Dragnet: The Big Evans (EP4989)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet: The Big Evans (EP4989)
Host: Adam Graham
Air Date: June 4, 2026

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Overview

In this episode, Adam Graham presents the Dragnet story "The Big Evans," originally aired March 6, 1952. The episode centers on a police investigation into allegations that a young officer, Harry Blanchard, brutally beat a man, George Evans, who claims he was assaulted and had his shoulder dislocated during a narcotics arrest. Joe Friday and Ed Jacobs must uncover the truth behind the accusations—either clearing a fellow officer's name or ensuring justice is done if the claims hold up. The drama delves into the complexities of internal police investigations, the reliability of witnesses from the criminal underworld, and the risks of framing an officer.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

Initial Report and Assignment

• [02:53] The case opens with Joe Friday and Ed Jacobs in the Personnel Division. They are told of Evans' complaint against Officer Blanchard (assault and battery, dislocated shoulder).

  "You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a personnel division. A resident of your city files a report of assault and battery. His shoulder is dislocated. He's been badly beaten. He claims his assailant was a young police officer. Your job? Investigate." — Narrator

Interview with Officer Harry Blanchard

• [03:59–08:17] Friday and Jacobs question Officer Blanchard about the narcotics arrest:
  • Blanchard insists Evans was already injured when he arrived.
  • Evans, the arrestee, has filed a complaint, allegedly supported by two witnesses.
  • Blanchard maintains his innocence:

    "They're trying to cook up a frame. I didn't touch any of them." — Blanchard (06:31)

  • Discussion of department procedure, potential suspension, and the seriousness of the accusations.

Witness Testimonies

Eleanor Rowland (Narcotics User, Witness)

• [09:14–11:13] Interview with Rowland reveals inconsistencies:
  • Claims to have seen Blanchard assault Evans multiple times.
  • Her story is fuzzy, and she admits Evans "straightened it out" for her.

    "Some of the details I didn't remember so well. He straightened it out for me, though. He told me just what happened." — Eleanor Rowland (11:01)

  • Friday and Jacobs suspect her version is heavily influenced by Evans.

Ray Sherman (Narcotics User, "Buster")

• [11:13] Sherman’s story matches Rowland’s in general, but with discrepancies, and he insists he was sober.

Interview with George Evans (Accuser)

• [12:14–15:11] Evans maintains the assault story, describes prior supposed shakedowns by Blanchard, and is evasive about timelines.
  • Friday and Jacobs press inconsistencies in witness stories (location of assault: living room vs. kitchen).
  • Evans becomes defensive, accuses Friday and Jacobs of protecting a fellow cop.
  • Refuses further cooperation when pressed about his medical treatment.

Investigative Breakthroughs

Marie Evans Arconi (Evans’ Ex-Wife)

• [16:05–17:29] Gives background:
  • Describes Evans as a career criminal involved in narcotics and other rackets.
  • Shares contact info for their former family doctor, Dr. Chase.

Dr. Chase (Evans’ Doctor)

• [17:29–19:03] Important medical insight:
  • Treated Evans’ bruises/cuts, which were already addressed before Blanchard's alleged assault.
  • Notes Evans' shoulder was not truly dislocated; Evans can voluntarily make it appear dislocated—his “trick shoulder.”

    “He can make it appear dislocated anytime he wants.” — Dr. Chase (19:06)

Alternate Theory: Gambler Involvement

• [19:33–22:58] Investigation points toward Evans being beaten by gamblers Carl Sweetser and Stanley Parish over a gambling debt.
  • New witness Martin Kimbrough (21:31) claims Sweetser bragged about beating Evans.
  • Gambler Sweetser is confronted and, out of self-interest, cooperates without self-incrimination.
  • Evidence confirms Evans was assaulted at least two hours before Blanchard's arrival and miles away from the boarding house.

Breaking the Frame-Up

• [25:01–27:12] After corroborating stories, Rowland and Sherman confess that Evans offered them $50 each to falsely blame Blanchard for the assault.
  • Statements are taken; Evans is arrested for filing a false report.
  • Evans still tries to maintain his story but is caught by witness statements and medical evidence.

    "You've been checked out all over town, Evans. Your doctor, your ex wife, your gambling friends. We talked to them all." — Joe Friday (26:14)

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Resolution & Sentencing

[27:17]

• George Evans is convicted for filing a false police report: 30 days in jail.
• Ray Sherman (narcotics): 1 year in jail, 3 years probation.
• Eleanor Rowland (addict): 60 days in jail.
• Officer Harry Blanchard is completely exonerated and reinstated with back pay.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On police accountability:

  "We got 4,500 men in the department. We don't claim they're all saints… Once in a while, one of them turns bad and all of us get a black eye." — Ed Jacobs (07:39)

• On witness credibility:

  "Two of those people are known hypes. They'd swear anything for a free cap. You know that. What good is their word?" — Harry Blanchard (06:53)

• On Evans' attempt to frame:

  "He told me just what happened." — Eleanor Rowland, on Evans (11:01)

• Absurd/Comic Interlude:

  Finding a magazine in the doctor’s office:
  "Teddy Roosevelt breaks Ground for Panama Canal." — Narrated (17:55–18:00)
  Commented on humorously by Adam Graham in his wrap-up.

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Adam Graham’s Commentary (Host Wrap-up)

[29:35–36:37]

• Discusses Evans’ motive: self-preservation in criminal circles rather than random malice. Evans tried to protect his reputation among the underworld by shifting the blame to the police.
• Notes the risks in building a false case relying on unreliable, addicted witnesses.
• Observes Dragnet’s subtle, satirical humor—particularly the exaggeratedly old magazine in the doctor’s office.

  "This would be like going into your doctor's office and finding a magazine talking about the start of the Iran hostage crisis…" — Adam Graham

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Important Timestamps

• 03:08 — Summary of assignment and accusation
• 04:03–08:17 — Interview with suspected officer, Blanchard, departmental process
• 09:14–11:13 — Interview with Eleanor Rowland (first witness)
• 12:14–15:11 — Interview with complainant Evans, revealing inconsistencies
• 16:05–17:29 — Ex-wife’s revelations and referral to Dr. Chase
• 18:24–19:03 — Dr. Chase exposes Evans’ "trick shoulder"
• 21:31–22:58 — New witness Kimbrough, leads to real perpetrators
• 25:01–27:12 — Witnesses recant, frame-up exposed, Evans arrested
• 27:17 — Narrator details verdicts and sentences
• 29:35–36:37 — Adam Graham’s thematic and humorous analysis

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Tone & Language

• The drama maintains a procedural, measured, and stoic Dragnet tone, authentic to 1950s radio police dramas.
• Adam Graham’s commentary is warm, analytical, occasionally lightly humorous, and filled with old-time radio nostalgia.

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Conclusion

This Dragnet episode offers a layered mystery in which accusations against a police officer threaten department integrity. The investigation, painstakingly detailed, ultimately clears the young officer while exposing the dangers and motivations behind false accusations from the criminal underworld. Through evocative dialogue and shrewd investigation, Dragnet illustrates both the risks of corruption and the importance of due process—even when the stakes and the stories seem stacked against law enforcement.

For anyone interested in classic police drama or questions of justice, this episode is a prime example of Dragnet's enduring appeal.

Transcript

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[Joe Friday]

Foreign.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you are enjoying this series, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the podcast on a one time basis by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, P.O. box 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715. And you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go to patreon'tgreatdetives.net but now, from March 6, 1952, here is the big Evans.

[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Joe Friday]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a personnel division. A resident of your city files a report of assault and battery. His shoulder is dislocated. He's been badly beaten. He claims his assailant was a young police officer. Your job?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Investigate.

[Narrator]

Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

It was Tuesday, June 11. It was mild in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of BIA. My partner's Ed Jacobs. The boss is Lieutenant Jesse. My name's Friday. It was 10:23am when I got to room 83, the squadroom.

[Ed Jacobs]

Joe. You catch up with the lieutenant?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, in a meeting. Said he'd be out about 11:30. He wants us to handle it for the time being.

[Ed Jacobs]

Oh, Joe, this is Officer Blanchard. This is my partner, Joe Friday.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I'm glad to know you, Friday. I think I've seen you around Central a couple of times.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[George Evans]

How are you?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What's this thing all about? Do you mind telling me?

[Ed Jacobs]

You worked yesterday, didn't you?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, that's right. My regular beat. South Central area.

[Joe Friday]

Anything out of the ordinary happen while you were on duty?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, not much. Made a couple of pinches, that's about all. Pretty quiet otherwise.

[Joe Friday]

Did you make one of Those arrests at 7928 Cortlandt Avenue?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, that's right. Woman, two men, users. All three of them were booked in violation State Narcotics Act.

[Ed Jacobs]

Any of the three familiar to you at all? Blanchard? Mean, had you ever seen them before the time you arrested them?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, none of them. I knew the place though. I've been keeping an eye on it lately. One of those old fashioned homes converted into a rooming house. I've been noticing some of the people going in and out of the place. They didn't look too good to me. That's why I say I've been keeping an eye on the house. What's the story on this anyway? You get a kickback on that arrest I made?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, we'd like to have your version of it first. Blanchard, exactly what happened? How'd you come to make the pinch?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, I was walking my regular beat. I think it was about 3:30 yesterday afternoon. I was going along Cortlandt, the 7900 block. A woman came out of the front door and hailed me. She complained about a 507 party in the house a couple doors down the street.

[Joe Friday]

That was it. Number 7928. The boarding house?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I checked it out. The party was going on up on the third floor. I went up, found the girl and the two men in the room facing on the street. Girl was fixing a pop for herself

[Ed Jacobs]

when I came in.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

2 caps of heroin on the table in front of her.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you do then?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I made a grab for the two caps. One of the guys beat me to it. Got him. Ran to the next room and tried to flush him down the drain. He didn't quite make it, though. I got one of the caps before he could get rid of it.

[Ed Jacobs]

What'd you do then, Blanchard?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, I sat the three of them down, called into the office. I checked the room over while we were waiting. Found two more caps of heroin. Usual equipment to go with it. When the radio car showed up, the three of them were taken downtown a narcotics squad and booked. That's all I can tell you about.

[Joe Friday]

Well, during the time you were waiting there in the room, Blanchard, did you have any trouble with the suspects at all?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, I got a lot of talk from one of the men. Fella by the name of Evans. He's supposed to run the boarding house. Claims he didn't have anything to do with it. He didn't know the girl was a hype. You know, the usual stuff.

[Ed Jacobs]

And that was the extent of it. Just talk?

[Joe Friday]

Sure.

[George Evans]

That's all.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Why?

[Joe Friday]

Well, that's not the story. According to Evans, he had his lawyer bail him out last night. He was in to file charges against you, huh?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Assault and battery. He claims that you worked him over for no reason at all. He says you beat him up and dislocated his shoulder.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, he's crazy. He's lying. I didn't work him over.

[Joe Friday]

Well, he says he's got witnesses to prove it. Blanchard, the two people who were with him, the woman. The other man he says elsewhere. That's what you did.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, but it's not true. They're trying to cook up a frame. I didn't touch any of them.

[Ed Jacobs]

This Evans looks like he's been mussed up. Cuts and bruises all over his face, his shoulders. Fairly recent, too.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, I know that, but I didn't do it. He was in the same shape when I found him up in that room yesterday. Matter of fact, I asked him about it. He wouldn't tell me. It's the truth, Sergeant. So help me, all three of them are lying. I didn't beat him up.

[Joe Friday]

Well, it's your word against theirs, Blanchard. The facts seem to favor Evans.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't get this at all. Two of those people are known hypes. They'd swear anything for a free cap. You know that. What good is their word?

[Ed Jacobs]

Maybe no good at all. It's not up to us to decide. Evans filed a complaint. It's our job to follow through.

[Joe Friday]

Now, you're sure about the shape Evans was in when you found him up in that room yesterday, Blanchard? He was already marked up. Is that right?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I'm sure he was. I told you, I Asked him about? He wouldn't answer me.

[Joe Friday]

But you had no way of proving that you couldn't possibly have been responsible for it.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, it's up to him, isn't it, Evans? If he says I worked him over, let him prove it.

[Ed Jacobs]

I'm afraid he's got the jump there. Two witnesses.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, but they're lying. You must know that they're lying.

[Joe Friday]

Well, now, look, you can see the position it puts us in. If you're innocent, we're gonna do all we can. If you're guilty, we'll see that you get everything that's coming to you.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You know it as well as I do, Sergeant. I had no reason to beat him up. I didn't do it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, it's not up to us, Blanchard. The court will have to.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Doesn't make sense. None of it does.

[Ed Jacobs]

There's no other way to handle it. We got 4,500 men in the department. We don't claim they're all saints.

[Joe Friday]

Once in a while, one of them

[Ed Jacobs]

turns bad and all of us get a black eye. You're in a jam, Blanchard, like anyone else. You'll get a fair trial.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, what happens now? Do I draw suspension?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right. If you're clear to the charges in court, there'll be a hearing before the Board of Rights.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Am I through? Right now we'll have to book you

[Joe Friday]

in at the main jail. Case will be presented to DA's office tomorrow.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Doesn't make sense. I had no reason to beat up Evans. No reason at all.

[Ed Jacobs]

You sure that I am?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean? Of course I'm sure.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, Evans claims you did have a reason. A good one.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What?

[Joe Friday]

Well, he says you handed him a proposition. He wouldn't go for it, so you worked him over.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean? What kind of a proposition?

[Joe Friday]

A bad kind.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Huh?

[Joe Friday]

He says you wanted to pay off. Investigating charges against a police officer involves exactly the same procedure as cases where private citizens are concerned. Prove the suspect innocent or guilty. If Blanchard was innocent, it wasn't going to be an easy job proving it. If he hadn't beat up the complainant, George Evans, and dislocated his shoulder, it seemed the only way out would be to find the man who did. Either that or prove that the two witnesses Evans had come up with were lying. If Blanchard was guilty, if he actually had slugged and beaten Evans, we had to find sufficient evidence. And we had to find a motive. 11:10am Ed and I took Officer Harry Blanchard over to the main jail where he was booked in and lodged in one of the cell blocks. Then we went upstairs to the women's jail, where we interviewed one of the witnesses to the alleged beating, An Eleanor Rowland. She'd had previous arrests for vagrancy, grand theft auto and petty theft, as well as an established reputation as a user of narcotics. She was 23 years old.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah, it was terrible. That cop really roughed him up. Poor old Evans. Cop didn't have to treat him like that.

[Ed Jacobs]

How long have you known George Evans, Ms. Roland? You old friends?

[Eleanor Rowland]

No, I wouldn't say that. I met him a couple weeks ago, and I came down from North San Francisco. Portland. I was visiting up there. I'm a Portland girl originally.

[Joe Friday]

How about this other man you were with at the time, Officer Blanchard picked you up? This Ray Sherman? He an old friend?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Buster? Yeah, I've known him a few years.

[Ed Jacobs]

Do you know Evans very well?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah, I guess you could say that. Ray's had a room at the boarding house a couple of years. I guess he's good friends with Evans. Say, can I ask you something?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yes, ma'.

[Joe Friday]

Am.

[Eleanor Rowland]

You ever worked narcotics up in Portland?

[Ed Jacobs]

No, ma'.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Am.

[Ed Jacobs]

Never have.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Hmm. Face is familiar. Could have sworn I met you in Portland.

[Joe Friday]

Do you want to run over that story again for us, Ms. Rowland? About what happened yesterday?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Not much to say. Just the same as I told you.

[Joe Friday]

You usually stay at Evans rooming house when you're in town, do you?

[Eleanor Rowland]

No, it's only the second time I was there.

[Ed Jacobs]

How about George Evans? Was he there at the time?

[Eleanor Rowland]

No, not first. Me and Buster had a pop, and then we sat around and talked. Evans came in a little later. Three of us talked. Told me and Buster not to bring any more junk in the house. He didn't want to get into trouble. Didn't. Speak of the devil. A cop walked in.

[Joe Friday]

What happened then?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Buster grabbed two caps off the table, tried to get rid of them. He only got rid of one, though. The cop got the other one.

[Joe Friday]

How'd the argument start? You remember that? Between Evans and the officer, I mean.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Well, I was a little high at the time. I don't remember it word for word. Evans said he didn't have anything to do with it, but the cop kept pressing him. He told Evans he'd forget about it if Evans would pay him off. Evans told him no, he wouldn't give him a cent. And then the cops started beating him up.

[Ed Jacobs]

You were in the same room with him all this time?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah. Buster and me, we saw it all. Poor old Evans. He really got worked over. Cop didn't have to treat him like that. Say, are you sure you're not from Portland?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yes, ma', am, I'm sure. Now, about how many times would you say the officer hit Evans?

[Eleanor Rowland]

I couldn't tell you that exactly. Dozens of times, I guess. Kept hitting him with his fist, pushed him all around the room. I was a little high at the time. I don't remember everything exactly. Sure could use a booster about now.

[Joe Friday]

Are you sure about everything you've told us, Ms. Rowland? That's the truth.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah, that's right. Some of the details I didn't remember so well. He straightened it out for me, though. He told me just what happened.

[Joe Friday]

Who's that?

[Eleanor Rowland]

George Evans.

[Joe Friday]

11:50am Ed and I continued questioning Eleanor Rowland. The more we talked to her, the more we were convinced that at the time of the alleged beating, she was under a heavy dose of narcotics and that for the most part, she picked up her version of the story from the alleged victim, George Evans. We went down to the second floor of the main jail to one of the interview rooms where we talked to the second witness, Ray Sherman, alias Tom Raymond, alias Buster Raymond. He also had a long record as a user of narcotics. He gave the same general version of the incident as the Roland girl did. But despite the girl's story, he claimed he was not under the influence of narcotics at the time Officer Blanchard entered the room and made the arrests. Besides that, there were other discrepancies. 1:05pm we had some lunch at the Federal Cafe, and then we drove out to interview the complainant in the case, George Evans. After checking in his rooming house, we finally located him in a neighborhood bowling alley. He was sitting at a bar adjoining the actual playing area, drinking a bottle of beer. Parts of his face and neck were bandaged in. His left shoulder was in a cast. He appeared friendly and cooperative.

[George Evans]

I kept telling the cop I didn't have any money. Told him I wouldn't give him a payoff even if I did.

[Ed Jacobs]

So he started working you over that, right, Evans?

[George Evans]

Yes, that's right. I don't have anything against cops normally. But this guy, that's something else. How do you ever get on the force anyway?

[Joe Friday]

Had you ever had any contact with Officer Blanchard before yesterday, Evans?

[George Evans]

Yes, I did. Twice before. Came to the house, accused me of running a hideout for thieves, junkies. Tried to get me to pay him off then, too. I wouldn't do it.

[Ed Jacobs]

So when was that, Evans?

[George Evans]

About six, eight months ago. Yeah, at least that.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how is it you didn't report Blanchard then?

[George Evans]

Well, that Wouldn't cause any trouble, get mixed up in a law case. I figured I could take care of him myself. But after that going over yesterday, that was enough for me. I don't understand how the guy ever made the force to begin with.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter?

[George Evans]

Shoulder of mine, he really tore it apart.

[Joe Friday]

How'd you spend your time yesterday, Evan? Do you mind telling us?

[George Evans]

No, I don't mind. I slept till about half past 12, 1 o'.

[Ed Jacobs]

Clock.

[George Evans]

Had a little bit of a hangover. Then I got up and made some breakfast and read the paper. That's about size of it.

[Ed Jacobs]

You mean you were in your room all day up to the time you went down the hall to Ray Sherman's room?

[George Evans]

That's right. Ray was there with this girlfriend of his, Eleanor. I didn't know she was a hype. That's the truth, Ray should have known better, having her there. I don't like the kind of stuff going on around my place.

[Joe Friday]

Now, we've checked you through the record bureau, Evans. There's been three or four similar cases at your places the last few years, hasn't there?

[George Evans]

A couple, yeah. It's a real problem. I don't know how you keep them out. Whole neighborhood around here, you know. Pretty hard to stop it, I guess.

[Joe Friday]

We understand you were in the room there while the girl helped herself to a fix. Is that right?

[George Evans]

No, I wasn't in the room when she took the fix. I got there a couple minutes after. I didn't even know what was going on. You can ask Ray Sherman. The girl too. They'll tell you I wasn't there.

[Ed Jacobs]

There's something else we wanted to ask you about. Sherman and the girl don't seem too sure of their stories. Can you straighten us out there?

[George Evans]

How do you mean?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, Sherman tells us one thing, a girl tells us something else. Can't seem to get together.

[George Evans]

Yeah, but I told him.

[Joe Friday]

You told him what, Evan?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, nothing.

[George Evans]

I told him to tell the truth, that's all.

[Joe Friday]

Stupid Ray.

[George Evans]

He doesn't know half the time what he's doing.

[Joe Friday]

Well, that doesn't make him much of a witness then, does it?

[George Evans]

What do you mean? He was there when that cop slugged me, beat me up. He could see that much.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, that's just it. We're not sure he did. Huh? The girl says Blanchard worked you over in the living room there. Sherman says Blanchard took you out in the kitchen and beat you up. Now, which is it?

[George Evans]

I think I'm beginning to get the pitch.

[Joe Friday]

How's that?

[George Evans]

You're out to cover up for that cop, Is that it? Take care of your own.

[Joe Friday]

We're assigned to investigate this thing, Evans, just like any other criminal case. Blanchard's not getting any more of a break than any other suspect would.

[George Evans]

Yeah, sure.

[Ed Jacobs]

You still haven't asked our question. Where did happen? Living room or kitchen?

[George Evans]

The interview's all over, Sergeant. I got the pitch. You can take this back to your office. I'm going to get that cop convicted if it's the last thing I do. You can count on that.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter, Evans? All we did was ask you a simple question.

[George Evans]

Don't try to kid me, Sergeant. I got the angle. You're trying for a cover up. Okay, go ahead and try.

[Joe Friday]

Now look, why don't you snap out of it, mister? Nobody's trying to cover up unless it's you. Sherman and the girl are your witnesses. Some of the points of their stories don't check out. We want to clear them up. Does that sound unreasonable?

[George Evans]

I told you, Sergeant, it's no use. I got your angle.

[Ed Jacobs]

Answer me one more thing, Evans.

[George Evans]

You're on your own. I'm telling you nothing.

[Ed Jacobs]

Who was the doctor that treated you

[George Evans]

after you were beaten up down at Georgia Street? The emergency. You ought to know that.

[Ed Jacobs]

No, I mean for your shoulder. We checked over your car down at Georgia Street. No mention there of a dislocated shoulder.

[George Evans]

No, of course not. I didn't even know I had one till I was bailed out. I had my own doctor fix it.

[Joe Friday]

You mind giving us his name?

[George Evans]

Why should I? I was willing to go along, cooperate. Then you started playing at Cage. You're trying to cover up for that cop. Now you work it out on your own.

[Joe Friday]

All right, mister. Any way you want it.

[George Evans]

You bet that's the way I want it. You had this whole thing framed from the beginning.

[Joe Friday]

Now you're off the track, Evans.

[George Evans]

You're not kidding me. You're trying to prove that cop's innocent. Trying to make me out a liar. What am I supposed to do? Help you prove I'm a liar?

[Joe Friday]

No, you've helped enough already. Ed and I double checked through Officer Blanchard's departmental record. It showed that Blanchard had been working his present beat for a little more than four months. Evans had told us that Blanchard allegedly had solicited payoffs from him at least six to eight months before. The following day, Ed and I made further inquiries in the neighborhood of Evans Rooming House and also among his friends and associates. For one thing, we found out that Evans had not spent the entire morning and early afternoon in the house. He'd been seen leaving his place by several neighbors at about 10am through one of his contacts, we got the address of an ex wife since remarried, a Marie Evans Arconi. We located her in a small apartment in the East Wilshire district. A small Brunette woman, about 35.

[Ed Jacobs]

Now you tell us you used to be married to Evan?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Yeah, that's right.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, what kind of business was Evans in when you were married to him, ma'?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Am?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Well, he had that rooming house over on Courtland.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, we know about that. Was there anything else?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Well, I don't know what matter anyway.

[Joe Friday]

Just a routine investigation. We like to have as much background on him as you can remember. Are you on fairly good terms with Evans now?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

No, I haven't seen him since we split up. About a year and a half ago, I think.

[Eleanor Rowland]

God.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

So I couldn't stand him.

[Ed Jacobs]

What was the trouble, ma'? Am, you mind telling us?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Just isn't much good, that's all. Find a lot of names to fit him. He was in everything.

[Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

That's why I got away from him. Every cheap, lousy racket you can think of, he was in it. Peddling dope, blackmail, making book. Some of the two bit rackets. He's been in all of them? One after the other. I had to get away.

[Ed Jacobs]

Rooming house on Cortland Avenue. That's where he's been operating all this time.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Long as I've known him? Yeah, about three years, I'd say.

[Joe Friday]

Is narcotics just a sideline with him or does he go in for it pretty heavy?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

He was in it pretty heavy when I left him. I don't know what he's been doing since. I don't care. Soon forget all about it.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am. I can understand.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

What's the matter now anyway? Got a case against him?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, not exactly. Evans is filed against a police officer. Assaulting battery, soliciting a bribe or investigating the charges.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Sounds like him. Some cop. Really wrap him up?

[Joe Friday]

Well, we don't know, ma'. Am. That's what we're trying to find out.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Oh. Well, I'd like to help you out. Don't think I can, though.

[Joe Friday]

Well, just one more question, ma'.

[George Evans]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

While you were married to Evans, did you have a family doctor? I mean, one that you called regularly when you were sick?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Yeah, we did. Why?

[Joe Friday]

What was his name? Can you remember?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Yeah. Dr. Chase. Would you like his address?

[Joe Friday]

2:47pm we got to Dr. Chase's office and luckily we found him in Take

[Ed Jacobs]

a look at this magazine, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

What?

[Ed Jacobs]

National Geographic. Looks like a real old one, wouldn't you say?

[Joe Friday]

It sure does. Cover's torn off there.

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah, what do you know about that? It's older than I thought. Look at this here.

[Joe Friday]

What do you got?

[Ed Jacobs]

These pictures. There, look. Four pages of them. Pretty grand affair, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ed Jacobs]

Teddy Roosevelt breaks Ground for Panama Canal.

[George Evans]

How about that?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[George Evans]

Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen.

[Joe Friday]

That's perfectly all right, Doctor.

[George Evans]

Let's see now.

[Ed Jacobs]

You want to know about Mr. Evans. Dr. George Evans.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, yes, Evans.

[George Evans]

What was it exactly, Sergeant? What'd you have in mind?

[Joe Friday]

Well, the first thing we'd like to know is if you've treated Evans recently. The last week or so.

[George Evans]

Yes, as a matter of fact, I have.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

He was in here?

[George Evans]

Well, have I seen a.

[Joe Friday]

Let's see.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yes, I thought so.

[George Evans]

He was in here three days ago.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I had some bad cuts and bruises.

[Ed Jacobs]

Mm.

[George Evans]

They'd already been treated, though. There wasn't much I could do.

[Ed Jacobs]

Was there anything else wrong with him, Doctor?

[George Evans]

No, not actually. I examined his shoulder.

[Joe Friday]

He insisted it hurt him.

[George Evans]

He wanted me to put it in a cast.

[Joe Friday]

You put the cast on, did you?

[George Evans]

Well, there really wasn't any need for it, but I put it on anyway.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

A little bit of psychiatry. Thought it'd make him feel better.

[Ed Jacobs]

How do you mean, Doctor? Wasn't there any need for it?

[George Evans]

Just one of those peculiar things.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I've been treating Evans for some time, you know.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. That's what we understand.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

It's fairly unusual.

[George Evans]

Hardly a rare case, though.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Suppose you might call it a trick shoulder. Looks as though it might be dislocated, but it actually isn't.

[George Evans]

I think it's voluntary.

[Joe Friday]

You mean he could do this thing himself?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, yes.

[George Evans]

He can make it appear dislocated anytime he wants.

[Narrator]

You are listening to Dragnet authentic stories of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

Saturday, June 15, 10am the investigation continued. Meantime, the newspapers were still making front page material out of the story. One of the morning banner lines read, cop Slugs Cripples Citizen to Get Payoff. And another one, police Brutality Rouses Entire City. Our investigation went on Early Saturday afternoon. Ed and I succeeded in locating a former friend of Evans who told us that he'd seen him downtown the morning of the day on which the alleged beating had taken place. The same time Evans had told us he was in bed, nursing a hangover. The former friend, Fred Werner, said Evans was in the company of two known gamblers, Carl Sweetser and Stanley Parish. He told us that he'd spotted the three of them together at about 11:45am we questioned Sweetser and Parish, but they refused to tell us anything. They admitted that they were acquainted with Evans, but they knew nothing about the beating he'd received. We continued making the rounds. 5:30pm we dropped to the main jail and questioned Evans. Two witnesses again, Ray Sherman and Eleanor Rowland. We got the same stories as before. 6:18pm we got back to the City Hall.

[Ed Jacobs]

Long stretch, huh? Sure be glad to get home.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Not a bad day, though. We had fair luck tonight.

[Ed Jacobs]

I suppose so. It could always be better. Sure like to get the straight story one way or the other.

[Joe Friday]

You want to check the book, Ed, see if we got anything?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah, okay. No, not much. Joe. Call from a Tom Donnelly. You know him?

[Joe Friday]

Donnelly? No, that doesn't sound too familiar to me.

[Ed Jacobs]

I got it. Person Al Jacobs. How's that? I'm afraid he's gone for the night. Uh huh. No, I'm sorry, I wouldn't know. All right, thank you. Another message here for us, Joe, in the book. Yeah, From Blanchard's wife again. I'm getting to feel pretty silly about her telling her the same thing. Not after night. Why don't you call her tonight?

[Joe Friday]

You've been doing all right. Why give up now? Personnel Friday yeah. What was that? Mm? Your name? Yeah.

[George Evans]

Okay.

[Joe Friday]

Huh. Ten o' clock tonight. All right, that's fine. That's all.

[George Evans]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, we'll meet you. Okay. 10 o'? Clock? Yeah, fine. Bye. Sounds pretty good.

[Ed Jacobs]

What was it?

[Joe Friday]

Guy by the name of Martin Kimbrough. Says he knows George Evans. He wants to talk to us tonight.

[Ed Jacobs]

What's the pitch?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. Might be straight, might not. What'd he say about Evans being worked over? He claims he knows all about it. Yeah, he says Blanchard couldn't possibly have done it. 7:05pm we went over to Frank Tang's place, had some dinner and then we drove out to interview the man who'd identified himself on the phone as Martin Kimbrough. We located him at the designated meeting place, a small bar just off Beverly Boulevard and Normandy Avenue. Kimbrough was a small man, slight build, middle aged. He seemed less sure of himself than he did on the phone. He said that he knew George Evans fairly well and that up until six months before he'd been on good terms with him. He didn't go into details, but he gave us the general idea that Evans had cheated him on some business deal the two of them had been engaged in. We asked Kimbrough about the beating Evans had taken he said it was common knowledge among the people he traveled with that gamblers Carl Sweetser and Stanley Parrish were responsible for beating up Evans. He'd welched on a gambling debt and the two of them had been after him for months to pay off. He also said he knew a close friend of the two gamblers who told him that in private, Carl Sweetser openly boasted of beating up Evans. According to Kimbrough, the beating had taken place about 1pm The Monday before, the same day Officer Blanchard allegedly had given him the beating. We located Sweetser in the coffee shop of a small hotel on South Rampart Street.

[George Evans]

I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, sergeant. I don't know any George Evans. I've never heard of him.

[Ed Jacobs]

We understand you do. Sweetzer. Heard you used to play cards with him. Got it from a couple of people, that's all.

[George Evans]

I guess they made a mistake. I don't remember the name at all. Maybe he's going under a different one, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Well, how about his description? You ought to remember that.

[Narrator]

Maybe.

[George Evans]

I meet quite a few people. It's kind of hard to place all of them. You know, kind of look like.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, he's tall, dark complexion, dark hair, scar under his chin. He dresses pretty well. Usually wears a suit.

[George Evans]

No, it doesn't mean a thing to me.

[Ed Jacobs]

Runs a rooming house over on Cortland Avenue. It's been in quite a few rackets, on and off.

[George Evans]

Shy. Afraid I wouldn't know him.

[Joe Friday]

Now, look, we haven't got any beef with you, Sweetser. That's not the point. Evans is trying to get away with the fast one. We're out to stop him. We could use your help. How about it?

[George Evans]

I don't see how I can help you. What's the beef, anyway?

[Joe Friday]

We think you know. It's been all over the newspapers the last couple of days.

[George Evans]

Oh, yeah, A young cop. What's Evans got against him, anyway?

[Ed Jacobs]

He's trying to save a face, we figure. That's what we hear, anyway. Well, what do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I think you know how Evans likes to play the big shot. It wouldn't do his stock much good around town if the real story got out.

[George Evans]

I don't follow. What story are you talking about?

[Joe Friday]

About his welching on a gambling tab, getting roughed up. If he says a cop did, it, makes him look a lot better than it. He comes out of it pretty clean that way, doesn't he?

[George Evans]

Pass us all, huh?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah, sure.

[George Evans]

Why don't you guys have some coffee? I Hate to eat alone.

[Ed Jacobs]

Okay, as soon as the waitress comes around.

[George Evans]

Oh, what else you hear about this Evans? Pretty bad boy, that right?

[Joe Friday]

Bad enough. He's got a fast mouth. Telling quite a few stories around the neighborhood.

[George Evans]

That's all I might remember. A tall, dark guy, runs a room house.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right. You should remember him. He's mentioned you in a couple of the stories he's passing around.

[George Evans]

Where'd you get that?

[Joe Friday]

Talking to a fellow last night. He says Evans claims that that card game he was in with you was rigged. That's why he didn't pay you off. He claims you and Stan Parish framed the whole thing.

[George Evans]

Uh huh. So laugh. Phony bums are all alike. Lose a couple of dollars and squeal like a pig. What's this Evans doing now?

[Ed Jacobs]

He's up for a narcotics rap. He's out on bail. You punk.

[George Evans]

What's your stake in this thing?

[Joe Friday]

We're trying to clear the thing up. Apparently Evans figures he's gonna frame the young cop, save face, talk himself out of a bad situation.

[George Evans]

What do you want from me?

[Joe Friday]

The truth.

[George Evans]

I'm not gonna talk myself into jail. Young cop or not.

[Joe Friday]

We're not asking you to.

[George Evans]

You want to clear the case, huh? All you need is proof the cop didn't give Evans a working over.

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Okay, you got a deal.

[Joe Friday]

Without actually incriminating himself in any way, Carl Sweetser gave us information and leads which after they were checked out showed definitely that George Evans was slugged and beaten in a neighborhood at least a mile from his rooming house. We talked to half a dozen people who saw Evans in that neighborhood shortly after 1pm the day of the incident. We talked to the clerk at the drugstore where Evans went to buy iodine and bandages. They all told us that he bore the markings of a severe beating. As early as one o' clock that afternoon, Evans had told us repeatedly that he'd received the beating at the hands of Officer Blanchard no earlier than 3 or 3:15 that afternoon, Ed and I drove over to the main jail where we interviewed Evans. Two witnesses again. The girl, Eleanor Rowland, was the first to break. She admitted that Evans had promised both her and her friend Ray Sherman $50 a piece if they would go along with him in his plan to frame Officer Blanchard for assault and battery and soliciting a bribe. After an hour of questioning, Sherman admitted the same thing. We had a stenographer take their statements. 4:50pm Ed and I got in the car and drove out to the rooming house on Cortland Avenue.

[George Evans]

Yeah. Oh, how are you, sir?

[Joe Friday]

You want to get your coat? Evans, like to see you downtown.

[Ed Jacobs]

What for?

[George Evans]

What's it about?

[Ed Jacobs]

Filing a false report. You know the story.

[George Evans]

What are you talking about? What do you mean, a false report?

[Joe Friday]

You've been checked out all over town, Evans. Your doctor, your ex wife, your gambling friends. We talked to them all.

[George Evans]

So what? What's that prove anyway?

[Ed Jacobs]

Proves you were lying, mister. That young officer, Blanchard, he didn't beat you up. There's nothing wrong with your shoulder either. Dr. Chase will vouch for that.

[George Evans]

Look, I don't care what he says. I don't care what any of them say. I got my case against that cop. I'm sticking with it. You're not going to talk me out.

[Joe Friday]

Why don't you give it up, Evans? We had a talk with Carl Sweetser.

[George Evans]

What'd he tell you?

[Joe Friday]

Enough to convince us you're trying to frame Blanchard. We've got statements from people who saw you before you got back home Monday afternoon. They say you were messed up then. That was at one o' clock in the afternoon. You've been telling us Blanchard wasn't at your place till 3 o'. Clock. Now, how do you explain that?

[George Evans]

Well, I don't know. Maybe I didn't have the time right. My watch could have been off. Doesn't make any difference anyway.

[Ed Jacobs]

It's gonna make a lot of difference. How about getting your coat?

[George Evans]

I'm gonna call my lawyer first.

[Joe Friday]

That isn't gonna do much good. We've got statements from your two witnesses, Ray Sherman and the girl. They've admitted the whole thing. Now you haven't got much of a case left.

[George Evans]

I don't care what they say. They're lying. Both of them. They're lying.

[Joe Friday]

You ought to know, mister, what you taught them. How.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true.

[Joe Friday]

The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator]

On September 2, trial was held in Superior Court Department 89, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. A complaint was received on George Evans from the City Attorney's office for violation of Section 5243, Municipal Code, filing a false report to the police department, a misdemeanor. He received a sentence of 30 days in the county jail. Ray Sherman was tried and found guilty of section 11,500, health and safety Code, possession of narcotics. He was sentenced to one year in the county jail and three years probation. Eleanor Rowland was filed on as a bag addict. Section11721 Health and Safety Code. She was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail. Officer Harry Blanchard was cleared of the charges pending against him and was reinstated with back pay. You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department, Department Technical Advisors Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn and Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Barney Phillips and Whit Connor. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Joe Friday]

Now it's counter spy on NBC.

[Grainger Announcer]

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. As the case unfolds, it becomes painfully apparent what a big risk that Evans was taking. The two witnesses he relied upon were junkies, so it's such a big risk to bet on them being consistent and sticking to a story and then throwing in his trick shoulder as part of the alleged injury. Clearly, he hadn't considered the degree to which this was going to be investigated. But he's not some random idiot doing something for no reason. To him, it was a way to preserve his criminal reputation as the gamblers were making an example of him. And when word got around, it would mark him as a welcher and it would be just generally bad for his ability to function in the world of vice he operated in. And truth be told, even if they had found his evidence wanting and not enough to prefer charges against the officer, they would not have probably been able to bring a charge against him because they still had the injuries and the witnesses. So it would have ended up a situation where there was not enough evidence to charge the officer and he might receive some lesser consequence because of Evans deceiving them about the trick shoulder. That cast doubt on the entire allegation. But to actually turn it around and charge him, they needed the cooperation of the guy who beat Evans up. And I think Evans probably would have expected that'd be very hard to get. He would. It'd just be a case where he accused the officer, nobody got charged, and he just goes around and saying, yeah, the Cops, they just defended their own and let the guy get off. But yeah, cop beat me up. Can you believe it? And it's very hard for the gamblers particularly to officially tell their story because they committed a crime. But then Friday gives them some incentive because not only did Evans welch on bet, which the gamblers are not in the beating people up business, they are in the taking money from people business. And if you ignore all their attempts to collect and they have to physically injure you, that is an effort to preserve their reputation. That is not what they're in business for. So the idea that this guy welched and didn't pay off on his bet would have them angry. But then they he learns not only that, but he's been going around town saying the game he lost the money in was crooked. Well, that's reputational harm to the gamblers. And so he finds a way to cooperate without incriminating himself. Because at this point, the police aren't concerned about vice in particular or some beating that there's no witness to other than the participants and who Evans wouldn't testify against anyway. They're concerned about clearing up the involvement of the officer. Now, one thing I should note is that we don't actually positively learn from the narration that from Friday got that information that Evans was going around spreading that rumor. The information he summarizes is very generic. Now, he could have gotten that information, but technically it's also possible that he came up with that as a way to get the cooperation of the man he needed. Understanding that particular psychology. I also have to note a little bit of absurdity in dragnet or absurdism, I guess, in humor that's also a bit subtle even while being absurd. And that was in the doctor's office where Jacobs found the old magazine. And of course, if you've been in a doctor's office and this may change as magazines become less popular, but you'll often find, yep, a few years old magazines. And so they exaggerated this to the max with the Teddy Roosevelt breaks ground on the Panama Canal. Now, technically, Teddy Roosevelt did not break ground on the Panama Canal. He visited the construction site. But the groundbreaking actually occurred in 1904, but he visited it in 1906. So this takes the idea of old magazines in the doctor's office to the extreme, as apparently there's a 46 year old magazine in this office. This would be like going into your doctor's office and find today in 2026 and finding a magazine talking about the start of the Iran hostage crisis and how President Carter is going to handle that. It's a subtle, absurd thing that you don't expect to find in Dragnet, but there it is. Listener comments and feedback now. And we go to YouTube where cuthbert2546 comments on the Big Honeymoon. Dragnet never gets old. Indeed, even though magazines and doctor's office do. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Judith. Patreon supporter since March of 2016, currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Judith. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow. For yours truly, Johnny dollar Ware.

[Joe Friday]

It's just that I don't like being threatened, Johnny.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Threaten?

[Joe Friday]

Heaven knows I have enough trouble keeping

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

this ulcer under control with just the

[Joe Friday]

daily run of problems I have to face at the office.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean by.

[Joe Friday]

You know. You know, people demanding more from their

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

insurance than they deserve, people filing claims

[Joe Friday]

when they aren't entitled to any insurance at all, and then trying to.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh.

[George Evans]

What?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Nothing, Nothing, Johnny. I just. I'll be all right. You forget to take one of your pills, right? No, but maybe I better take another. Yes, mate, you're taking too many of them. But what was this talk about being threatened? Well, Johnny, this fella by the name of.

[Joe Friday]

Oh.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, no. Ray.

[George Evans]

Johnny.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Ray. What's the matter? This paint in my stomach, it's killing me.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.