Dragnet: The Big Sour (EP4854)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet – The Big Sour (EP4854)

Host: Adam Graham
Air Date: November 27, 2025
Original Broadcast: September 20, 1951

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Main Theme

This episode of Dragnet features the investigation of a brutal home invasion and robbery in which two armed bandits torture an elderly man to force him to reveal the location of his valuables. Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero methodically follow leads, gathering eyewitness accounts and forensic evidence to track down the perpetrators, ultimately focusing on both the psychology of the criminals and their community ties. The episode highlights the cold-blooded nature of the crime and the relentless, procedural police work required to solve it.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. The Crime Scene and Initial Investigation

• Setting and Victims:
  • Elderly couple, Wendell (71) and Catherine McClung, are assaulted in their modest home.
  • The perpetrators inflict extreme cruelty, burning the man's feet and hands and beating him to force a confession about hidden jewelry.
• Police Reaction:
  • Sgt. Joe Friday and Ben Romero express horror and sympathy.
  • Quote:
    • Joe Friday: “It’s hard to imagine somebody that cold-blooded. 71-year-old man, soles of his feet a mass of burns. Wonder his heart stood up through the beating they gave him.” [05:11]

2. Victim and Witness Interviews

• Mrs. McClung’s Testimony [07:06-09:45]:
  • Struck and has glasses broken—can't provide detailed descriptions, but recalls both men wore dark suits and one had a "funny kind of talk...like a cowboy or a farmer."
  • Reveals thieves clearly had inside knowledge about their jewelry, especially the husband's diamond signet ring.
  • Quote:
    • Mrs. McClung: “I never thought anybody’d be that cruel, officer. Downright cruel. They burned his hands and his feet. Kept hitting him in the face with their fists. It was just terrible.” [09:28]

3. Neighborhood Canvass and New Lead

• Magazine Boy, Bill Newsome [12:09-14:43]:
  • Bill, a local high school student, recalls seeing a new, dark blue sedan near the house at the time of the crime, with old license plates.
  • He witnessed two men in dark suits leave the area in a hurry, possibly out of the McClungs’ house.
  • Crucially, he also saw the car earlier outside a restaurant on South Benson.

4. Forensic Evidence and Confirmation

• Restaurant Lead & Fingerprints [15:44-18:43]:
  • Bartender at the restaurant confirms two men matching the suspects’ description were served imported Dutch beers around the time in question. They used the beer bottles, potentially leaving fingerprints.
  • Police collect and process fingerprints from these bottles, leading to a breakthrough.
• Identification of Suspects [19:04]:
  • Prints belong to Henry Vincent Moss and Ernest Robert Windsor — both with criminal pasts and mugshots positively identified by the McClungs and the bartender.

5. Suspect Interrogation & Family Ties

• Mrs. Marie Rolfe, Windsor’s Aunt [20:23-23:12]:
  • Initially denies knowing Windsor’s whereabouts but relents after emotional questioning, revealing he’s staying in her garage room.
  • Illustrates the tension between family loyalty and the demands of justice.
  • Quote:
    • Mrs. Rolfe: “He swore on the memory of his own mother. He swore he wouldn’t do anything wrong again. I guess I just don’t know Ernest.” [22:57]

6. Long Investigation Stall and Breakthrough

• Frustration in the Investigation [24:31-25:11]:
  • Weeks go by without progress; Windsor refuses to talk, and Moss cannot be found.
• Pawnbroker Tip and Moss’s Capture [25:11-26:41]:
  • Moss identified trying to pawn a stolen ring, is apprehended, and his apartment is searched—where all stolen jewelry is found.
  • Moss is far more cooperative than Windsor.

7. Resolution and Moral Tone

• Final Interrogation & Moral Response [26:31-27:16]:
  • Moss, pragmatic about getting caught, asks for a steak before jail, but Friday and Romero refuse.
  • Memorable Exchange:
    • Moss: “Hey, I wonder if I could ask a favor. Well, it’s gonna get a little tough in there in that jail. Wonder if we couldn’t stop for a good steak and some French fries first, huh?”
    • Romero: “You put your order in a long time ago, mister.”
    • Friday: “What do you mean?”
    • Romero: “When you worked over that old couple. Yeah, that’s when you ordered jail food.” [26:59-27:17]

8. Outcome

• Both criminals are found guilty of first-degree robbery and assault with intent to do great bodily harm. They’re sentenced to the state penitentiary.
• The episode ends with an appeal to viewers to donate clothing for needy Koreans, aligning with Dragnet’s tradition of civic-minded messaging.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Sgt. Joe Friday on the cruelty of the crime:
  “It’s hard to imagine somebody that cold-blooded… Wonder his heart stood up through the beating they gave him.” [05:11]
• Mrs. McClung, on the robbers’ cruelty:
  “I never thought anybody’d be that cruel, officer. Downright cruel…” [09:28]
• Bill Newsome, recalling his observations:
  “That’s why I noticed it again, when I saw it up by McClung’s place. I thought it looked kind of terrible. Brand new car like that with old license plates.” [14:12]
• Mrs. Rolfe, wavering over her nephew:
  “He swore on the memory of his own mother. He swore he wouldn’t do anything wrong again. I guess I just don’t know Ernest.” [22:57]
• Sergeant Romero resisting Moss’s request for a good meal:
  “You put your order in a long time ago, mister. When you worked over that old couple. Yeah, that’s when you ordered jail food.” [27:16]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:18] Investigation begins at the hospital
• [07:06] Interview with Mrs. McClung
• [12:09] Interview with Bill Newsome, magazine boy
• [15:44] Restaurant bartender interview and collection of evidence
• [19:04] Print identification; suspects named
• [20:23] Confrontation with Mrs. Rolfe, Windsor’s aunt
• [23:20] Apprehension of Windsor
• [24:31] Weeks of investigative dead ends
• [25:11] Tip on Moss at the pawnshop, sting operation, capture
• [26:31] Final interrogation and Moss’s request for a meal
• [27:28] Conclusion and sentencing

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Episode Highlights and Character Tone

• Tone:
  The episode balances methodical police procedure, moments of empathy for the victims, and a firm, sometimes hard-edged morality when confronting the criminals.
• Noteworthy Moments:
  • The detectives’ patient and calm questioning of traumatized victims and witnesses
  • Fingerprinting the beer bottles—an iconic “Dragnet” move blending real forensics with narrative tension
  • The moral line drawn by the detectives in refusing Moss’s request for a ‘last meal’ treat

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Host Commentary

• Adam Graham closes the episode with appreciation for the detectives’ refusal to indulge the criminal, contrasting it with other episodes where different outcomes were possible, especially when sympathy for the criminal was absent due to the extreme cruelty of the crime.

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Conclusion

“The Big Sour” exemplifies Dragnet’s procedural style, where dogged investigation, reliance on witness details, and careful evidence processing are key to solving even the most cold-blooded crimes. The episode is memorable for its empathy toward the victims, its portrayal of family torn between love and law, and its emphasis on the unglamorous but vital grind behind real detective work.

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Transcript

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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 are going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. But first I want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Today's program is also brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show by mailing a one time donation to Adam Graham, Pillbox 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715 or become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. But now, from September 20, 1951, here is the Big Sour.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ladies and gentlemen, Dragnet has a very important announcement for all of you. At the close of tonight's program.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

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 robbery detail. Two armed bandits invade the home of an elderly couple in your city. The aging husband is tortured unmercifully before he reveals the hiding place of his valuables. The two thieves make good their escape Your job. Get EM. 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 Saturday. October 3rd. Was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A robbery detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Harry Didion, Captain of Robbery. My name's Friday. It was 11:38pm when I got to Georgia street receiving hospital, room five, treatment room.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Joe, hi.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's it going, Ben?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We're not going to be able to talk to him anymore tonight. Doctor said maybe late tomorrow morning.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's the old man making out?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

He's resting a lot better. Doctor gave him a sedative. Old fellow sure had a rough time.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how about since I've been gone? Did he tell you anything else?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, just kept repeating the same thing. Two guys forced their way into his house, beat his wife, tortured him, took all their jewelry. That's about it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I put in a call to the office. I got a broadcast out on the information that we have. There's not much to go on.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We should be able to pick up a little something more tomorrow. Doc said it's been a long time since he's seen anything like this. Where they worked old man over.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What'd they do to the fellow's hands anyway? The doctor able to tell.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

He thinks they used a hat pin on him, something like that. It's sharp and thin. At least a dozen wounds in both hands. He's pretty badly burned too. Yeah, hard to imagine somebody that cold blooded. 71 year old man, soles of his feet, a massive burns. Wonder his heart stood up through the beating I gave him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Has he got a weak heart?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

He's had a little trouble.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Terrific shock going through something like this at his age.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, maybe we better check back at their house, huh? See how the old fellow's wife is doing.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, right. How's it shape up for you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, there's not an awful lot to go on yet. Wasn't a shot in the dark. I think we can count on that. Whoever the thieves were, they had some kind of an inside tip. The old man and his wife? Well, they don't put up much of an appearance. You wouldn't be apt to figure that they had 3 or 4,000 in jewelry put away at home, would you?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Maybe his wife might have some ideas. Joy's a lousy shame. Yeah, yeah, you might halfway understand that. They just held him up. But working them over the way they.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did, there was no sense to it at all.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Trying to show off what a couple of rough bums they are. Maybe that's it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let's do them a favor. Let's show them what it costs. Ben and I got in the car and drove back to the Westlake park area, to the home of the robbery victims. 71 year old Wendell McClung and his wife, Catherine McClung. It was a one story wooden frame building, gray shingled. A typical modest four room bungalow. The men from unit 31R who'd answered the robbery call were still there, standing by another pair of men from robbery detail, Powers and Gonzalez were checking the neighborhood for possible leads on the suspects. Inside the house, Ben And I found Mrs. McClung propped up in an easy chair in the living room. She was a small, chubby woman, gray haired, looked to be in her 50s. We assured her her husband's condition wasn't critical. Outside of a small bruise on her forehead and a case of nervous upset, she seemed to be all right. In recounting the story of the holdup, Mrs. McClung told us the two bandits rang the front doorbell and forced their way into the house at gunpoint shortly before 8 o' clock that night.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How about the color of their hair, ma'?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Their weight and height?

[Mrs. McClung]

No, I hardly saw a thing. Just that one look at them when they first pushed their way in.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, how was that? Did they blindfold you?

[Mrs. McClung]

Yes, they might just as well have. You see, when they started to hit Wendell, my husband, Wendell. Knock him down. I went after them and one of them slapped me right across my face and knocked my glasses off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Mrs. McClung]

I reached out to find them, but before I did, I guess one of those gangsters stepped on them. $35 glasses broke both of the lenses. Just ruined the frames. Look at that. Of course, I can't see a thing without them. That's why I say I might as well have been blindfolded.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You didn't have a chance to notice what kind of clothes they had on and what they looked like at all.

[Mrs. McClung]

They weren't shabby, I know that. Pretty well dressed, if memory serves. Both of them in dark suits. If only they wouldn't have broken my glasses.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about their voices, Ms. McClung? Anything unusual about the way they talked? Anything that they might have said, Ms. McClung?

[Mrs. McClung]

No, I was just thinking. One's name was Sam. I remember that the Other one had sort of an accent of some kind. Maybe from the Midwest or maybe Texas. One of those funny people.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Funny people? How do you mean, ma'?

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Am?

[Mrs. McClung]

Well, you know, something like a cowboy or a farmer. That funny kind of talk. I guess I really should be inside fixing you men a cup of tea. Maybe if you'd just help me up.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's all right, ma'. Am. You just sit there.

[Mrs. McClung]

When my sister Dolly gets here, it shouldn't be too long. I'll have her fix something.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There's no need to bother, ma'.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'd like to have you tell us this, if he can. Did your husband do anything at all to provoke the two men? I mean, did he call out for help or try to get to a phone, anything like that?

[Mrs. McClung]

It was the jewelry with we had, Wendell and I. Just those few pieces. The two men seemed to know all about it. Just as if they had a list of the things. Yes. When they first came in, they took my engagement ring and old brooch that belonged to my mother I was wearing. Then they got Wendell in that chair over there. Tried to make him tell where our other things were.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, now, is it pretty common knowledge around the neighborhood here that you and your husband own expensive jewelry, ma'? Am?

[Mrs. McClung]

No, I don't think so. What the men seemed most interested in was Wendell's ring. His diamond signet ring. It was a beautiful thing for a carrot.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am, We've got a description on that. That was when they tried to force your husband to tell him where it was hidden. Is that right?

[Mrs. McClung]

I never thought anybody'd be that cruel, officer. Downright cruel. They burned his hands and his feet. Kept hitting him in the face with their fists. It was just terrible. Poor Wendell. He finally had to tell them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Mrs. McClung]

They went and found the things, and then they came back in here and ripped out the phone. Warned us not to move, and then they left. I just broke down and cried, officer, to see poor Wendell there, the way they abused him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am. We understand.

[Mrs. McClung]

You're sure he's gonna be all right? What did the doctor say?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, he said there's no danger, ma'. Am. Mr. McClung's resting comfortably now.

[Mrs. McClung]

Well, that must be my sister's.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to stay right here with Ms. McClung, Ben? I'll get that. Yeah, right.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Hi, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hi, Jess. You and Powers do any good?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I've been checking through the neighborhood three, four blocks around.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Not an awful lot.

[Narrator/Announcer]

A lot of people know the McClungs. Few of them know about Their having jewelry. None of them saw anything unusual going on tonight.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The thieves used a car, we know that. Didn't anybody at all spot it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm not sure, but there's one possibility.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Some of the neighbors said a young kid was peddling magazines down this block tonight. Just about the same time as a robbery. He might have spotted something. Fine. Where is the boy? Where does he live? Well, that's what we asked the neighbors. Yeah. Nobody knows. A supplementary broadcast and an APB was gotten out containing what description we had on the two hold up men. Plus descriptions of each article of jewelry taken from Mr. And Mrs. McClung the following morning. Along with Jess Gonzalez and Johnny Powers. We continued canvassing the immediate neighborhood of the holdup. The only thing we got was a fair description of the boy who had been selling magazines the night before in the vicinity of the McClung house. And also the names of the magazines he was peddling. Monday morning, 9am we got in touch with a local distributor for the publications. Got a list of five boys who sold for them in that general area and started checking them out. Third on the list was a Bill Newsome, a sophomore student at a nearby parochial high school. He lived a half a dozen blocks from the McClungs. We checked at his house, but his mother told us he wasn't as home.

[Mrs. McClung]

I'm sure Billy won't be long.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Thank you, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. McClung]

Right in here. Offices.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Just go ahead.

[Mrs. McClung]

Thank you. Sit down, won't you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you very much.

[Mrs. McClung]

It must be him now. Billy in here.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, Ma.

[Mrs. McClung]

Come in here, Bill. Two police officers to see you, Bill. This is Sergeant Friday and Sergeant Romero. My son, Bill.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Would you excuse me?

[Mrs. McClung]

I'm going to have to start fixing dinner. You go right ahead and have your talk with Bill. I'll be out in the kitchen.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, ma'. Am. Thank you very much.

[Mrs. McClung]

You speak right up now, Bill. Try and help the officers all you can.

[Narrator/Announcer]

How can I help you? What's it all about?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We understand you have a magazine route in the neighborhood, Bill. Your mother tells us you were out selling this last Saturday night.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, sir, that's right. Thursdays and Saturdays. They're my regular nights. I don't really sell, though.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean, son?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, you see, I line up all my customers ahead of time. I got a regular list of people. They buy from me every week. I don't do any door to door selling that way. He's not much good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see. Do you have a regular customer on your list by the name of McClung, Bill? That's McClung.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, Mr. McClung. Once a month he takes a gardening magazine. Comes out the last weekend every month.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Were you over near the McClung's place Saturday night, remember?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, I was. I went right by it. I've got customers all along that block there. Say, this wouldn't be about that robbery?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's right, Bill.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You heard about it after church Sunday. A couple of kids who go to the same school I do. They live right around the McClungs. They heard about it.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What time was it when you went by there Saturday night, You remember?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, about a couple of minutes after nine, I guess. Maybe a quarter after. When I heard about the robbery on Sunday, I thought maybe I ought to tell somebody about it. I wasn't sure about it, though. You know, I didn't want to be a pest.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean, son? You weren't sure about what?

[Narrator/Announcer]

This dark blue sedan I saw parked on the street there, just a couple of houses down from the McClung's place. The reason I even noticed it was because it was a new car, almost a brand new car. But it looked like the license plates on it were kind of old.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What else?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, I delivered some magazines to Mrs. Brubaker and I got my money for him. And then coming down the stairs, I saw these two men. I'm not sure they came out of Mr. McClung's house. Dark, you know, but I thought that's where they came from. Anyway, they went down the street, got in the car and took off. Seem to be in a hurry.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, what did the two men look like, Bill? Do you have any idea?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, I didn't see him too well. Wasn't too close to him. I was about from. Oh, here across the street from them.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How about their clothes? You notice them at all?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, they had suits on. Dark suits. I know that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How would you describe their build, son? Medium, tall, fat, skinny? What would you say?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why, I think I'd say medium. Yeah, both of them medium.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, about that car, Bill. You said it was a dark blue sedan, new model. And the license plates look kind of old.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Is that right?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, that's right. That's how I first noticed it. Parked down by the restaurant.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Narrator/Announcer]

About 7:15, when I started my route down on South Benson, I saw the same car parked outside the restaurant down there. Forget the name of the place now, it just opened about a month ago.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You're sure it was the same car?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I'm pretty sure. That's why I noticed it Again, when I saw it up by McClung's place, I thought it looked kind of terrible. Brand new car like that with old license plates.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

By any chance, son, do you remember the license number on those plates?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, sir, I didn't notice it at all. I'll tell you what though. Yeah? If I see that car again, I'll be sure and get the number for you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Before we left the home of 16 year old Bill Newsome, we got a complete description of the car which he'd seen park near the McClung's home on the night of the robbery. He told us it was a 1950 Hudson four door sedan, dark blue, white sidewall tires. We relayed the information downtown to robbery detail. After we left the boy's house, we drove to the vicinity of the restaurant on South Benson where the Newsome boy had first spotted the Hudson sedan. After making the rounds of several bars and coffee counters in the area, we started checking at the restaurant. It was newly opened, just as the boy described it, full of glass, brick and fancy modern stonework. The main bar was situated just off the lobby, set apart from the main dining room. We interviewed the head bartender and he thought he remembered serving two customers answering the general description of the hold up men on the previous Saturday night.

[Bartender]

Not a bad looking pair. They're in a little early, around 7:15, 7:30. They seem to be all right.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Do you remember what they looked like at all?

[Bartender]

No, I didn't notice them that much.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Officer, can you give us some general idea?

[Bartender]

They're on the young side, I guess. Not more than 28, 30. One of them talked like a Midwesterner, I think. You know, maybe Arkansas, Texas, someplace like that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Could you give us any idea what they were wearing? Would you remember them?

[Bartender]

I had suits on, dark suits. One had on a gray hat and a.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That's about all I remember.

[Bartender]

The reason I can place them at all is because Saturday was a pretty slow night at the bar. There's a new place here, you know. It takes a little time to cultivate a trade.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, did these two men stop for dinner here? Do you remember that?

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

No.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No.

[Bartender]

They sat right here at the bar and had a couple of beers and then they left. No dinner.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Did you wait on them, sir?

[Bartender]

Yes, sir, I did. I served them both a bottle of beer. Imported Dutch beer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you serve quite a bit of that imported beer, do you?

[Bartender]

No, not here. No. It's mostly cocktail trade. These two colors are the only ones.

[Mr. Keasley]

I remember asking for.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh. Do you remember if the two men handled the beer Bottles at all?

[Bartender]

They handled them Well.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I mean. Did you, Quark?

[Bartender]

I filled up their glasses and set the bottle down. I guess they.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

They did handle them.

[Bartender]

They emptied the bottle.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Bartender]

They'd almost have to, wouldn't they?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Would you still have those two bottles on hand?

[Bartender]

Yeah, I guess I would. They don't pick up the empties till sometime around the middle of the week.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'd like to take a look at them, if you don't mind.

[Bartender]

Oh, sure thing. You guys just want to follow me down the bar here? It's in the store.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

I'm just.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Let's go.

[Bartender]

It's right back here, Officer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Fine.

[Bartender]

Let's see. Yeah. Yeah, they're right over here. There you go. Holland labeled only ones in the whole case. The same two I served those fellas.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I see.

[Bartender]

What do you think? Fingerprints?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Maybe.

[Bartender]

And as soon as you get the fingerprints, you can pick them up, can't you?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah. When we find the men that belong.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

To Monday, 6pm we call Leighton Fingerprints. And they came out to check the evidence. First, they obtained a set of the bartender's fingerprints to serve as a basis for comparison. Then they dusted each of the empty beer bottles carefully. After the various sets of prints were lifted off the bottles, the men went back to the office to run the sets through, classify their findings, and then turn them over to R and I for further checking. While they worked on it, Ben and I ducked out and had a sandwich and a bowl of soup for dinner. 7:25pm we got back to the City Hall.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I sure am getting tired of the kind of food that guy serves, Joe. It seems to get worse every time I go in there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It wasn't very good, was it?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I'm willing to bet I know his formula for the soup. Two gallons of hot water and one bouillon cube. Well, I've gone and done it before. I may still do it again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Bring my dinner from home in a paper sack. Pack of thermos full of hot coffee. Be a better deal than across the street.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't know about that. Do you remember the last time you had your wife fix you up a thermos full of coffee?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, I almost forgot. Wasn't any better than the stuff across the street. Hi. Where you two been? Hi, Jess. Getting something to eat.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Leighton.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Prince called just a minute ago. Told him I'd give you the message. What's that? Well, the Prince, they lifted off those beer bottles. Checked them through the record bureau. Yeah.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Found two sets they made both of.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

October 5, Saturday, 7:40pm the two sets of fingerprints which had been lifted from the empty beer bottles were checked through R and I and identified as those belonging to two known criminals. The first was Henry Vincent Moss, WMA, 29 years old. He'd served two terms in the county jail for burglary and grand theft auto and one term in San Quentin for robbery. The second was ERNEST Robert Windsor, WMA, 28 years old. His home was listed as Little Rock, Arkansas, where he'd twice been convicted on charges of first degree burglary and served time at the Arkansas State Penitentiary. We pulled the packages on both of the men, checked the last known addresses, but failed to locate either of them. To double check their identification, we showed mug shots of Windsor and Moss to the robbery and torture victims, Mr. And Mrs. McClung. They gave positive identification of both men. So did the bartender at the restaurant where they'd stopped for the beer. We got out of broadcast and an all points bulletin on them immediately. We began the routine legwork, checking with all the friends, relatives and associates who were listed on the mama sheet in each suspect's package. As usual, it was a long, monotonous hall. One of the persons listed as fairly close to Ernest Windsor was an aunt of his, a Mrs. Marie Rolfe, whom we located at her home in the Echo park district.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

No, I haven't seen Ernest in almost a year, Sergeant. What is it you want him for?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I'd like to talk to you about it a few minutes, Mrs. Rolfe. You don't mind?

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

I don't know how I can help you. You can come in for a minute if you want. I've got to go out and do some errands pretty soon, though.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

It's all right, ma'.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Right in here. Sit down if you want.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you very much.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Just about finished taking care of my little children here. Giving them nice, clean cages.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Good singers. They all canaries, ma'.

[Mrs. McClung]

Am.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Oh, yes. Oscar and Ethel, that's these two here. They're both genuine rollers. Their grand folks came from Germany. Beautiful singers. Wonderful company.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Am. My others are pretty, too. They're only choppers, though, ma'. Am. Choppers. They're different than rollers. They sing much louder. Maybe not as nicely, but I don't like to play favorites. I like all of them. You have birds, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

You should. I think everybody should have a canary in the house. Cheerful, you know. Wonderful company. Don't know what I do without mine.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

About your nephew Ernest, Ms. Rolfe. Have you any Idea at all how we could contact him?

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

As I say, it's been almost a year since I last heard from him. What would this be about, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just a routine investigation, ma'.

[Mrs. McClung]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We understand that you're quite close with your nephew, that he lived with you for a time.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Yes, that's right, he did. When you come right down to it, Ernie's a good boy. Kept bad company. That's what I always said. Got him in trouble two or three times. I suppose you know that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You live alone here in the house, do you, Ms. Ralph?

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Yes, that's right, Sergeant. See, I'm a widow. Husband's gone a good many years now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You don't take in boarders or anyone like that?

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Oh, no. Just me and my pets here. They're company enough.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I wonder if you'd explain that laundry piled up in the bed there in the next room, ma'.

[Mrs. McClung]

Am.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

What's that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The men's shirts, stockings, the underwear. They're right there in the bed there.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

I usually try to keep things in better order than that. Just some laundry I do, Sergeant. Little odd jobs for some of the bachelor men in the neighborhood. I do it as a favor for him.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You're sure about that, Ms. Roth?

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Well, what do you want Ernest for? Why do you have to chase after him all the time? Persecute him?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We're not persecuting him.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Ever since he's come here from Arkansas, it's been nothing but police chasing after him. Can't you give Ernie a chance? All he wants is a chance. He told me so himself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We've checked through his record, Mrs. Rolf. He's had all the chances in the world and nobody's persecuting him.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Why are you chasing him again? Hunting him down? Why don't you leave him alone for a spell? Give him a chance to get a job, do something. Why are you chasing him?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, this is a robbery charge, Ms. Rolf. He's been positively identified. He and Henry Moss forced their way into an old couple's home a few weeks back. They tortured the old man and they beat him till he was unconscious. That's what we want Ernie for.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

How'd you know it was Ernie? Could have made a mistake.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

No mistake, ma'. Am. The victims identified his picture. There wasn't a doubt in their mind. And where is he?

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

You sure that's the truth? You sure it's Ernie again?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Again. You can have all the proof you need.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

The last time he told me, he swore on the memory of his own mother. He swore he wouldn't do anything wrong again. I guess I just don't know. Ernest.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where is he, ma'? Am.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

You want to tell us the last time, Sergeant? I'm sorry, Ernest.

[Mrs. McClung]

At his last time.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Am. He's sleeping the room over the garage. You'll find him there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ernest Windsor was apprehended and placed under arrest. His room was searched as well as the entire home of his aunt, Mrs. Marie Rolf. We failed to find a trace of any of the jewelry stolen from Mr. And Mrs. McClung. After we made arrangements for a stake out on the house, Windsor was taken downtown to the interrogation room where Jess Gonzalez, Ben and I questioned him for five hours. He refused to tell us anything. At a special show up, he was positively identified as one of the hold up men by the two victims. Victims? Windsor was booked at the main jail on suspicion of 211pc. The investigation went on. Every possible lead on the other suspect, Henry Moss, was checked out. We got nowhere. It was obvious that either Moss was in possession of all the jewelry stolen from the McClungs or it had been hidden away someplace known only to Windsor and Moss. From time to time we had Windsor taken from his jail cell for questioning. It wasn't hard to tell. He was bothered with with the possibility that perhaps Moss had run off with the entire loot and was enjoying himself while Windsor spent his time in jail. We worked hard on that particular angle while we questioned him. But Windsor still refused to break to give us any kind of a lead on Moss. A month passed. Wednesday, November 8th.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Sure working out into a dull routine. A full month. We got exactly what we started with.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. We can only get Windsor to break it. It sure do a lot toward wrapping this thing up when it comes.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I don't know what he figures he's gonna gain, but keep him quiet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Gonzalez and Johnny Powers said they were checking out a tip from some informant this morning. Supposed to know where Henry Moss is.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wonder if they found any luck. They ought to be back by now.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, go ahead. Hey, Jess. Oh, hi.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about it? Did you do any good this morning?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, not a bit.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Informant didn't even show up.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Johnny's gonna meet him this afternoon. Doesn't look to be very much.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about you fellas?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Same. Jess, we're going as slow as you are.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I get it. Robbery Friday. Yeah. George, huh? Third in Maine.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

You sure?

[Mrs. Marie Rolfe]

Huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Right. Yeah, right away. Maybe we got a break.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What is it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Henry Moss. He tried to hock a ring at a pawn shop. Third in Maine, about 20 minutes ago. He make It? Well, the pawn broker stalled him. He didn't know for sure that the guy was hot.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How's it stand?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Moss said he'd come back to close the deal. When? Half an hour, 11:55am A special detail of men, including Gonzalez and Powers, Ben and myself were sent to cover the pawn shop near 3rd and Main. Gonzales and Powers staked out in stores adjoining the place. Ben and I were stationed inside the pawn shop. Another team of men covered the rear exit. We waited. The suspect, Henry Moss, failed to show at the appointed time. We kept waiting. 1:00pm 1:30, no sign of him. At 1:45pm a young looking dark haired man in a neat gray suit entered the shop and approached the manager at the rear counter. There wasn't any mistaking him. Henry Moss. He surrendered himself without even protesting. We took him to the city hall, to the interrogation room where we started to question him. Meantime, Gonzalez and Powers located the apartment where the suspect had been staying. His rooms and personal belongings were searched and every piece of the missing jewelry recovered. Surprisingly enough, in contrast to his partner, Ernie Windsor, Moss was cooperative, even obliging. We had a stenographer take his full statement. Then we got ready to move him over to the main jail for booking.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Just a couple of questions before we leave, Moss.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Sure, Sergeant, go ahead.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We've had you in here before. How come all the cooperation this time?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why not? I had it figured before time. If you got me, you'd have everything.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You need on me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wouldn't do much good putting in a beef, would it? Whose idea was it to start with Moss? The hold up deal. Yours or was it Windsor's?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Both of us, I guess.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I didn't want to get rough with the old man. I mean, the way Ernie did.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That part I didn't like.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All I wanted was the loot. Ernie just lost his head.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Too bad. All right, you ready to go?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anytime, Sergeant. Hey, I wonder if I could ask a favor. What's that? Well, it's gonna get a little tough in there in that jail. Wonder if we couldn't stop for a good steak and some French fries first, huh? Maybe some good restaurant around here? No, it won't work, Moss. You know I wouldn't try anything.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You put your order in a long time ago, mister.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

When you worked over that old couple. Yeah, that's when you ordered jail food.

[Narrator/Intro Voice]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On March 2, 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. Ernest Windsor and Henry Moss were tried and convicted on one count of first degree robbery and one count of assault with intent to do great bodily harm. Both men are now serving their terms in the state penitentiary. First degree robbery is punishable by imprisonment for no less than one nor more than 10 years. Ladies and gentlemen, the lives of millions of ragged and helpless Koreans depend on the unneeded clothes in your closet. Help these men, women and children live through the winter. Send your clean, unneeded clothing and shoes prepaid directly to the Ark Maspeth, New York or the ARC Oakland, California. 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.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Stay tuned for counterspy next over NBC.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

Black Friday at BJ's Wholesale Club is so big we called in the expert at paying less around the holidays.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Scrooge here. Past, present or future, it's hard to beat the Black Friday deals at BJ's. Believe me, I've tried. Get 25% off select toys, 30% off select small appliances and 45% off select TVs through December 1st. And plus doorbuster deals Thanksgiving weekend. These prices are so good, they even rattled old Marley's chain. Ah, humbug. Sorry, old habit.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

Visit BJ's.com BlackFriday for holiday savings. Tired of juggling sales tools or spending hours on prospecting just to book a few meetings? Meet Apollo, the go to market platform for finding leads, connecting with buyers and closing deals all in one place. Apollo gives you access to over 210 million contacts and AI that handles all your busywork. Finding leads, drafting emails and even prioritizing your day. So stop paying for five different sales tools when one does it all. Visit Apollo I.O. and sign up free today.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. You definitely have to appreciate their angers at the actions of the robbers. They were very cruel and cowardly and you can understand why they would not grant this request. Although I do have to remember the big cast where they took a serial killer to a health food restaurant and he was able to order a really nice meal. Of course, he hadn't given his confession. So the moral of the story might be if you're a criminal wanting one last nice meal before years of prison food, make the request before you've given the police everything they want. Particularly when you've done a violent crime with which they are going to have no sympathy whatsoever. Alright, well now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the day. And I want to thank Robert 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, Robert. 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 for free from. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

Where?

[Mr. Keasley]

Yes, sir. There's a picture of him in this group photograph taken on the occasion of our 100th anniversary.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I feel like I ought to yell beaver.

[Mr. Keasley]

I'm afraid his mighty shock of hair and magnificent beard misled me back in 1941 when I hired him. Yes, and I suppose I should have known when he gave up horse from Surrey to drive one of those newfangled motor cars. Should have known what, Mr. Keasley? That he was no longer a man suited to our fine establishment. Is he the one who took off with your $58,000? $58,433.41. Are you sure? I mean, sure it was he? Beyond the shape of a doubt, sir. He was the only one, beside myself who had a key to the vault in which we kept our building fund. And when he suddenly left us three years, five months and 16 days ago. Yes, yes, I should have known. But you didn't discover the loss until recently. It was June 21, at four minutes after 10 that I went down to the vault for the first time in four years. We had something extra to put aside. And you discovered the money was missing? The vault was empty. Except this note.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Huh.

[Mr. Keasley]

Goodbye, suckers. Horrid word. Signed T.R. so you see, Mr. Dollop? Yes.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, I do.

[Mr. Keasley]

It looks like he's our man. No question about it. And you've no idea where he might have gone? None whatsoever. Well, surely there must be some clue. None whatsoever. But you must find him. But that was three and a half years ago. Exactly. Three years, five months and 16. So where do I start? Unless your company decides simply to reimburse us for our loss. That, Mr. Dollar, is up to you.

[Adam Graham]

In the meantime, send your comments to Box13GreatJectives.net 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.

[Advertiser/Commercial Voice]

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