Ranger. South Africa's own car.