Dragnet: The Big Hit and Run Killer (EP4904)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Episode: Dragnet – “The Big Hit and Run Killer” (EP4904)
Date: February 5, 2026 (Original broadcast: Nov 8, 1951)

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Episode Overview

This Dragnet episode, "The Big Hit and Run Killer," centers on a tragic hit-and-run accident resulting in the death of an elderly woman and her young grandson. As Sergeants Joe Friday and Ben Romero follow the investigation, the episode explores themes of responsibility, truthfulness, and the blurred moral lines between accident and crime. Listeners are taken through the meticulous police investigation as the detectives sift through leads, deal with unreliable alibis, and pursue justice for the victims.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Crime and Initial Investigation (01:39–05:51)

• Crime Description:
  An elderly woman and her 9-year-old grandson are struck by a speeding truck in a well-lit crosswalk. The woman is killed instantly; the boy, critically injured.

  "It was an old lady and her grandson, you know."
  – Theater Cashier/Witness [03:16]

• Eyewitness Testimonies:
  Police receive little concrete information:

  • Cashier describes the truck as a late-model tan panel, with "bakery" painted in black on the side. [04:14]
  • Neither she nor other witnesses see the license plate.
  • Emphasis on the tragedy and innocence of the victims, especially given the festive Christmas context.

    "Boy's her grandson, you know. Somebody said he was down visiting her for the Christmas vacation ... Sure be a sad Christmas for the family."
    – Cashier [05:10]

• Physical Evidence:
  Few pieces of broken headlight glass were found—minimal clues.

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2. Chasing Leads and the First Suspect (07:02–13:02)

• Truck Tracing & Corporate Inquiries:

  • Detectives narrow down the truck to a bakery supplier, Nielsen’s Wholesale Bakery, which uses tan, late-model Ford panel trucks with black lettering.
  • Company policy allows drivers to take trucks home, expanding the potential pool of suspects. [08:05]

• The First Suspect – Arthur Singer:

  • His truck fits the damage description, but he provides an alibi: a public car accident with witnesses. Singer is cleared after his story is substantiated by Mr. Foley, the other driver.

    "This Mr. Foley's right. Singer couldn't have done it. Wasn't anywhere near the scene."
    – Off. Romero [13:12]

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3. The Real Suspect – Daniel Miller & Truth or Lies (14:45–21:12)

• Focus on Daniel Miller:

  • Miller's truck matches the description and was logged as out of service.
  • Miller claims he lent the truck to a regular customer named "Paul" but can’t provide a last name or contact info. [15:00]

• Detectives Challenge Miller’s Story:

  • Miller first maintains he worked a full shift at the coffee shop; a customer proves that false, forcing Miller to change stories.
  • His "alibis"—including a supposed hotel visit—fail to check out.

    "You've handed three different stories so far, not one of them strong enough to hold water."
    – Off. Romero to Miller [18:11]

  • Police pressure him for proof or corroboration.

• Key Dramatic Question:
  Was Miller the killer, or did this mysterious "Paul" actually exist?

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4. The Investigation Drags On (22:18–23:34)

• Police Dilemma:
  • Four days of chasing dead ends intensify suspicions against Miller.

    "We've gone four straight days on it Joe, haven't come across one lead to back up his story. It's too much for me. I can't buy it anymore."
    – Off. Romero [22:40]

  • Joe Friday remains uneasy; hunches there may be “more to it.”

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5. The Break in the Case – The Real Perpetrator (23:38–26:35)

• Paul Barton Uncovered:

  • Miller returns, saying a friend has seen Paul Barton at a local hotel.
  • Detectives stake out the hotel, bring in Barton for questioning.
  • Barton's story unravels: timeline inconsistencies and dodging questions about his license (suspended for drunk driving) raise further suspicions.

• Confrontation and Confession (24:52–26:35):

  • Miller confronts Barton; Barton’s nervous denials collapse under accusation:

    "I loan you the truck, you get boozed up. You run down the little kid and the grandmother, then you take off and leave me holding the sack like I did it."
    – Daniel Miller to Barton [26:07] "It was an accident. I wasn't boozed up. I only had two drinks ... Two drinks never hurt anybody."
    – Barton [26:26]

  • Joe Friday delivers final judgment:

    "They killed a little boy and his grandmother."
    – Friday [26:35]

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6. Resolution and Aftermath

• Legal Outcome:
  • Barton is convicted of felony hit-and-run (Section 480 California State Vehicle Code), not manslaughter.
  • Sentenced to 1–5 years in state prison.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Moral Guilt & Responsibility:

  "There can be very little difference between a crime of neglect and a crime that's been willfully premeditated ... Oftentimes the crime masquerades under the guise of an accident. Morally, no matter how you spell it, it adds up to murder just as surely as if the person had taken a gun and shot the victim down."
  – Joe Friday (Reflection after the deaths, 08:43)

• On Police Work and Doubt:

  "It's the job of the police officer to prove guilt or innocence, not guilt alone."
  – Joe Friday (After Miller is released and pleads for help, 21:12)

• Intense Suspect Confrontation:

  "I wasn't boozed up. I only had two drinks ... I couldn't have been drunk. It doesn't affect me that way."
  – Paul Barton [26:26]

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Adam Graham’s Post-Episode Commentary (27:57–30:57)

• On the Episode’s Structure:

  "It really does feel like an utterly unbelievable nonsense alibi ... If you weren't dealing with a case or a series that used true life cases, you would not make this up because it is such a transparently nonsensical story."
  – Adam Graham [27:57]

• Reflection:

  • Graham notes the realism and unpredictability, observing that real life can be stranger than fiction. He appreciates the twist—that Miller was not fabricating “Paul,” highlighting how people can behave unpredictably.
  • Praises the episode for demonstrating the police’s dual obligation: to prove innocence as well as guilt.

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Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:39 | Opening of crime, case file narration | | 03:16–05:10 | Eyewitness account from theater cashier | | 07:02 | Physical evidence, bakery truck lead | | 09:49–13:12 | Interview and elimination of first suspect, Arthur Singer | | 14:45–16:00 | Interview of Daniel Miller; claims truck lent to “Paul” | | 18:06–21:12 | Police challenge Miller's shifting alibis | | 23:38–24:53 | Locating and questioning Paul Barton | | 24:29–26:26 | Interrogation and confrontation; Paul Barton exposed | | 27:57–30:57 | Adam Graham’s focused analysis and reflection |

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Conclusion

This Dragnet episode offers a suspenseful investigation into a senseless tragedy that tests the limits of coincidence, trust, and thorough police work. Through dogged persistence and careful sifting of fact from fiction, Friday and Romero ultimately reveal the true sequence of events and deliver justice for the victims. Host Adam Graham punctuates the story with thoughtful reflection—a reminder that real life can be even more incredible than radio drama.

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Transcript

[Sam]

Sam.

[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 before we get started, I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. 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. And you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month by going to Patreon cor great detectives.net but now, from November 8, 1951, here is the big hit and run killer.

[Witness or Suspect]

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 traffic investigation. Hit run felony detail. An elderly woman and her nine year old grandson is struck down in a pedestrian crosswalk by a speeding truck. The woman is killed instantly. Witnesses fail to get the license number. The hit run driver escapes. 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.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Was Tuesday, December 21st. It was windy in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of traffic division. Hit and run felony detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Calee, Commander Aid. My name's Friday, it was 10:51pm when we got to the Carlton Theater. The box office.

[Officer Joe]

Thank you.

[Sam]

How many, please?

[Officer Joe]

Police officers, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Officer Joe]

Like to talk to you for a minute if we could. Oh, yes.

[Sam]

You mean about the accident?

[Officer Joe]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Officer Joe]

One of the officers in the traffic car across the street, he told us you're one of the people who saw it happen.

[Sam]

Yes, that's right. Terrible thing. It was an old lady and her grandson, you know.

[Officer Joe]

Yes, ma'.

[Witness or Suspect]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Would it be possible for you to get a relief for a little while? A few questions we'd like to ask you about. It won't take very long.

[Sam]

Well, I'll be off duty at 11. That's when the box office closes. Eight minutes to 11 now. Would you like to wait?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Ma'. Am.

[Sam]

Fine cold wind out there. Would you like to wait in here? Right around back here. I'll open the door for you.

[Officer Joe]

All right, ma'.

[Witness or Suspect]

Am.

[Officer Joe]

Thank you. Yeah, it's nice and warm.

[Sam]

Did anybody get the license number? Do you know, Officer? I mean, on that truck that ran him down?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, not that we know of. We understand the officers in the traffic car talked to you. You didn't see the number, either?

[Sam]

No, I'm sorry, I didn't. The whole thing happened so fast. Saw the old lady grab the little boy, pull him next to her. It was an awful thing. The truck hit them both together. It's funny the things you notice. Boy was carrying a little box of candy. I heard this terrible thud when the truck hit them. I looked and the candy was spilled all over the street. Just couldn't help but I got sick to my stomach.

[Officer Joe]

Yes, ma', am, I can understand.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, about this truck that ran them down. Do you think you'd know it if you ever saw it again?

[Sam]

I'm not sure. I think I might, yes. It was one of those delivery trucks, you know. I think you'd call it a panel truck. It was a light tan color all over. And there was black lettering on the side.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Could you make out any of the lettering at all?

[Sam]

Well, I think there were three or four words painted on the side. And I know one of them was bakery. I'm sure that.

[Officer Joe]

Did you recognize what make a truck it was, ma'?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am?

[Officer Joe]

The year, the model?

[Sam]

It was a late model. I'm pretty sure of that. Either a Chevrolet or a Ford. I'd say one of those regular delivery trucks like some bakeries use.

[Officer Joe]

You sure about that word you saw lettered on the side? It said bakery.

[Sam]

Yes, I'm positive of that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, anything else out of the ordinary that you might have noticed about the truck, ma'? Am? Anything outstanding that might have caught your eye?

[Sam]

No, I'm sorry, Officer. That's about all I can tell you. How is the old lady? Do you know? In a little boy, could they tell you anything?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. The woman's dead. She was killed instantly. They've taken the youngster over to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. Afraid he's in pretty bad shape, too.

[Sam]

Terrible shame. Poor old lady. She lives right here in the neighborhood, you know. Seen her shopping in the market next door here Saturday afternoon. It's just tragic.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, it is.

[Sam]

Boy's her grandson, you know. Somebody said he was down visiting her for the Christmas vacation. Seemed like a nice kid, well behaved. She seemed so proud of him. Sure be a sad Christmas for the family.

[Officer Joe]

Just one more question, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Officer Joe]

When the boy and his grandmother were crossing the street, would you say the visibility was good? I mean, is there any reason why it would have been hard for a driver to see them?

[Sam]

No reason in the world, officer. It's a clear night. You can see how well the intersections lighted up. All the Christmas lights strung up along here. The lights from the theater marquee was just as well lighted then as it is now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I see.

[Sam]

The intersection was perfectly clear. No other cars around. Boy had a white sweater on. The old lady was wearing a light colored coat. Certainly easy to see the traffic light too. It said stop. I can't understand why that driver didn't see him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma', am, neither can we.

[Sam]

How could anybody do such a thing? It just isn't any excuse for it. No excuse in the world. It was downright murder.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, maybe that explains it.

[Witness or Suspect]

What?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's why I kept going. 11:35pm Ben and I finished interviewing the cashier in the theater box office. And then we called the office and had them get out a supplementary broadcast and an APB on the description of the hit and run vehicle. We went back across the street to the scene of the accident where the officers in the T car along with the crew from the crime lab were finishing up their preliminary investigation. We interviewed two more witnesses to the hit run accident, but they were unable to tell us anything that we didn't already know. When we got back to the office, we put in a call to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital where they told us the nine year old boy struck down by the hit run driver was still in a critical condition. The husband of the 64 year old woman who had been killed instantly was brought downtown to the morgue where he identified the body. The next morning we got out a special bulletin to all garages, auto repair and paint shops throughout the city to be on the lookout for a late model tan panel truck. Black lettering on the sides with damage to the front end. 8:30am I checked with communications and then I went back to the office. Hi.

[Officer Joe]

Just checked with Georgia Street Joe. Ask him about the boy, the old lady's grandson.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's he doing?

[Officer Joe]

About the same. Critical condition. That's about all he'll say.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's a lousy shame.

[Officer Joe]

Communications get any kickback on the ore points yet?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, nothing at all. Did you get in touch with the crime lab?

[Officer Joe]

Yeah, they're not gonna be able to help much.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What'd they find out there? Anything at all?

[Officer Joe]

Just what we saw. A few small pieces of glass, probably from one of the headlights on the truck. You don't think they're gonna be able to do much with them? There's not enough air to go on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's the only physical evidence they got, huh?

[Officer Joe]

That's all. Might be able to tie it down a little tighter if we could find that panel. Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You start checking on that bakery truck angle yet?

[Officer Joe]

McGowan and I called every bakery in town. Got it pretty well narrowed down. There's only two companies that use 10 late model panels for delivery trucks. Only one of them uses black lettering on the sides of the truck. Other company says they use red lettering.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Which one has the black?

[Officer Joe]

I got it right here. Outfit called Nielsen's Wholesale Bakery. They got A fleet of 173 trucks, all the same tan color, black lettering on both sides. Late model Ford delivery truck.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

They tell you whether or not any of their drivers could have been making deliveries that time of night? 10:30, 11:00 clock.

[Officer Joe]

Yeah, there were about a dozen of them out on deliveries. More of them to account for than that, though.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Officer Joe]

All their drivers are allowed to take the trucks home with them when they're off duty if they want to.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Joe]

I'm afraid he's going to mean checking out every one of them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You know, we might as well get moving on it. They're going to give us some kind of a list to work with, are they?

[Officer Joe]

Yeah, I've got it all set up with them again. Accident investigation. O'. Mearl? Oh, yes, sir. That's all. I see.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You're right.

[Officer Joe]

Thank you. Rotten deal.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. What's the matter?

[Officer Joe]

That young kid, the grandson?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Joe]

He just died.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Many times and on many different occasions, the police officer has it proved to him that there can be very little difference between a crime of neglect and a crime that's been willfully premeditated. If you look at it closely enough, you can judge it for yourself. How much difference, for example, as far as moral guilt is concerned, is there between the following. Number one, a man who plans a killing, takes up a gun, finds his victim and shoots him to death. Or number two, the man who thinks he has to look out for no one's welfare but his own gets behind the wheel of a car, disregards the ordinary rules of safety and proceeds to commit homicide with a motor vehicle. Oftentimes the crime masquerades under the guise of an accident. Morally, no matter how you spell it, it adds up to murder just as surely as if the person had taken a gun and shot the victim down. The way it looked to us, the hit and run killing of the elderly woman and her grandson was a Prime example. Wednesday, December 22nd. Ben and I began checking out the delivery trucks owned by Nielsen's Wholesale Bakery. Late that afternoon, we located one of the trucks with recent damage to the front end. We checked and found the driver's name was Arthur V. Singer. We drove out to his home to interview him.

[Witness or Suspect]

No, I wasn't working last night, officer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I was off.

[Witness or Suspect]

What's it all about?

[Officer Joe]

Did you spend the night at home, Mr. Singer, or were you out?

[Witness or Suspect]

Was home part of the time. After dinner, I went downtown, did a little bowling. Our neighborhood team bowls every Tuesday night. Where is that sir place downtown? It's on West 7th. Got a pretty good team.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you drive down, Mr. Singer, or did you take the bus?

[Witness or Suspect]

No, I drove down. Had the company truck with me. Let us use them when we're off duty. We pay for the gas.

[Officer Joe]

Did you drive down by yourself or was there someone else with you?

[Witness or Suspect]

No, I was alone. The other boys had their cars.

[Officer Joe]

When did you leave the bowling alley, you remember?

[Witness or Suspect]

About 10, 10, 15, I'd say.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How'd you drive home, Mr. Singer? I mean, what route did you take?

[Witness or Suspect]

Oh, I drove straight out West 7th. Got the Coronado, came over Coronado to the house here. Why do you want to know?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What time did you get home?

[Witness or Suspect]

About quarter to 11. This wouldn't be about that little scrape I had last night, would it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What was that?

[Witness or Suspect]

Down at 7th and Grandview, right by Westlake park there. Old guy in the car ahead. He stopped fast, right in front of me. Didn't even signal.

[Officer Joe]

All right.

[Witness or Suspect]

I almost plowed right into him. Lucky I was watching. I slammed on the brakes, turned in toward the curb. Should have seen it. I clipped the headlight and the right fender against the telephone pole. Had to take the truck in this morning, get it fixed up.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Are there any witnesses to this accident that you had, Singer?

[Witness or Suspect]

Yeah, a half dozen people saw it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you get any names and addresses?

[Witness or Suspect]

Well, no, I didn't. I was so teed off about the whole thing, I guess I didn't think about it.

[Officer Joe]

Is there anyone at all we can check with anybody to corroborate your story?

[Witness or Suspect]

Just the old guy in that car. Sure, A lousy driver. I really chewed him out.

[Officer Joe]

Did you get his name and address?

[Witness or Suspect]

No, but I took down his license number. Wasn't gonna pay for that damage. He admitted it was his fault.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see. Do you mind giving us that License number?

[Witness or Suspect]

No. If I can find it. Wrote it down on the back of an old envelope. Thought I put it in my jacket when I looked this morning, it wasn't there. It's around someplace. So I'll check around again before I leave for work. It'll bound to turn up.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'd like to have you look FOR IT Now, Mr. Singer, if you would. It's pretty important.

[Witness or Suspect]

Wow. I think I get it, officer. What's this all about anyway?

[Officer Joe]

Preliminary investigation. Want to see if you can find that number for us.

[Witness or Suspect]

Why? What's it have to do with an investigation? I didn't do anything. That old man was his fault.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, a bakery truck was involved in a serious accident last night. The same kind that you were driving. Afraid you're going to need some kind of an alibi, Mr. Singer.

[Witness or Suspect]

Alibi? I don't know what you mean. Why do I have to have an alibi?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, just take my word for it. You're going to need one.

[Witness or Suspect]

Why do I need one?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Two reasons.

[Witness or Suspect]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A nine year old boy and his grandmother. We continued questioning the suspect, Arthur Singer, but he denied any knowledge of the hit run accident the night before at the intersection of Drexel and Pico Boulevard. We stayed with him while he searched his home for the license number of the car which he said caused him to have his accident the night before. After half an hour of looking, he came up with a number scribbled on a scrap of paper which he'd found back in one corner on the floor of his closet. We put in a call to our DMV and they came back with the information that the license number was registered to a Mr. Thomas Foley on Lankersham Boulevard. We drove out to the address to check with Mr. Foley, but there was nobody home. We left our card along with a message to contact us as soon as possible. 4:15pm Ben and I got back to the office at 4:35. Mr. Foley returned our call?

[Officer Joe]

Yes, sir, that's right. Oh, you did?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Officer Joe]

I see. Well, what time was that? Do you remember? Well, all right, Mr. Foley, thank you very much. We may be contacting you later. Right. Bye.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What'd you get?

[Officer Joe]

Thought this was starting out too easy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why? What'd he say?

[Officer Joe]

Apparently this Arthur Singer's telling us the truth. Mr. Foley says he did have a little scrape with a bakery truck last night. Described Singer as a driver that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What about the location? Is Foley pretty sure about that?

[Officer Joe]

Grandview in West 7. Says it happened about 10:35 last night. That put Singer about three miles from the scene of the hit run. It's impossible.

[Witness or Suspect]

Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Officer Joe]

This Mr. Foley's right. Singer couldn't have done it. Wasn't anywhere near the scene.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Sure thought he was it, didn't you?

[Officer Joe]

We can drive out and double check with Foley. Can't think of any reason why you'd lie about it, can you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll get it. Accident Investigation Friday. Yeah, Ted.

[Witness or Suspect]

Where?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Nobody, huh?

[Witness or Suspect]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Right away. Thanks. It's moving a little fast. Got a piece of luck here.

[Officer Joe]

Who was it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ted Zimmerman. He and McLendon are down south end of town. Yeah, the hit and run truck. They think maybe they found it. 4:28pm Ben and I left the office and drove to the south end of the city where we met with Sergeant Zimmerman and McLendon, a block from where the tan panel bakery truck had been located. As soon as the truck had been discovered, an immediate stakeout was placed on it. A code 5 was broadcast on the vehicle's location, warning all units to stay away so as not to discourage the suspect in case he decided it was safe to return and get the truck. Ben and I drove down the side street where the truck was parked and got a good look at the front end of it. The right headlight was damaged and so was the right fender. While Zimmerman and McClendon remained on stakeout, Ben and I contacted the Nielsen Bakery people again. Gave them the number of the truck and they traced down the driver's name for us. He was listed as Daniel Miller. He'd been employed by the bakery for the past three years and he had a good record. They told us this was his day off. 5:30pm we checked at his home address, but his wife told us he wasn't there. She said that besides driving a truck for the bakery, he also had a part time job. At night he worked as a counterman at a small coffee shop out on Wilshire Boulevard. We drove out to the coffee shop and interviewed him on the job.

[Daniel Miller]

No, I'm sorry, I don't know where the truck is. I wish I did. What happened?

[Officer Joe]

Mr. Miller was his.

[Daniel Miller]

No, no, not exactly. A fellow that comes in here quite a bit. His name's Paul. Good customer. He borrowed the truck from me last night. Said he'd only be gone an hour. I haven't seen him since.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where does this man live, this friend of yours? Paul?

[Daniel Miller]

Well, to tell you the truth, I don't know. Good customer. He comes in quite a bit at night when I'm working. Gotten to know him pretty well. He asked to borrow the truck for an Hour. Didn't think much about it. Let him have it. Is there anything wrong?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's this Paul's last name? Do you know?

[Daniel Miller]

Oh, I guess I don't. Never thought to ask him, as a matter of fact. Guess they never had any reason to.

[Officer Joe]

About what time was it last night that you loaned him the truck?

[Daniel Miller]

Little after 8 o', clock, I think it was. He said he wanted to take his television set over to a guy he knew and get it fixed. He told me he'd be back by 10 o' clock at the latest.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You don't know where this man lives? You have no idea at all how to get in touch with him?

[Daniel Miller]

No, I guess I don't, Sergeant. Why?

[Officer Joe]

You're in the habit of lending the truck to strangers?

[Daniel Miller]

No, not usually. Well, what's your beef anyway? What's this all about?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What are your hours here at the coffee shop? Miller, when do you check in for work? When do you leave?

[Daniel Miller]

I check in at seven o'.

[Officer Joe]

Clock.

[Daniel Miller]

I go a straight five hours to midnight. That's when we close out.

[Officer Joe]

Midnight?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You worked that shift last night, did you? Seven p.m. straight through to midnight?

[Daniel Miller]

That's right. Monday through Saturday, six days a week. That's a schedule. It's just a part time job for me. Extra dough, you know. My regular job is driving the truck from the bakery.

[Officer Joe]

Was anyone around last night when your friend Paul came in to borrow the truck? Maybe another customer? A waitress? Somebody we could double check with?

[Daniel Miller]

No, there were a couple other customers in the place. Don't know who they were though. Why do you have to double check anyway? I haven't done anything. I loaned Paul a truck, that's all.

[Officer Joe]

Well, have you any way at all of proving you were here from 7 to 12 last night? Must have been some customers you waited on. That you remember?

[Daniel Miller]

Sure. There are at least half dozen of them. They'll tell you I was here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Like to have their names and addresses if you don't mind. Miller.

[Daniel Miller]

Yeah. Excuse me a minute.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Huh?

[Daniel Miller]

Got a customer to wait?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Sure, go ahead.

[Witness or Suspect]

Hi, Dan.

[Officer Joe]

I missed you last night.

[Daniel Miller]

All right, Fred. What do you have?

[Witness or Suspect]

Coffee. A couple of those donuts back there.

[Officer Joe]

Powdered sugar ones.

[Daniel Miller]

Okay.

[Officer Joe]

Me and the missus dropped in for.

[Witness or Suspect]

A sandwich after the show last night looking for you.

[Daniel Miller]

That so?

[Witness or Suspect]

Yeah, about 10:30.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where were you, Dan? 7:15pm Wednesday, December 22nd. We continued questioning the hit run suspect, Daniel Miller for a full hour. But he seemed to be unable to account for his time the previous night. His first story was that he'd been on duty behind the counter in the coffee shop without a break between the hours of 7pm and midnight. Then, after the customer entered and disclosed that he was in the coffee shop at 10:30 the night before and that Miller was nowhere about, the suspect switched his story. He said he thought he left the coffee shop briefly for about 15 minutes between 10:30 and 10:45pm to run down the street to a hotel to say goodbye to some friends of his who were leaving for New York. We checked at the hotel, but they didn't know Miller and they hadn't seen him the night before. They were sure of it. We returned to the coffee shop and took up the questioning of the suspect all over again. But he made little or no sense at all. Apparently he was piling up lie after lie in an effort to cover his tracks before and after the hit and run murder. The night before 7:48pm Ben and I pulled Miller off the job at the coffee shop and took him downtown to the interrogation room.

[Daniel Miller]

I'm telling you, it's the truth. I wasn't in that truck last night. I wasn't in an accident. I don't know what you're talking about.

[Officer Joe]

Well, then give us something to go on, Miller. You've handed three different stories so far, not one of them strong enough to hold water.

[Daniel Miller]

I'm telling you the truth. What are you trying to hang this on me for? I didn't have a wreck and I didn't kill anybody. Why you picking on me?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Because you don't make sense, mister. You're trying to sell us a story and you haven't got one ounce of proof to back it up. That bakery truck you're responsible for is the same truck that killed the old woman and the little boy. Now, you come up with a solid story that we can check on it, you're gonna be resting your back in the main jail.

[Daniel Miller]

No wonder they call you cops dumb. I wasn't in that truck last night. Can't you get that through your heads? I wasn't in the truck. I didn't have an accident.

[Officer Joe]

Then prove it to us, Mr. Miller. That's all we're waiting for.

[Daniel Miller]

Listen, call Bill Colter. He's a good customer. He was in last night. I think he'll tell you. Go ahead and call him. He'll back up what I say.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's his number? Do you know?

[Daniel Miller]

Yeah, I got it right. Right here in my wallet. Bill can tell you. Yeah, here it is.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. Hello, William Calder there, please. Yes, ma'. Am. It's important. All right. Will you have him call Michigan, 5211. Yeah, 5211. That's extension 2512. Right. Thank you very much. He's busy. He'll call back in a minute.

[Daniel Miller]

He'll tell you the truth. I was in the coffee shop all night. Just those couple of minutes. I ran down to the hotel to say goodbye to those friends of mine. That's the only time I left the place.

[Officer Joe]

How come you couldn't tell us that to begin with, Miller? You say you've got nothing to hide. Well, why do you have to hand us three different stories? Which one are we supposed to believe?

[Daniel Miller]

I got nervous, that's all. When you first come in and started to ask questions, I didn't know what it was all about. I didn't know there was any trouble. I just loaned the truck to this guy Paul as a favor. How'd I know what he was going to do, getting himself in a jam like that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, now, try to look at it from where we stand, Miller. You loan out your truck to a man, you don't know his last name, you don't know where he lives. You say he must have been driving the truck when the lady and the boy were killed.

[Daniel Miller]

Sure. He must have been driving it.

[Witness or Suspect]

I wasn't.

[Daniel Miller]

I was back at the coffee shop. I was there until midnight.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, then prove it to us. If you know the man well enough to loan him the truck, you ought to be able to find him.

[Daniel Miller]

They must be Bill Calder. He'll tell you.

[Witness or Suspect]

Go ahead.

[Daniel Miller]

See what he says.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Interrogation room. Friday. Oh, yeah. Mr. Kohler. Well, my name's Sergeant Friday. LAPD accident investigation.

[Witness or Suspect]

Friday?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, that's right. Wonder if you'd tell me if you know a Daniel Miller. Mm. When's the last time you saw him? Do you remember? I see. The place where he works. The coffee shop. Were you in there last night, by any chance? Did you see Miller in there? You're sure? Yes, sir. No, sir. That's all for now. Thank you very much. We're going to contact you later on. Thank you.

[Witness or Suspect]

Bye.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Bye.

[Daniel Miller]

Well, how about it? He told you, didn't he? That enough for you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He says he hasn't been in the coffee shop for three days. 9:45pm Our interrogation of the hit and run suspect, Daniel Miller, went on. At his suggestion. We called half a dozen people who he figured might substantiate his alibi, but none of them were able to. Miller continued to deny any knowledge of the hit run killing, but he still couldn't account for his whereabouts at the exact hour the nine year old boy and his grandmother were run down. The time element especially didn't work in his favor. Nothing worked in his favor. 11:30pm Ben and I took Daniel Miller over to the main jail where he was booked in on suspicion of 480V suspect. The following afternoon his lawyer obtained a writ and he was released from custody. The writ was returnable in five days. He came immediately to the office to plead with Ben and I to help him find Paul, the man who borrowed his truck and thus clear himself. We took him up on it either way. We figured we'd get to the bottom of it. If Miller dreamed up the character Paul to escape blame for the hit and run killing. We were bound to find out sooner or later if Miller was telling the truth. We had little reason to believe he was. And a man named Paul had borrowed the truck the night of the hit and run killing. We were bound to find that out too. In any event, we had to investigate. It's the job of the police officer to prove guilt or innocence, not guilt alone. Two days passed. And then another two the Monday following the Christmas weekend. We were ready to call a halt.

[Officer Joe]

I don't know what else we can do. I think we've given enough time, don't you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The deeper we get into it, the more it looks like Miller's our man. I still. I still can't make up my mind.

[Officer Joe]

Why do you have to be stubborn about it? We've checked every possible angle on this story. We still haven't announced a proof that this guy Paul he talks about even exists. We can't string along with Miller forever.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I suppose you're right. We've given him a square enough break on it. I still got that funny hunch. It's possible he might be telling the truth.

[Officer Joe]

We've gone four straight days on it. Joe having come across one lead to back up his story. It's too much for me. I can't buy it anymore.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Go ahead. Sigin oh, how are you Miller?

[Daniel Miller]

I'm okay. Glad to see you. I've been looking for you.

[Officer Joe]

We've been looking for your friend Miller. Still haven't found a trace of him.

[Daniel Miller]

That's why I came down to see you. A friend of mine called me this morning. He knows this guy Paul I told you about. He says he saw him last night going into a hotel down on South Flower.

[Officer Joe]

How come we haven't heard from this friend of yours before? We've checked through twice on the list of everybody you know.

[Daniel Miller]

This Fella's been out of town, just got back yesterday. When he heard about the jam I was in, he called me about St. Paul.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This hotel Paul was supposed to have been seen going into. Have you got the address of that?

[Daniel Miller]

Yeah, it's over on south flower, right near 12. Want to go over there with me right now? This friend of mine wouldn't kid me. Paul must be there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You sure about that?

[Daniel Miller]

He must be there. I'll bet a month's pay on it.

[Officer Joe]

You might be low, mister. What stands to cost you a lot more than that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We went up to the third floor, room 318. But the man registered as Paul Barton wasn't in. He'd left no word at the desk as to when he'd return. We sent Miller home and told him to wait for our call. Ben and I went on stakeout at the hotel. At 7:25 that night, Paul Barton returned to his room and we began questioning him. He showed no signs of being upset. His answers were quick, straightforward, and they seemed to make sense. The interview went on a half hour, an hour, and Barton began to grow a little nervous. He contradicted himself. Big holes began to show up in his story as to how and where he spent his time. The night of the hit run killing. 8:45pm Ben and I took Barton back to the office. We found Zimmerman in the squadron and had him phone Miller at his home and ask him to come downtown as soon as possible. Meantime, we checked Paul Barton through R and I and then we took him to the interrogation room where the questioning went on.

[Officer Joe]

You're a little mixed up about that, aren't you, Mr. Barton? I thought you said you went to that bar downtown about 10pm and then you went to visit at your sister's house. Now you tell us you went to your sister's and then you went to the bar downtown. Now, which is it?

[Witness or Suspect]

Well, that's getting a little high handed, isn't it? Why do I have to account for.

[Officer Joe]

My time to you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

If it wasn't important, we wouldn't be asking you. I think you know that.

[Witness or Suspect]

Well, I don't know anything of the kind. You're trying to take advantage of me. That's the only impression I can get. I think I've answered enough of your questions.

[Daniel Miller]

I'm going back to the hotel.

[Officer Joe]

Just a minute, Barton. There's one more thing. Last time you were arrested for a traffic violation, you want to tell us what the charge was?

[Witness or Suspect]

What?

[Officer Joe]

I think you heard me.

[Witness or Suspect]

Well, that was a year ago. I was driving a little Too fast. Going up Beverly Boulevard. And what's that got to do with our record?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Bureau says the charge was for drunk. Your license was revoked. Isn't that right?

[Daniel Miller]

Well, so what?

[Witness or Suspect]

I haven't been driving. I haven't been near a car.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What about last Tuesday night?

[Witness or Suspect]

Huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Last Tuesday night. Did you do any driving then?

[Witness or Suspect]

No. No, of course not.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Sure about that?

[Witness or Suspect]

You're not trapping me. I answered all your questions. I'm getting.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, you gotta stay right where you are, mister. Stay put. Ben, you want to check next door, see if Miller's come in with me?

[Officer Joe]

Yeah, okay.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You can't make me stay here.

[Witness or Suspect]

It's illegal. You got nothing to hold me on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, then. There's nothing to worry about. This won't take very long. We got a man by the name of Miller coming in. He says he thinks he knows you.

[Witness or Suspect]

Miller?

[Daniel Miller]

I don't know Miller. Nice going, Paul. Where you been? I said, where you been? Why'd you do with the truck?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Grab him, Ben. Grab him. All right, now let me go.

[Officer Joe]

Settle down. Settle down. Come on, mister.

[Daniel Miller]

Settle down.

[Witness or Suspect]

I didn't do. I didn't do a thing. I. Well, look, you can't prove it. You can't prove I did.

[Daniel Miller]

They're gonna prove it, Paul. I'm going to help them prove it. You should have been a real good friend.

[Witness or Suspect]

Look, give me a break, Danny. I didn't mean it. Honestly, I didn't mean it.

[Daniel Miller]

I loan you the truck, you get boozed up. You run down the little kid and the grandmother, then you take off and leave me holding the sack like I did it.

[Witness or Suspect]

I didn't mean it, Danny. It was an accident. I wasn't boozed up.

[Daniel Miller]

Yeah, you're a real good friend. I hope you get it in the neck. I hope you get it with both barrels.

[Witness or Suspect]

Look, Sergeant, that's not true.

[Daniel Miller]

I wasn't boozed up.

[Witness or Suspect]

I only had two drinks. Now, believe me, that's all I had. Yeah, I couldn't have been drunk. It doesn't affect me that way. Two drinks never hurt me. Couple of drinks never hurt anybody.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

They killed a little boy and his grandmother.

[Witness or Suspect]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On February 28, trial was held in Superior Court Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial, Paul Barton, was filed on for violation of the State vehicle code section 480, a hit and run felony, and also for manslaughter, two counts. He was convicted only for section 480 and received sentence as prescribed by law. A hit and run felony is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for not less than one nor more than five years. 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.

[Sam]

Foreign.

[Adam Graham]

This is a story that I really do have a great place in my heart for, because it's a bit unusual and different from so many other Dragnet episodes. And particularly when we come to this man who's working the second job, it really does feel like an utterly unbelievable nonsense alibi. In fact, if you weren't dealing with a case or a series that used true life cases, you would not make this up because it is such a transparently nonsensical story. And indeed, I think the first time I encountered the episode, I thought we were heading towards a point where by helping him out, they would actually find evidence that he really was involved and he'd see that the lie was pointless. And that has happened on Dragnet a few times. But this one took a really big turn towards the end because right up until the end it looked like the same sort of flim flam. He told a story, but they could find no corroboration for it. They tried to reach out to his friends and the people whose names he'd given them, and they couldn't find anyone until at last he's able to come through. And we get a really good confrontation at the end with someone that, like I said, the first time I encountered this, and I think it's when I saw it on television, I really thought that it was a case where he was making the whole part about Paul up. But this story serves as yet another reminder that people can behave oddly and sometimes even more oddly in real life than authors of fiction might imagine. Well, now we turn to our Patreon supporter of the day and I want to thank Lisa, Patreon supporter since April of 2016, currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Lisa. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us if you 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 Dollarware.

[Insurance Agent]

That's right. After waiting 20 years for this sole beneficiary to show up. 20 years. Like I told you, the Insured was Albert Schuyler King, 65?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Insurance Agent]

He was a widower, lived up near Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and he had a son named Henry. Henry was his sole heir and beneficiary of his policy. Okay, and you say that Kingman died 20 years ago? Yes, during that big hurricane back in 38, remember? It did about $40 million damage up and down the coast.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Girl?

[Insurance Agent]

I was a mere child at the time. Oh, sure. How old was Henry? Well, he was 10. Just a kid. Anyhow, it was several days before the old man's body was. And the boy? No trace of him. Disappeared in due course of time. Because of the statute of limitations, the old man's estate was. Well, I guess it went to the state. But not his insurance, huh? No, no. We kept the matter of the insurance open. Company policy requires a lot of legal finagling, but in the company's history, they've turned up beneficiaries as much as 15, 18 years after death.

[Officer Joe]

How?

[Insurance Agent]

By advertising. And that's what accounts for the sudden appearance of two Henry Kingman, each claiming to be the beneficiary of Albert Kingman's policy, and each having a logical, legitimate story, each saying he didn't know about the insurance until he saw.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box [e-mail] follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.