Dragnet: The Big Shoplift (EP4874)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet: The Big Shoplift (EP4874)
Date: December 25, 2025
Host: Adam Graham

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Overview

This episode features Dragnet: The Big Shoplift, a classic radio detective drama originally aired October 11, 1951. Sergeants Friday and Romero investigate a surge in shoplifting along Los Angeles’ Wilshire Boulevard, focused particularly on a high-profile theft: a silver-blue mink stole from Anthony’s Store for Women. Their search uncovers employee suspicions, a string of mysterious thefts, and ultimately the story of a kleptomaniac operating across the city's upscale shops.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Case Begins: A Missing Mink Stole

• Setting: Anthony’s Store for Women, a department store experiencing a spree of merchandise thefts.
• Incident: A valuable mink stole disappears during a crowded pre-winter event (03:14).
• Investigation: Store manager Mr. Elliot explains the rash of thefts, centering suspicion on Dorothy Kirkman, a diligent, long-serving salesgirl whose sections coincidentally suffer the most losses.

2. Suspicions Turn to Employee

• Dorothy Kirkman:
  • Her department(s) coincided with thefts; she was transferred amid suspicions but vehemently denies any wrongdoing (10:20).
  • “The only thing I ever took home from that store was my paycheck.” – Dorothy Kirkman [11:57]
  • Detectives find no solid evidence against her but arrange surveillance as a precaution.

3. Clues and Breaks in the Case

• Mink Stole Found:

  • Discovered abandoned in a bus station by a bystander, Mrs. Briggs, who describes a tall, blonde woman as the possible suspect (14:48).
  • Detectives run down leads and check all known shoplifters but find nothing.

• More Odd Recoveries:

  • Stolen goods reappear in refuse cans, hotel lobbies, and vacant lots, suggesting the thief is motivated by compulsion rather than profit: “stealing for just the love of stealing. A kleptomaniac.” [17:59]

4. The Turning Point: Eyewitness Account

• Witness Patricia Denver:
  • Sees a tall, blonde woman discard expensive items in a vacant lot, identifies the woman as Mrs. Virginia Sterling, wife of a prominent doctor (18:50).

5. Confrontation and Confession

• Interview with Mrs. Sterling:

  • Mrs. Sterling is cool under questioning, initially denies knowledge, but becomes distressed when confronted with eyewitness testimony (20:46).
  • “Law of averages, Ms. Sterling. You show up too often in the reports.” – Sgt. Friday [23:02]

• Full Confession:

  • Sterling reveals a lifelong struggle with kleptomania tied to feelings of loneliness and inadequacy, only stealing for the thrill and relief it brings, never for the items themselves (24:01–27:18).
  • “Things I took, they…never meant anything to me. Nothing. Just taking them. Not having anyone knowing, that’s all that was important. It made up for that feeling. Being all alone.” – Mrs. Sterling [26:07]

6. Legal Outcome

• Resolution:
  • Mrs. Sterling is tried and convicted on multiple counts of grand theft, sentenced as prescribed by law (28:06).
  • The story closes on a somber note regarding the deep emotional needs behind Sterling's crimes.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.” – Sgt. Joe Friday [03:14]
• “The only thing I ever took home from that store was my paycheck.” – Dorothy Kirkman [11:57]
• “It’s the work of somebody who was stealing for just the love of stealing. A kleptomaniac.” – Joe Friday (narration) [17:59]
• “Things I took, they…never meant anything to me. Nothing. Just taking them…made up for that feeling. Being all alone.” – Mrs. Sterling [26:07]
• “I don’t know, ma’am. But you won’t be alone anymore.” – Sgt. Joe Friday (closing line) [28:06]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:14]: Case introduction; details of the theft at Anthony’s Store for Women
• [10:20]: Initial interview with Dorothy Kirkman
• [14:48]: Mrs. Briggs describes suspect at the bus depot
• [18:09]: Witness Patricia Denver identifies Mrs. Sterling
• [20:46]: Confrontation and interview with Mrs. Sterling
• [24:01]: Mrs. Sterling’s confession and the emotional roots of her crimes
• [28:06]: Legal resolution—trial outcome

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Host Commentary & Reflections (Adam Graham)

• Comparing Radio and Television Dragnet:
  Adam notes the shift in tone between radio and TV adaptations, highlighting television’s greater compassion for emotionally troubled suspects. In this story, the radio version’s “zinger” closing line feels cold given Mrs. Sterling’s tragic motivations (30:08).

• On Store Employee Treatment:
  Adam criticizes Anthony’s management for mishandling Dorothy Kirkman, noting that moving her to a more vulnerable department increased risk instead of solving the problem, and unfairly alienated a loyal employee.

• Listener Feedback:
  Comments are shared about the presence of old-time radio actors in other series, notably Perry Mason, and the neat crossover of voices and talent between audio and visual media.

  • Example: “So many of the people I've heard are on there and I can put a face to them. Starting with Larry Thor…” [Feedback segment approx. 32:00]

• Thanks to Patreon Supporter:
  A shoutout to Diane, a long-term Patreon supporter.

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Conclusion

The Big Shoplift is a poignant Dragnet episode exploring the limits of circumstantial suspicion, the compulsion of kleptomania, and the personal cost of misunderstanding both criminals and innocents. Adam’s commentary provides thoughtful context on the depiction of mental health, store management, and the legacy of old-time radio actors.

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Transcript

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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[Sergeant Ben Romero]

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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[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. And you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetactives.net but now, from October 11, 1951, here. Here's the Big Shoplift.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

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 burglary detail. A wave of shoplifting breaks out in your city. There's no pattern to the thief's operations. There are no leads. Weeks pass. The number of thefts keep growing. Your job, stop them. 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. It was Tuesday. August 22nd. Was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of burglary detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Wisdom. My name's Friday. It was 2:18pm when we got to Anthony's Store for Women. The General Manager's office. Mr. Addy. Come right in. Thank you. Thank you. My name is Romero, sir. I talk to you on the phone. This is my partner, Sergeant Friday. How do you do? How are you? Certainly glad to see you. Let me get another chair here. Thank you very much. Haven't had time for my after lunch cigarette yet. Care to join me? No, thank you, sir. I got a light. Oh, yeah. Well, I guess you know what the problem is. No need for me to go all the way back and start from the beginning. I didn't get it quite clear on the phone, Mr. Elliot. When did this last thing come up? Well, the way we have figured out, it must have happened around closing time yesterday between 5 5:30. We figure the store was pretty crowded at that time. Was it? Yeah, it's pretty busy there. A special pre winter showing in the fur department. No one noticed it was gone until after we'd closed up. Can you give us a description of the piece of merchandise, Mr. Elliott? Yes. Yeah, we got it right. Complete description, you see. Silver blue mink stole, satin lining, two slash pockets, silver chain fastener. Complete description of it for you. Yes. I see. Thank you. These are the code numbers and the serial numbers on it? That's right. The whole thing's getting way out of hand, Sergeant. We had a lot of things lifted from the store the last few weeks, but nothing this big. This keeps up, I don't see how we're going to get our insurance renewed. I guess your store detectives are working on this latest one. The missing fur. Yes, but it's the same as all the recent cases we've had. They haven't been able to find a thing. All the personnel have been checked. All the people who were around the department when the fur was stolen? I mean, those it was possible to check on. As far as we know, they're all clear. What were the circumstances of this thing, Mr. Elliot? I mean, was this mink stole on a display rack? Did one of the models have it on? Exactly. How was it? Well, it was modeled. Yes. After it was shown to several parties, it was put back in stock. We have a special rack for the stove. Regular enclosed cabinets, sliding doors on it. Cabinets usually open during store hours. I see. There was a store detector in the department at the time. All those salespeople were standing around. I can't understand why one of them didn't see it happen. Mr. Elitch, you say this is the first time an expensive item like this has been lifted from the store? That's right. About the personnel, Mr. Elliot, you say there's been a check made on each one of them since this thing started? Yes, sir, that's correct. And there's no reason to be suspicious at all of any one of your people? Well, as a matter of fact, there is one, Sergeant, Sales girl. She was up in five in the suite 16 shop. Then she was moved down to cosmetics on the street floor. What is it that makes you suspicious for her? Well, before I say anything, I want to make it perfectly clear to you. We've never had any real proof that there was something wrong there. Dorothy started with us eight years ago. That's a girl's name, Dorothy Kirkman. She came to us right out of high school. She seemed to be doing all right, got along with the customers, dressed neatly, always on time. And all of a sudden this shoplifting started. We didn't think there was any connection at first. Thought it was only coincidence. How do you mean? She. Well, just for instance. Wait a minute. Get the file on that. Right here in the desk. I see. There you are. Here it is. Out of the first 14 items that disappear, six of them were out of Dorothy Kirkman's department. Right out of her section. Cashmere sweaters, expensive blouses, scarves. As I say, at first we wrote it off to coincidence, but it kept recurring. Her section almost seemed to be the focal point of all the shoplifting. That was at the beginning, of course. Did you have the Kirkman girl watched, Mr. Elliot? Yes, we did. The department had kept an eye on her and, well, I guess Dorothy noticed it. She resented it quite a bit. Had a little spat with the head of the department. We thought it'd be best for everyone if she transferred, so we had her move downstairs to cosmetics how did that arrangement work out? Well, the first few weeks, fine. And we started missing things out of cosmetics. A lot of it didn't amount to too much. A lot of it did. Makeup kits, expensive perfumes. This time he called her in, tried to talk to her about it in a nice way. She got very resentful. She denied knowing anything about it. Yeah, she got very upset. Of course, there is one thing I will say. The items in cosmetics are on display all over the counter. It's all easy for anybody to pick them up. The fact still remains, a stealing began in her department upstairs. She moves over to cosmetics and all of a sudden the losses increase there. What would you figure? Yes, I see what you mean. Wonder if you could have somebody point out this Dorothy Kirkman for us. Mr. Elliot, I think maybe we better have a talk with her. Would like to help your sergeant. I'm afraid that's not possible. Oh? How do you mean? She quit last Saturday. We got all the information available on Dorothy Kirkman from the store's personnel files. And then we called the office and gave him a description of the stolen fur. We asked them to check the Kirkman girl through R and I. She had no previous criminal records. Before we left the store, we went to the fur department, talked to all the salespeople concerned. But we were unable to come up with anything new regarding the theft of the silver blue mink stole. We drove out to Dorothy Kirkman's last known address. She wasn't at home, but her mother was. The mother told us that the day before her daughter had started on a new job as a salesgirl at the House of Raymond, an exclusive shop specializing in all types of cosmetics. We checked the phone book and found that the House of Raymond was located in the same 10 block stretch along Wilshire Boulevard where the shoplifting campaign was going on. It was one of the few places along there that the thieves hadn't bothered. It was three blocks from Anthony Store for women. The Kirkman girls former place of employment. 405pm we located her behind one of the front counters. Across the aisle, half a dozen women were listening to a makeup demonstrator giving a talk on complexion care. Dorothy Kirkman seemed pleasant and cooperative.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, I don't mind telling you, I got sick and tired of being called a thief. That's why I quit Anthony's. Little of that goes a long way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You started work here at Raymond's yesterday, Ms. Kirkland, is that right?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, that's right. I think I'm going to like it a lot better than Anthony's.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

While you were working here at Anthony's, ma', am, I suppose you'd heard that quite a bit of shoplifting was going on.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, I knew about it. Guess every girl in the store knew it. They had a big personnel meeting about it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You have any suspicions of your own, Ms. Kirkman?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How do you mean that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I mean, was there anyone in particular that you might have been a little suspicious of? Maybe one of the customers?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No. I've waited on some real weird ones, but I didn't see any of them ever try to walk out with anything. All I Knew was what Mr. Elliot told us at that meeting.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, this might be an embarrassing question for you, miss, and we'd appreciate an honest answer.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What about the Seals girls you worked with? Did any of them ever give you cause to be suspicious?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Mean, do I think any of them were doing the stealing? No. There was some of them I didn't like. I didn't trust them either. But I wouldn't accuse them of stealing. I wouldn't accuse anybody unless I had proof. That's more than I can say for some people I know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, by any chance, did you happen to be in Anthony's this past Monday?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Monday? No. Why do you ask?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When you were working on the fifth floor up the street at Anthony's, we understand that when the merchandise first started disappearing, a pretty good percentage of it was out of your section.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's what they told me is.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And then when you were transferred downstairs to the cosmetics counter, quite a few things started disappearing from there. Now, we'd like an honest answer. Mr. Kirkman, do you have any explanation at all for this?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I'll tell you the same thing I told them at the store. Sergeant. I can't explain it, but I didn't have anything to do with it, believe me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, you'll have to admit, miss, it's pretty much of a coincidence, isn't it, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You can call it anything you want to. I didn't have anything to do with it. The only thing I ever took home from that store was my paycheck. Would you excuse me, please? Customer I have to wait on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Go right ahead. Huh. What do you think? I don't know. Nice enough girl seems to be telling the truth. Could be a coincidence, the way it worked out. Nothing to prove otherwise. 4:38pm we finished questioning the suspect, Dorothy Kirkman, and Ben and I went back to the office and made arrangements to have the girl kept under temporary surveillance. A bulletin had been gotten out on the missing fur Stole? The pawn shop detail had been notified and a description of the fur had been placed on the stolen property list. The following day, along with Sergeants Dick Rubles and Jim Tabor, we continued our investigation of the latest shoplifting complaints. It went slow. A lot of legwork and no progress. Like the dozens of other items of merchandise which had vanished in the last eight weeks, there wasn't a trace of the missing fur stole. More men were added to the special detail on duty in the 10 block area where the stealing was going on. Anybody in the city who'd ever served time for shoplifting was checked and rechecked. Constant surveillance was maintained. Over a half a dozen known thieves who we figured might be involved. It got us nothing. Wednesday, August 23, 5:30pm no leads, no progress. We went back to the office. Sure hope I get home before 6 o' clock tonight. I want to see that shoe repair man out in our neighborhood. Well, what's the matter? You need some half souls? No. I went in his shop the other day and he conned me into a new set of art supports. Matter of fact, he didn't even call them art support. What do you say they were? Metatarsal supports. You know, supports. Menatarsal. Yeah, that's one of the bones in the foot. He sold me a pair of these things and told me I should wear only one of them in my right shoe. Yeah, what's the matter with that? Isn't it working out? Miserable. Feel like I've been walking around with one foot in the bucket. I'll check the book. Okay. Anything? Yeah, sure is. From Rubles. What do you got? That mink fur. It's been found two hours before. At approximately 3:30pm in the main depot of the Santa Fe bus lines, a 38 year old housewife, a Mrs. Harriet Briggs, noticed an unclaimed parcel lying on one of the benches in the depot waiting room. When it became apparent to Mrs. Briggs that the parcel was either lost or forgotten, she picked it up and took it to the clerk in charge of lost and found articles. In checking the package for some kind of identification, they discovered the silver blue mink stole inside. The car was dispatched to pick up the fur and it was identified as the garment taken from Anthony's first salon. Mrs. Briggs volunteered to come along to the office to give what information she could. A stakeout was placed at the bus depot in case anybody called for the package. 5:50pm we interviewed Mrs. Briggs in the squadron.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's right, Officer. It was just a little before 3:30. I was in the bus depot there, waiting for my husband. That's when I first noticed this package line on the bench just across from.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, see what you go on, please, Ms. Bray.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I didn't think anything of it at first. I went on reading the afternoon paper, but no one came for the package. It was just lying there. Was there a long time?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How long would you say, ma'? Am? I mean, before you picked it up and took it to the lost and found clerk?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, I'd say 20 minutes of half an hour. That much at least. I left it with the young man at the counter there, and I told him I'd be back to see if anyone claimed it. Well, when I did get back, that's after I had dinner with my husband, Carl. We found out what was in the package. Certainly strange, don't you think of.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Did you happen to notice at all who it was that left the package there?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, I'm not really sure, officer, but I think I know who it was. A tall woman. She had a brown jacket. If I remember rightly, I think you'd say she was in her early 30s.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Have you ever seen this woman before, Ms. Briggs?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, I never did. Very attractive, as I recall. She wore glasses.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anything else about her you might have noticed?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Let me think. She had blonde hair. I remember that much. The reason I do remember it is because she wore it like I used to when I was a girl. You know, sort of a back in a bun like this.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And you're pretty sure that this woman you describe is the one who left the package there?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

If I remember rightly, she's the. She's the only one that sat across from me. Guess it must be her. If it wasn't her, I don't know who else it could have been.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, Ms. Briggs. Thank you very much. We appreciate it.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That beautiful fur. I know that woman must be just sick about losing it. Certainly hope you find her, Officer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. So do we. We had the stats office make a run for us and all females with shoplifting records who fitted the description of the woman who'd left the mink stole in the waiting room at the bus depot the following morning. We checked with the men on stakeout at the depot. They told us nobody had come back to report losing such a parcel. Together with rubles and tabor, we spent most of the day checking out the names on the list of known shoplifters, which the stats office had made up for us. Names of possible suspects who physically resembled a tall, blonde woman seen at the depot. We got nowhere. Either they had ironclad alibis or they had since moved out of the city. We ran down every possible angle on the freak recovery of the missing first o. During the next 10 days, the case got more involved than it already was. Some of the stolen articles of new merchandise began showing up, but not through any of the channels we expected. Some of the items were found dumped in sidewalk refuse cans. Some were found in hotel lobbies, in the post office, in theaters. Some were found tossed in vacant lots. The only logical answer we could figure was that it was the work of somebody who was stealing for just the love of stealing. A kleptomaniac. Tuesday, September 4th. A 15 year old girl in one of the exclusive residential neighborhoods reported finding two parcels containing women's clothing and expensive costume jewelry. They still had the price tags on them and they totaled $360. Ben and I drove out to talk to the girl, a Patricia Denver's. Where'd you happen to find these things, Patricia Delight?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Right down the block. There. I was on my way home from the show. I took the things home and showed my mother. She called the police. Nobody claims this package with a costume jewelry. Can I keep it? Certainly. Beautiful.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I'm afraid not, miss. We know who the things belong to. We're gonna have to return them.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, I certainly don't understand that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how do you mean?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, as far as I could see, she threw the things away. I thought she didn't want them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean? Who didn't want them?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, the lady who threw them in the empty lot.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You saw who it was that threw the packages in that lot, did you?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes. I was on my way home from the show, just like I told you. I could see this lady walking up ahead of me. She was about a block away, I guess. When she went by the lot. I saw her take these packages from under her arm and toss them in the grass. She wouldn't do that if she wanted them, would she?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you get a good look at this woman? You have any idea what she looks like?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

She's a good looking woman. Tall. She has beautiful blonde hair. Husband's a doctor.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And you know who she is? You've seen her before?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, I don't know where to talk to. I just see her around the neighborhood.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Does she live around here? Do you know that?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, Right next door to my girlfriend.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You are listening to Dragnet Authentic stories of your police force in action. Tuesday, September 4th, 5:15pm with the help of the 15 year old girl, Patricia Denver. We got the name and address of the woman who had been seen tossing the parcels of stolen merchandise into a vacant lot in the west end of the city. The woman was identified as a Mrs. Virginia Sterling, the wife of a Dr. Bruce Sterling, a fairly prominent young surgeon with offices in Beverly Hills. Mrs. Sterling and her husband had no children. They leased a richly furnished apartment in a residential section of the city that was considered better than the upper middle class. We checked Virginia Sterling through R and I, but she had no previous criminal record that we knew of. Together with Sergeants Rubles and Tabor, we covered the various stores along Wilshire Boulevard that had been victimized in the recent shoplifting campaign. We found that Mrs. Sterling had charge accounts at almost every one of the stores. Generally speaking, we found her accounts in very good standing. And among the store people, she was regarded as what is referred to as a fine customer, a good spender and a good credit risk, right down to the Retail Credit Association. There was nothing but favorable reports on the woman. 7:15pm Ben and I had a hamburger and some chili and a cup of coffee for dinner. And then we drove out to the apartment of Dr. Sterling and his wife. Mrs. Sterling answered the door and invited us in. We identified ourselves. She told us the doctor was out on a call. She showed us into the living room. Modern furniture, indirect lighting, expensive rugs.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Won't you sit down, gentlemen?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you very much.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Should I get you a drink? I was just having my coffee and brandy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, thank you, Sterling.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I really don't know when the doctor will be back. He was called over to the hospital. Is there anything I could help you with?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, as a matter of fact, Mrs. Sterling, we came out to talk to you, not your husband.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, really? What is it you wanted to talk to me about, Sergeant Romero?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, ma', am, we understand that you do quite a bit of your shopping along Wiltshire Bow Boulevard, is that right?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, yes, I shop downtown quite often. Except the problem of parking. I find it a lot more convenient. Why do you ask?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ms. Sterling, do you do much of your shopping at Anthony's? I believe that's out in the Wilshire district.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, I do. For my sports clothes especially. They have a very good selection.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Would you remember if you were in Anthony's on the 22nd of last month? I believe that was a Tuesday.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

On a Tuesday, No, I don't think I could remember one way or the other. I really don't have any special day for shopping. I just of kind go when I feel like it or when I need something.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Have you ever Been in the first line of Anthony's, ma'. Am. Have you ever made any purchases there?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I suppose I've been in almost every department at Anthony's at one time or another. I can tell you, though, I've never brought any fruits there. As I told you, the main reason I go there at all is because of their sportswear. Could you tell me what this is about, please?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Routine investigation, ma'. Am. I wonder if you could tell us this. Do you have any occasion to travel in the area of the Santa Fe bus depot?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

By bus? No, I don't think I've been on a bus since. Well, since I've been married. And that'll be six years this coming December.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You've never been in the Santa Fe bus depot downtown?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, I think I know where it is. I've driven past it. I've never been inside, though. Why should you want to know that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, Ms. Sterling, we're going to be honest with you. This has to do with an investigation we're on. Now, we've had a couple of reports that you were seen at the Santa Fe bus depot on August 23rd. That was on a Wednesday. Reports came from pretty reliable people.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, I certainly consider myself reliable. And I say I've never been there. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like some kind of explanation for this questioning.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You mean you have no idea why we drove out here to talk to you?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Of course not. Number one, I don't understand your questions at all. Number two, I'd like to know what they have to do with me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What has this to do with you, ma'? Am? Last August 23, a woman in a brown sports jacket answering your description left a package in the Santa Fe bus station. This package contained a mink stole taken from Anthony's. The woman who left the package in the depot fits your description perfectly.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's all? It's a coincidence?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Maybe. I suppose you've read in the papers about the big increase in shoplifting. Most of it's taking place right in the area where you say you do most of your buying. Well, we've checked out every single one of the cases, Mrs. Sterling. Took us a long time. We found a dozen salespeople in those stores. Every one of them tells us that you were around a particular store when the shoplifting took place. Law of averages, Ms. Sterling. You show up too often in the reports.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Would you please leave my house? Both of you, please?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm sorry, Ms. Sterling, but you'll have to come along with us.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What do you mean by that? Don't you know you can get in trouble making false accusations? I'm going to call my husband right now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am. If you like. Go right ahead.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Sergeant.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What is it? What do you want to know? You can tell me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I think you know already.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What do you want? Tell me, please.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We've got your story, ma', am, right up to this afternoon. You went shopping today. You stole things as usual. When you tried to get rid of them, you were seen right in this neighborhood. The vacant lot down in the next corner. You threw them away there. Somebody saw you.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

They didn't know it was me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. They knew it was you?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes. How can I make them understand? Do you know?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Horrible shame. I couldn't tell my husband. I couldn't help Bruce. I couldn't.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, never mind. We'll tell him for you. 9:35pm we got in the car and drove Mrs. Sterling downtown to the city hall. We took her to the interrogation room, called a police stenographer, and we began to take her complete statement. One of the first things she did was to admit full responsibility for the series of shopliftings which had been going on for over two months. She told us that her kleptomania, the urge to steal things, had started with her as far back as her junior high school years. She admitted as a girl she stole books, tablets, pencils, pieces of chalk. And as she grew older, it seemed to get more serious with her. It carried over into her college years. And that's when her stealing first got her into trouble.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

It's when I joined this sorority was just like high school. I was all alone. We had a lot of clever girls in our house. Some of them were smart, some of them were pretty. All of them seemed to be doing something except me. I had to prove it to them. I guess I had to prove it to myself. I was smart, too, see.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You figured that taking things was the best way to prove that.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, I suppose so. Of course, it wasn't easy. You know, the awful part was I got caught one day. It was kind of a relief in a way. I mean, how could they know I was just as smart as they were? They didn't find out what I was doing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you stay on at college after that, Ms. Sterling?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, no, I couldn't after that. They voted me out of the sorority. There wasn't anything to do but leave, so I left.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What happened after that?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I went to New York and stayed with an aunt. I Have there? Got a job. Had several jobs. The same thing came up again. I lost two of the jobs. Same thing over again. I just couldn't help. It always means so much to me. Taking things. Not being caught. Getting away. Getting away. Things I took, they. They never meant anything to me. Nothing. Just taking them. Not having anyone knowing, that's all that was important. It made up for that feeling. Being all alone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. And this thing went on. I mean, even after you were married?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, not at first. I guess maybe a year or two. We were very happy, Bruce and I. And then he got busy, came out here and began to build his practice. I didn't see as much of him. We both wanted children. We wanted them very much. There weren't any. Bruce began to spend more time away from home, just like before. Same thing. I wasn't important. I was all alone again. Wasn't anybody. You know what I mean, don't you, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

There ought to be an answer someplace. There isn't anything worse than being alone, is there?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I get it. INTERROGATION ROOM Friday yeah. Dick? Mm? He is on his way now. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Thank you. Dr. Sterling just called, said he was on his way in. He ought to be here in a couple of minutes.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I don't want to see Bruce. He's so good. I wouldn't know how to tell him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Don't worry, ma'. Am. He'll be all right. No.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I'm alone. He's alone. It'll never be all right anymore.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, he's on his way in now, and he wants to see you.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What can I tell him? What's it gonna be like? What's gonna happen after this?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't know, ma'. Am. But you won't be alone anymore. The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On December 9, trial was held in Superior Court Department 88, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. Misses Virginia Sterling was tried and convicted on several counts of grand theft and received a sentence as prescribed by law. The terms to run concurrently. Grand theft is punishable by imprisonment for not less than one or more than ten 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. Stay tuned for counterspy next on NBC.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet Paycor, a Paychex company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results from recruiting and development to payroll and analytics, paycor connects you with the people, data and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset. Your people ready to become a Better Leader? Visit paycord.comleaders to learn more. That's paycord.com leaders.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. This episode contains one of the more interesting changes in adapting a story from radio to television. Because the television version of Joe Friday comes off as a lot more compassionate. The way the closing line is delivered comes as a bit of a zinger. And we like that when they're dealing with hardened criminals or people who've committed horrible crimes or who have done really bad things, this lady confessed to shoplifting due to a lifetime of loneliness and insecurity and in part as a result of the pain of infertility and sadness in her marriage. As a result, the big zinger lands flat and comes across as a bit mean and uncalled for. The TV version ends with her saying that there had to be an answer and Friday looking on empathetically as she's going through this whole statement and then saying there is, but you won't find it in jail. And this acknowledges the fact that she made mistakes that will cost her her freedom for the time, but treats it as the sad case it is. And it's an example where the choice on television is a definite improvement. I sympathize with the sales girl who had to quit. I feel that if an objective outsider looked at the store's actions and her engagement with her on shoplifting, they'd find it was not as friendly as the manager told Store Friday. And Romero was definitely a victim of circumstance. She was transferred to another department not because anyone had seen her doing anything, but just because there were thefts in her department. And worse than that, they transferred her to a department where it would have been easy for anybody to walk off with something. So if she had been a thief, you were creating opportunity for more thievery. How exactly did they think that was going to work? If you think that there are thefts in a department, you have a store detective observe. You use surveillance tactics. You don't let the person know what's going on. You don't move them around to other departments, particularly where it's far harder to prevent theft. I mean, all they did was alienate a longtime employee for no good reason. Well, listener comments and feedback now. And we have some comments on the big want ad and Harrison writes, man, George Harrison certainly had a dark origin story, a reference to Some of those future famous names showing up on an old time radio program. Mechanic 66 says, Good one. I'm watching Perry Mason for the third time and it's a new experience after listening to this podcast. So many of the people I've heard are on there and I can put a face to them. Starting with Larry Thor in the first episode with a couple of lines as the police surgeon. To two episodes so far with Stacy Harris, Virginia Gregg, John Stevenson, Jeanette Nolan, Peter Leeds, who I think also played some animal sounds, John Dana, and so many more. Well, Perry Mason is a remarkable series for the number of old time radio actors who appeared in there. There was a website, it's no longer active, but thankfully archived by the Wayback Machines through Internet Archive called Digital Deli. And that site had profiles of old time radio actors. And so many of the actors pictures that they featured were screenshots from old episodes of Perry Mason. Now certainly there are other series that old time radio actors appeared in, but that seemed to be a bit of a clearinghouse. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Diane, patreon Supporter since July 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 favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it. Free from. We will be back in three weeks with another episode of Dragnet. But join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Dollar Wear.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

One of our craft got up here from Santa Monica harbor not more than 40 minutes after she went down. How'd you find out about it? Phone call from somebody living along the beach. Potato stood out out there blowing a whistle and foghorn woke him up. By the time he got out of bed, he said it looked like a regular fireworks display about a half mile offshore. Huh. You see where they put a marker? Boy, yeah. Wouldn't the wind and current move that slick? And whatever wreckage there is no wind. That's why there's still some fog out there and they're allowing for drift. Don't worry. If there's anything left of the taters, those boys will find it. Now, excuse me, will you please? I gotta keep a check on operations. Yeah, sure, Captain. See you later, henley. You say Mr. And Mrs. Merrill are okay, huh? Yes. If the Coast Guard and Santa Monica are through with them, they're probably back at their home in Westwood. I think I'd like to talk to them. By all means. Though I don't exactly see any particular reason for investigation. Company policy, Mr. Dollar on any claim over. Yeah, but the claim can't have been made yet. Don't worry, it will be. Wait a minute. $150,000 yacht? But you said the claim could go as high as a quarter million. Yes, that's because of Mrs. Merrill's jewelry, which she always took with her. Oh, was that lost, too? I don't know. I haven't yet talked to her. Then let's do it.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box 13 Great detectives. Follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and follow us on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This time of year, most of us are checking off our holiday gift lists. But identity thieves have lists, too, and your personal information might be on them. Protect your identity with Lifelock. Lifelock monitors millions of data points every second and alerts you to threats you could miss. If your identity is stolen, Lifelock will fix it, guaranteed, or your money back. Make this season about joy, not identity theft. With Lifelock, save up to 40% your first [e-mail] iheart terms apply. This is Julian Edelman from Dudes on Dudes with Gronk and Jewels. Sunday mornings, I've got my game day ritual. Coffee, lucky socks, and now new morning Uncrustable sandwiches.

[Adam Graham]

It's all about that 12 gram protein boost with the new uncrustables Bright Eyed berry or up and apple flavors.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Bright Eye Berries got a feisty receiver energy up an apple.

[Adam Graham]

Your classic do it all tight end.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Soft pillowy, packed with protein and easy enough for Gronk to grab from the freezer.

[Adam Graham]

Whether you're on the couch, driving to the tailgate or heading to the locker room, new morning Uncrustable sandwiches are the MVP of snacks.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your new Sunday kickoff ritual starts here with new morning uncrustable sandwiches packed with 12 grams of protein.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Looking to transform your business through better HR and payroll? Meet Paycor, a Paychex company. The powerhouse solution that empowers leaders to drive results. From recruiting and development to payroll and analytics, paycor connects you with the people, data and expertise you need to succeed. Their innovative platform helps you make smarter decisions about your most valuable asset. Your people ready to become a better leader? Visit paycor.com leaders to learn more. That's paycor.com leadership.