Dragnet: The Big Hands (EP4914)

Summary

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Podcast Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio | Dragnet: The Big Hands (EP4914)

Airdate: February 19, 2026
Host: Adam Graham

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Episode Overview

This episode features a classic “Dragnet” audio drama originally broadcast on November 22, 1951. The story—titled "The Big Hands"—follows Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero as they painstakingly work to solve the murder of an unidentified woman, found strangled in a Los Angeles hotel room. The episode showcases the methodical, step-by-step investigative process synonymous with Dragnet, from the initial discovery through to the killer’s apprehension.
Host Adam Graham offers his commentary post-episode, highlighting the realism and structure of this particular story.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Introduction and Initial Evidence

[02:25–06:56]

• The victim: A well-dressed, unidentified woman found strangled in a hotel. Her identity and killer are unknown.
• Evidence from the crime scene yields minimal leads:
  • Detective Ben Romero: "No fine prints, no dead end there… all we got is a cheap ring." [04:02]
  • The woman checked in as “John Ross and wife,” but alone. Her wallet is missing.
• Physical description: "She was a small woman… five foot one, 99 and a quarter pounds… brown hair, blue eyes, about 31, 32 years old," - Detective Joe Friday [05:41]

2. Investigative Dead Ends and Identifying the Victim

[06:56–10:08]

• Investigations at local businesses and the hotel yield no ID.
• An eccentric visitor, Al P. Morgan, claims to recognize the woman as “Maude MacLeod,” a former circus performer, but is mistaken.
  • Morgan: “Sure I'm sure. Maude MacLeod. Used to work together in the circus…” [08:29]
• A breakthrough: Fingerprints from Washington identify her as Doris Eileen Frazier, a wartime aircraft plant employee.

3. Mapping the Victim’s Personal History

[10:08–14:47]

• Investigation traces Doris’s previous residences and jobs:
  • Her marriage to Stephen Arnold, a “tall, dark-haired man.” The marriage was troubled, with mention of frequent arguments and threats of divorce.
  • Landlady Mrs. Watson: “Trouble with her husband. Terrible thing… I believe she was actually afraid of him. She told me he was very jealous. He drank, ran around...” [14:29]
  • Despite past conflict, Doris told her landlady she was moving back with her husband.

4. Focusing on Stephen Arnold

[14:53–19:29]

• Arnold is located at his beachside hamburger stand.
• Arnold admits to marital strife and ongoing divorce but claims he hasn’t seen Doris for months and provides an alibi for the murder night, corroborated by neighboring business owners.
• Detectives eliminate him as a suspect.

5. Following New Leads—'George' Emerges

[19:57–22:59]

• Detectives trace Doris’s habits at local coffee shops. A waitress recalls Doris frequently visiting with a "tall, blonde, well-dressed" man named George.
• Recent correspondence found in Doris’s apartment: a letter addressed “Dear George.”
• Registration records and a car lead the detectives to George Crane, an oil field worker.

6. Confrontation and Confession

[23:00–27:54]

• Initial interview with Crane: He dodges questions, denies knowing Doris but ultimately recalls details under pressure.
• Evidence mounts: witnesses, letters, coffee shop staff, and car records connect him to Doris.
• Crane confesses after persistent questioning:
  • George Crane: "I don't know why I did it. What am I gonna give for a reason? I don't know why I killed her." [27:36]
  • Friday and Romero remain matter-of-fact:
    • Friday: “We think you killed her.”
    • Crane: “That the way it looks to you?”
• Crane is charged with murder.

7. Epilogue/Aftermath

[28:03–28:35]

• A brief summary of the trial outcome:
  • Narrator: “George Martin Crane was tried and convicted in superior court of murder in the first degree. He is now serving a life term in the state penitentiary.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On procedure:
  • Host Adam Graham: “Dragnet often bills itself as taking you step by step with the police on an actual case, from crime to punishment…Here, it is just step by step. Okay, this didn’t work. Well, we learned this and now we do this. It’s just a fascinating thing.” [29:46]
• On the storytelling style:
  • Adam Graham: "It should not work as well as it does, but again, it's just Webb’s ability to make these details and each element realistic and interesting..." [29:46]
• Comic relief:
  • The inclusion of Al P. Morgan (“the old circus friend") as a brief tangent, which Graham notes adds levity to the pacing.
    • Adam Graham: “I did like the little bit of comedy relief they worked in with Mr. Morgan, which I think just does help the pacing so well.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:28–06:56]: Crime scene, evidence, and first leads
• [07:27–09:58]: Al P. Morgan’s comic misidentification
• [09:43–10:08]: Official ID of the victim as Doris Eileen Frazier
• [11:19–14:47]: Interviews with landlord and background into Doris’s tumultuous marriage
• [15:49–19:29]: Arnold’s alibi, questioning and elimination as a suspect
• [20:43–21:51]: Coffee shop waitress introduces 'George' as frequent companion
• [22:59–23:11]: George Crane traced via DMV records
• [24:18–27:54]: Confrontation with Crane, mounting evidence, confession
• [28:03]: Case resolution and sentence
• [29:46–32:00+]: Host Adam Graham’s analysis and listener feedback (skip as per instructions for episode core)

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Host Commentary

Adam Graham reflects on the episode’s strong adherence to Dragnet’s mantra of stark realism, appreciating both the detail and the understated dramatic structure. He notes that the episode effectively showcases both the frustration and eventual payoff that comes from police persistence. Graham also points out the clever blend of methodical police work and occasional humor (via Mr. Morgan), which enhances the narrative flow.

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Conclusion

"The Big Hands" exemplifies Dragnet's signature style: relentless, procedural detective work, punctuated by authentic human moments and grounded storytelling. The investigation is depicted as complex and laborious, with detectives methodically eliminating suspects and following every thread—until the case comes together, not in a Eureka moment, but through cumulative logic and persistence.

The host’s commentary underscores the enduring appeal of the series and its foundational influence on modern crime drama, as well as the understated, realistic performances that give Dragnet its unique gravitas.

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Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

You know what they say.

[Detective Ben Romero]

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[Detective Joe Friday]

Support is always available because a great.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Trip starts with peace of.

[Host 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're enjoying the podcast, 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 show 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. You can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from November 22, 1951, here is today's episode, the Big Hands.

[Detective Ben Romero]

The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. An unidentified woman is found murdered in a hotel room. Cause of death, strangulation. There's no lead to the identity of the killer. Your job, find him. 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.

[Detective Joe Friday]

It was Tuesday, October 27th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out, a homicide. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. It was 1:35pm when we got to the old Central Jail building. Third floor, the crime label.

[Detective Ben Romero]

How you doing, Lee? Hi, Ben. Joe.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How's it going? Did you check the stuff yet?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah, most of it. Come on back here. Okay. Well, this is all of it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you find anything we can get a lead out of?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Nothing too good. No, I don't think you could identify it from what we've got here. The morgue post about it yet?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, just this morning. How about fingerprints, Lee? They find any in that hotel?

[Detective Ben Romero]

No fine prints, no dead end there. What about the woman's purse? Did it show anything? No chance you can see the fabric here. Won't take a print. Contents of the purse here. Usual stuff. Comb, lipstick, keychain, one key on it. Half pack of chewing gum, coin purse, a dime, two nickels in it. That's all of it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

According to the room clerk at the hotel. She had a wallet with her when she checked in. There was no sign of that, was there?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Nope. No sign of it in the hotel room either. Checked everything. Is that the only piece of jewelry found on the body? That wedding ring there? Yeah, it's a cheap ring. No markings on it, no way of tracing it. About the only thing I can tell you, she was pretty well dressed. That's an expensive bag there. Yeah, sure. Not a cheap dress either. Same for a coat and shoes. They cost some money, too.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How about labels on any of that stuff?

[Detective Ben Romero]

One on the coat? Yeah, you can see right here. Benworth Department Store, Los Angeles. Coat's fairly new. They might be able to give you something on it. Maybe the people at the hotel got anything there?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, it could have been better, Lee. The woman checked in last night around 8 o'.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Clock.

[Detective Joe Friday]

She registered as John Ross and wife.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Anyone see the man with it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, nobody. Room clerk says the woman came in alone. She said her husband was out parking the car. So she registered for both of them. Clerk said he left the desk a few minutes after that. Figures. The man must have come in sometime while he was gone. Nobody on duty at the desk after midnight. He could have left the hotel anytime after that without being seen.

[Detective Ben Romero]

She registered at 8pm the coroner says she died about 10:30. You're not even sure there was a man with arm? Yeah. The woman who was registered next door to the murder room, she told us she heard a man and a woman arguing. It was about 10 o'. Clock. Should have got pretty loud. No idea who the woman really was, huh? I suppose that John Ross and wife business doesn't mean anything.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's pretty doubtful. But all we got to go on is the physical description from the coroner. She was a small woman, five foot one, 99 and a quarter pounds. Wasn't that it, Ben?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Brown hair, blue eyes, about 31, 32 years old. We got her prints off to Washington.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Got any ideas?

[Detective Joe Friday]

We figured maybe it could be a psycho killer.

[Detective Ben Romero]

How do you figure?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Coroner's report listed strangulation as a cause of death. Yeah, whoever did it made sure her neck was broken. At approximately six o' clock that morning, in a second floor room of a downtown hotel, the body of an unidentified woman was found. Murdered. Preliminary investigation failed to reveal the true identity of the victim or the killer. As far as physical evidence was concerned, there wasn't much to go on. The deep bruises on her neck and throat along with the crushed vertebrae at the base of her skull indicated a savage attack. 1:55pm through the label on the dead woman's coat, we traced the garment to a department store where it had been purchased, but they had no record on it. It was a cash purchase and the salesgirl couldn't remember the customer. Investigation during the next two days failed to turn up any leads. We showed a morgue picture of the victim to bartenders, waitresses, parking lot attendants in the vicinity of the hotel. They couldn't identify her. We rechecked tenants and employees at the hotel. That got us nothing.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Thursday, 5:48pm 1 answer I'd sure like to find. Yeah, Victim was a nice looking woman, well dressed, nice clothes. How come she'd stay in a cheap hotel down the neighborhood like that? It doesn't jibe for my money. Well, it's hard to say. Sure got me stopped. 2 days leg work and we're no play.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We might be in better shape when we get that kick back from Washington.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I sure hope so.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Hey, excuse me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Can we help you?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Well, no, I don't know. I guess that all depends. I'm waiting for a couple of detectives here. Well, who is it you wanted to see? A couple of detectives. Who are they? That's pretty confidential, you know. I have to talk to them. They told me to see Friday and Romero. Ben Friday and Joe Romero. Detectives Handling the case?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. I'm Joe Friday. This is my partner, Ben Romero. We're handling the case. What'd you want to see us about?

[Detective Ben Romero]

You said you were working on that murder case. That woman they found in the hotel.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, that's right.

[Detective Ben Romero]

That so? I see your badges. Yes, sir.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Here's our identification.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Mm. Read about that murder in the paper. You know, you better come over here. Yeah, you're gonna thank me for this. I got all you want to know about that murder. You mind telling us your name, sir? I don't mind. Al P. Morgan. Was A good friend of hers, you know, used to work with her.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You mean the dead woman?

[Detective Ben Romero]

It's the same one. I never forget a face. Maude McLeod. Saw that picture in the paper and I said to myself, there's old Maude.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You're pretty sure of that, are you, Mr. Morgan?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Sure I'm sure. A Maud MacLeod. Used to work together in the circus. Maude was a bareback girl, you know, Best in the country. Real trooper. What makes you so sure it's the same woman? Mr. Morgan, when was the last time you saw this friend of yours, this Maud McLeod? Well, I used to see her all the time. Work the old sells Florida together. Got a photo of her?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Do you mind if we take a look at it, too?

[Detective Ben Romero]

That's why I came down here. I want to help out. She's got to be identified. Let's see. Got here somewhere. It's old Maud in a circus costume. Yeah, here it is. Take a look at that. It's Maude, ain't it? Well, I don't know, sir. Doesn't seem to be too much resemblance here. Is that right? Afraid you've made a mistake, Mr. Morgan. Thanks for your cooperation anyhow. Appreciate you coming in. Sure it was Maud.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I get it. Homicide, Friday. Oh, yeah, Frank, huh? Is that right? What'd it say?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. Okay, fine. No, we'll pick it up. Yeah, thanks. Anything? Communications. They got the kickback from Washington on the dead woman's fingerprints.

[Detective Ben Romero]

And you left.

[Detective Joe Friday]

They got her identified. She worked at an aircraft plant during the war. Name's Doris Fraser.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I can't help but think you fellas are missing a bit. I knew that dead woman well.

[Detective Joe Friday]

She's already been identified, Mr. Morgan. We know who she is. Her name's Doris Frazier.

[Detective Ben Romero]

That so?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, that's right.

[Detective Ben Romero]

What do you think of that? Old Maude. She went and changed her name.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thursday, 6:35pm Ben and I went down the hall to Communications and got a copy of the kickback from Washington. The murder victim was identified as Doris Eileen Frazier. She applied for a position as a typist at the Eagle Aircraft plant in Burbank in 1942. Next morning, we checked the personnel office at the plant. And we found that Doris Fraser had been employed as a typist from 1942 to 1944. In going over her application, we found her last known address listed as 7346 Oakdale Avenue. Her application stated she was single with no previous employment, with no known relatives. We could uncover no further information on the girl. We drove across Town to the Oakdale Avenue address. A large apartment building in a better than average neighborhood. The manager told us that Doris Fraser had lived there up to eight months before. He said that a few weeks before she moved, she was married to a tall, dark haired man, but he was unable to remember his name. The manager also told us that the newly married couple apparently began having trouble from the day that they were married. We checked the next forwarding address, a boarding house for women in the south end of the city. Ben and I interviewed the woman in charge of Mrs. Francis Watson. We talked to her back in the kitchen of the boarding house while she polished a set of silverware.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I saw that picture in the paper. I didn't connect it with Doris, though. She was a much prettier girl when she lived here.

[Detective Ben Romero]

You say she left here about 18 months ago, Ms. Watson?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, maybe a little more. Might be closer to two years. I'd have to check my rent receipts to be sure.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Did you happen to know anything about the Frazier girl, Ms. Watson? I mean, did you know much about her personal life at all?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, of course, I always insist on references. Any good boarding house does. You know, Doris was a nice girl in many ways. Of course, she had her shortcomings. I suppose we all do. When she first came here, she seemed like such a nice girl. And then she started to go downhill. I just don't know what got into her.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, how do you mean, ma'? Am? Was she in some kind of trouble?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, of course, when she first came here, we didn't know it, but she was married. This is a home for single girls. We have our rules and regulations, just like any other respectable place.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, I understand.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, as we came to find out later, Doris wasn't only married, but she was fighting with her husband. I understand he wasn't much at all. She was thinking of getting a divorce, as a matter of fact.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, did you ever meet her husband, Ms. Watson?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, I never did. I suppose it's just as well I didn't understand that Doris left him after they'd been married only a few months.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Do you know what his name is, ma'? Am?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, I have no idea. Doris always used a maiden name when she was with me.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Then you never saw this man, Ms. Watson? He never came to the house here?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, I didn't say I never saw him. I said I didn't meet him. Yes, there was once when he came to the house to see Doris.

[Detective Ben Romero]

What was the occasion? You mind telling us about it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

It was most unpleasant. I can tell you that. Let me see now. Yes, Doris had been here about six months. Even by that time, I was beginning to see the real side of the girl. No character, Sergeant. No character at all. It shows up every time.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Am.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Wonder if you'd go on, please.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, as I was saying, it was after about six months when this man brought Doris home late one night, about a quarter till midnight, I'd say. Upset the whole house.

[Detective Ben Romero]

How was that, ma'?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Am? The two of them, this man and Doris, they stood right out there in the hall, had a terrible quarrel. Language. It was dreadful. The top of their lungs, too. My husband went out to quiet them down, but the man left before he had a chance to call him down. They upset the whole house.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Now, this man, the Frasier woman was arguing with, you're sure that that was her husband?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, as sure as I can be. That's what Doris told me, anyway. The day after I called her in and told her I just couldn't tolerate behavior like that. It upset her quite a bit. I remember she cried, said it wouldn't happen again. That's when she told me she was trying to get a divorce.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is that what the big argument was about? Would you know that?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, she said she wanted divorce. Her husband didn't. He wanted her back with him. Certainly is sad the way some people mix up their lives.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yes, ma'.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Am.

[Detective Ben Romero]

By any chance, did you get a good look at this man? Husband?

[Detective Joe Friday]

I.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, he was tall and had dark hair. That's about all I remember. He was well dressed, too.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I see. When Doris Frazier left you, Mrs. Watson, did she leave her forwarding address with you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, she didn't. I haven't any idea where she moved.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What kind of work was she doing while she was living here? Do you have any idea where she was employed?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, that was one of the references she gave me. Furniture company down on Venice Boulevard, if I remember correctly. I have the address. My record book certainly is unfortunate. The whole thing.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, it is.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Even tried to talk to her before she left. Sat her down and talked to her for a whole afternoon. I guess it was just a waste of time.

[Detective Ben Romero]

How's that man?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Trouble with her husband. Terrible thing. He seemed to treat her so badly. Two of them fighting all the time. I believe she was actually afraid of him. She told me he was very jealous. He drank, ran around. That's why I couldn't understand it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You couldn't understand what, ma'? Am?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Doris, when she moved away from here.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Narrator/Announcer]

She said she was going Back with her husband.

[Detective Joe Friday]

The landlady, Francis Watson, gave us the address of the furniture store where the murder victim had been employed. And we drove down to check with a personnel manager, a Mr. Collins. He said that Doris Frazier had been fired from her job 10 months before. He said she'd been let go because she was constantly late for work and that she got into the habit of asking for salary advances too often. Collins also told us that he'd heard about the trouble between the Frazier woman and her husband. He said he'd seen the husband in the store several times when he came to call for his wife. He identified the husband as Stephen Arnold. The description was approximately the same. A tall, well dressed man, dark hair, heavy build. The personnel manager gave us the last known address they had on the victim. The following morning we checked it out. An apartment hotel in the East Wilshire area. She was still registered there together with her husband, Stephen Arnold. But the desk clerk told us that Arnold hadn't been living there for the past three months. He had no idea where Arnold had moved. He didn't know where he worked. While the desk clerk stood by, Ben and I went upstairs and checked the apartment.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Anything, Joe?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, nothing.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Nothing in the bedroom. Like Lee says, she goes in for nice clothes. About all I can figure. What you got there?

[Detective Joe Friday]

See it lying on the desk here? Looks like she started a letter and didn't get to finish it.

[Detective Ben Romero]

What's it say there?

[Detective Joe Friday]

It's dated October 23rd. That's over a week ago. Says, dear George, I've been meaning to write to you before, but that's all.

[Detective Ben Romero]

That's as far as she got, George. First time we've run into that name on this deal. Makes more than one man in her life.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. There's a couple more letters here. They're all addressed to her, unopened. All we can go by are the return addresses. Telephone bill, ad from a woman's store postcard. Another ad. Here's something. Santa Monica postmark.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah. Check the name on that return.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. Stephen Arnold. 12:35pm we called the office and checked Stephen Arnold through R and I. He had no criminal record. The return address which he'd listed on the envelope of the letter to his wife was 10826 Pacific Front Boulevard. We located it on the beach. Just below Santa Monica. Was a small hamburger stand owned and operated by the dead woman's husband?

[Detective Ben Romero]

No, I haven't seen Doris for a couple months anyway. Why? I understand you had an apartment with your wife in the East Wilson neighborhood. Is that right, Ms. Arnold? Yeah, that's right. Mind telling us why you left? No, I don't mind. Want to move closer to my work, that's all. That place is way too far out.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, how is it your wife didn't move with you, sir?

[Detective Ben Romero]

She wanted to stay close to town. Doesn't care for the beach much. Bad for his sinus I guess.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, did you have an argument with your wife, Arnold? Some kind of a disagreement? Is that one of the reasons you moved?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah, you might call it that. We're getting a divorce. That so? Yeah, it was the best thing all the way around. Been nothing but fighting and scrapping the last year. Anyway, we decided to call it quits. Will you excuse me a minute? I gotta put some cold drinks in this cooler here. Yeah, go right ahead. What do you care for a cold drink?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, no thanks.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Coke maybe? Nothing.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you get the divorce from your wife, Mr. Arnold?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's right. I'm divorcing her. Why do you want to know?

[Detective Joe Friday]

You remember that last time you saw your wife? The exact date I mean?

[Detective Ben Romero]

No, I don't think I remember that. Been at least three months, I'll say that much. You spend most of your time down here at the beach, do you Mr. Arnold? Yeah, that's right. I get into town once or twice a month. They sure you wouldn't like a Coke? No, I wouldn't think I'll have one myself if you don't mind. Sure. I got cold one Water sure is cold. How about last Tuesday night, sir? You happened to be in town that night. Oh, last time was two, three weeks ago. Anyway, went in to see a show. I was working here last Tuesday night. Work every night except Monday. It's the only night I'm closed up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Uh huh. Is there anyone who can vouch for that?

[Detective Ben Romero]

I don't think I get this. Why do you want to know?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, is there anybody who can vouch for you?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Well sure, half a dozen people. Anyway, fellow runs a place next door and the guys in the rest of the stalls up and down the way here, they can all vouch for me. I work till 1am Same as usual. Just a minute. Hey Vic. Vic. Yeah Steve? Hop over here for a minute. Something I want to talk to you about. Yeah, just a minute. Okay Vic, thanks. He'll be right over. You fellows want a cup of coffee or anything? No, I wouldn't like to have change for that cigarette machine though, if you don't mind. Oh sure. There you are. Thanks. Yes, Steve? Hey, these fellows are detectives, Vic. Guess about some kind of Jam my wife got into. They want to know where I was last Tuesday night. Yeah, they want somebody to vouch for him. Sure.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you see Mr. Arnold last Tuesday night?

[Detective Ben Romero]

I was working next door. Steve was here all night. You are listening to Dragnet Authentic stories of your police force in action.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Saturday, October 31, 2pm Ben and I checked with a dozen different concession operators in the neighborhood of Stephen Arnold's eating place. They all corroborated the fact that on the night his wife had met her death in a downtown hotel, Arnold had been working at his stand until 1am despite all the previous indications that he might have been responsible for the murder of his wife, we had to eliminate him as a possible suspect. 2:20pm on the way back into town, we stopped by the apartment hotel where Doris Fraser was living at the time of her murder. After checking further with the tenants and with the help in the building, we found out that the victim had been in the habit of eating most of her meals at restaurants in the immediate neighborhood. After some two hours of checking and running into six restaurants, we found a small coffee shop four blocks from the apartment building where one of the waitresses identified Doris Fraser's picture.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, that's her, Officer. Terrible picture, though. She looks so much older.

[Detective Ben Romero]

About how often would you say, Ms. Frazier came in here, ma'?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Am?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Three or four times a week, I'd say. The bus stops right out there on the corner. She'd usually have breakfast, then grab the bus and go to work. Some nights, coming home from work, she'd stop in here for dinner. Nice girl. Quiet.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you get to know her at all, Miss? I mean, did you happen to know any of her friends here in the neighborhood?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No. As I say, she was a quiet person and not very talkative. Usually read while she was eating. Book or magazine?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did she ever come in here with anyone else, do you know that?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, quite a few times. She seemed to have a boyfriend. Of course, she was attractive. Small, you know, but real cute looking.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Do you happen to know any of these men?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, I'm sorry, I don't.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Any one of them in particular she came in with very often?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Let's see. I think there was one blonde, good dresser, kind of tall, good looking. They usually came in together for breakfast.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How long ago was this, Miss? Do you recall?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, say, up until a couple of weeks ago. I usually waited on him in the morning. That's how I happen to remember.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see. Did you ever happen to hear this man's name?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Let me see. George. I think that was it. Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Would you happen to know if he lives in the neighborhood?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, sorry, I don't.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Has this man been in here during the past week? You know?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, he has. He came in for breakfast.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What day was that?

[Narrator/Announcer]

This morning.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Before we left the coffee shop, we questioned the cashier who came up with the information that the man known as George usually left his car parked at the service station across the street. We left our card and asked the cashier to call us in case the suspect returned. At the service station, they also remembered the man known as George, but they told us he hadn't been in for the past month. They'd done some work on his car for him in the past, so they had a record of his license number. We called our DMV and found that the car was registered to a Carl Lucy in East Hollywood. 4:45pm we drove out and interviewed Lucy at his home, but he came nowhere near the description of the suspect. He told us that he had purchased the car six weeks before from a man known as George Crane. He described Crane as tall, blonde and well dressed. From the bill of sale, we got Crane's address, a motel on East Manchester. The manager there told us that George Crane had moved a week before. He said that Crane had left no forwarding address, but he did remember where he worked. He was a driller in one of the oil fields down in Long Beach. We checked the oil company's personnel office downtown, but they were closed for the day. 6:18pm we went back to the office and pulled the package on George Crane from rni.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Get anything on him?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, he's got a record. Here's the package.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Here.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, Nothing very heavy. Drunk charge two years ago, another one last year. Disorderly conduct, resisting arrest. That's about all. Let's see.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah, description checks out all the way.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You called the night office of that oil company, did you?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah. They couldn't tell us anything. Said call back first thing in the morning. Want to reach.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I got it. Yeah. Homicide, Friday.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Who?

[Detective Joe Friday]

How's that? Oh, yeah, sure. Yes, sir. No. No, sir. I'm afraid not. Yeah. Thanks anyway. You bet. Yeah. Yeah. Goodbye. Well, that does it.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Why?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That guy who was in here the other day. You remember that? Alfred P. Morgan or whatever it was.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Oh. What do you want?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Wanted to buy us a drink. He's celebrating, huh? His old friend Maude. He just found her. 8am the next morning. We checked with the personnel department of the oil company's downtown offices. They told us that George Crane was employed as a driller. That he'd been Working for the company for the past five years and that he had a good employment record. They told us he was on the day shift and that he was scheduled to report for work on Rig 619 at the Long beach field. At 8 o' clock that morning. Ben and I got in the car, drove down to Long beach where we located the murder suspect, George Crane, at work in the field.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Doris Frazier? No, I'm sorry, Sergeant, I don't think I know anybody by that name. How about Doris Arnold, Mr. Crane? Would you know anybody by that name? Arnold? No. No, I'm afraid not. What's it all about? You own a car, do you, sir? Yeah, that's it right over there. That dark sedan. Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Have you had it long?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Oh, I've had it a couple of weeks. Last one I had was giving me a lot of trouble.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you trade it in?

[Detective Ben Romero]

No, I sold it to a private party. Fell out in Hollywood. You mind taking a look at this picture, Mr. Crane? Yeah. Doesn't look like anybody I know. Why, am I supposed to? We think you should.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I don't think I'll follow you. Do you spend any time around the East Wilshire district, Crane? East Wilshire, you said?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Detective Ben Romero]

No, I've probably been oh, there a couple of times. Not lately, though. How about the coffee shop on the corner of Gramercy and Marengo? You ever been in there? Not that I remember, no. Well, a waitress in that coffee shop and a cashier, too. They say they've got a pretty regular customer. He fits your description exactly. You sure you've never been in there? Well, I'm not positive. I wouldn't swear I never been in the place. What's the difference anyway?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, how about that service station across the street from the coffee shop? You ever parked your car there? They ever do any work on it for you?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Oh, say, I bet I know the place you're talking about. Yeah. Yeah, I've been there quite a few times. Good station. They've done some good jobs in the car for me. I remember it now.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, then I guess you remember the coffee shop, Crane.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah, I think I do now. Right across the street from the station.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That it?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's right. Well, what do you want to know about? When's the last time you were in there, Crane? Well, tell you the truth, I couldn't be sure. We talked to a waitress in there yesterday. She said you were in that morning for breakfast. Do you remember that? She's way off the track on that one, I can tell you that. I wasn't near the place yesterday morning.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, the cashier remembers you, too. She says you were in. How about it, Crane?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Look, what difference does it make? What's this thing all about, anyway?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Want to take another look at this picture?

[Detective Ben Romero]

I told you, you once, I don't know the woman. I never saw her before in my life. Why don't you give it some thought, huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

I said, why don't you give it some thought? You remembered East Wilshire. You remember the service station. You finally remember the coffee shop. Maybe you can remember her if you try.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I tell you, I don't know her. I never saw her in my. Look, let's go in the shed where we can hear each other, huh? All right. That's a little better, huh? The waitress in the place says you were in there quite a few times with a woman. You usually came in for breakfast. You stopped going there about two weeks ago. I don't know her. What's the matter, Clyn? You figure you got something to hide? I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know her. What do you figure she's got to do with me, anyway?

[Detective Joe Friday]

We checked her apartment, mister. We found a letter she was writing to you. You about ready to tell us?

[Detective Ben Romero]

What's a letter? That doesn't mean anything. Can't prove anything about a letter. What are you thinking, anyway?

[Detective Joe Friday]

We think you're lying, Crane. We think you got a reason for it. What do you say?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Doesn't prove anything. Maybe I knew her. That doesn't mean anything at all.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We think it does.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Yeah. We think you killed her. That the way it looks to you? That's the way it looks. I don't think you can prove it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We're gonna try. Now, how about it?

[Detective Ben Romero]

Will it go any easier for me if I admit it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's not up to us.

[Detective Ben Romero]

I don't know why I did it. What am I gonna give for a reason? I don't know why I killed her.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I wouldn't know.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Crane didn't really have any reason. That sounds funny, doesn't it? No reason at all. I just killed her. What am I gonna tell him if I don't have a reason? How can I ask him to let me off easy? How can I ask him?

[Detective Joe Friday]

I don't know. But they'll have an answer.

[Detective Ben Romero]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On February 8, trial was held in Superior Court Department 92, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial and now, here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you, friends. All of us on Dragnet sincerely hope that all of you enjoyed a happy Thanksgiving.

[Detective Ben Romero]

George Martin Crane was tried and convicted in superior court of murder in the first degree. He is now serving a life term in the state penitentiary. 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. Next, counter spy fights, International intrigue. Stay tuned to NBC. At vrbo, we understand that even the best of plans sometimes need a little support. So we plan for the plot twists. Every booking is automatically backed by our VRBO care guarantee, giving you confidence from the very start. Whenever you need help, it's ready before your stay, through the moments in between and after your trip. Because a great trip starts with peace of mind and maybe a good playlist, but we've got the peace of mind part covered.

[Host Adam Graham]

Welcome back. This episode is textbook Dragnet, but it is very well realized. We essentially hear them and their investigative process as they follow lead after lead, beginning with an unidentified woman strangled in a hotel room to really getting details about her and her life and at last finding her killer. It was a laborious process. Even when they found the car and the license plate. No, that didn't get them there. Dragnet often bills itself as taking you step by step with the police on an actual case, from crime to punishment. But usually there's kind of a middle of the investigation that really gets emphasized and we, we get enough to understand what's gone on before, and then we're kind of put, you know, several steps into the investigation. But here, you know, it is just step by step. Okay, this didn't work well. We learned this and now we do this. It's just a fascinating thing. It should not work as well as it does, but again, it's just Web's ability to make these details and each element realistic and interesting that is such a hallmark of Dragnet. And I also did like the little bit of comedy relief they worked in with Mr. Morgan, which I think just does help the pacing so well. You've got just like this little comedic break in the middle, and then on we go. Got two of them, actually. And I'm glad that at least he got good news with his friend Maude. Well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback and we start over on Patreon. We've got quite a few comments regarding the big hit and run killer. Jeff writes the suspect, Miller, letting some guy named Paul he seems to barely know go off with his bakery truck to supposedly move a television seems ridiculous on the face of it. Also, if Miller left the bakery for a few minutes to say goodbye to some friends at a nearby hotel, why weren't those friends contacted to back up that part of his alibi? Bear questions. I would say that you're right, that it was ridiculous on the face of it, and that's why he needed to prove that he done it. Because if the police were able to find corroborating evidence. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, my client just loaned this truck. No, we don't know his full name. No, we don't have any proof he actually borrowed it. As to the friends in the hotel, like I said, that's another fair question. Now, a lot of people can use the friend thing kind of loosely. It could refer to somebody he had met a long time ago, ran into again, and they said, hey, before I leave town, why don't you come by the hotel and say goodbye? But he didn't have their information or could use it to refer to people who were in town temporarily he had met and befriended. You know, I mean, a guy who loans his bakery truck to somebody is apt to do these sort of things. So I can see him having friends that he doesn't have their address for, that he met them at some point. Now, you would think that they could check with the hotel, but the desk clerk may not have even seen him going up. So I tend to assume that they looked into it, but just could not find any corroboration for that detail of his alibi. And then, Kevin comments. Leave it to Sergeant Friday to continually stomp on suspects. Constitutional rights. No warrants or lawyers ever present. The depth of this episode was shockingly simple. All the information provided after one phone call, the ticket lady with eight minutes till she could take a break and talk right inside to start questioning. Doctor, I know you're doing brain surgery right now, but we'd like to ask some questions. It's really important. Apparently, no writer ever asked, does this sound real? Well, Kevin, believe me, on Dragnet, writers more than anywhere else ask, does this sound real? I think that there is a subtle distinction between performing brain surgery and working as a movie theater ticket taker. It's slightly less complex. And in this case, there weren't really people who were coming by during this time, which is believable because there are times where it's really kind of slow. Plus, let's just be honest here, that you're sitting in your ticket window and you see this car come right in front of your eyes and run down this elderly woman and her grandson. That's something that is very upsetting, maybe even traumatic depending on how you define that. And she probably just wanted to talk about it. I think the most unrealistic thing to say is yeah, let me go ahead and just sit here and twiddle my thumbs waiting for somebody to want to buy a ticket. You witness something like that and you want to talk about it. And you know, if you are minded, you want to see the person, person who did that, caught, injustice done. And I think that was her mode and I didn't feel that was unrealistic at all. Dr. Whodunit observes. Did not see that coming over on Instagram. Brains Benton writes what a twisty story. Daniel Miller, the truck deli guy, may not have been the hit and run driver, but boy is he guilty of a lot of bad judgment and decision, lends the company truck to someone he doesn't know the name of and leaves his part time job to say goodbye to some other friends and changes his story constantly. I guess he was lucky the real guilty party fessed up. I don't know if I'd say the guy fessed up as much was called out. But yeah, I think that the incredible thing about Dragnet is that you are dealing with true life stories. There is every reason to disbelieve him, but it is one of the greatest twists in the whole history of this program that as absurd as this man's story was, he was telling the truth and of course a lot of bad judgment. And you can speculate on that as well because you add up his hours. The guy is working around 70 hours a week and and that can leave you burnt out and lead to you making less than great decisions. Or you can also be needing to do that because you've made some less than great decisions. Either way, definitely guilty of bad judgment, but thankfully for him, that's not a crime. Alright, well now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day and I want to thank Diane, a Patreon supporter Since July of 2023, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support Diane and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We will be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow. For yours truly, Johnny Dollar Ware Johnny.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Dollar Insurance if you do. That's right. Now, look, I want you to let me into his apartment. Yes, sir. Right this way. Something wrong, Mr. Dollar? Just a routine investigation. Oh. I was sure he'd done nothing wrong. Oh, why do you say that? Nice, quiet old man like him. Why should he? Only excitement he ever has is when his niece comes to visit with him. His niece? Yes, sir. Name's Virginia. Jenny Lockhart. Wonderful girl. Sort of drops in here to look after him once in a while, cook him a good meal. Now, here we are. Hmm. Well, it sure looks like he left in a hurry. Closets open, doors pulled out. Where can I find this niece you mentioned? Why didn't you see her when you just came in? That girl who bumped into me down in the lobby, that was Jenny Lockhart? Must have been.

[Host 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 Radio Detectives. Check us out on Instagram instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

[Detective Ben Romero]

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[Detective Joe Friday]

Certified plant.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Genius here.

[Host Adam Graham]

Most people see a busy plant shop.

[Detective Ben Romero]

But I see a perfectly balanced ecosystem thanks to Genius from Global Payments Inventory Tracked payments, seamless reviews in one place. Absolutely genius.

[Host Adam Graham]

From sold out crowds worldwide to running.

[Detective Ben Romero]

This shop, genius grows with you. Your Monstera's potted healthy roots.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Strong growth.

[Detective Ben Romero]

Just like this shop. Big league reliability for your business.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's genius.

[Detective Ben Romero]

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