Dragnet: The Big Want Ad (EP4864)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio — Dragnet: The Big Want Ad (EP4864)

Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Adam Graham
Featured Drama: Dragnet – “The Big Want Ad” (originally aired October 4, 1951)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Dragnet, presented by Adam Graham on The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, dives into a calculated auto theft ring that uses newspaper want ads to target unsuspecting car sellers. The case unfolds through methodical police work as Sergeant Joe Friday and partner Ben Romero track down a crafty syndicate led by a master con artist. The episode is a classic example of Dragnet’s dedication to authentic police procedural storytelling, highlighting both the methods of criminals and the relentless pursuit of justice by the LAPD.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

The Crime & Modus Operandi

• Setting the Scene:
  • [03:13] “You’re a detective sergeant. You’re assigned to Auto Theft Detail. A gang of criminals masquerading as legitimate auto dealers start to work in your city. Innocent people are cheated out of thousands of dollars...your job? Stop them.” — Narrator
• The Scammer's Formula:
  • Criminals answer want ads placed by private car sellers.
  • “Front man” introduces himself as a buyer for a credible dealership (Dan Barton's Used Car Lot).
  • Initial $50 deposit via counterfeit company check, later promise of full payment.
  • Accomplice comes to pick up the car with another fake check; vehicle and criminals vanish.

Victim’s Perspective

• Interview with Mrs. Palmer:
  • [04:35–08:47] Mrs. Palmer describes being duped by "Joseph Newhall," who paid a down payment and arranged for pick-up by an "employee," only for her car to disappear.
  • Notable line:
    • [04:53] “One of the most underhanded things I’ve ever heard of, Sergeant. It would have been the same thing if he’d held me up with a gun. Just out and out robbery.” — Mrs. Palmer
  • Provides detailed notes, physical descriptions, and evidence to detectives.

The Investigation

• Discovery of the Forged Checks:
  • The checks are traced back to a small local printer, paid in cash, with no substantial leads—indicates meticulous planning by the gang.
• Strategic Police Response:
  • Police plan a weekend operation to contact all want ad car sellers, preempting the thieves with warnings and instructions.
  • Discussion about the difficulties of tracing the suspects and the significance of community cooperation.

A Break in the Case

• A New Attempted Scam:
  • [12:45] Tip received about a similar con in progress; the potential victim senses deceit and refuses the initial terms, but the suspect disappears, reinforcing the criminal’s strategy of moving on if resistance is sensed.
• The Cocktail Lounge Lead:
  • [15:55] Link established through a cashed check at a cocktail lounge, endorsed by a regular patron (Frank Curtis) for Newhall.
  • Curtis provides information on Newhall and his wife.

Closing the Net: The Role of Family

• Tracking the Accomplice:
  • Information from Newhall’s wife (Betty) ties the criminal to specific associates and sheds light on their operation.
  • [22:12–24:09] Betty reveals insight into the gang, the cars’ fate, and the abusive, unraveling family dynamics that precipitated her cooperation.
  • Quote:
    • [22:58] “I don’t care about any man where George is concerned. Nobody’s gonna treat a kid of mine…” — Betty Newhall

Final Raid and Arrest

• Climactic Arrest:
  • [25:30] Detectives locate and apprehend “Joseph Newhall” (real identity: Joseph Orin Henderson), with physical evidence of the scheme (pads of counterfeit company checks).
  • Henderson at first denies everything, but under interrogation confesses as the ring’s mastermind, blaming his wife and rationalizing their crimes.

Aftermath & Legal Consequences

• Sentencing:
  • [28:01] Henderson and his associates are convicted on multiple counts of grand theft and check forgery.
  • Betty Newhall is convicted as an accomplice, receiving one year in the county jail.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [05:00] “Could you give us some of the details, ma’am, how you were first approached on the deal?” — Joe Friday, setting up the procedural, step-by-step breakdown.
• [09:05] Mrs. Palmer, expressing disbelief:
  • "I don’t understand it at all. As I say, they’re only common crooks. They can’t be that smart, can they?"
• [13:28] “Newhall said he’d come back with a check for the full sale price. When? Eight o’clock tonight.” — Officer, marking the critical stakeout.
• [22:22] Betty Newhall, on her husband and their situation:
  • “Why is it the woman who always gets the dirty end of the deal? My first marriage and this one, Joe Newhall. A thief, heavy handed crook.”
• [26:20] Newhall, just before breaking:
  • “You haven’t got anything on me. You haven’t got enough to hold me an hour.”
  • [26:50] Friday responds bluntly:
    • “We’re going to give it a try.”
• [27:00] Newhall, rationalizing:
  • “We didn’t hurt anybody anyway. Just a couple con deal, that’s all... We just out figured them, that’s all.”
  • Friday’s retort:
    • “You know, we out figured you too. You’d never reached us. If it wasn’t for my wife, we’d reach you. Not in 30 years, you wouldn’t. Just one hitch. My wife and that stupid kid of hers.”

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Adam Graham’s Commentary [30:41–35:42]

Key Insights

• Theme Reflection:
  • “This is one of those episodes and it’s a bit of a recurring theme in Dragnet where criminals get caught not because they’re terrible criminals, but because they’re terrible people who make enemies and will double-cross or abuse someone who decides to turn them in.” [30:41]
• Criminal Psychology:
  • Graham questions the criminal’s logic—boasting about evading the cops, while ignoring that prolonged evasion only leads to harsher sentences.
• Moral Reflections:
  • Graham points out the flawed moral justification by Newhall, who claims that sellers were "trying to cheat" as a way to make the con seem less damning.

Notable Listener Feedback

• Listeners praise the realism, character dynamics, and historical value of the series.
• Humor and humanity shown in responding to comments about actor roles and legal ramifications of past cases.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:13 | Official case introduction and setup | | 04:35–08:47 | Mrs. Palmer’s account of her experience (the initial victim) | | 12:45 | Tip arrives about a new attempted scam | | 15:55 | Interview with Roy Harmon leads to Frank Curtis, tying Newhall to a check | | 18:35 | Civil service records link to Newhall’s wife | | 21:17 | Betty Newhall found, reveals critical information about the ring | | 25:30 | Final confrontation and arrest of Newhall | | 28:01 | Legal disposition and sentencing summary | | 30:41 | Adam Graham’s post-drama commentary, listener feedback, and discussion |

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Tone and Style Reflection

The episode is classic Dragnet: methodical, fact-based, and unsentimental, with an undercurrent of empathy for victims and a hard-nosed look at criminal behavior. Adam Graham’s commentary maintains a conversational, insightful, and warm tone, peppered with humor and historical perspective.
Noteworthy is the continued engagement with listeners, both reinforcing the show's appeal and reflecting how these old dramas resonate through time.

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In Summary…

This Dragnet installment demonstrates the dangerous ingenuity of mid-century cons, the importance of victim vigilance, and the power of careful, persistent police investigation. Ultimately, it's a story of how criminal overconfidence and poor character—especially violence against the vulnerable—bring even the most clever crooks to justice.

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Most Memorable Quote:

“We didn’t hurt anybody anyway. Just a couple con deal, that’s all… We just out figured them, that’s all.”
— Joseph Newhall [27:00]

Adam Graham’s Reflection:

“Criminals get caught not because they’re terrible criminals, but because they’re terrible people who make enemies and will double-cross or abuse someone who decides to turn them in.” [30:41]

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For full episodes and daily mysteries, visit greatdetectives.net.

Transcript

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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 want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Also, I do want to let you know today's program is brought to you by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, P.O. box 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715 or by becoming one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. And I want to thank Bob for becoming our latest Patreon supporter at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Bob. Well, now, from October 4, 1951, here is the big.

[A]

The story you're about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to Auto Theft Detail. A gang of criminals masquerading as legitimate auto dealers start to work in your city. Innocent people are cheated out of thousands of dollars. The thieves are clever. They work a foolproof formula. 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, February 19th. It was chilly in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of auto theft. My partner's Ben Romero, the boss is Captain Nelson, and my name's Friday. We were on the way out from the office and it was 10:25am when we got to the corner of 38th street and Maxbury Avenue. The Greenleaf Day Nursery School.

Misses Palmer. Is that right? I think so. Just a minute. I got it written down.

Yeah. Mm.

Excuse me, ma'. Am.

[B]

Yes?

[A]

We're looking for Mrs. Viola Palmer.

[B]

I'm Mrs. Palmer. What is it you wanted?

[A]

We're police officers, ma'. Am. This is my partner, Sergeant Romero. My name's Friday. Auto theft detail.

[B]

Oh, yes. Brought my car. You're going to investigate all about it, is that it?

[A]

Yes, ma'. Am. We've been handling similar complaints the last month or so. We'd like to have you tell us everything that happened in your case, if you would, please.

[B]

One of the most underhanded things I've ever heard of, Sergeant. It would have been the same thing if he'd held me up with a gun. Just out and out robbery.

[A]

Could you give us some of the details, ma', am, how you were first approached on the deal?

[B]

Excuse me a minute, please, children. Time to go inside now. We're going to color pictures with the crayons this morning. Mrs. Johnson has them all ready for you inside. Bruce, Michael, Sandra, go along now. Inside, everyone. Certainly wish the warm weather. Hurry up and come. Children always raise such an uproar when we have to keep them indoors. Worst part of running a day nursery, the winter months.

[A]

Yes, ma', am. I suppose. Now, about your automobile, Ms. Palmer. We understand you had it up for sale. You advertised in one of the local newspapers, is that right?

[B]

Yes, that's right. I ran one of those three day want ads over the weekend. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I thought I'd get more for my car if I sold it myself. I mean, instead of selling it to a used car lot.

[A]

Yes, ma'.

[C]

Am.

[A]

How many answers did you get on your want ad?

[B]

Well, just the one way. It turned out. This man came out and looked at my car first thing in the morning. He offered to pay me exactly what I was asking for it. So I sold it to Him? That's just the way it went.

[A]

Who was this man, Mrs. Palmer? Was he representing some auto company?

[B]

Yes, he said he was. Anyway, he gave his name as Joseph Newhall. I've got his card inside. Said he was a buyer for Dan Barton's Used Car Lot on South Cap Street. Nicely dressed man. He made it all seem so honest.

[A]

How was the deal arranged? Could you tell us? I mean, transfer the car payment and so forth?

[B]

Well, he gave me a check for $50, sort of a down payment to hold the car for him. It was a certified company check.

[A]

I see.

[B]

He told me he'd be back that afternoon with a certified check for the full amount of the car, $800.

[A]

Did he take your car with him, then?

[B]

No, he didn't. That's why I had no reason to be suspicious. He left me the check for $50 and said he'd be back later with the rest of the money. Said in the meantime, one of the employees from the used car lot might be along to pick up the car. To save me the trouble of driving it downtown myself.

[A]

Same MO Joe all the way? Yeah, looks like it. Well, how did it go after that, Ms. Palmer?

[B]

This worker from the used car lot came to the house to pick up the car about one o' clock that afternoon. Gave me a check with the full mount of the card I gave him. The pink slip had a pair of white coveralls on, lettering on the back of him. Dan Barton Jew's Cars. Looked like a typical mechanic or something. I wasn't the least bit suspicious.

[A]

How about the buyer, this Joseph Newhall, did he show up later in the day?

[B]

No, he never came back. I've never seen him since. Haven't seen my car either. I call that Dan Barton Juice Car Lot. The next morning they told me they never heard of Joseph Newhall. Just made me sick, Officer. I can't afford to lose the money I had in that car.

[A]

Yes, ma', am, we understand the same things happen to a dozen people like you around the city. Do you remember what this man Newhall looked like, Ms. Palmer? His physical description, maybe? The clothes he was wearing?

[B]

Yes, I've got it all written down, Sergeant, in my diary. Would you like to step inside, please? I've got my little office attorney the back of the school here.

[A]

All right, thank you very much.

[B]

I always make a record of everything in my diary. I've kept one ever since I was a girl in college. Every day.

[A]

I suppose you've got all the information on your car, the make, license number, things like that.

[B]

Oh, yes, indeed. I got everything together I thought might help you ride up these stairs, please.

[A]

Thank you. Go ahead.

How about the description of the man in overalls? The one who came to pick up your car? Would you remember him, ma'? Am?

[B]

Yes, I've got that for you too. Everything I thought would help. Just have a seat there, officers. I've got the things in my desk here.

[A]

Thank you. Right ahead. Thank you.

[B]

I wouldn't mind the whole thing so much, but as I say, I can't afford to lose the cash. I had tied up my car.

[A]

That seems to be the way the thieves operate, ma'. Am. They've been cheating the people who can least afford it.

[B]

Terrible thing. Just out and out robbery. There you are, Sergeant.

[A]

Thank you, ma'. Am.

[B]

There's the description of my car, license number, all the rest.

[A]

Yes, I see.

[B]

And here's the description of the two men. Joseph Newhall and the man in coveralls who picked up my car.

[A]

Have you got that deposit check Newhall gave you, Miss Parmen? The check for $50?

[B]

Right here, Sergeant. I saw that company about it. Dan Barton's Used Car Lot. It's forgery. Not worth the paper it's printed on.

[A]

Have a look, Joe. Yeah, I see. Same as the others.

[B]

One thing I don't understand. How those crooks get these checks to begin with. Did they steal them?

[A]

No, ma'. Am. We figured they had them printed up. We're still trying to find out where.

[B]

Well, you know what the men look like. You'll be able to find them now, won't you?

[A]

Only wish it worked that way, ma'. Am. We've had good descriptions on both men for a month now. Hasn't helped too much.

[B]

I don't understand it at all. As I say, they're only common crooks. They can't be that smart, can they?

[A]

Well, there's only one way we can judge. We've been hunting every day for a month now. Yes, they're still running free.

In the space of 33 days, the auto theft gang had victimized a dozen private citizens throughout the city. In each instance, the approach and the method of operation had been the same. The frontman for the gang would personally answer a want ad inserted in a local newspaper by a private citizen advertising the sale of his automobile. The front man would represent himself falsely as a buyer for Dan Barton's Used Car Lot. A well known and legitimate used car dealer. He'd offer to pay exactly the sale price which the private party was asking as a deposit. The so called buyer would leave a Counterfeit company check for 50 or $100 with a promise that he would return later in the day with a certified check for the full amount. After a few hours, another man posing as an employee of Dan Barton's Used Car lot would call for the car and drive it away. Neither the car nor the so called buyer were ever seen again. All efforts to trace them went for nothing. 11:40am Ben and I went back to the office and got out a broadcast and a supplementary APB on Mrs. Palmer's car and also on the phony car buyer who called himself Joseph Newhall. After lunch we met with Sergeant Ormsby, one of the other four men out of auto theft detail who were working the case with us. How'd you make out this morning? Army. That didn't go anywhere at all. Wasn't bad as far as it went. We found the place where they had the printing done. Yeah? Where was that? Small job printer way out in the valley. Printed up the phony checks with that heading on it. Dan Barton's used Car lot. Cut out some business cards for him too. What was the name? Did you find out? Same one. Joseph Newhall. He ordered the checks and the business cards. Printer described him for us. Same guy. Where's it go from there? No place. Printer told us Newhall had a car. He couldn't give us a license number. Couldn't even remember the make or the body style. Thought it was a late model car I'd spot off. Well, that's not much help. No address on him either. It was a will call order, paid for in cash. You told the printer to call us if Newhall comes back, did you? Ah, yeah, it's covered. I don't figure there's much chance Newhall's gonna do that. He ordered enough checks printed up the first time. Last him a year. Well, I guess that's one lead we can forget. How about that special run the stats office made for us yesterday? Anything come out of that? No, nothing. All the possibles on the list were checked out, all of them clear. Nothing from Barton's used car lot either. Everybody on their staff's been checked out. All their ex employees too. No sign any one of them might have had a hand in it. Yeah. Oh, either of you seen the captain since this morning? No, why? Well, that idea we were talking over at the last meeting. He figures we'll go ahead with it this weekend. How's he figure on working? You know, army personal contact? Yeah, that's right. Most of the private parties who want to sell their cars Themselves use that want ad deal over the weekend. They get a special rate if they run their ad Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. I know Thursday night's the deadline for having the ads in if they're gonna run the full weekend. And that's when we start working on it. We get in touch with every private party who's filed a want ad for the weekend. Advertising the sale of their car, huh? Yeah. We'll contact them by phone, every one of them. We advise them that if anybody representing themselves as a buyer for Dan Barton's Use Car Lot answers their want ad, better to get in touch with us right away. If they can't stall the man long enough, we tell them to accept the deposit check. Take down all information on the man, the car he's driving. Ought to work out if we can get any. That kind of cooperation's gonna be a big job. We'll have to cover all the want ads and all the papers. We've got a good description of that phony buyer, Joseph Newhall. If they planted a want ad in one of the papers, maybe he's the one of the gang who brought the ad in. It's possible one of the ad takers might remember him. Might be worth checking anyway. Well, could be they might have phoned in the ad too. That wouldn't help much. We might as well face it. It's not foolproof. But it's a different approach. It's a plan. Anyway. We tried everything else we can think of to reach a thieves. I get it.

Auto theft Friday. Talking. Yes, sir. Mm. When Was that.

My seat? Yeah. Mm. Yes, sir. As soon as we can. Thank you, sir. Well, maybe we won't have to wait for the weekend. What do you mean? Man out in Echo Park. He runs a candy store out there. He advertised his car for sale in this morning's paper. Said the first one to answer it was a buyer from Dan Barton's used Car lot. Gave his name as Joseph Newall. Looks like the same mo. They make a deal? Well, the candy store owner wouldn't go for the deposit check. He wanted the full amount. Said the deal didn't sound right to him. How's it stand now? Well, Newhall said he'd come back with a check for the full sale price. When? Eight o' clock tonight.

2:20Pm we drove out and questioned the candy store owner further. His description of Newhall tallied with the others, but again, the potential victim had failed to get any kind of a description of the car Newhall was driving or the license number. Ben And I staked out at the house. 8pm came and went. The suspect failed to show. By midnight there was still no sign of him. Well, the way it shaped up, Newhall apparently had a policy of making a deal at first contact or forgetting about it. He probably figured that if a person was at all suspicious, the interval would give him time to check. And Newhall wasn't giving away any odds. All day Wednesday, the stakeout went on. No sign of the suspect. On Thursday night, the local newspapers gave us lists of names and phone numbers of all private parties who had ordered want ads for the coming weekend to advertise the sale of an automobile. We divided up the names and six of us took turns on the phones and started calling each party. We warned them about the car theft ring and advised them of what steps to take in the event Joseph Newhall or one of the other gang members approached them with a proposition to buy their car. One of the private parties we Contacted was a Mr. Roy Harmon. Ben got on one extension and read him the stock warning we'd prepared. Sergeant Ormsby used the other extension and called another party running an ad. Sergeant Ornstein, Los Angeles Police Department, auto test. How's that you? Yes. And one of the gang usually goes under the name of Joseph Newhall. Now, if you're contacted at all. How's that? Uh huh. Well when was that? Uh huh. I see. Well, where are you now? I'll say in about an hour. Right. Thank you, sir. What was that all about? A man by the name of Harmon runs a cocktail lounge out on South Coal. He took in a check over the bar last night. Company check from Dan Barton's used car lot. Says it was signed Joseph Newhall. Well, he ought to remember who passed it. He does. I got it right here. A man by the name of Frank Curtis, he's a regular customer at the bar. Harmon says his Curtis came in the place last night with a man in a dark suit and the man seemed to be a friend of Curtis. When I asked him what the friend looked like, he described him. It was Newhall. What about that check business? Harmon says he was standing bar at the time. Told me this Frank Curtis and Newhall had quite a few drinks together and he ran out of money. New hall wanted to cash a check, but Harmon said no, he didn't know him. Well, this Frank Curtis is a regular customer at the Barn. He offered to endorse the check for New hall, so Harmon said okay and he cashed it. Well, how well does Harmon know this customer? He is this Curtis pretty well lives across the street from him.

We checked Frank Curtis through R and I, but he had no previous criminal record. We left the rest of the list for the other men and Ben and I drove out and talked to Roy Harmon, the owner of the cocktail lounge where the suspect, Joseph Newhall, had cashed a check. With the help of his friend Frank Curtis, Harmon told the same story he'd given Ben over the phone. Curtis was a longtime neighbor of his and a steady customer at his cocktail lounge. As for Newhall, he'd never set eyes on him until the night before. Harmon gave us the home address of Frank Curtis, and we checked it out. Mrs. Curtis answered the door and told us that her husband Frank was working the newly inaugurated night shift at an aircraft plant in the south end of the city. Ben and I drove down to the plant and after checking with the personnel office, we finally located Curtis at his work. He was an assistant foreman in one of the aircraft assembly shops. Sergeant Romero. The last time I saw Newhall before the other night was five years ago. Used to work at a work plant together. Samander, anyway. Has he done something? We understand you endorsed a check of new holes for $50. Do you know him that well? I mean, that you'd endorse checks? Well, maybe I shouldn't have. Wives always tell me I ought to be more careful who I'm signing checks for. Well, what happened anyway? Wasn't the check any good? Do you have any idea where we could find this friend of yours, this New Hall? Well, I don't know. During the war, he and his wife lived in this housing project off North Main. I know they moved from that place, though. Yeah. As a matter of fact, old Joe didn't tell me where he was living. I gave him my address, told him to drop over for a beer sometimes. You remember getting his address, though? Couldn't tell me what this is about, huh? Just a routine check. We like to locate Newhall, that's all. Got a few questions we'd like to ask him. Excuse me. We ought to watch it here, Sergeant. Men coming through with that jig.

Okay, fellas, straight on through. All clear. Vertical fin assembly down to three.

They're getting busy again, all right. Seems like the old swing shift days all over again. War years. Yeah. You mentioned a minute ago that Newhall is married, mister. Yeah, that's right. What about his wife? Can you tell us anything at all about her? Betty? No. No, I don't think so. Her and Joe seem to get along all right. Got along pretty well, matter of fact. Nice girl, Betty. I never minded her much. The Newhalls have any children, do you know that? No, no kids. Four of them work. Her and Joe. Uh huh. Would you know if Newhall's wife is still working? I don't know. Probably is, but. Yeah. Yeah, matter of fact, she is. Joe happened to mention it the other night when we were talking. Just happened to think of it going. I remember I asked about Betty and he said she was still working. Same old place, same old job, that's all. Where is this place she works, do you know? Yeah. City Hall.

We continued questioning Frank Curtis and he told us that to the best of his knowledge the suspect's wife, Betty Newhall, had a civil service rating and that she'd worked as a file clerk in the record room of one of the bureaus in the municipal government. Early the next morning, Ben and I got in touch with the civil service officials at the City hall. They got out of tracer on the life of the suspect. 11:20am I got it. Auto theft, Friday. Yes, sir. How's that?

I didn't hear when. Yeah, I see. Yes, sir. Right, we'll check with you in about an hour. Bye. I don't know why we always have to do it the hard way. Why? A call back on Newhall's wife? Most of it checks out just the way Curtis told us. What's her up? Betty Newhall quit her job a month ago. Hasn't been around, hasn't been seen since. Civil service can't even contact her. What's the deal? She moves. No forwarding address, not a trace of her.

Saturday, February 23rd. The strongest lead we'd had to the auto theft gang began to fade. Mrs. Betty Newhall, the wife of our principal suspect, wasn't to be found. We checked out all her known friends and relatives, the places she was known to frequent. There wasn't a trace of her. Ben got all the available information on her from the civil service office and we got out of broadcast. In the supplementary all points bulletin we found out she had a 10 year old son. So we checked with the Board of Education to see if the boy was registered in one of the city schools. He wasn't listed. Still no response. We stayed on it in the meantime. The weekend was wearing past the halfway point. The other two teams of men working the case were standing by. But apparently none of the private parties who were running want ads over the weekend advertising the sale of an automobile had been approached yet by either Joseph Newhall or some other member of the gang. If they did make A contact. It hadn't been reported to us Saturday night. Still no response. 8:50pm Ben and I had some supper at Johnny Cope and then we went back to the office.

Not a bad meal at all, huh? Pretty fair for a Saturday night. Good soup. Yeah, there's nothing like that corn chowder Johnny puts out. It's the best. Sure we should do something about that coffee. Like taking a shot of adrenaline, isn't it? It is pretty strong and. Excuse me. Maybe that's what's giving me this heartburn. Where's Armsby? I thought he was covering. So die. He was here when I left. Joe. Ben. Hi. Army. Thought we lost you. And taking a call from Hollywood Division. Good piece of news. What's Ann Newhall's wife. They found her.

At approximately 25 minutes past 8 that night. A dark haired woman in her late 30s had brought a young boy into a pharmacy in the Hollywood area. Apparently the woman had been drinking, but she was not intoxicated. The young boy with her, whom she identified as her 10 year old son, was badly cut and bruised about the face and head. The woman insisted on that the pharmacist on duty treat the boy and attend to his injuries. After arguing with the woman, the pharmacist called the Hollywood Receiving Hospital. An ambulance was dispatched and the boy and his mother were taken there for emergency treatment at Hollywood Receiving. The woman gave her name as Betty Harrison and her son's name is George Harrison. But a routine identification check by officers next door at the Hollywood Division station disclosed her true name as Mrs. Betty Newhall. The desk sergeant auditor held for interrogation and notified our office immediately. 9:30pm Ben and I arrived at the Hollywood Division. Her boy George. Mrs. Newhall. How did he happen to get beat up like that? It's pretty bad for a little fella.

[B]

I warned Joe about hitting little George. I told him if he did it again, I'd walk out. Well, I did walk out. I don't care what happens to him.

[A]

You mean the boy's father did that to him? Beat him up like that?

[B]

He's not George's father. Second marriage. My name used to be Donnelly. I had two kids. One died. When the divorce came through, I got custody of George and I married Joe Newhall.

[A]

You know why we're looking for your husband, Ms. Newhall?

[B]

Yeah, I think so.

[A]

Why do you think so?

[B]

Car business. I knew what he was doing.

[A]

Do you have any idea at all where we can find your husband?

[B]

I'm not sure. He might be a lot of places. Just can't get over what he did to George.

[A]

No reason at all.

[B]

Kid came home and asked if he could go to the show. Husband got up and slapped him. He'd been drinking quite a bit. He hit the kid with his closed fist. Kept hitting him. A grown man slugging a 10 year old kid like that?

[A]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[B]

I don't care about any man where George is concerned. Nobody's gonna treat a kid of mine.

[A]

You said you knew about your husband's dealing in the car business, Mrs. Newhall. How much do you know about it?

[B]

I didn't have any part of it, I can tell you that much. It was his idea from the beginning. My husband's got the men together to work the racket. He made all the plans, he gave all the orders.

[A]

Why was it you quit your job at the City hall in such a hurry?

[B]

My husband's idea. I guess he thought if anything happened, he didn't want to be traced that easy. Then he had to go and get drunk that night, cash that check. He always did stupid things like that.

[A]

How about the gang your husband has working with him, Ms. Newhall? Can you tell us anything about them?

[B]

Yes, I can. Three fellas working with him I know of. Stedman and Curly Reese and Jack Whitmore. Maybe there's someone else besides them, but I don't know.

[A]

You know where these men live, ma'? Am? Where we can find them?

[B]

I think I do.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I got the dresses at home this time. They're probably all on the run, though.

[A]

But you do know the places they were supposed to be staying?

[B]

Yeah, I got the addresses at home.

[A]

How about the cars they got on this deal? They were working. What are they doing with him? Do you know that?

[B]

I don't know for sure. They were moving them east, I think. Selling them back there?

[A]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[B]

Why is it the woman who always gets the dirty end of the deal? My first marriage and this one, Joe Newhall. A thief, heavy handed crook. Why can't I meet a decent man for a change?

[A]

Well, I wouldn't know, man.

[B]

Neither one of them. They didn't like kids. They didn't want to have a home. Why'd they have to be that way?

[A]

Well, I'd like to ask you something if I could.

[B]

Yeah?

[A]

Why'd you marry him?

10:43Pm we stopped at the New hall apartment on the way back to the City hall, called the office and arranged for a stakeout. The wife of the suspect, Betty Newhall, gave us the names and addresses of the people she knew to be working with her husband, Joseph Newhall, in the auto theft gang. She had no information to offer on the cars they might be driving. When we got to the office, we took a complete statement from Mrs. Newhall, and then she was booked in at the main jail on suspicion of Grand Theft Auto. 1109pm Together with Wilson and Ormsby, we started checking out the addresses of the gang members. Our first two stops, we got nothing. On our last two, we did a little better. We picked up a Jack Whitmore, Curly Reese and a Carl Steadman, three of the names which Mrs. Newhall had mentioned. We took them downtown and booked them in at the main jail. That still left the principal suspect, Joseph Newhall, unaccounted for. At 1:45am the next morning, we got a tip as to his whereabouts. A small hotel on East First Street. We checked it out. The man answering Newhall's description was registered in room 209 on the second floor. We got a pass key from the room clerk on duty and started up the stairs.

209. It's down this way, Jill. All right.

Yeah. Seven. Here we are. Mm. See if we can get a rise, huh? Yeah.

Yeah. Who is.

That'S all right.

Yeah. Police officers. All right, hold it there, mister. What is this? Shake Em down, Ben. Yeah. Hey, what is this? What's this all about? You generally sleep with your clothes on, Newhall? Look, I don't know what you're talking about. What is this, shakedown? He's clean, Joe. I'll check his bag. And I'll stay out of those things. You haven't got any right breaking in here like this, going through my property. Let's relax, New Hall. This won't take long. Two full pads of them, Joe. Find them in his suitcases. Company checked. Dan Barton. Juice, Carla. We talked to your friends, mister. We got one side of the story. You want to come downtown, give us yours. You get nothing from me. Not until I see my lawyer. You can't hold me on any charges. Grand theft auto, New Hall. We got the witnesses, we got the evidence. If you got something to say, say it. If you haven't, we'll get along downtown. You haven't got anything on me. You haven't got enough to hold me an hour. We're going to give it a try.

For a full five hours, we questioned Newhall both at the hotel and later downtown in the interrogation room. And after five hours of questioning, he finally broke and admitted being the mastermind behind the auto theft racket. Your true name is Joseph Woodard, Newhall is that right? Yeah, that's it. You can't blame the whole setup on me though. My wife had a hand in it just as much as I did. Well, we've already got her statement. You want to give us yours? She's just as much to blame as I am. We didn't hurt anybody anyway. Just a couple con deal, that's all. We didn't hurt anybody. How do you figure that? Well, just a simple con deal. People advertising their cars for sale or trying to cheat out a few bucks of themselves. We just out figured them, that's all. You ready to dictate a statement for us? You know, we out figured you two. You'd never reached us. If it wasn't for my wife, we'd reach you. Not in 30 years, you wouldn't. Where'd you go in circles? Just one hitch. My wife and that stupid kid of hers. Just because I slapped him around a little. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that. When? You better learn a lesson, mister. Why, next time you fight, don't pick a 10 year old.

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On May 29, trial was held in Superior Court Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment. The results of that trial.

A check of his fingerprints revealed that Joseph Newhall's true name was Joseph Orin Henderson. And that he had a previous record of forgery and burglary in the state of South Carolina. Henderson, alias Newhall, was tried and convicted along with his associates in the Auto theft gang on eight counts of grand theft and forgery of a fictitious check. They receive sentences as prescribed by law. Grand theft is punishable by imprisonment for not less than one or more than 10 years. Forgery of a fictitious check is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year or in the state penitentiary for not more than 14 years. The wife, Betty Newhall, was convicted as an accomplice and was sentenced to serve one year in the county jail. Ladies and gentlemen, our security and the peace of the world are in danger. While hundreds of millions behind the Iron Curtain are victims of vicious lies about the United States and other free nations. Join the crusade for freedom through your local crusade Committee or by writing to General Clay, Empire State Building, New York City. Make a contribution to its work. Help truth fight communism. Join the crusade for freedom.

You have just heard Dragnet. A series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police WH. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department.

Ram.

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Welcome back. This is one of those episodes and it's a bit of a recurring theme in Dragnet where criminals get caught not because they're terrible criminals, but because they're terrible people who make enemies and will double cross or abuse someone who decides to turn them in. I will also say that I don't relate to the whole criminal idea that you gave the police a good run and bragging about how long you kept the police going. I mean, it fits into the psychology, but I don't claim to understand it. When you undertake a life of crime, if you make a mistake, you lose. The big difference is that he's going to spend a lot more time in jail than if he been caught the first time. That's the prize for being such a brilliant criminal and giving the police such a run. And then of course you have the whole moral justification for this, that people who sell cars are trying to cheat. Does he think used car dealers are entitled to a cut of the sale price of a car? Or maybe it's a belief that everyone selling their car privately is trying to pull a fast one in terms of overcharging or hiding facts. You know, it's the sort of expectation that if you're dishonest, then everyone else is. Well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback and we're gonna start out over on Spotify we have a couple of comments.

In the same vein. Dr. Whodunit wrote, did my ears deceive me? Did Ben get the zinger at the end of this episode? Way to go, Ben. And Peter writes, Ben Romero got the last word in this episode. I wonder how this happened. Did Jack Webb lose a bet to Barton Yarborough? I think it's the case with Barton Yarborough, as opposed to Friday's later longtime partners in Bill Gannon and Frank Smith, that there's a sense in which he can be Joe Friday's equal in many ways in physicality. Certainly that can be seen in the very first TV episode of Dragnet where he is the one who goes around the ledge and delivers the punch to the man holding the bomb. Or in terms of taking over the narrative, I think that with both Frank Smith and Bill Gannon, there was a sense in which they operated a little bit as comic relief. Not quite in the sense of Sergeant Tartaglia over on Broadway's My Bait, but they were the types who didn't really go in for physicality. They were lighter. Yes, Ben Alexander did have that fight scene in the 1954 Dragnet movie, but honestly, that was a bit of a stretch. So while they were lighter roles, there is a real sense in which Ben Romero is just as much of a cop, just as much, you know, able to carry on the narration and the logging of the case when Friday got shot in the Big Bend. So can he deliver a closing zinger? Sure. And probably he's Joe Friday's only partner who actually could. And then we have a comment from Mechanic66, who writes, what's Ernie going to gain by not giving up his partner? Being able to do time without a snitch jacket going to prison as a guy who ratted out his partner means hard time and probably getting shivd. I don't know how two witnesses could think Arkansas and Midwestern accents sounded the same. I thought the first one was going to say he sounded like Romero. Virginia Greg turned played three parts. I wonder if they got paid extra for that. While taking the questions or comments in reverse order. I believe that everyone got union scale, which, and most of the radio actors really made their money just by the sheer number of programs that they were able to appear in. I also thought when the witness said that the person talked funny, that, you know, when Romero was doing the question that she would reference that that Texas accent is such a big part of who he is as a character and it's so rarely even mentioned or addressed as to Arkansas and Midwestern, that's a tough one. I don't know, maybe a lack of exposure to those areas of the country.

That's the only thing I can think of. Although there are some regions of some states that could have kind of a twangy sort of accent. Like if you had been from southern Ohio. I've heard quite a few folks around Cincinnati with an accent that might be classed in the Southern style. If you weren't aware of, like, the regional dialects. Then have a couple of comments over on YouTube regarding the big Waiter, which posted on Thanksgiving. James writes, thank you, Adam, for making sure we get our Dragnet fix even on Thanksgiving. I hype this video, and I do so every chance I get. Thanks, James. I appreciate you mentioning the hop feature, which is something newer on YouTube that you can do to help your favorite videos perform well. And I appreciate everyone who does it with ours. Mark says nice break from Too Much Thanksgiving. Well, I'm glad that I'm able just to be there every day, even if I do take the day off. And I was actually in Montana on Thanksgiving Day this year. But we have everything recorded in advance so we're there as regularly scheduled. And then Mark writes, these old radio shows are amazing history. And then we had a comment over on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio website and this one comes. And then a comment from Dick over on the Great Detectives website regarding the Big Crazy so the husband's relatives will be lawyering up and taking both the police and his vindictive sister in law to court over this wrong, wrongful death, right? Big fat civil suit for driving him to suicide. The DIA ought to be to look into investigating the sister in law for criminal charges as well. She clearly manipulated this situation and may well have done so hoping for just this outcome. That's some interesting speculation. I think that regarding the criminal case, you're gonna have an awful hard time proving intent. I think that the police, having signed off on the plan, would really make that hard. Even a civil case against her, I think, would be very difficult. I think a case against the police, a civil case against the police would definitely be brought these days. But this of course was long ago and as Eric suggested, and I would tend to agree, this was probably, probably a lot earlier than the 1950s. I don't think it was the 19th century probably, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was from the 1910s or 1920s where you had a far less litigious society, particularly when it came to these sort of lawsuits that you would bring against a police department. Now certainly there are lawyers out in the audience. I know that you listen. I don't mean that in some sort of weird way. I just mean it because people have emailed in and identified themselves as members of the bar, as officers of the court, although not in so many words. So anyway, there are legal experts might have different opinions on whether this would, you know, if something like this, it's kind of unimaginable that a modern police department would do this, would have merit in a modern system. But I can't imagine anything happening on the sister in law. You just really would have to read minds and make assumptions. And I don't see how you could establish that she had the state of mind that you suspect. But thanks so much. Appreciate the comment. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Tony, patreon supporter since March 2023, currently supporting the podcast at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Tony. And that will do it for 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 from. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[A]

Or where it's almost as though you.

[B]

Suspected somebody of murdering Ray.

[A]

It is a possibility, isn't it?

[B]

Of course not.

[A]

Who several people might be like you for this is the most after years of a half baked marriage and struggling along how you can call wintering in Florida struggle, I don't know.

[B]

I told you. He tried to make up for me.

[A]

For all partner Rykoff, who now owns the business now that it's suddenly begun to prosper.

[B]

Are you trying to say that Al.

[A]

And the fact that Al might still care for you could look pretty suspicious, couldn't it? You don't know what you're talking about. What about Walt Bascom? It's pretty unusual when an insurance man is so anxious to spend the company's money. But then if he has intentions towards a beneficiary of the policy. Alan, this is awful.

[B]

This is terrible. These things you're saying. I won't let you. I. I won't stand for this.

[A]

You don't have to, Gloria.

[B]

Al.

[A]

Oh, now, come on, put that thing down, Rykoff. I thought you'd come here instead of going up to the mountain. You know, everything you said was possible. $al dear. Possible but not true. And I won't stand for you or anyone else tormenting this girl this way. She's been through more than she deserves as it is. And I'm not gonna stand still while some stupid insurance dick makes her tear her heart out of. Settle down, Ryko. And put that thing away. Now you get out of here. Just put yourself in my place. I have. That's why I said all those wild theories of yours are possible. All of them. All three of us have plenty to gain with Ray Sheldon out of the way. Especially me. Because in the long run, I stand to benefit most. And I'd be number one suspect, wouldn't I? Because I was the last one to see Ray. The only one who was with him when he died. The only one who could have murdered him. But, and this is a big butt dollar. Even if I had killed Ray Sheldon, neither you nor anybody else would ever be able to prove it.

[C]

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

[A]

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