Dragnet: The Big Sophomore (EP4814)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet: The Big Sophomore (EP4814)
Host: Adam Graham
Original Air Date: July 19, 1951
Podcast Release: October 2, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode features a classic Dragnet radio drama, "The Big Sophomore," focusing on a series of petty thefts in a Los Angeles neighborhood. Detectives investigate the seemingly minor crimes, ultimately uncovering a harrowing story of family neglect, poverty, and juvenile desperation. The episode is a testament to Dragnet’s hallmark: peeling back the layers of routine police cases to reveal deeper societal problems and real human tragedy.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Theft in the Neighborhood (03:43–12:01)

• Setup: Detectives Friday and Romero investigate a series of small thefts from various neighborhood businesses—mostly grocery stores but also newspaper coin boxes and a variety store.
• Merchant Interviews:
  • Henry Loomis (grocery store owner) files repeated complaints—believes high school students are the culprits, especially a red-haired boy named "Harry."
    • Quote:

      "It's not so much the value of this stuff. I just don't like the idea of some kid making a fool out of me day after day." (Henry Loomis, 06:03)

  • George Brophy (newsstand distributor) also suspects a red-haired teenager after sightings near coin boxes; notes broader issues of poverty in the neighborhood.
  • Another merchant corroborates suspicions around the same youth.

2. Introducing Harry Dunbar (12:01–17:03)

• Identification: The boy is determined to be Harry Thomas Dunbar, age 18, a sophomore with an average record at the local high school.
• Field Encounter (at a busy basketball game): Detectives locate and approach Harry, who quickly becomes evasive and attempts to flee when questioned about the thefts.
  • Memorable Exchange:

    "Are you, Harry?"
    "Of course not. They can't say any of us stole things. They don't know. They can't prove anything." (14:59)

    "Why'd you try to run away?"
    "I have to get home. I gotta get home right away." (15:53)

3. Confession and the Home Visit (17:03–20:36)

• Admittance: In transit, Harry confesses to stealing from the local stores and newsstands, tallying $50 in merchandise and $5 in cash over about four and a half weeks. He is unable to say why he stole, only that he "had to do it."
• Arrival at Harry’s house:
  • The detectives and Harry enter a dilapidated home, discovering a baby and a sickly toddler girl (Annie), unattended and living in squalor.
  • The mother, Florence Dunbar, is found heavily intoxicated and indifferent.

4. Family Tragedy and Systemic Neglect (20:36–27:28)

• Immediate Crisis: The detectives call an ambulance. Both younger children suffer from malnutrition; Annie has double pneumonia.
  • Quote:

    "I'm not so sure she's alive." (Sergeant Ben Romero, 21:51)

• Revelation: Harry reveals his father deserted the family, his mother refuses help out of pride, and he turned to theft to keep his siblings alive while juggling school and odd jobs.
  • Quote:

    "I could sneak the food and medicine from the stores all right, but couldn't seem to get enough money together... She wanted me to buy whiskey for her. She begged so much, I couldn't say no." (Harry Dunbar, 23:35)

• Tragedy Confirmed: At the station, authorities inform Harry and Florence that Annie, the little sister, has died.
  • Memorable Moment (Raw Emotional Climax, 25:02–26:48):

    Sergeant Friday: "Annie died 10 minutes ago. The doctors tried. They couldn't help."

    (Harry, broken, blames his mother for the tragedy. Florence pleads for forgiveness; Harry denounces her as not being a mother.)

5. Aftermath & Reflection (27:28–29:29)

• Legal Outcome:
  • Harry is remanded to juvenile court; remaining siblings are placed in foster care.
  • Florence Dunbar is permanently deprived of custody after being charged with neglect and intoxication.
  • Quote:

    Sergeant Friday: "How hard did you try?" (28:11)

• Societal Reflection: The case underscores the recurring Dragnet theme where petty crimes often mask much deeper social and family breakdowns.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Juvenile Crime Roots

  "Best thing in the world for them if we can stop them now and set them on the right track..."
  —Sergeant Friday (09:15)

• The Crushing Weight on Youth

  "I tried to do everything. I tried, but it didn't work out. I can't do everything."
  —Harry Dunbar (16:03)

• Mother's Collapse and Denial

  "Lord only knows I've tried. We've got to try to be happy, to stay together. Love one another. Lord only knows."
  —Mrs. Florence Dunbar (26:04)

• Confrontation

  "You're not my mother. You're not anybody's mother."
  —Harry (27:13)

• Sergeant Friday’s Hard Question

  "How hard did you try?"
  —Sergeant Friday (28:02)

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Host Commentary (29:40–32:02)

Adam Graham reflects on Dragnet’s realism and its focus on underlying societal problems, noting that police work in the juvenile bureau is often less about crime itself and more about addressing the disastrous effects of broken homes and neglected children. He praises the show for bringing psychological and family dysfunctions to public awareness—issues not always recognized or labeled at the time.

• Quote:

  "The job of the police often becomes more than solving crimes... The misconduct of adults becomes a far bigger concern than whatever crime there was." (29:53)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:43 | Friday and Romero begin their investigation | | 04:54 | Henry Loomis suspects a red-haired boy named Harry | | 08:44 | George Brophy reinforces suspicion, describes local poverty | | 12:01 | Detectives go to school, learn suspect’s identity | | 13:31 | Detectives confront Harry Dunbar at the sports pavilion | | 17:03 | Harry confesses on car ride, reveals desperate home life | | 19:18 | Detectives arrive at Dunbar’s squalid home | | 20:41 | Harry’s mother found drunk; children neglected | | 21:47 | Detectives discover Annie is gravely ill | | 23:09 | Harry recounts his struggles as his family’s caretaker | | 25:02 | Moment of tragedy—Annie’s death is reported | | 27:13 | Emotional finale: Harry renounces his mother | | 28:02 | Friday’s closing challenge: "How hard did you try?" | | 29:40 | Host Adam Graham’s commentary and reflection |

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Tone and Language

• Dragnet’s narrative is gritty, realistic, and emotionally raw, with dialogue that often feels stark and direct—spotlighting the pain, shame, and powerlessness of both the young man and the adults around him.
• Adam Graham's commentary is thoughtful and respectful, underscoring the emotional impact of the story and its real-world implications.

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Summary Conclusion

"The Big Sophomore" transcends its surface as a juvenile theft investigation, exposing the tragic consequences of family breakdown, poverty, addiction, and a failed social safety net. Through deft storytelling and authentic police procedure, the episode delivers not just a mystery, but a sobering societal mirror.

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For further listening or to support the podcast, visit greatdetectives.net

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Transcript

[Sergeant Friday]

Limu Emu and Doug.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Here we have the Limu Emu in.

[Sergeant Friday]

Its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[Sergeant Friday]

Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings vary underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates Excludes Massachusetts.

[Narrator (Grainger Commercial)]

This is the story of the one as head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working, the H Vac is humming, and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boy Situ. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. But first I do want to encourage you if you are enjoying the podcast to 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 us 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.greatdetectives.net now from July 19, 1951, here is the big sophomore.

[Narrator (Police Handwriting Analysis)]

The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to Juvenile Bureau. Dozens of petty theft cases are reported in one of the residential areas in your city. The victims, neighborhood businessmen. The suspects, teenage high school students. 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.

[Sergeant Friday]

It was Tuesday. February 4th, was cloudy in Los Angeles. We were working a night watch out of Juvenile Bureau assigned to University Division. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Inspector Bowling. My name's Friday. We Were on the way out from the office and it was 7:13pm when we got to the corner of South Waverly and Chester Avenue. The grocery store.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Guess that's him back there at the meat counter.

Yeah.

[Sergeant Friday]

Come on.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Looks like he's getting ready to close up. Yeah.

[Sergeant Friday]

I guess we just about made it in time, huh? Excuse me, sir.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, sir.

[Henry Loomis]

Help your gentleman.

[Sergeant Friday]

We're looking for Henry Loomis.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, sir, that's my name.

[Sergeant Friday]

Police officers. Mr. Loomis. My name's Friday. I believe I talked to you on the phone. Oh, yeah. This is my partner, Sergeant Romero. Mr. Leman.

[Henry Loomis]

Wonder if you'd mind waiting a half a minute, officers? Just getting a little book work straightened out here. Today's receipts.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, go right in.

[Henry Loomis]

Well, take but a minute. Let's see here. 37, 45, 37. There we go. Hate that lousy book work. Gonna get a girl to come in and do it one of these days. Let's go up front here and talk.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right, sir. Fine.

[Henry Loomis]

Pull up a couple of stools there. Might as well be comfortable.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, thank you. Thank you.

[Henry Loomis]

You talked to any of the other merchants in the neighborhood yet?

[Sergeant Friday]

No, sir, not yet. We'd like to find out what you have to tell us first.

[Henry Loomis]

Well, it's one of those high school kids, I can tell you that. I'm sure of it. I don't want to sound like an old grouch, but this stealing's got to stop.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You get quite a bit of business from the high school trade, do you?

[Henry Loomis]

At the noon hour and then just after school that's out. Usually have quite a bunch of them in here around those times.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Do you especially cater to the high school crowd? I mean, do you serve lunch here or anything like that?

[Henry Loomis]

No, I don't. I usually get the kids to take their lunch. They come in and buy soda water or milk to drink with their sandwiches. They seem like such a nice class of kids. I didn't think they were thieves.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, how long has this stealing been going on, Mr. Williams?

[Henry Loomis]

I'd say about 10 days, two weeks. It's not very hard for them to get away with it. 15 or 20 kids crowd in here during noon hour. I'm usually busy up at the counter. It's no great trick for any one of them to make off for a couple of dollars worth of merchandise.

[Sergeant Friday]

You say this happens just about every day?

[Henry Loomis]

Every day the kids are in here?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah.

[Henry Loomis]

I tried playing detective myself for a while, trying to catch the ghillie ones. Didn't do much good as long as.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

This dealing's been going on, Mr. Loomis, has never amounted to more than just.

[Henry Loomis]

A few dollars worth of. That's the funny part of it, Sergeant. When I check back on my inventories, it's always just about the same amount. A few cans of meat, vegetables, butter, a few loaves of bread. It's not so much the value of this stuff. I just don't like the idea of some kid making a fool out of me day after day.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Has your case register ever been tampered with? You know I mean. Any money stolen?

[Henry Loomis]

No, sir. That's another thing I can't understand. If a kid's going to turn thief, you'd think he'd go after the cash. Whoever's doing it, they've never tried anything like that here.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, how about some of the other merchants in the neighborhood? Sir? You mentioned on the phone there were a couple of others having the same trouble that you are.

[Henry Loomis]

Yes, sir. There's George Brophy. He's the newspaper distributor. And there's Collins. He's got the grocery place up the street. You can talk to them. I gave you their addresses on the phone, didn't I?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, sir, you didn't.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Just one more thing, Mr. Lummis. About this crowd of high school boys that hang around here. Any of them in particular you might suspect?

[Henry Loomis]

As a matter of fact, there is. I certainly can't prove anything, but I just have a feeling about it I don't like the boy.

[Sergeant Friday]

Just one boy, sir? Yes, sir.

[Henry Loomis]

There may be more than one that's guilty. But this young fellow I'm pretty sure of.

[Sergeant Friday]

What's his name?

[Henry Loomis]

I hear the kids call him Harry. Red haired boy, Curly Red hair, tall, a few freckles. Won't be hard to get his last.

[Sergeant Friday]

Name if we need it.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Is there anything else you can think of that we ought to know?

[Henry Loomis]

You go up the street and talk to the other two men, Sergeant. George, Brophy and Collins. They might have something more for you. I think I've told you about everything.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right, Mr. Loomis. I've got your home phone here. If we want to contact you later tonight, I'll call you there. Is that all right?

[George Brophy]

Perfectly all right.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Here's our card, sir. You can call us at that number there anytime.

[George Brophy]

All right.

[Henry Loomis]

Thank you. What do you think's behind the whole thing, Sergeant? This cheap stealing, nickel and dime stuff?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I don't know, sir. We'll try and find out for you.

[Henry Loomis]

Just doesn't make sense, stealing like that day after day. You'd think even the Kid, know that you can't go on stealing forever.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, sir. A lot of them. Give it a try. From the very start, the whole pattern of the case and the thief's method of operation made little or no sense at all. The thefts had been going on for more than two weeks, and they'd all taken place in a 12 square block area. In each of the two dozen cases reported to us, not one of the thefts had been for more than $5, either in cash or merchandise. The thief's scene of operation included two grocery stores, a drugstore, coin boxes attached to the newsstands in the neighborhood, and a 5 and 10 cent variety store. With one exception, all of the cases involved theft of merchandise. Only the breaking open of coin boxes attached to newsstands was the single instance in which money was taken. The total sum was less than $3.50. 7:40pm Ben and I left the grocery store and went up the street to the home of George Brophy. He was the neighborhood newspaper distributor who operated the coin box newsstands, which had been broken into.

[George Brophy]

Well, I think you can just about count on it, Sergeant. It's one of the kids in the neighborhood doing all this. Either that or a couple of them are working together.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What makes you so sure about it, Mr. Brophy?

[George Brophy]

Well, for one thing, we got more than our share of kids out this way. A lot of them are from poor families. Underprivileged, you might say. I guess they figure it's one way of picking up extra spending money. I got nothing against kids myself. A few nickels they get out of those boxes. I wouldn't prosecute them for that.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, sir, that's not exactly it. The point is, they're stealing. They get away with this small time stuff, they might figure they're ripe for something bigger. Probably be the best thing in the world for them if we can stop them now and set them on the right track, don't you think?

[George Brophy]

Put in with you there, Sergeant. I don't know how much I can help you, though.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Do you have any idea at all who it might be that's breaking into the coin boxes?

[George Brophy]

Well, like I say, I have nothing against any kid myself, but there is one around the neighborhood I've been a little suspicious about. A red headed kid.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What's he look like?

[George Brophy]

You know, red hair, freckle face, kind of tall and gangly. Typical high school kid. Old Loomis down at the grocery store, he's been a little leery. About the same kid, too.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, why do you single out this red haired boy, Mr. Brophy?

[George Brophy]

Well, he. Oh, excuse me. I better grab right ahead.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, Hello?

[George Brophy]

Oh, yeah, Maggie.

[Sergeant Friday]

Hi. Four of them.

[George Brophy]

When are they born? Is that right?

[Sergeant Friday]

All right.

[George Brophy]

Born this morning for Foreman. Yeah, yeah, just a minute. I'll call you.

[Henry Loomis]

Uh, Grace?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah, Honey, it's for you.

[George Brophy]

Maggie Harris.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Oh, okay. Thanks.

[George Brophy]

Excuse me, Officer. Friend of my wife's. Her cat just had four kittens.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh. See, now, where were we?

[Sergeant Friday]

Oh.

[George Brophy]

Oh, yeah.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

About the kid.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, sir. Why do you suspect?

[George Brophy]

Um, well, there's a couple reasons, Sergeant. Late one night when I was making my collections, I spotted the boy hanging around one of the news stands. Didn't look like he had any business there that time of night. He looked up and saw me coming. He turned and ducked down a side street.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, do you have any idea where this boy lives, Mr. Brophy?

[George Brophy]

No, can't say I do. He goes that high school a few blocks up on South Waverly. I know that. It's the same boy that the grocerman had his eye on.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You said there were a couple of reasons why you were suspicious of this boy, Mr. Brophy.

[George Brophy]

Yeah, well, this other thing doesn't mean too much. There wasn't anything really wrong with it. It just seemed a little queer, that's all.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What was that?

[George Brophy]

Well, I dropped in at the safety liquor store down the street last week. I wanted to pick up a little something. I saw the same kid in there. He was asking Benny, the guy who runs a place, if he'd sell him a fifth of bourbon. I heard the kid saying it was supposed to be for his father. His father was sick and couldn't come in. Of course, Benny turned him down. He wouldn't sell it to the kid.

[Sergeant Friday]

And that was the extent of it, huh?

[George Brophy]

Yeah, that's all. Wasn't anything wrong with it. Kid didn't insist, but I thought it was just a little out of line. Sending a kid after liquor. Well, it's about the size of it.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How about some of the other merchants in the neighborhood who have been bothered with these petty thefts? You know if any of them are suspicious of this boy?

[George Brophy]

No, wouldn't know that. Henry Loomis, not the store, is about the only one who knows.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, thanks very much, Mr. Brophy. If anything else comes up, you can get us at the number on this card here.

[George Brophy]

Oh, okay, son.

[Sergeant Friday]

Fine.

[George Brophy]

If I can help at all to clear this thing up, I'd be glad to do it.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, we'll probably be checking back with you. And thanks again, sir. Sure.

[George Brophy]

It's funny the whole thing I get a big laugh out of, sir. Oh, I mean the friend of my wife called up. Maggie Harris. Cat had four kittens. Like I told you, she'll get a big laugh out of that. I kept telling her. She wouldn't believe me.

[Sergeant Friday]

What's that, sir?

[George Brophy]

She thought the cat was male.

[Sergeant Friday]

The next morning Ben and I continued checking with various merchants and residents in the neighborhood with a series of petty thefts were taking place. We located and questioned one more shopkeeper who was suspicious of the tall red haired boy known as Harry. That afternoon we went to the high school on South Waverly Avenue to check on him. From his first name and his description he was identified by the boys vice principal as Harry Thomas Dunbar. He was 18 years old and a sophomore with an average scholastic record. We were told that Dunbar had left the grounds about half an hour before with the high school's basketball team. The group was headed for one of the local sports pavilions where the team had one of its more important games scheduled for that afternoon. Harry Dunbar was in charge of selling the printed programs for the game. Ben and I drove out to the sports pavilion and checked with one of the boys collecting tickets at the door. He told us we'd find Harry Dunbar inside at the program stand.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

These high school kids sure take their basketball seriously, don't they?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah, big turnout. Sounds like we're gonna be lucky if we can find that boy in this crowd.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Friday]

You see him anywhere?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No. Which side is the program Stan supposed to be on?

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, there's a lot of them along and through here on both sides. Guess we better start checking them out.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah. Joe? Yeah, that stand back there on the left, you see? Redheaded kid.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Let's check him. Okay.

Programs. Dime complete programs for the game.

[Sergeant Friday]

10 cents. Excuse me, son.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Program, mister.

[Sergeant Friday]

Your name Harry Dunbar?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's right.

[Sergeant Friday]

We're police officers, Harry. We'd like to talk to you for a few minutes if it's all right.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, well, I can't talk to you now. I'm pretty busy selling these programs here.

Then suppose we wait a few minutes, son. See you only have a few left.

Dare to sell. No, it wouldn't do any good waiting when I sell these. I got something else to do.

[Sergeant Friday]

It's only going to take a few minutes of your time, Harry. We won't keep you long.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What is it, officer? What do you want to talk to me about?

[Sergeant Friday]

Just have a few questions for you, son, that's all. Can you step out in the lobby with us for just a minute?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What's it all about? I'd like to know.

We'd just as soon not talk about it out here.

Oh, all right. We can go up this ramp here.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

There's a hallway back here, runs underneath the stands. Won't be so noisy.

Fine. We won't keep you long. Just a few routine questions.

This ought to do. Okay. What is it you want to know about?

[Sergeant Friday]

Do you know Mr. Loomis? Harry runs a grocery store near the high school.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, old man Loomis. I go down to a store and eat lunch sometimes. Why?

How about a Mr. Collins? He runs another store near the high school.

Yeah, I know the place. Sometimes I go there, too. A bunch of the kids hang around there during lunchtime.

[Sergeant Friday]

We've had quite a few complaints from Collins and Loomis. Some of the other stores in the neighborhood, too. We're checking on some of them. Thought maybe you could help us out, Harry.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, I couldn't help you any. Mr. Collins and that old man Loomis, they don't like us. They want to get us in trouble. I think they're lying.

[Sergeant Friday]

Lying about what?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

About us kids stealing things out of their stores. I bet they even told you I'm stealing things from them.

Are you, Harry?

Of course not. They can't say any of us stole things. They don't know. They can't prove anything.

Do you know the man that distributes newspapers in your neighborhood? Son of Mr. Brophy?

Who?

Mr. Brophy. Some of the coin boxes on his newsstands have been broken into. He thought maybe you could tell us something about that.

Why me? I don't know any Mr. Brophy.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, he knows you, Harry. He saw you hanging around one of the newsstands one night. And there's something else. He saw you trying to buy a bottle of liquor in the neighborhood. Is that right?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We've had three or four reports on you, son.

[Sergeant Friday]

What'd he say?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You want to tell us about it?

They're crazy. I haven't done anything.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, then you got nothing to worry about, son.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I won't tell you any.

[Sergeant Friday]

Look out, Ben.

[Henry Loomis]

Here, grab him.

[Sergeant Friday]

I got him.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

All right.

[Sergeant Friday]

Hold it up, son.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Let me go. Let me go.

Take it easy, young fella.

I haven't done anything. I haven't. Now, let me go. Please. I haven't done anything.

Why'd you try to run away?

I have to get home. I gotta get home right away.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right, son. We'll take you there.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, you can't go with me. I have to go alone.

[Sergeant Friday]

Afraid we're Gonna have to hold on to you, Harry. Either we take you home or we take you downtown. Which is it?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I tried to tell him I couldn't do everything. I tried, but it didn't work out. I can't do everything.

[Sergeant Friday]

What do you mean, son?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Take me home. I'll let them tell you.

[Narrator (Police Handwriting Analysis)]

You are in the forgery division of a metropolitan police department. Handwriting analysis.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

All right, now write the Alphabet in lowercase, please.

[Narrator (Police Handwriting Analysis)]

You are listening to a police officer taking a sample of a suspect's handwriting. This handwriting sample will be compared with a forged signature side by side. Two signatures may often look alike, but closer examination will prove a world of difference.

[Sergeant Friday]

Wednesday, February 5, 4:15pm we left the sports pavilion, got in the car and started to drive our teenage suspect, Harry Dunbar, to his home. On the way, we questioned him about the series of petty thefts which had been going on in his neighborhood. We asked him about stealing merchandise from the grocery store run by Mr. Loomis. He admitted he was responsible. He said he'd been stealing things from the store for more than a month. We asked the boy about the petty thefts from the grocery store operated by Mr. Collins. Again, he told us he was responsible. He also admitted stealing from the neighborhood drugstore and the variety store. In addition to breaking into the coin boxes on the self service newsstands. In each instance he described his method of operation. He estimated that over a period of some four and a half weeks he'd stolen approximately $50 in merchandise and about $5 in cash. We asked him why. He refused to answer.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You must have had a reason for doing all this, Harry. Why don't you tell us? We're going to find out sooner or later.

Sorry, officer. It's next. Turn to your left.

[Sergeant Friday]

Okay. What's the matter, son? You afraid of what your folks are gonna say?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, that's not it. I never stole anything in my life. Till this time when I started in. I didn't think of it as stealing something. I had to do that. So? I couldn't help it.

That doesn't make much sense, Harry. What do you mean you couldn't help it?

It's the truth. You gotta believe me. There wasn't anything else I could do.

[Sergeant Friday]

What was it then? Was somebody forcing you to steal? No.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Can't you just believe me? Something I had to do. Sergeant. Can't you let me off here? I'll walk home the rest of the way. I promise you. I'll come in and see you tomorrow.

[Sergeant Friday]

You know we couldn't do that, son. You've Already admitted stealing from a half a dozen stores in the neighborhood. Breaking into those coin boxes. It's gonna have to be straightened out one way or the other.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

But I can pay him back for what I took. I got a job. I'll pay back every one of them.

[Sergeant Friday]

I believe you, son, but there's still a lot of explaining that's gonna have to be done.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

This is the 1500 blog hearing. Wanna point out your house for us, son?

Can't we fix it up some other way? We don't have to go to my house, do we?

Sooner you face it, the better. Now how about it?

Keep on going. It's way down the end of the block there.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well now, which is it, son? There's no houses beyond this. Just that shack down there.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's my house.

Okay, Harry.

Maybe I better go in first, see if everything's all right.

[Sergeant Friday]

It'll be all right. We'll come with you. Ben and I followed the boy up the stairs and into the house. From the outside it looked run down and badly in need of painting. On the inside it still looked in fair condition except for the housekeeping. The floor of the living room was littered with soiled clothing, cigarette ashes, dirt and dust. A few pieces of furniture didn't look much better. A card table set in one corner was crowded with dirty dishes and scraps of half eaten food. Across the room was a baby in a crib. Couldn't have been more than a few months old apparently. The bed clothes in the crib hadn't been changed for days. Next to the crib, huddled in an army cot underneath a few thin blankets, was a dark haired little girl, maybe two, two and a half years old. Her face was thin and pale. She was asleep. Through an open door we could see into the next room where a woman was lying on a couch. There was an empty glass and a newly opened bottle of whiskey on the nightstand.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Should have let me come in first. Officers would have had a chance to clean up a little. Kids mess up the house, you know.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Harry, that's you, Harry.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's my mother. Restin little, I guess. This is a baby in the crib. His name's Jerry. That's my little sister on the cot there.

Her name's Annie. Get your mother out here, will you son? We want to talk to her.

Don't get mad at her, huh, will you? Ma's had a tough time lately. She tries to do her best.

[Sergeant Friday]

What's the matter with the kids here, son? Have they been sick?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

The baby had a cold, but I got that medicine there from the drugstore. He seems to be okay. I'm not so sure about Annie though. She had a bad cold. Doesn't seem to be getting over it.

[Sergeant Friday]

You wanna take a look, man?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Friday]

Get your mother up, son.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, all right. Hey Ma. Ma. Get up, will you?

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

What is it? Who'd you bring home with you?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

A couple of policemen. They wanna talk to him.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Why'd you bring em in for? Close the door there. I have to fix up a little.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

My mother will be right out, officer.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right, son.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Joe.

Yeah?

We better get to a phone right away. It looks pretty bad.

[Sergeant Friday]

What is it?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Baby needs a doctor. A little girl here. I hope she does too.

[Sergeant Friday]

What?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I'm not sure she's alive.

[Sergeant Friday]

An ambulance was called immediately and Harry Dunbar's two year old sister Annie and his baby brother were both rushed to the the general hospital. The mother, identified as Mrs. Florence Dunbar, was taken downtown and booked at the main jail on a drunk charge. 6:45pm we took the boy, Harry Dunbar over to Ben's house. We put in a call to the general hospital to check on his little sister Annie and his infant brother. They told us both the children were suffering from malnutrition. The little girl Annie had double pneumonia. Miraculously, the baby seemed to have been spared. He was sick but his condition wasn't considered serious. After Ben's wife fed him dinner, 18 year old Harry Dunbar sat down and told us the story. Three months before, his father had deserted the family. His mother had made a pretense at supporting Harry and the two babies and then gave it up in favor of drinking. The whole burden of keeping the family alive was piled on the youngster's shoulders. Besides school, he had three odd jobs that he worked at to earn enough money to pay the rent, the gas and light bill, food and general necessities. It wasn't enough so he had to take to stealing. His mother wouldn't work, but at the same time she wouldn't let the boy apply for charity. He slept at Ben's house that night and the next morning at juvenile bureau he gave us the rest of the story.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I guess it got too much for me. I don't know. I could sneak the food and medicine from the stores all right, but couldn't seem to get enough money together. The rent bill and all that. Kids needed clothes too.

Why wouldn't your mother let you apply for help, son? Some of the local charity.

Well, Ma'd never go for that office. She'd get mad when I talked about it. Said she had Too much pride to take charity.

[Sergeant Friday]

Mm. Did your mother know that you were stealing the food and medicine that you used to bring home?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I don't know. Guess so. I wouldn't be so mad at her, but every time I got some money together to pay bills, she wanted me to buy whiskey for her. She begged so much, I couldn't say no.

[Sergeant Friday]

We're having your mother brought over from the main jail, Harry. We'd like to find out if we can't locate your father. You want to check outside, Ben? See if they brought Ms. Dunbar over here? Yeah, okay. Thank you.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How about the kids, Officer? Annie and the baby, how they doing?

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, I checked the hospital, Harry. The doctor's gonna call as soon as he can.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I should have known better. Poor little kids. I could take care of myself, but they had to depend on her. She'd only stop drinking.

Go right in, Ms. Dunbar.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Harry. You all right, son? What have they been doing to you?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I'm all right, Mom. Don't hang on me like that.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

I was worried about you, Harry. You and the kids. I'm sorry they got sick. I didn't know. It's just bad luck, Harry. We gotta stick together, you and me.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

There's a chair here, Mom. Sit down, Joan.

[Sergeant Friday]

You know hospital call.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

They took the message outside. Yeah.

[Sergeant Friday]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

The hospital officer. About Annie and the baby?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah, that's right, son.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

About your little sister, Annie.

What about her? What did the doctor say?

Well, it's not good, Harry. The doctor called and said Annie had pneumonia.

[Sergeant Friday]

Pneumonia?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

She'll be all right, though, huh? Did that take care of her?

Well, it's not that way, son. I mean, the doctor said. Look, you tell him what he'll do.

What is it? What about Ann?

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

We got a right to know. She's my little girl, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You can tell me.

[Sergeant Friday]

You want to sit down, Harry?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Friday]

Annie died 10 minutes ago. The doctors tried. They couldn't help.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Annie dead?

[Sergeant Friday]

That's right, son.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

She's only a little kid. She's only two years old, Harry. Harry. Son. Poor little Annie. Why did it have to be her? My own little girl. My own little Annie. Be good to me, son. I don't know how I can stand it. My own little girl. Annie.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Go outside, Ma. Go outside.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

No, Harry. I need you. I need you more than ever, son. Be good to me. We have to stick together now. We gotta love one another.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right, Ms. Dunbar.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

No. I need Harry. He's all I got. Aren't you, son? It's so hard sometimes. Everything's against us. Lord, only Knows I've tried. We've got to try to be happy, to stay together. Love one another. Lord only knows.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Will you shut up, Mom?

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Harry, don't blame me, son. We've got to try to be happy.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I blame you.

Anybody blame her? You killed her. Poor little kid. You killed Annie.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Harry, don't say it. Don't say it.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I will say it. Ma. You did it. The whole terrible thing. Annie's dead. You did it. Don't you know what I mean?

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Don't, son. Don't hurt me.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right, Harry, now take it easy.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You know it too, don't you?

[Sergeant Friday]

She did it.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Her and her whiskey and her drinking and laying around, not even caring about the kids. I tried to tell you, Mom. At least you could have done. Take care of the kids, see they're all right. You had to drink. It wouldn't work. You had to lay around. Don't you understand? I couldn't do it all. I tried. I couldn't do it all. You had to go on drinking, then lay there. Let him watch Annie die.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Please, son, don't say that. We're gonna love each other. I wouldn't hurt Annie. You know your mother. Never do that.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You're not my mother. You're not anybody's mother.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

You don't know what you're saying. Harry, I'm your mother. Lord knows I've tried to be a good mother. You. You don't mean what you're saying.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Goodbye.

I never have to see you again.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Harry, please don't go.

[Sergeant Friday]

Ben, you better go get.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

He wouldn't believe me, Sergeant. Lord knows I've tried. It's not easy, a husband deserting you the way Charlie did. Three kids on your hands. What could I do?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Mary ought to understand. I tried. Lord knows it's the best anybody can do. Just try and hope for the best.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[George Brophy]

Am.

[Sergeant Friday]

I've only got one question.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Yes?

[Sergeant Friday]

How hard did you try?

[Narrator (Police Handwriting Analysis)]

The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. On April 23, trial was held in municipal court City and county of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. 18 year old Harold Dunbar was filed on in juvenile court. After the hearing, the court directed that the two Dunbar children be placed in a foster home. Mrs. Dunbar was permanently deprived of of the custody of her children. 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.

[George Brophy]

Stay tuned for counterspy Next over NBC.

[Adam Graham]

Has raised some serious real life questions and certainly for the time would have exposed listeners and awareness to some of the issues that were going on with juveniles. And that juvenile divisions had to deal with the mother was far too realistic. I was just thinking that because of Dragnet's true to life storytelling, it often captured some of the sort of psychological dysfunctions that we talk about today and were not necessarily all as understood and categorized and certainly did it, I think, better than some of the more heightened dramas did. The one thing that this episode does highlight is that the job of the police often becomes more than solving crimes. And certainly that often happens in the juvenile division cases. And you'll see this with a lot of Dragnet episodes, both radio and television. There's a crime that they're concerned about, but it was relatively minor compared to the underlying issues. And that so often does turn out to be the case issues at home where issues at home and the misconduct of adults becomes a far bigger concern than whatever crime there was. And it's a very different sort of case and approach with the young man spending the night in Romero's house. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Denise, Patreon supporter since March, currently supporting the podcast at the detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Denise. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us. If you using your favorite podcast software and if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel and mark the notification bell. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet. But join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Doll, or where fifth time I've called.

[Johnny Dollar]

And Rip, if you don't do something about my loss of the Cape star, you call the police. Well, sure, of course, I might have known you would. So they'll tell the papers. More publicity for you in that lousy insurance business. But Hildy, I. I always notify the police. You know what that means? It means reporters, photographers, cops, half the town falling all over themselves when I get in. Look, Hildy, so if you or somebody else, and I don't mean the cops, if you don't get out.

[George Brophy]

You know what?

[Johnny Dollar]

I. I'll cancel every policy I have with you. My own. The houses, the cars, this old tub, everything.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Here, will you. You take this, Johnny.

[George Brophy]

Yeah, sure.

[Henry Loomis]

Hello?

[Johnny Dollar]

Hello? Didn't you hear what I said, look, miss. What? Who's that?

[George Brophy]

Johnny Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny. So we got you. Well, now we'll have some action, because you'll come out here right away, won't you?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, that depends.

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know what to do. Cape Star, Emerald Gone. And Rip? So busy he can't leave his office. Johnny, you have to come.

[Mrs. Florence Dunbar]

Please.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, look.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I knew you would, honey. And I'll be waiting for you.

[Adam Graham]

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