This Is Your FBI 45-08-10 (019) Robert Perry, Impersonator

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "This Is Your FBI: Robert Perry, Impersonator" (Originally aired 08/10/1945)

Overview

This episode of This Is Your FBI explores the dogged persistence of the Bureau—even in so-called "small" cases—through the story of Robert Perry, an impersonator and petty crook who, aided by his resourceful mother, poses as a government inspector to con honest rural families and chicken dealers. The broadcast dramatizes the investigation, the criminal’s evasion methods, and, ultimately, his capture, while reflecting on the nature of crime and the mission of the FBI.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. Setting the Stage: The Value of Every Case

• [00:09–01:09] The episode opens by asserting the FBI’s commitment to pursue crimes of every scale.
• Quote:

  “No case is too big for the FBI and none is too small if it violates a federal statute under the FBI's jurisdiction.”
  — Narrator, [01:04]

2. The Crime: The Chicken Swindle

• [02:07–05:27] Robert Perry, with the aid of his mother, impersonates a government inspector, claims a local farm’s chickens are infected, and offers to “help” the victims by writing a fraudulent check, walking away with both the livestock and trust.
• emphasis on Perry’s manipulation:

  “Our reports are never wrong, Mr. Gordon.”
  — Robert Perry, [04:14]

3. The Investigation Begins

• [05:27–07:16] The Gordons, suspicious after the event, alert the FBI. The agents conduct a detailed interview—establishing Perry’s appearance, his truck, and the trail of the bad check.
• Quote:

  “He was about 40 years old... 5ft 10... wore glasses only when he wrote the check.”
  — Mr. Gordon & Mrs. Gordon, [06:08–06:20]

4. Perry’s Methodology and Family Dynamic

• [07:34–08:51] Scenes reveal both Perry’s reliance on his mother’s criminal experience and their justification of crime—targeting “honest” people because they’re easier to dupe.
• Quote:

  “If it's larceny you're thinking of, you're much better off dealing with honest people.”
  — Mrs. Perry, [08:13]

• Personal insight: Perry regrets trading cash for chickens, displaying both his inexperience and reliance on his mother's schemes.

5. Law Enforcement’s Deductive Process

• [09:03–10:14] The FBI diagrams Perry’s criminal patterns, learning from Perry’s family history in crime and tracing the bad check.
• Quote:

  “Mr. Perry can trace his family tree all the way back to Alcatraz.”
  — Special Agent Baker, [09:58]

6. Following the Trail: Waterbury to New York

• [10:34–11:49] Using Perry’s truck as a key clue, the FBI tracks the sale to a local chicken dealer, confirming Perry and his mother’s trajectory via rail to New York.
• Humor and Memorable Moment:

  “We better get down there before that nice old lady sells somebody the Brooklyn Bridge.”
  — Special Agent Baker, [11:49]

7. Criminal Cat-and-Mouse

• [13:56–16:46] Despite widespread identification orders, Perry and his mother outmaneuver capture, continuing their swindle in the region, adapting to warnings and discussing future plans—with Perry expressing weariness.
• Notable exchange:

  “Why don’t we settle down someplace?”
  — Perry, [15:49]
  “I can’t settle down... I never want to stay in one place that long.”
  — Mrs. Perry, [15:52–15:56]

8. FBI Strategy: Secondhand Trucks

• [17:59–19:04] Agents Baker and Webster deduce the link between Perry’s crimes and his purchase of trucks in New York, embarking on a systematic canvas of used truck dealers.
• Quote:

  “I’m going to call on every secondhand truck dealer in New York.”
  — Robert Perry, [18:51]

9. Closing in: Albany Setup

• [21:03–23:19] The trail leads to Albany, where the agents prepare for Perry's next crime by investigating recent large chicken deliveries and posting up at strategic locations.
• Quote:

  “If we get lucky, we're overdue. ...We'll be waiting when Perry knocks on the door.”
  — Special Agent Baker, [23:17]

10. The Bust: Justice Served

• [24:37–25:16] As Perry and his mother debate vacation plans, they’re intercepted on the road by the FBI. The agents apprehend them, using a bit of humor:
• Memorable quote:

  “You and your son seem to like chicken so much, we're gonna do you a favor ... we're going to arrange for you to be sent to an institution. Place where they have chicken every Sunday.”
  — Special Agent Baker, [25:03]

11. Reflection and Resolution

• [25:16–27:39] The episode closes with a reflection on the moral of the story—crime does not pay—and a reminder of the importance of every case, no matter how “petty.” The real-life Perry and his mother were both convicted and sentenced to federal prison.

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “No case is too big for the FBI and none is too small if it violates a federal statute under the FBI's jurisdiction.”
  — Narrator, [01:04]
• “Our reports are never wrong, Mr. Gordon.”
  — Robert Perry, [04:14]
• “If it's larceny you're thinking of, you're much better off dealing with honest people.”
  — Mrs. Perry, [08:13]
• “Mr. Perry can trace his family tree all the way back to Alcatraz.”
  — Special Agent Baker, [09:58]
• “We better get down there before that nice old lady sells somebody the Brooklyn Bridge.”
  — Special Agent Baker, [11:49]
• “Why don’t we settle down someplace?” / “I can’t settle down... I never want to stay in one place that long.”
  — Robert Perry & Mrs. Perry, [15:49–15:56]
• "I’m going to call on every secondhand truck dealer in New York."
  — Robert Perry, [18:51]
• "You and your son seem to like chicken so much, we're gonna do you a favor ..."
  — Special Agent Baker, [25:03]

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Structure & Tone

The episode combines suspenseful procedural drama with a dose of “old time radio” style humor and family interplay. The portrayal of the FBI is earnest and methodical, while glimpses into Perry’s family dynamic add both depth and irony to the narrative.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• You’ll Experience: A lively recreation of a real 1940s petty crime, full of period flavor and banter, with the “moral of the story” clearly underlined by the close.
• Key Takeaway: No crime is too small to attract the persistent attention of federal law enforcement—and old habits, especially in families like the Perrys, are hard to break.

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End of Summary.

Transcript

[Robert Perry]

This is your FBI.

[Narrator]

This is your FBI.

[Announcer]

An official broadcast from the files of.

[Narrator]

The Federal Bureau of Investigations.

[Robert Perry]

Presented as a public service by the.

[Announcer]

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 society.

[Robert Perry]

Impersonation.

[Narrator]

In the course of an ordinary year. The FBI handles big cases and small cases. Big cases like the trapping of the German saboteurs who were sent here to steal the secrets of the atomic bomb. And small cases. Well, small cases such as the one you're going to hear about tonight. The important thing about tonight's case is not the sum of money involved or even the people involved, for the criminals are petty thieves. The important thing is that the FBI took as much time and effort as it did on this comparatively minor infraction of the law. No case is too big for the FBI and none is too small if it violates a federal statute under the FBI's jurisdiction. Our story tonight opens in a tourist cabin on the outskirt of a small town near New York. It is early in the morning and a pleasant white haired old lady is talking to her son and dad.

[Robert Perry]

Huh?

[Mrs. Perry]

Can. Can I help you with anything?

[Robert Perry]

No, I'm all set, Mom.

[Mrs. Perry]

Come here. Let me look at you.

[Robert Perry]

Okay, wait.

[Mrs. Perry]

Nice and easy. Just straighten your tiles.

[Robert Perry]

Sure, ma'. Am. Sure.

[Mrs. Perry]

Always look your best before you go out to do business. Yeah, that was one of your father's rules. That was one of the reasons he was such a grand success. He always.

[Robert Perry]

How's the time now?

[Mrs. Perry]

Oh, that looks fine.

[Robert Perry]

Well, I better get going.

[Mrs. Perry]

Wait.

[Robert Perry]

You.

[Mrs. Perry]

You better take this along with you.

[Robert Perry]

Yeah, what do I need that for?

[Mrs. Perry]

It was your father's son, Robert.

[Robert Perry]

Mom, it's not that kind of a job.

[Mrs. Perry]

I wanted to take it anyway. Your father always carried it. When he began a new venture. He was so sentimental.

[Robert Perry]

Okay, Ms. Alice.

[Mrs. Perry]

That's a good father.

[Narrator]

I'll see you later.

[Robert Perry]

Matt.

[Mrs. Perry]

You forgot something. Come here, son.

[Robert Perry]

Yes, sir. You're John Gordon? Yes. My name is Perry, government inspector. Government? Oh. Well, come on in. Thanks. Emily.

[Mrs. Perry]

Yes. John?

[Robert Perry]

Emily, this Mr. Perry, government inspector.

[Special Agent Baker]

Oh.

[Robert Perry]

Oh, this is my wife.

[Mrs. Perry]

How do you do, Mr. Perry?

[Robert Perry]

Well, what can I do for you, sir? I'm afraid I have some very bad news for you two. What bad news? It's about those white leghorns you had delivered yesterday.

[Special Agent Baker]

Yes?

[Robert Perry]

I took a few from the craters that were being unloaded and Sent them out to the laboratory. What's the bad news? Well, I'm afraid we're going to have to condemn all of your chickens.

[Mrs. Perry]

Condemn them?

[Robert Perry]

Why, two of them showed signs of tuberculosis. Oh, no, no, that couldn't be. Our reports are never wrong, Mr. Gordon.

[Mrs. Perry]

Couldn't the chickens be treated?

[Robert Perry]

I'm afraid not.

[Mrs. Perry]

What can we do, Mr. Perry?

[Robert Perry]

Well, you can sue the people you bought them from, and the government service will stand behind you. Oh, by the way, have you got a lawyer? No. We haven't any money either. That's a shame. Well, I'll tell you what I'm going to do. You both look like honest people. I'll loan you enough to retain a lawyer. Well, now, Mr. Perry, let me make you out of check.

[Mrs. Perry]

I don't think you. Well, really, this is a stupid. Really very nice of you, Mr. Perry.

[Robert Perry]

Perry, I don't think we ought to. There. There's my check for $50. You can pay me when you get your money back for the chickens. Don't know how we can thank you, Mr. Perry. Oh, don't mention it. Oh, Mr. Gordon, have you got a man around the farm who can help me load the chickens onto my truck?

[Special Agent Baker]

No, but I'll help you myself. Come on, Emily.

[Robert Perry]

Yes, Mr. Perry helped us. Now, let's us.

[Narrator]

No one was to blame because this petty crook had successfully impersonated the federal officials. No one was to blame. But it was important that Robert Perry be apprehended because his brazen theft had been a sudden catastrophe for the farmer. And his wife had wiped out 10 years of hard work because women are more suspicious than men. It was Emily Gordon who telephoned the FBI, telephoned them and told her story. A short time later, Emily and John Gordon were at the FBI's New York office.

[Special Agent Baker]

This man impersonated a government inspector.

[Robert Perry]

Mr. Gordon?

[Special Agent Baker]

Yes, sir. That's what he said he was. You try to give me as much of a description of him as you can.

[Robert Perry]

Well, he was about 40 years old.

[Mrs. Perry]

And he was kind of stocky. John?

[Robert Perry]

Yes.

[Special Agent Baker]

How tall would you say he was?

[Robert Perry]

Oh, about 5, 5ft 10. And he wore glasses only when he wrote the check. Can't we.

[Mrs. Perry]

Oh, yes, I. I remember that.

[Special Agent Baker]

How about his hair and his clothes? What was he wearing?

[Robert Perry]

Well, had kind of brown hair.

[Special Agent Baker]

He was wearing a blue suit. How about the truck he was driving?

[Robert Perry]

It was a 1940 Chevrolet.

[Special Agent Baker]

How do you know so exactly?

[Robert Perry]

Well, Bill Miller up the road from us has one.

[Special Agent Baker]

See, Mr. Perry's truck was painted brown, and he didn't have Any writing on the sides? This is really asking too much. But you didn't happen to notice the license plate number, did you?

[Mrs. Perry]

Oh, no, I. I did. I don't know what the whole number is, but it started with a one and a three and five. Yes, that's it, I'm sure. One, three, five.

[Special Agent Baker]

Well, that's fine. That'll be a big help.

[Robert Perry]

Hi, dad.

[Special Agent Baker]

Now, come on in, Bill. Got anything?

[Robert Perry]

Your hunch was right. I called the bank. No one named Robert Perry has an account there. Say, I guess we'd better send out a teletype.

[Special Agent Baker]

Yes. Alert all retail and wholesale chicken dealers within 100 miles. Send Perry's description and a description of the truck.

[Robert Perry]

Right.

[Special Agent Baker]

Maybe we can get Mr. Perry a little indigestion from too much chicken.

[Robert Perry]

Driving too fast for your mom?

[Mrs. Perry]

Oh, no, no.

[Robert Perry]

Were you dozing off, Mom?

[Mrs. Perry]

No, just thinking.

[Robert Perry]

About what?

[Mrs. Perry]

About your father. Oh, he'd have been very proud of you today, son.

[Robert Perry]

Thanks, Mom.

[Mrs. Perry]

You did a fine job. Now, isn't this better than passing checks?

[Robert Perry]

Yeah, I guess it is.

[Mrs. Perry]

Those places where you were passing checks were always looking for dishonesty. That's because they were dishonest themselves. Yes. Your father always said, if it's larceny you're thinking of, you're much better off dealing with honest people.

[Robert Perry]

One thing bothers me, though, Mom. When I passed a check, I had cash. Now we got chickens. What do we do with them?

[Mrs. Perry]

We drive to Waterbury and sell them. That's easy, isn't it?

[Robert Perry]

Yeah, but who do we sell them to?

[Mrs. Perry]

No, don't worry about that.

[Robert Perry]

Why, have you got a customer?

[Mrs. Perry]

Certainly. When I was in Waterbury yesterday, I took care of that. I told the man I had some chickens to sell. Told him I was closing down my farm.

[Robert Perry]

Didn't he ask you why?

[Mrs. Perry]

Yeah. I told him that my son was going into the army and I had to fell out.

[Robert Perry]

You see, ma', am, I. I guess you're the smartest mother a fellow.

[Narrator]

Fortunately for the FBI and all other law enforcement agencies, the human brain has channels and ideas tend to run along the same line time after time. It accounts for the odd fact that some thieves like Robert Perry love to pass bad checks. Bad checks are always returned. And this bad check was to haunt Robert Perry for the next morning. In the New York offices of the FBI Special Agents Baker and Webster were looking at a report from Washington. A report on Robert Perry's bad check.

[Robert Perry]

How far back does he go?

[Special Agent Baker]

Over 10 years. Caught once in the very beginning. That's how he happened to have this much of a record? Did three months. Since then, he's been working in spurts.

[Robert Perry]

Anything else besides the bad checks? No. Kind of puzzles me.

[Special Agent Baker]

This isn't his kind of a job. His father, maybe? Yes, but the old man's dead.

[Robert Perry]

His father was a thief?

[Special Agent Baker]

Yes. His mother too. Well, Mr. Perry can trace his family tree all the way back to Alcatraz.

[Robert Perry]

Hello.

[Special Agent Baker]

Baker speaking.

[Robert Perry]

You have? Good. Where? Waterbury.

[Special Agent Baker]

Hold on to it. We're leaving now. Come on. Bill.

[Robert Perry]

What's up?

[Special Agent Baker]

The Waterbury police have picked up Perry's truck. Grab your hat.

[Robert Perry]

Let's get going.

[Special Agent Baker]

Hello, Sergeant. I'm Baker, New York office, FBI.

[Announcer]

Oh, how are you?

[Special Agent Baker]

This is Bill Webster.

[Robert Perry]

Hello, Sergeant.

[Announcer]

How do you do, sir? Well, gentlemen, somebody just called to claim the truck.

[Robert Perry]

Okay. No, a legitimate fellow.

[Special Agent Baker]

Who is he?

[Robert Perry]

A chicken dealer named Crawford from right here in Waterbury.

[Special Agent Baker]

How did he get hold of it?

[Robert Perry]

I'll let him tell you that. He's right in here. Mr. Crawford? Yes.

[Announcer]

Mr. Crawford, these gentlemen are special agents of the FBI.

[Robert Perry]

How are you, gentlemen? How do you do? Mr. Crawford, would you mind telling us how you happened to get hold of that truck? I bought it.

[Narrator]

Same time I bought the chickens.

[Special Agent Baker]

From whom?

[Robert Perry]

A real nice old lady.

[Narrator]

She came in to see me on Tuesday.

[Robert Perry]

Said she had to sell her farm because her son was going into the Army. She reminded me of my mother.

[Special Agent Baker]

Nice old lady. Bill, I think this nice old lady is Perry's mother. Yes, Miss Crawford. It's very important. Was there a man with this nice old lady?

[Robert Perry]

Yes.

[Special Agent Baker]

Did he look about 40 years old, pretty, stocky, about 5ft 10 inches tall, wearing a blue suit? Did he have brown hair?

[Robert Perry]

Yes. That's the fellow who was with her. Where did they go?

[Announcer]

Why, after I bought the truck, the.

[Narrator]

Old lady asked me if I'd drive him to the railroad station.

[Special Agent Baker]

What train did they take?

[Robert Perry]

Did you say where they were going? They took the 521 out of here.

[Narrator]

She said they were going to New York.

[Robert Perry]

They're in New York by now.

[Special Agent Baker]

Well, we better get down there before that nice old lady sells somebody the Brooklyn Bridge.

[Announcer]

We momentarily close the file on Robert Perry impersonator. We will return to this case in just a moment. Now, will you join the Equitable Society in a salute to the United States Merchant Marine, to The more than 100 privately operated American steamship companies, and to the bold and hardy merchant seamen who sail under the American flag? These companies and these men are the inheritors of a great tradition that goes back to the Yankee whalers from old New Bedford And Nantucketown. They are the spiritual heirs of the daring crew that drove the tall masted clipper ships round the horn. And in this war they have written new and glorious entries into the records of American seamanship. From Mermanx to the Philippines, undaunted by minefields, suicide planes and wolf packs of submarines, they have delivered the cargoes on which our armed forces depend. Without these gallant vessels, America would have been forced to fight a defensive war. So here's to the ships and the men who operate in man them. May they be as successful in the years of peace that lie ahead as they are fearless in war. For many generations, there has been a close bond between the American Merchant Marine and the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Thousands of operators and sailors are members of our society. Hundreds of the ships they sail were launched from shipyards in which Equitable Society funds have long been invested. And thousands of the wartime cargoes they transport come from factories that Equitable dollars help build. For in wartime, Equitable society dollars have been fighting dollars. And at all times they are security dollars for you, your home and your country. And now back to the file on Robert Perry.

[Robert Perry]

If impersonators.

[Narrator]

In every case the FBI works on, the criminal has the advantage in the beginning. That advantage is the element of surprise.

[Robert Perry]

Progressive knows we all crave validation. Girl, you are not 37. I would have guessed 27.

[Mrs. Perry]

You guys are too sweet.

[Announcer]

Sure.

[Special Agent Baker]

Dewy skin.

[Robert Perry]

Terrific. Um, is something wrong, Ned?

[Narrator]

Why would you ask?

[Special Agent Baker]

Just because Today marks my 10th anniversary.

[Robert Perry]

Without a car accident or even a speeding ticket.

[Special Agent Baker]

But somehow tonight's all about your skin care. Wow.

[Robert Perry]

With snapshot from Progressive, you can get a personalized rate based on how you drive. And that's all the validation you need. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliate snapshot not available in California. From all agents. Search possible for unsafe driving.

[Narrator]

Criminal is the one who calls his shots. Once a crime has been committed, though, the FBI begins to begins to close the doors of escape. But first they must find the criminal. In a city like New York, a city with 7 million population, it is almost impossible to find two inconspicuous people. Two people like Robert Perry and his mother. It is almost impossible to locate them in New York if they are in New York. It is impossible to locate them in New York if they are as Robert said. Perry and his mother were in a small tourist cabin in southern New Jersey.

[Robert Perry]

Well, mom, the weatherman is on our side.

[Mrs. Perry]

Yes, it's beautiful day.

[Robert Perry]

I think I'll go swimming.

[Mrs. Perry]

Mr. Haskell got his delivery of chickens yesterday. Son.

[Robert Perry]

Oh, Mom. Let's take a little rest.

[Mrs. Perry]

Not on vacation.

[Robert Perry]

Son, Haskell is an apple on a tree. We can pick him whenever we want.

[Mrs. Perry]

Your father always said, strike while the iron is.

[Robert Perry]

Now those were different times.

[Mrs. Perry]

Times never change in our business.

[Robert Perry]

Now, look, mom, why don't we settle down someplace?

[Mrs. Perry]

I can't settle down.

[Robert Perry]

Why not?

[Mrs. Perry]

Well, I never want to stay in one place that long.

[Robert Perry]

But you're getting older now.

[Mrs. Perry]

Your father always said the person's as old as he feels.

[Robert Perry]

Okay. I guess I better go to work then, Son. Huh?

[Mrs. Perry]

I. I meant to talk to you.

[Robert Perry]

About what? About what?

[Mrs. Perry]

I. I found a checkbook in your blue suit.

[Robert Perry]

Mom, I haven't cashed a check.

[Mrs. Perry]

There was one missing.

[Robert Perry]

Oh. I gave it to that farmer up in Connecticut.

[Mrs. Perry]

Why?

[Robert Perry]

Well, I felt sorry for him. He didn't have any money to hire a lawyer.

[Mrs. Perry]

But, son, you left a calling card. I asked you.

[Robert Perry]

You asked me not to cash any checks.

[Narrator]

I didn't.

[Robert Perry]

I gave one away.

[Mrs. Perry]

Well. Well, it's done now. And your father always said there was no point in crying over spilled milk.

[Robert Perry]

I'll see you later, Mom.

[Mrs. Perry]

Robert.

[Robert Perry]

Huh?

[Mrs. Perry]

You forgot something.

[Robert Perry]

What?

[Mrs. Perry]

Come here, son. Have a good.

[Narrator]

It is impossible to help some people. A sign will read wet paint. But some people get paint on their clothes. A sign on the highway will read slow down, curve ahead. But some people get killed. A warning is issued by the FBI. But some people, some stubborn, self sufficient people, get robbed. You've seen cards with a criminal's picture and his description. Those cards are called identification orders. Despite the fact that every chicken dealer in the east had gotten an identification order on Robert Perry, he was not caught Twice in the next month, Perry and his mother worked their swindle again in the New York offices of the FBI. Special Agents Baker and Webster were going over the latest report.

[Robert Perry]

I don't understand why those identification orders didn't work. Both farmers got them. They admitted that?

[Special Agent Baker]

Yes, and he followed the pattern exactly both times. He's always been a government inspector. And the chicken disease has always been tuberculosis.

[Robert Perry]

And don't forget, mom, good old mom has always sold the chickens because her son was going in the army.

[Special Agent Baker]

I don't know how we can make it any easier for the farmers.

[Robert Perry]

We can't. Unless we tell them not to answer the door.

[Special Agent Baker]

Of course, the people who got stuck are not the farmers. They got their chickens back. The legitimate chicken dealer who buys the loot, all he winds up with is a truck.

[Robert Perry]

That's it. Why the truck? That's the angle we've been overlooking. What about the truck? It's a legitimate purchase. Every time.

[Special Agent Baker]

You're right.

[Robert Perry]

Every time Perry sells one of the trucks, he and his mother come back down to New York.

[Special Agent Baker]

That means they're buying their trucks here.

[Robert Perry]

I think we've got something. Dan. Yes? Got one of the Perry identification orders in your desk?

[Special Agent Baker]

Yes, but we'll need more than one.

[Robert Perry]

No, let's not take another chance that people won't read them.

[Special Agent Baker]

What are you going to do?

[Robert Perry]

I'm going to call on every secondhand truck dealer in New York.

[Special Agent Baker]

I'll go with you.

[Robert Perry]

Okay. Let's move.

[Narrator]

For three days, three long weary days, Special Agents Baker and Webster interviewed truck dealers. The response was always the same. Sorry. Like to help and never saw the man. Sorry. I never saw the man. Then on the fourth day.

[Robert Perry]

I know this is the right way to do it, Dan. But if we don't find Perry's trail pretty soon.

[Special Agent Baker]

I know. I keep seeing second hand trucks in my dreams.

[Robert Perry]

Here's the used Carlott. Yeah.

[Special Agent Baker]

I'll get out on your side.

[Robert Perry]

Okay.

[Special Agent Baker]

That looks like someone in charge.

[Robert Perry]

Yes. Yes. Gentlemen.

[Special Agent Baker]

How do you do, sir? My name is Baker. I'm from the FBI.

[Robert Perry]

The FBI? Yes.

[Special Agent Baker]

Here are my credentials. I. I see. This is Mr. Webster.

[Robert Perry]

How do you do? How do you do?

[Narrator]

If this is an investigation of some sort, gentlemen, I. I run my business clean. No black market.

[Special Agent Baker]

We're not checking on black market operations.

[Robert Perry]

Take a look at this picture, Mr. Turner. Ever see that man before? I think so.

[Narrator]

His face is familiar. But I see so many people.

[Special Agent Baker]

Try to remember if he was here.

[Robert Perry]

It was probably with a nice old lady.

[Narrator]

Oh, sure, I remember them now.

[Robert Perry]

Do.

[Special Agent Baker]

When were they here?

[Robert Perry]

Well, let's see.

[Narrator]

Today's Friday. He was here Wednesday.

[Robert Perry]

That's it. Wednesday afternoon.

[Special Agent Baker]

Did he buy a truck?

[Robert Perry]

Mm.

[Narrator]

Paid me cash too.

[Robert Perry]

You're lucky. What do you mean lucky?

[Special Agent Baker]

Sometimes he pays by check.

[Robert Perry]

I see.

[Narrator]

No, he paid me cash and they drove right out of here in the truck.

[Robert Perry]

They didn't by any chance say where they were going? No, they didn't. Oh, no. Wait a minute.

[Special Agent Baker]

Yeah.

[Robert Perry]

I'm trying to think. He.

[Narrator]

He asked me for the best road to Albany.

[Robert Perry]

Albany?

[Narrator]

Yes, Sir.

[Robert Perry]

Thank you, Mr. Turner.

[Narrator]

Oh, not at all, sir.

[Robert Perry]

And let's whip down to Grand Central and grab the next train north.

[Special Agent Baker]

Right.

[Robert Perry]

A woman's place is in the home. So let's find a home for Mrs. Par.

[Narrator]

Albany, New York has been an important American city since the completion of the erie Canal in 1825. It is the capital of New York State has a population of 561,000. It is a city of steep hills and lovely scenery. And on the outskirts of Albany, you'll find lush farmland. Lush farmland and lots of chickens. In addition to all of these things, Albany had on this particular day in the FBI field office, two special agents. Two hard working agents named Baker and Webster.

[Special Agent Baker]

Hi, Bill.

[Robert Perry]

Hi.

[Special Agent Baker]

Have any luck?

[Robert Perry]

No. I checked the local police and they haven't spotted Perry's truck yet.

[Special Agent Baker]

I went up to the Chamber of Commerce and checked all of the big chicken dealers by phone. No luck either.

[Robert Perry]

Well, where do we go from here?

[Special Agent Baker]

I think we got all the holes sealed up. Let's just wait for Perry to try to get thrilled.

[Robert Perry]

Maybe we'll get some help in the identification orders. Could be.

[Special Agent Baker]

We certainly sent enough of them out.

[Robert Perry]

Sometimes it looks as if the people who get the I O s must make their ads and tear them up. Bill? Huh?

[Special Agent Baker]

We're missing a bet.

[Robert Perry]

What's that?

[Special Agent Baker]

IOS are also put up in railroad stations. That's what made me think of it.

[Robert Perry]

Think of what?

[Special Agent Baker]

We ought to be at the railroad station, not here.

[Announcer]

Why?

[Robert Perry]

To catch Perry as he's leaving town?

[Special Agent Baker]

No, but you remember that first farmer, Gordon?

[Robert Perry]

That was a thousand years ago. What about him?

[Special Agent Baker]

Remember he said that Perry told him he had seen the chickens unloaded at the railroad station the day before?

[Robert Perry]

Yes. And he must have been telling the truth.

[Special Agent Baker]

That's right. Otherwise he wouldn't have known about the delivery. Bill, I've got a hunch that Perry's waiting for us. Never saw this fella?

[Robert Perry]

Nope. We don't let anybody hang around this.

[Announcer]

Platform unless they got business here.

[Special Agent Baker]

Mr. Baker, have you had any really big deliveries of chickens the last few days?

[Robert Perry]

I guess so. I have to look it up from Thursday. On Thursday, huh? Well, let's see. Well, here's one. There's a couple here. There's another batch here. Two more here. Let's see, that's 15. 15 altogether. Let's copy down the names and addresses of the farmers.

[Special Agent Baker]

Right. Then we'll make a tour. If we get lucky, we're overdue. We can only get lucky. We'll be waiting when Perry knocks on the door.

[Robert Perry]

And that's one date. I don't want to stand up. Well, it worked again, Mom.

[Mrs. Perry]

It'll work every time, son. It's foolproof.

[Robert Perry]

This last one was the softest touch yet.

[Mrs. Perry]

Yeah, and they're the best. Best looking chickens we've gotten to.

[Robert Perry]

What do you say we take a little vacation after this one, Mom?

[Mrs. Perry]

All right. Son.

[Robert Perry]

Good. Where?

[Mrs. Perry]

We go on Niagara Falls. I wanted to go there with your father, but he was always too tied up with business.

[Robert Perry]

Not Niagara Falls, Mom.

[Mrs. Perry]

Oh, why not, son? It's lovely up there. I've seen the postcards.

[Narrator]

Buffalo cops.

[Robert Perry]

Mom, I'm hot up there.

[Mrs. Perry]

Oh. Oh, yes, I forgot.

[Robert Perry]

There are plenty of other places.

[Mrs. Perry]

Of course.

[Narrator]

How about California?

[Robert Perry]

I'd like to go there.

[Mrs. Perry]

Oh, no, no. I'd always be thinking about your father if we went to California. He was at San Quentin.

[Robert Perry]

Well, we've got time to think about that after we get back to New York.

[Mrs. Perry]

You know, I think we ought to stay right in New York.

[Robert Perry]

Why?

[Mrs. Perry]

Well, the papers have been saying that it's unpatriotic to take long trips by train. They need the space for sodas.

[Robert Perry]

Oh, maybe you're right. Maybe we'll stay in New York.

[Mrs. Perry]

Well, that car. It's forcing us off the road. Be careful, son.

[Robert Perry]

It's not forcing us off the road.

[Narrator]

Mom, they want us to stop.

[Mrs. Perry]

Have you been speeding?

[Robert Perry]

No.

[Announcer]

Mom, look over.

[Narrator]

Perry. Okay.

[Mrs. Perry]

What in the world is this? Son.

[Special Agent Baker]

Come out of the. Perry. You too, Mrs. Perry.

[Narrator]

Who are you?

[Robert Perry]

Special agents of the FBI.

[Mrs. Perry]

Well, what do you want with us?

[Special Agent Baker]

Well, you and your son seem to like chicken so much, we're gonna do you a favor.

[Mrs. Perry]

What is it?

[Special Agent Baker]

We're going to arrange for you to be sent to an institution. Place where they have chicken every Sunday.

[Narrator]

Robert Perry and his mother, like all criminals, thought they had a foolproof scheme. A racket that was beyond being broken by the forces of law and order. Robert Perry and his mother were petty thieves. But they showed the same contempt for decent that all criminals show. The FBI gives every effort to each of its causes, no matter how small. Because it knows that the one sure way to prevent crimes is to stop them from being committed. And it knows, too, that the one way to do that, the one sure way, is to keep apprehending criminals, to keep advertising what the FBI has proven time and time again that crime does not pay. When every child knows that, when he knows it the way he knows that two and two make four, then crime will stop. Until that day, the FBI will stay on the job.

[Announcer]

Case in just a minute. But now will you join the equitable society in a tribute to the victory which is near at hand? A tribute of gratitude and praise to the armed forces of the United States. Our fighting men have proved that free men brought up in the ways of peace are more than a match for the regimented millions of the aggressor nations. The victory of these representatives of democracy is, as President Truman said last night, and I quote, more than a victory of arms. It is, as he said, a victory of one way of life over another. A victory of an ideal founded on the rights of the common man, on the dignity of the human being, and on the conception of the state as the servant, not the master, of its people. Tomorrow, let us hope a new era will dawn on this earth. An era in which goodwill will prevail among all men. And all men will work together for the peace and prosperity of the world. As its contribution to peace, the equitable society will concentrate its full resources on the great task of providing security and jobs for the men and women who have served their country so well.

[Narrator]

Robert Perry and his mother were constantly convicted in a federal court. And both of them were sentenced to serve time in the federal penitentiary.

[Announcer]

The incident 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. Programs in this series of particular interest to servicemen and women are broadcast overseas through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Tonight, the music was under the direction of Frederick Steiner. The author was Jerry Lewis. Your narrator was Frank Lovejoy. This is your FBI is a Jerry Devine production. And 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 fvr.

[Narrator]

This is the American Broadcasting Company.