Unit 99 57-08-23 (01) Shopping Center Burglary

Summary

Podcast Summary: Unit 99 57-08-23 (01) Shopping Center Burglary

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Unit 99 57-08-23 (01) Shopping Center Burglary
• Release Date: February 23, 2025

Overview: In this gripping episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported to the Golden Age of Radio, witnessing a real-life burglary case unfold at the Fruit Ridge Shopping Center in Sacramento, California. The episode offers an authentic portrayal of police operations, featuring actual recordings from Sacramento Police Department's Unit 99, led by Sergeant Dan Meredith. Chief James V. Hicks provides insightful commentary, emphasizing the realism and dedication of the Sacramento Police.

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1. Introduction to Unit 99

The episode begins with Sergeant Dan Meredith briefing the audience about Unit 99, Sacramento Police Department's tape recording equipped radio car responsible for documenting real police operations.

• Dan Meredith [00:09]: "Sergeant Dan Meredith of unit 99 at Headquarters Police Department, City of Sacramento, California. My detail is to ride in unit 99... at the scene we make the recordings for this program."

Chief James V. Hicks further establishes the authenticity of the cases and the dedication of the officers.

• James V. Hicks [00:49]: "The job of a police officer is your protection. The cases you hear on this radio program are real cases... Make no mistake about it, there are no actors on these tapes. They are real from beginning to end."

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2. The Burglary Call

The tranquility of the Fruit Ridge Shopping Center is shattered by a burglary in progress. The dispatcher alerts Unit 99 and other units about suspicious activities.

• Dispatcher [01:22]: "Unit 9, unit 9, 940. Detect the south corner of the Fruit Ridge Shopping Center. In the rear, a possible 460 in progress. Come in with lights out."

Sergeant Meredith coordinates the response, ensuring multiple units converge on the scene swiftly.

• Dan Meredith [02:07]: "Unit four is responding to the call. Unit nine was also contacted. Let's go out in that area."

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3. Police Response and Surrounding the Scene

Upon arrival, Unit 99 establishes a perimeter around the shopping center, assessing the situation and communicating with Detective Mac Alexander on the scene.

• Dan Meredith [04:05]: "Was it still going on?"

• Mac Alexander [04:06]: "Yeah, you'll be right up in there."

The team discusses the possible entry points and the suspects' likely escape routes, highlighting their strategic approach.

• Dan Meredith [05:50]: "They came down through the roof? Yeah. You need a rope."

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4. Breaching and Apprehending the Suspects

Detectives successfully enter the building through a hole punctured in the roof, leading to a tense confrontation with the burglars. The suspects, caught off guard, quickly surrender.

• Dan Meredith [12:05]: "Did you find anything else on their person?"

• Marty [11:16]: "Nothing about it myself. That's why I have the cops told me that I was Bob and 1. But I don't know nothing about no burglary."

The meticulous search reveals tools used in the burglary, solidifying the case against the suspects.

• Rogers [13:12]: "Here's a drill still in it. That appears to be the drill they used on the roof."

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5. Interrogation of the Suspects

Sergeant Meredith and Officer Rogers delve into questioning the apprehended burglar, Marty, uncovering inconsistencies in his statements and the evidence against him.

• Dan Meredith [19:20]: "You didn't buy the gun?"

• Marty [20:51]: "Why not? Money's made to spend, isn't it?"

The interrogation exposes Marty's involvement and his dubious alibi, as well as discrepancies in his narrative.

• Rogers [21:17]: "You lied to us at first about being shot in the park. Then you change your story to getting shooting yourself..."

Marty's evasive responses and lack of a credible alibi strengthen the prosecution's case.

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6. Conclusion and Case Resolution

Chief James V. Hicks wraps up the episode by highlighting the efficiency and dedication of Unit 99, noting the swift arrest of the suspects and their subsequent sentencing.

• James V. Hicks [16:24]: "An efficient police department must have a high degree of mobility... The three admitted this and several other burglaries and were sentenced to the State Penitentiary."

The episode concludes with a reaffirmation of the podcast's commitment to presenting real police work, encouraging listeners to tune in for future cases.

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Notable Quotes:

• Chief James V. Hicks [00:49]: "Make no mistake about it, there are no actors on these tapes. They are real from beginning to end."

• Dan Meredith [05:46]: "We have about 10 officers on the outside."

• Rogers [21:17]: "You lied to us at first about being shot in the park. Then you change your story to getting shooting yourself..."

• James V. Hicks [16:24]: "An efficient police department must have a high degree of mobility."

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Key Insights:

• Realism in Storytelling: The episode emphasizes authenticity, with real police procedures and genuine audio recordings enhancing the immersive experience.

• Strategic Policing: The coordinated effort of Unit 99 showcases effective policing strategies, rapid response, and thorough investigation techniques.

• Interrogation Techniques: The interaction between officers and suspects highlights the complexities of interrogation, evidence gathering, and the importance of credible testimony.

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Final Thoughts: Unit 99 57-08-23 (01) Shopping Center Burglary offers listeners an authentic glimpse into police operations during the Golden Age of Radio. Through detailed narratives, real audio recordings, and insightful commentary, the episode not only entertains but also educates on the intricacies of law enforcement. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a crime drama aficionado, this episode stands out as a testament to the enduring allure of radio storytelling.

Transcript

[Dispatcher]

KMA 907, Sacramento Police, unit 99, are you in the clear?

[Dan Meredith]

Unit 99 to KMA 907, unit 99. Sergeant Meredith, 909 in service on the air. This is Sergeant Dan Meredith of unit 99 at Headquarters Police Department, City of Sacramento, California. My detail is to ride in unit 99, our tape recording equipped radio car and to respond whenever the dispatcher transmits a signal to one of our other units on duty somewhere in the city at the scene we make the recordings for this program. Now to tell you More about Unit 99, here is our chief, James V. Hicks, Sacramento Police.

[James V. Hicks]

The job of a police officer is your protection. The cases you hear on this radio program are real cases. The police are real, the victims and the criminals are real. We are glad to provide Unit 99 and Sergeant Meredith so that you will hear how the police of a great city work night and day for your protection. Make no mistake about it, there are no actors on these tapes. They are real from beginning to end. Now to unit 99. Sergeant Dan Meredith on duty.

[Dispatcher]

Unit 9, unit 9, 940. Detect the south corner of the Fruit Ridge Shopping Center. In the rear, a possible 460 in progress. Come in with lights out. Unit four, cover in four. Code two, unit five, what is your location?

[Dan Meredith]

Kami, 907 detectives are requesting a unit to approach with lights out.

[Dispatcher]

26834.

[Dan Meredith]

Unit four is responding to the call. Unit nine was also contacted. Let's go out in that area. Unit five, we're at 28th and Broadway. You still want us standing by? Unit five, you go out there too.

[Dispatcher]

Next the rear of the Footley shopping center.

[Dan Meredith]

Stop him. Check. We're just arriving. The officers are all around it. Let's get out. All sides are pretty well covered. Hello, McManus, detectives around back. One of the detectives is on the roof. It's believed to be a burglary in progress here. It's pretty cold. We have a about a 40 mile an hour wind out here. In case you hear that noise, that is the wind blowing against the microphone. We'll stand by until we can get into the inside. Hello, Sign.

[Mac Alexander]

We come cruising down through here and we hear this heavy beating in here. It's like sounds like somebody working on a safe. Now we got the whole place around it trying to get in. Looks like more like the hideaway job.

[Dan Meredith]

You haven't seen any force entry yet, have you? Okay, they're trying to get you that information as to the owner.

[Mac Alexander]

Yeah, we called in for the owner to come out here. And let us in the place.

[Dan Meredith]

We'll stand by.

[Mac Alexander]

Here's where they're beating. It's coming out of there.

[Dan Meredith]

Was it still going on?

[Mac Alexander]

Yeah, you'll be right up in there.

[Dan Meredith]

Let's get over by it there. You mean over by this gate?

[Mac Alexander]

Go upstairs. That sound just like somebody using a sledgehammer. That would sound like somebody would just working on the. The dial of the safe itself. Punching it.

[Dan Meredith]

Punching. What'd you say, Mac? You think they're still in there? Everything's surrounded here. That's the only way we're gonna get in. You're the only one out there, Mac.

[Rogers]

No, there's a uniform officer up here.

[Dan Meredith]

Okay, let's go down the front. Mac Alexander, one of the detectives on the roof, has found the hole which was punched through the roof. He believes that culprits are still on the inside. We have all four sides of the building surrounded. Also, the roof is pretty well covered now. It's quite a large store here. Department store, I believe. There are two detectives and two officers covering the roof. We have about 10 officers on the outside. Ropes.

[Marty]

Yeah.

[Dan Meredith]

Do you know whether or not the owner is on the way? Well, they tried to notify the owner, but apparently they couldn't contact him. So they're going to have to go into the building the same way that the burglars are in there. Where's the block? Up on top. So you can't get in or what?

[Mac Alexander]

No.

[Dan Meredith]

They got the whole attic up there.

[Mac Alexander]

Yeah, you gotta get in some way.

[Dan Meredith]

They came down through the roof? Yeah. You need a rope. You need a rope to get in.

[Mac Alexander]

From the attic down.

[Dan Meredith]

How are they figuring on getting out of there? Probably going out through that shipping door over on the other end there. It's all covered over there? Yeah.

[Marty]

Oh, yeah.

[Dan Meredith]

We have a. Can't seem to contact the owner and we have to get. And we believe. I can see from outside here. The office is on the mezzanine section of the building. No doubt where the safe is. I see a flashlight inside, probably from our bo. I see somebody now coming through the mezzanine there. It looks like an officer. Yes, it is an officer. With the rope that we have, we'll be able to drop down inside. And after getting inside, we'll have the doors open or one of them. Well, we're going to try. I think we can open it from the inside. These have a little difficulty. Too much of a drop. He's still lodged on the edge of that overhang. The officer is still trying to get down. They still haven't to receive the rope from above. I don't think he can make it. That's too much of a drop there. Unless he gets help from someone else in there, he's going to try it. He's lowering himself. If he can get down to that partition there that he can stand on. There's a space of about 10ft or 8 to 10ft. He's hanging now. He's pretty close to the edge of that partition. He's on. He's in. He's in. It's tall Jim. Marty, One of our patrol officers just received his shotgun. He's assisting another officer, his partner, down in. Both of them are inside now. See if we can get their attention. Open this door down here. There's the manager. Yeah, we have two officers in there now. Just got down in. See, they're on the floor now. Is this the. Your office up there in the mezzanine? Yeah. And is your safe back in that house? You want to stand by outside? Okay. Check everything now. We're inside. All right? Yeah, it's open on the other side.

[Marty]

On the south side.

[Dan Meredith]

On the south, you can get in. Those are the officers on the outside talking through the door. Check behind everything. Let's go through here. Okay. Let's go up by the office, huh? I don't know yet whether we're going up now and checking. Oh, they have somebody in the office. Two of them. Yeah, they got them all right. You got. Where were they hiding? Right in that back room. And put the cuffs on these fellas. You got any tools around? They're in the loom there. I didn't take. Now, where are you from? San Bernardino. San Bernardino. What kind of record do you have? None. None? How many times you fall anyway? Huh? How many times you fell? You know what I'm talking about. No, I don't. You ever been to San Quentin, Folsom or anything? Never fell in your life, huh? Huh? Walked and carried you two or two. You got no record?

[Marty]

Nothing.

[Dan Meredith]

What kind of a car did you use tonight? Didn't have any hooked rides. You hooked the ride with all these tools? Let's go in and check the safe. This is the other one. What kind of record do you have?

[Mac Alexander]

Not too good.

[Dan Meredith]

Not too good. Well, what kind of record is that?

[Narrator]

Robbery.

[Dan Meredith]

Robbery and what else? How many times? I fell once. I fell twice. One was juvenile. How old are you now? I'm 23. 23. Got him back in here. All this money here, camper. Did you find this on these fellas? Lopes and I Searched this fellow here and this is what he had in his pockets. Just the two of you fellas.

[Mac Alexander]

Now we got to give us another shake.

[Dan Meredith]

Let's check the safe in here, see what damage they might have done. See here's a crowbar, rope, brace and bit. Small sledgehammer. Looks like they're already going to town. They have everything. Oh, they've got part of the safe which is mounted in a concrete square, half chiseled and broken away. This was probably in no doubt where all the noise came from that was heard outside. Gloves, flashlights, bars. Mac Alexander, you and your partner Zion heard this as you were going by, Was that it?

[Rogers]

Making a routine patrol behind these buildings. We heard this pounding noise, was shut off, the motor stopped, listen, it kept up. So we called for more squad car, more assistance. We had to come in through the same hole they put in the roof, drop down on a rope to get back here to where they were.

[Dan Meredith]

Here we have about a three quarter row, brand new. With it is a knapsack and some clothing, old clothing.

[Rogers]

What they carry their tools in.

[Dan Meredith]

It's a knapsack.

[Rogers]

Old GI bag.

[Marty]

Yeah.

[Rogers]

Here's a drill still in it. That appears to be the drill they used on the roof. Coming through. Here's some more chisels.

[Dan Meredith]

Yeah.

[Rogers]

The wrench.

[Dan Meredith]

Yeah, they. I guess they were figuring on being here for quite some time. Tonight being Saturday, the place would be closed on a Sunday. All day tomorrow too. Yeah. Have you come through this door? Oops. Yes. Where were they hiding or where were they? One of them was standing just right about here, just at the edge of the door. And the other one was behind the door. When I kicked the door, I knocked them both off balance, I guess. Did they threaten you in any manner? No. They came, they put their hands in the air immediately. Good. I knew that this place was surrounded. Apparently they had that impression because of all the voices and so forth. Yeah. Did you find anything else on their person? Just that money and rolled coins that this party here had on his personal wing. Where did you get this money that was found on you? Out of the cash register drawer. And how about these other drawers around here? The cash registers? I see one drawer is in there where you were working. Where'd you get that? The same one. The same one? Yeah. So how long have you been working on this safe? Tonight, 9:00. 9:00. You've been in there for about. About two hours and say two hours and a half. Two hours and 45 minutes, is that right? Have you ever tried a Safe before? No. Why is it that you tried one tonight? Broke. You're broke. Did you plan this with your partner? Did you plan this pretty well in advance with your partner here? No, I just met him.

[Mac Alexander]

I don't know.

[Dan Meredith]

When did you meet him?

[Mac Alexander]

Saturday.

[Dan Meredith]

How long ago?

[Mac Alexander]

I met him on the road coming.

[Dan Meredith]

Up here on the highway. From where? From where? I've been traveling all over. Well, where did you pick him up? Or where did he pick you up? I just met him on the highway, walking along. Walking? Yeah. Where did you get all these tools tonight, huh? I had them for a long time. You had them? Those are brand new, too.

[Mac Alexander]

Six months.

[Dan Meredith]

Those are brand new. They haven't been used. Yes, they have, too. Where'd you get them? I bought them a surplus. Hey, Joe, you want to take this?

[Mac Alexander]

Take him in and camp. Are you going to take him in?

[Dan Meredith]

Right. Okay.

[James V. Hicks]

An efficient police department must have a high degree of mobility. You noted, I am sure, that in this case. Patrol units converged on the scene within a few minutes of the first alarm, and at least 10 officers were in and around the building. Further questioning of the suspects revealed a third participant outside the building in a car. Although he fled when the officers arrived, he was arrested in Fresno. The three admitted this and several other burglaries and were sentenced to the State Penitentiary.

[Dispatcher]

Unit 99.

[Dan Meredith]

99, go ahead.

[Dispatcher]

924, second floor.

[Dan Meredith]

924, second floor.

[Dispatcher]

Okay. 99 came in at a seven.

[Dan Meredith]

I've been expecting that call. We're going to question a burglary suspect. This is the fellow who staggered into the sheriff's office with a bullet in his chest, claiming he was shot in Southside Park. Later, he admitted a friend shot him while they were examining a gun. Now he's implicated in the burglary. Rogers and Mack Alexander are going to see what they can get out of him.

[Rogers]

Dan, you know this man that shot himself or said another fella shot him? We've got some more additional information on this boy and we're going over and talk to him now. You want to come along?

[Dan Meredith]

You and Rogers go in. Fine. Yeah.

[Marty]

Hello there.

[Rogers]

How are you?

[Marty]

Fine. How are you?

[Rogers]

How's that bullet?

[Dan Meredith]

They.

[Rogers]

They ever taken it out yet?

[Marty]

No.

[Dan Meredith]

Is it bothering in you?

[Marty]

No.

[Rogers]

Well, we've got a little information here in which we understand that you're involved in a burglary here in town. At least one that we know of.

[Dan Meredith]

I don't know if you want to.

[Rogers]

Tell us about it.

[Marty]

Nothing about it myself. That's why I have the Cops told me that I was Bob and 1. But I don't know nothing about no Burgary.

[Rogers]

Well, we have your partner in. He admits it and he names you as his accomplice.

[Marty]

Well, I can't help what my partner say. I don't know what he's talking about myself.

[Rogers]

Everything else he has told us has checked out to be the truth.

[Marty]

I wouldn't know why. I wouldn't know why he would have implicated me.

[Rogers]

He's never been mad at you, has he? Or wanted to cause you any trouble?

[Marty]

Them I wouldn't know that.

[Dan Meredith]

Where'd you get those guns? Back there.

[Marty]

As I told. As I told a cop of the day that we posted out, we bought him right there.

[Dan Meredith]

Where'd you buy him?

[Marty]

From a guy. What guy? I know him.

[Dan Meredith]

Whereabouts did you buy him from?

[Marty]

Down on Fourth. Fourth where? Fourth forth between L and capital.

[Dan Meredith]

Was he a white man or a colored man?

[Marty]

He was a colored man by about. About 36, I guess.

[Dan Meredith]

What was his weight?

[Marty]

I guess he weighed about 180, something like that.

[Rogers]

How tall was he?

[Marty]

About your size.

[Dan Meredith]

What was he wearing?

[Marty]

I wouldn't pay no attention to what he's wearing.

[Dan Meredith]

How much did you give him for the guns?

[Marty]

I give him $35 for both. Both?

[Dan Meredith]

Who was with you at the time that you bought them? Me.

[Marty]

And this my partner supposed to be.

[Rogers]

You didn't buy the gun?

[Marty]

I bought him.

[Dan Meredith]

Your partner, he implicates you as the one in on the burglary as well as the guns?

[Marty]

I can't say. Well, I can't. I can't have. What my partner say.

[Dan Meredith]

Why should he get you and finger you on this job? He could have kept his mouth shut too.

[Marty]

I can't.

[Dan Meredith]

What My partner, he was with you at the time of the shooting.

[Marty]

So was lots of more people with me at the time of shooting.

[Dan Meredith]

But what'd you want these guns for in the first place? You're not supposed to possess a gun. Gun.

[Marty]

As like guns.

[Dan Meredith]

How come your partner said that? You say you gave $35 for the guns and your partner says he gave $7 for the gun.

[Marty]

I can't help what my partner say. He was. He wasn't. He was there at the time, but he wasn't in his right mind.

[Dan Meredith]

What do you mean not in his right mind?

[Marty]

Well, we have been drinking a little bit.

[Rogers]

Well, even if you did buy the guns, as you say, that small price that you gave for them, doesn't that indicate to you that they were probably hot stolen guns?

[Marty]

No.

[Rogers]

They in new condition like that.

[Marty]

No, it doesn't.

[Dan Meredith]

Have you been working?

[Marty]

Yes, I work once in a while.

[Dan Meredith]

Where?

[Marty]

I was working down a car lot.

[Dan Meredith]

Car lot? Doing what?

[Marty]

Washing cars.

[Dan Meredith]

What kind of a salary did you get down there?

[Marty]

$. Out.

[Dan Meredith]

And you could afford to go out and buy two guns for $35?

[Marty]

Why not? Money's made to spend, isn't it?

[Dan Meredith]

Why did you buy these guns?

[Marty]

Buy somebody. I wanted to get one of them to.

[Dan Meredith]

Well, how about the other one?

[Marty]

I was gonna keep one of them.

[Dan Meredith]

Why?

[Marty]

I said before, I like guns.

[Dan Meredith]

That's not a very good reason. You know that yourself.

[Marty]

That's the best reason I can think of at the time. People can buy what they like, isn't it?

[Rogers]

Well, it's rather hard for us to believe, you know. You lied to us at first about being shot in the park. Then you change your story to getting shooting yourself. Then you changed again to getting accidentally shot when you were you and your friend were playing with those guns. Now, as I said before, what he has told us about this burglary has checked out. And he names you as his partner. Now, who do you think we we're going to believe?

[Marty]

Believe?

[Dan Meredith]

You don't believe him properly, I think we will.

[Rogers]

We have no alternative.

[Dan Meredith]

What's he charged with now?

[Rogers]

Violation of roll and burglary.

[James V. Hicks]

This man, although he had been implicated in a burglary by his associate, steadfastly denied the crime. He did however, admit possession of a gun which as an ex conviction convict, placed him in violation of the law as well as in violation of his parole. The case is still pending. I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed your ride with unit 99 tonight and that you will join us for another tour of duty. This is unit 99 in Sacramento, California. These on the scene tape recordings were provided by the Sacramento Police Department and were made on duty by Sergeant Danmer Meredith in unit 99. Your host is Chief James V. Hicks of the Sacramento Police Department.

[Narrator]

Be with us when once again you.

[Dan Meredith]

Will hear.

[Dispatcher]

KMA 907, Sacramento Police, unit 99, are you in the clear?

[Dan Meredith]

Unit 99 to KMA 907, unit 99. Sergeant Meredith, 909 in service on the air.

[Narrator]

Unit 99 with Sergeant Dan Meredith in service on the air will be heard again next week at this same time and over this same station. Join us then for another interesting on the spot report of actual happenings as they were tape recorded by members of the Sacramento Police Department. The events described are real. The voices of the people heard are the actual voices of those involved in the police investigation. Police officers, detectives, victims, suspects. These are not actors. These are the actual people involved. Unit 99 is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.