This Is Your FBI 45-06-22 (012) Auto Theft - Charles Meade

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio - "This Is Your FBI 45-06-22 (012) Auto Theft - Charles Meade"

Introduction

In the July 11, 2025 release of Harold's Old Time Radio, the episode titled "This Is Your FBI 45-06-22 (012) Auto Theft - Charles Meade" delves into a captivating narrative set against the backdrop of the Golden Age of Radio. Hosted by Harold's Old Time Radio, this episode presents a dramatized account of a sophisticated auto theft operation orchestrated by a seemingly charming couple, Charles and Faye Mead. Through engaging storytelling and immersive soundscapes, the episode not only entertains but also underscores the relentless efforts of the FBI in combating organized crime.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens with a warning and a humorous advertisement segment for ZipRecruiter, quickly transitioning into the main narrative. The narrator sets the stage by highlighting the evolution of automobile theft from a minor newspaper note to a significant, organized crime problem.

Charles Mead on the Rising Tide of Auto Theft

At [02:12], Charles Mead outlines the gravity of auto theft in contemporary society:

Charles Mead: "Five years ago, the theft of a car in your neighborhood was a matter of passing interest in a newspaper. It was reported on the back pages or not at all. But today the automobile has graduated from the luxury class to one of vital necessity."

He emphasizes that automobiles have become essential commodities, making them prime targets for racketeers who exploit the high demand and the ease of resale across state lines. This shift has transformed auto theft into a federal offense, thereby drawing the attention and resources of the FBI in collaboration with local law enforcement.

Introducing Charles and Faye Mead: A Newlywed Couple on the Move

The narrative introduces Charles and Faye Mead, portrayed as a newly married couple embarking on a road trip. Their interactions hint at underlying tensions and possibly concealed motives.

Faye Mead [03:18]: "How can you even see, darling, that rain is coming down so Hard."

Their dialogue reflects a mix of affection and unease, setting the stage for the unfolding drama.

The Incident: Car Breakdown and Abandonment

At [04:20], the couple faces an unexpected turn when their car sustains significant damage:

Faye Mead [04:20]: "Look at the front of the car."

Charles Mead [04:27]: "It's all smashed."

Instead of seeking immediate assistance, Charles decides to abandon the car to avoid complications, displaying behavior typical of someone engaged in illicit activities. This decision becomes the catalyst for the ensuing investigation.

FBI's Investigation Commences

The FBI swiftly moves to investigate the abandoned vehicle. By [06:21], Charles Mead philosophizes about the inevitability of mistakes in criminal endeavors:

Charles Mead: "If there is an axiom in crime, it is that a mistake will be made sooner or later."

Special agents examine the wrecked car, uncovering evidence of tampered motor numbers and forged bills of sale. This meticulous investigation points to a larger, organized auto theft operation.

Tracking the Meads: Unraveling the Scheme

As the FBI narrows down suspects, they zero in on Charles Mead and his wife, Faye. The couple's frequent hotel stays across various cities raise red flags, suggesting a pattern consistent with the movement of stolen vehicles for resale.

The Confrontation: Unmasking the Criminals

By [11:03], the narrative reaches a pivotal moment where Faye confronts Charles about the authenticity of their business:

Faye Mead: "That was a stolen car, wasn't it? That's how you make your living."

This confrontation exposes the Meads' true motives and their active role in the auto theft ring. Their interactions reveal the depth of their involvement and the sophistication of their operations.

Faye Mead: The Unwitting Turnor against Her Husband

Faye's disillusionment leads her to take a stand against Charles, further complicating the couple's dynamic and providing the FBI with the leverage needed to apprehend them. Her actions demonstrate internal conflicts within criminal partnerships that can lead to their downfall.

FBI's Persistent Pursuit

Despite the Meads' attempts to remain elusive, the FBI's relentless pursuit yields substantial breakthroughs. By leveraging motor vehicle records from over two dozen states and thorough analysis of registration documents, the agents piece together the network behind the thefts.

At [14:00], Faye's confrontation with Mr. Stanton, a legitimate garage owner unknowingly entangled in the scheme, unravels the extent of Charles Mead's deception:

Faye Mead: "We have eight cars stored away. Eight cars that my husband worked very hard to keep."

Her assertiveness forces Stanton to collaborate, revealing the hidden inventory of stolen vehicles and strengthening the case against the Meads.

The Final Push: Closing In on Charles Mead

The investigation intensifies as agents trace Charles Mead's movements, leading them to strategic locations where evidence of his criminal activities is found.

At [17:02], evidence such as automobile paint used for altering motor numbers is discovered:

Narrator: "Very handy equipment to alter motor numbers on stolen cars."

This critical evidence cements the FBI's case, showcasing their exhaustive investigative methods and attention to detail.

Charles and Faye Mead's Downfall

Despite their attempts to remain one step ahead, the Meads' operations are ultimately compromised by the FBI's strategic interventions and the unraveling of their meticulously crafted schemes. The culmination of these efforts leads to their indictment and conviction.

Legal Outcome

In [28:43], the episode concludes with the legal ramifications faced by the Meads:

Narrator: "After being indicted by a federal grand jury at Columbus, Ohio, Charles Meade and his wife pleaded guilty to violating the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act. They were each given sentences totaling 20 years in a federal penitentiary."

This resolution underscores the effectiveness of law enforcement in dismantling criminal networks and ensuring justice.

Conclusion and Insights

"This Is Your FBI" masterfully blends engaging storytelling with educational elements, offering listeners a window into the complexities of federal investigations during the mid-20th century. The episode highlights several key insights:

1. Evolution of Crime: As societal needs and technologies evolve, so do the methods and sophistication of criminals. The transition of automobile theft from isolated incidents to organized crime underscores this dynamic.

2. Role of Investigation: The meticulous work of the FBI, from motor number verification to inter-state coordination, exemplifies the multi-faceted approach required to combat organized crime.

3. Human Element: The portrayal of Charles and Faye Mead adds a human dimension to the narrative, illustrating how personal relationships and internal conflicts can impact criminal operations.

4. Law Enforcement Efficacy: The episode serves as a testament to the dedication and resourcefulness of law enforcement agencies in upholding public safety and justice.

Notable Quotes

• Charles Mead [02:12]: "A racketeer who needs only a car, a stolen car, a forged bill of sale and an unsuspecting buyer."

• Faye Mead [11:03]: "That was a stolen car, wasn't it? That's how you make your living."

• Charles Mead [06:21]: "If there is an axiom in crime, it is that a mistake will be made sooner or later."

• Faye Mead [14:10]: "We'll have to spoil that respectable front you've been maintaining."

• Narrator [26:08]: "The FBI is and will be relentless in the apprehension of anyone threatening the security or rights of the people of the United States."

Final Thoughts

"This Is Your FBI" episode serves as both an enthralling drama and an informative piece on federal law enforcement's pivotal role in maintaining societal order. Through the intricate narrative of Charles and Faye Mead's criminal enterprise and its eventual dismantling, the episode underscores the perpetual cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and criminals. Harold's Old Time Radio successfully captures the essence of Old-Time radio storytelling, blending suspense, character development, and educational insights into a compelling auditory experience.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Warning.

[Carl Frank]

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[ZipRecruiter Announcer]

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[Faye Mead]

Fantastic.

[ZipRecruiter Announcer]

So whether you need to hire four, 40 or 400 people, get ready to meet first rate talent. Just go to ZipRecruiter.com Zip to try ZipRecruiter for free. Don't forget that's ZipRecruiter.com Zip finally, that ZipRecruiter.com Zip FBI.

[Carl Frank]

This is your FBI. This is your FBI. An official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. To your FBI, you look for national security and to the Equitable society for financial security. These two great institutions are dedicated to the protection of you, your home and your country. Tonight, the story of a crime against the community. Auto theft.

[Charles Mead]

Five years ago, the theft of a car in your neighborhood was a matter of passing interest in a newspaper. It was reported on the back pages or not at all. But today the automobile has graduated from the luxury class to one of vital necessity. An automobile in first class condition is a high priced commodity and there are hundreds of buyers for every seller. Into this fertile field of buyers at any prices move the racketeer. A racketeer who needs only a car, a stolen car, a forged bill of sale and an unsuspecting buyer. Mobility is his chief asset, but it's also his chief liability because the act of driving a stolen car across a state line is a federal offense. And the FBI, in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, has been relentless in this war against this type of criminal. Sometimes the first lead on a case of this type comes as the result of a routine check, beginning as this one did with a couple driving along a road south of Richmond. A distinguished looking couple. A couple just married.

[Faye Mead]

How can you even see, darling, that rain is coming down so Hard.

[Charles Mead]

We'll stop at the next town if it doesn't let up.

[Narrator]

Tired?

[Charles Mead]

No, no, I feel fine.

[Faye Mead]

This was a wonderful idea.

[Charles Mead]

What then?

[Faye Mead]

This trip.

[Charles Mead]

Not much of a honeymoon. Having to mix business in along the way.

[Faye Mead]

Oh, darling, I love it. This is the way I've always wanted to live. I used to go crazy being cooped up in the same place, seeing the same people.

[Charles Mead]

That can be dull.

[Faye Mead]

My mother was wonderful. She couldn't understand how I just met you and three weeks later wanted to marry you. She said I'd didn't know you. Didn't know your background?

[Charles Mead]

Well, mothers are like that.

[Faye Mead]

I just told her I didn't care. Sh For God was kidding.

[Narrator]

B B? Are you all right?

[Faye Mead]

Yes, I. Oh, I think so.

[Charles Mead]

Oh, thank heaven.

[Faye Mead]

How about you?

[Charles Mead]

I'm okay.

[Faye Mead]

Oh.

[Charles Mead]

What's the matter?

[Narrator]

There.

[Faye Mead]

Look at the front of the car.

[Narrator]

Oh, yeah.

[Charles Mead]

Let's get out.

[Faye Mead]

It's all smashed.

[Charles Mead]

I know. Thought be healthy, dear.

[Faye Mead]

Thanks. Where are you going?

[Charles Mead]

That's getting the license plate.

[Faye Mead]

License plate? Aren't you going to call a garage?

[Charles Mead]

No. It's too much bother, dear.

[Faye Mead]

Then what are you going to do?

[Charles Mead]

Leave the car here.

[Faye Mead]

What now?

[Charles Mead]

Don't worry, sweetheart. I'll get another one tomorrow. A car is abandoned on a road 10 miles south of Richmond. The plates are missing, but motor numbers are identification badges, easily checked. Two days later, 300 miles south of Richmond, the police paid a call at the home of one John Taylor.

[Narrator]

Mr. Taylor? Yes? I've got some good news for you, sir. We found your car. My car? Yes, it turned up in Richmond. The local police there contacted us. It was checked through the motor number. The license plate was gone.

[Carl Frank]

Well, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid there's no mistake.

[Narrator]

Well, your name's John Taylor, isn't it?

[Carl Frank]

Yes.

[Narrator]

You own a 1938 Ford garage. What? Yes, I just put it there.

[Carl Frank]

You sure? Been stolen?

[Narrator]

No, never. What's your motor number? Well, just a second now. Look at the registration. I don't understand. How come your car turns up in Richmond when it's really here?

[Carl Frank]

The motor number is 321264.

[Narrator]

Well, that's the same number, all right.

[Carl Frank]

Maybe you'd better tell somebody about this.

[Narrator]

Yeah, maybe it better be the FBI.

[Charles Mead]

If there is an axiom in crime, it is that a mistake will be made sooner or later. The abandoned car, the car that was wrecked on the road south of Richmond was examined by special agents of the FBI. Portions of the motor were removed and sent to the laboratories in Washington after certain exhaustive tests were made. A report was forwarded to the FBI Richmond field office.

[Narrator]

What's the story, Tom? The motor numbers were altered. A pretty good job, too. Did the laboratory work up the original numbers? Yes. Wait a minute. Here we are. The car was from Toledo, Ohio. Was stolen out there. I see. Was then registered here in Virginia under a false name and with the aid of a fictitious bill of sale. With the idea of reselling it here, I suppose. Yes. Sounds like a very professional job. I know. What about that couple who abandoned the car? Well, we have a general description of them from the farmer who picked them up. He dropped them off here in Richmond. Yes. Excuse me. Rice pigging. Yes. Yes. Wait, let me write that down. Pencil. I have one. Thanks. Go ahead.

[Charles Mead]

Right.

[Narrator]

Got it. Thanks. Goodbye. Now we're getting someplace. Who is that? Boone. He was taking a lead that farmer gave us. He said that he dropped the couple off at a cab stand. Yes. Boone contacted a driver who remembered picking up a man and woman answering to the description of our suspects. Good. He dropped them at a downtown hotel. I think we'd better get over there right now. Go ahead, gentlemen. Thank you. Thanks. Take us to the fourth floor, please. This is the only couple who answers to the description you gave me. Their name is Mead. That's right. Mr. And Mrs. Charles Mead. They're very charming people. How long have they lived here? Oh, on and off for several weeks now. What do you mean, on and off? Well, they've taken several short trips, but they've kept their room. Go right ahead. The room is down here to the left. Very well. Do you know anything about what business Mr. Mead is in? Why, he's a salesman of some sort. I. I don't know his line. You've talked with him? Oh, yes. We've been quite friendly. I've dined with him several times. That's why I'm sure you must have the wrong party. We'd like to talk with him anyway. Here we are. 4:12. I'm not so sure that he's home. Why? Well, he borrowed my car this morning. His is being repaired. He borrowed your car? That's right. Have you a pass key with you? Yes. I'd advise you to use it. What for? I have an idea that Mr. Mead is no longer a guest. Well, Goodness. Wait. I have a key right here. Excuse me, Charlie. Heavens, you were right. Everything's been moved out. How did you know? He begun. Because he borrowed your car. That happens to be his line of business.

[Charles Mead]

Even though the human memory is inaccurate and no two people see the same object exactly alike. Verbal descriptions of an individual may enable the laboratories of the FBI to create a sketch of a face that will be amazingly exact. This has been done successfully in many cases where no photograph is available in the records. A description of Charles Meade and his wife was teletyped to all law enforcement agencies in the neighboring states. But professional car thieves move swiftly and even. As the alarm was on the wires, the Meads were already established in another hotel in another city 200 miles west of Richmond. Faye.

[Faye Mead]

Yes, dear?

[Charles Mead]

Did you see my brown clothes?

[Faye Mead]

They're right here on the dresser.

[Charles Mead]

Oh, thanks. How do I look?

[Faye Mead]

Oh, very handsome.

[Charles Mead]

Well, I have to run over now.

[Faye Mead]

Charles.

[Charles Mead]

Yeah?

[Faye Mead]

Before you go, I'd like to talk to you about something.

[Charles Mead]

Honey, I really have.

[Faye Mead]

This is very important. It's about you. Well, darling, what do you really do?

[Charles Mead]

What do you mean?

[Faye Mead]

Your work.

[Charles Mead]

Well, I told you, I'm a salesman.

[Faye Mead]

I know that's what you told me, but I'd like you to explain a couple of things.

[Narrator]

Like what?

[Faye Mead]

Well, the things that happened back in Richmond.

[Charles Mead]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Faye Mead]

Honey, that car we wrecked, you're just leaving it there?

[Charles Mead]

I attended to that later. I had it sent to a garage.

[Faye Mead]

I don't believe you.

[Charles Mead]

Oh, well, no.

[Faye Mead]

You want me to tell you what I do believe?

[Narrator]

All right.

[Faye Mead]

That was a stolen car, wasn't it? That's how you make your living.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Faye Mead]

I thought so.

[Charles Mead]

Look, darling, I couldn't tell you.

[Faye Mead]

Why?

[Charles Mead]

Because I love you. I know if you ever found out the truth, that would be the end of us. That would be the end of. What are you laughing at?

[Faye Mead]

You.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Faye Mead]

Why did you think you could keep it from me, Charles? And why did you think it would matter?

[Narrator]

Hey, come here.

[Faye Mead]

Well, I think it's wonderful.

[Narrator]

What?

[Faye Mead]

I love it. And I want to work right along with you.

[Charles Mead]

The bride of Charles Mead, proved a willing partner in her husband's business had expansive ideas and put them immediately into operation. In rapid succession, from widely separated sections came reports of stolen cars. Each theft had the same pattern, almost the same conditions. The FBI was reasonably sure that Meade and Company was behind each one. But the Meads were still at large 400 miles from the scene of the last theft. In another city, in another hotel room. I'll get it, dear.

[Narrator]

Hello, Charlie.

[Charles Mead]

Oh, hello there, Stanton. Come on in.

[Narrator]

Thanks.

[Charles Mead]

I don't believe you've met my wife.

[Narrator]

No. How did you. Ma'. Am.

[Faye Mead]

Hello, Mr. Stanton.

[Narrator]

I wonder if we can go someplace and talk.

[Charles Mead]

Charlie, what's wrong with Right here.

[Narrator]

Well, it's about our business.

[Charles Mead]

My wife knows all about that.

[Narrator]

Oh.

[Charles Mead]

So what's on your mind?

[Narrator]

Well, my reason for coming up here was to tell you that we're going to split up our partnership. Why?

[Charles Mead]

What's wrong?

[Narrator]

Nothing wrong. I just think the time has come to quit.

[Charles Mead]

You mean you'd rather hook up with someone else?

[Narrator]

No. I just want to get out of the whole business. My garage is doing well and I'm making enough money legitimately. I don't want to spoil that.

[Faye Mead]

Well, Charles.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir?

[Faye Mead]

May I ask Mrs. Stanton a few questions?

[Narrator]

Well, sure. Go ahead.

[Faye Mead]

Mr. Stanton. You've made a lot of money with Charles, haven't you? Well, yes, but I believe he even set you up in this garage in the first place. He wanted a front to dispose of the cars.

[Narrator]

That's right.

[Faye Mead]

Then it's not going to make it very easy if you walk out on him.

[Narrator]

I'm sorry, Mrs. Mead.

[Faye Mead]

That doesn't help.

[Narrator]

Look, I never liked this business in the first place. I only did it because I needed money desperately.

[Charles Mead]

I know.

[Narrator]

But wait.

[Charles Mead]

What about.

[Faye Mead]

Mr. Stanton? I'd like to point out something to you. We have eight cars stored away. Eight cars that my husband worked very hard to keep.

[Narrator]

Get.

[Faye Mead]

Now, you're going to sell those cars for him just as you originally agreed.

[Narrator]

I. I can do it.

[Faye Mead]

Then you leave us only one choice.

[Narrator]

What do you mean?

[Faye Mead]

We'll have to spoil that respectable front you've been maintaining.

[Narrator]

Now, just a minute.

[Faye Mead]

I mean it, Mr. Stanton.

[Narrator]

I. I believe you do.

[Faye Mead]

Now, when do we send you the eight cars.

[Charles Mead]

To the FBI? The case of Charles Meade was open. And an open case means that the entire facilities of the FBI are working without pause, searching every possibility, every source, where a clue may be. The motor vehicle records of the state of Virginia were exhaustively checked and rechecked. It was discovered that over two dozen cars were fraudulently registered. Cars from over two dozen states. Motor numbers changed, fictitious bills of sale issued. Most of them have been sold to innocent dealers. Dealers whose recollection of the seller reconfirmed the picture of Charles Meade. One sale, a sale of eight cars to a garage in North Carolina was a real clue, a real possibility. For positive information, agents of the FBI paid a visit to Mr. Stanton, the owner of that garage.

[Narrator]

See, gentlemen, I'm just at a loss to understand any of this. I purchased those cars in good faith. You had no idea that they were stolen, Mr. Stanton? None whatsoever. Who sold them to you was various people. People you knew? No. According to the registration records in Virginia. One man sold all of those cars to you, Mr. Stanton. Well, suppose you give us the real facts. Well, one man did sell them, but he told me he represented several owners. Who was this man? His name was, let me see. Crawford. George Crawford. How did you meet him? He answered an ad I put in the papers. And then he came here to my garage. Can you describe him? Not too well. Do you mind if we take a look around the garage here, Mr. Stanton? What for? Just a routine inspection. Very well. Go ahead. I'll go out back to the office, get you those registrations. Thanks. What are you interested in, Tom? That workbench over there. Come on. I noticed it on the way in. It had some very familiar equipment on it.

[Charles Mead]

Look it over.

[Narrator]

Well, electric drills, buffing machine. Not forgetting those sandpaper discs and that steel brush. Very handy equipment to alter motor numbers on stolen cars. Yes. Do you think that came from the office? Yes. Come on. Well, it looks like Mr. Mead just lost a partner.

[Carl Frank]

We momentarily close the Federal Bureau of Investigation file on Charles Mead, car thief. We will return to this case in just a moment. Let's suppose that all the members of the Equitable Society decided to live together in one community. The result would be a city almost as large as Chicago. For this society now has over 3,200,000 members. Actually, of course, these Equitable members are widely distributed. Every state in the union is largely represented. And by the same token, every section of the nation benefits by the investments of Equitable Society funds. The premium dollars sent in by Equitable members are used to promote industry and agriculture in all parts of the country. Equitable dollars help finance shipbuilders on the Pacific coast. Ranchers in Wyoming, oil men in Texas, miners in Minnesota, coal producers in Pennsylvania. Farmers and workers throughout the land. And so, this great mutual organization is indeed well named. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. In both its membership and the distribution of its investments it takes in the entire United States. And so, you see, by serving its members, the Equitable Society serves America. And now back to the file on Charles Mead, car thief.

[Charles Mead]

In the FBI headquarters in Washington, there is row upon row of file cabinets containing cases marked complete. An examination of any one of these will show that every thread, every room or every bit of information pertinent to that case, however minute, has been investigated to a conclusion. There are no loose ends, only complete and irrefutable proof. The suicide of the garage keeper enabled the FBI to uncover many additional facts regarding Charles Mead. Special agents conducted an intensive search in the dead man's Garage records were combed over. Correspondence checked. Finally, out of this painstaking work there emerged a clue. A small clue. A letter that had been mailed to the garage man by Meade over a year before. A letter sent from Portland, Oregon. A letter with a return address. A teletype was sent to the Portland field office and a special agent was sent to the address to investigate.

[Faye Mead]

I bet this has something to do with my nephew, Charlie.

[Narrator]

Charles Mead.

[Faye Mead]

That's him.

[Narrator]

I was right, huh? Do you know where he is? Nope.

[Faye Mead]

I haven't seen him in over a year. He went east to Cleveland, but I know he isn't there anymore.

[Narrator]

Why not?

[Faye Mead]

Because I wrote him at the address he gave me. The letter was returned.

[Narrator]

May I have that address anyway?

[Faye Mead]

Sure, but I don't think it'll do you any good. Charlie moves fast and often.

[Charles Mead]

Wanted. Notices on Charles Meade were sent out from the FBI headquarters in Washington for national distribution. Meanwhile, the one lead, the slender lead, the year old address in Cleveland was followed up by a special agent there.

[Narrator]

No, Mr. Mead hasn't lived here in, let me see now, oh, at least eight months. Did he leave any forwarding address? No, he just packed his trunks and left. Trunks? Yeah, two of them. How were they moved? Well, I believe it was American Express. Thank you very much.

[Charles Mead]

A search of the express company records, a long, tedious search was finally rewarded. The records show the two trunks belonging to one Charles Mead were picked up at the Cleveland address and delivered to an apartment house in Louisville, Kentucky.

[Faye Mead]

Charles Mead moved out about two months ago. I understand he went back east to get married.

[Narrator]

Where in the East?

[Faye Mead]

He didn't say.

[Narrator]

Did he leave any trunks?

[Faye Mead]

Yes, two of them.

[Narrator]

Did he take them with him?

[Faye Mead]

No, he had them sent to storage in Levo. Yes, to the Acme Storage Warehouse.

[Narrator]

I hope there's something in these trunks. After getting a search warrant and all. Let's examine this one first. Right. Let's see. One, two, three suits and a top coat here. We'll try the drawers. Well, what is it? A box of keys. Car keys? That would be Mr. Mead. All right. Here's some cans of automobile paint for retouching purposes. Yes. What story did you get from the warehouse people? They said he paid them two months in advance. And no further word from him? No, none at all. That two months should be up. It is. He owes the money now. Well, we've got one good chance then, that he'll get in touch with the warehouse. Yes, and give us a chance to get in touch with him.

[Charles Mead]

The special agents kept in constant touch with the warehouse. One day, two weeks after their first visit, a letter arrived. A letter containing a money order. A money order signed by Charles Meadow. But Meade was still clever. Although the letter was postmarked St. Louis, Missouri, there was no return address. The money order, however, was issued at the Gardiner postal station which is located in the suburbs. Special agents went there at once.

[Narrator]

That's his complete description. I see. Do you recall him at all? I'm trying to think. The money order was issued last Tuesday. Well, that might be a help. Tuesday, that was a pretty slow day. Did any strangers come in here at all? Yes, yes, I remember now. The fella came in here around noon time. Yes, he was.

[Carl Frank]

Well, say, he looked just like the fellow you described.

[Narrator]

Are you sure? Of course. I remember him real well now.

[Carl Frank]

He told me he was just driving through.

[Narrator]

Did he say where he was heading? No. Oh, now wait. Though he did ask one question. What was that? He wanted to know about a good tourist camp. Yes, I recommended Brockton's Place. That's about six miles further out. Brockton's Place. Let's go, Tom.

[Faye Mead]

Charles. Charles.

[Narrator]

Yeah?

[Faye Mead]

Are you going to see sleep all day, darling?

[Narrator]

No, no, I'm getting up.

[Charles Mead]

What time is it?

[Faye Mead]

Almost noon.

[Narrator]

Oh, I'm dead.

[Faye Mead]

You got a good night's sleep, honey.

[Charles Mead]

A dozen night's sleep would just about get me either.

[Faye Mead]

Come on now, get up. We have to start packing.

[Charles Mead]

Yeah, I know.

[Narrator]

That's just about all we do in life.

[Charles Mead]

I'm getting awful sick.

[Faye Mead]

Now, let's not go into that again, Faye.

[Charles Mead]

Look, we got enough money now. Enough money to settle down in one's and enjoy ourselves for a while.

[Narrator]

No, no.

[Charles Mead]

Well, honey.

[Faye Mead]

Listen, Charles, I've told you. I spent all my life being settled in one spot. I never want to do it again.

[Charles Mead]

Oh, we can't keep living like this.

[Narrator]

Bad hotels, tourists.

[Faye Mead]

I like them. I love going from place to place. And that's what I intend to do with or without you, darling.

[Narrator]

What do you mean?

[Faye Mead]

If you want that settling down business, you do it without me.

[Narrator]

Oh, now worry about.

[Faye Mead]

I mean it.

[Charles Mead]

Okay, honey, you win.

[Faye Mead]

Who's that?

[Charles Mead]

How do I know?

[Narrator]

Wait. Yeah. How are you, mister? Me? Who are you? We're special agents of the FBI. Charles there where you are.

[Faye Mead]

Well, it looks like you're going to get your way, darling. We're settling down.

[Charles Mead]

Abnormal conditions brought on by the war have opened lucrative fields for the criminal. Lucrative temporarily, because the criminal has to risk a battle of wits in the battle of endurance with the FBI. And that is a battle he Cannot win. Last year alone, over $5 million worth of stolen cars were recovered and over 2,000 car thieves were convicted. The FBI is and will be relentless in the apprehension of anyone threatening the security or rights of the people of the United States. It is your organization. It is part of the government, and the government is you.

[Carl Frank]

You'll hear about the disposition of this case in just a minute. Will you join the Equitable Society in a salute? A salute to the men who weld the plates and hammer home the rivets. To the men and women whose strong right arms have built ships and more ships far faster than Nazi U boats and Jap suicide planes could sink them. Since war was declared, America's shipyards have added 100,000 vessels to the Navy. And for the Navy and merchant marine together have launched $40 billion worth of shipping. And all this, in addition to countless repair jobs on all types of vessels, from battleships and flat tops to submarines and minesweepers. That's proof, if any proof was needed, that the way we do things in America is more than a match for any other way or any other system. Bar none. Members of the Equitable Life Assurances Society of the United States are proud to know that their premium dollars have backed up the shipbuilders. That Equitable Society funds are invested in this America's second largest war industry, as well as in scores of other great manufacturing enterprises now concentrating on war production in wartime. Equitable Society dollars are fighting dollars. And at all times they are securedly dollars for you, your home and your country.

[Charles Mead]

After being indicted by a federal grand jury at Columbus, Ohio, Charles Meade and his wife pleaded guilty to violating the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act. They were each given sentences totaling 20 years in a federal penitentiary.

[Carl Frank]

The incidents used in tonight's broadcast are taken from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, all names used are fictitious. And any similarity thereof to the names of persons living or dead is accidental. Tonight the music was under the direction of Van Cleave. Your narrator was Frank Lovejoy. This is your FBI Is a Jerry Devine production. Now, this is Carl Frank speaking for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and inviting you to tune in again next week at this same time for this is your FBI. This is the American Broadcasting Company.