Dragnet: The Big Evans (EP4989)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives Present Dragnet – "The Big Evans" (EP4989)

Host: Adam Graham
Date: June 4, 2026
Original Airdate of Episode: March 6, 1952

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Main Theme / Purpose

In this episode, Adam Graham presents the Dragnet episode "The Big Evans," where Detectives Joe Friday and Ed Jacobs investigate a serious accusation against a fellow police officer, Officer Harry Blanchard. The story centers on a report of assault, battery, and bribery solicitation allegedly committed by Blanchard against George Evans, a boarding house operator with a shady background. The episode explores the process of proving or disproving the charge, focusing on themes of police accountability, false accusations, and the challenge of uncovering the truth amidst unreliable witnesses.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Allegation and Initial Interviews

• [03:25–07:44] Officer Blanchard’s Account
  • Blanchard describes arresting Evans, a woman, and another man for narcotics violations.
  • Evans is later bailed out and files a complaint of assault, battery, and bribery solicitation against Blanchard.
  • Blanchard vehemently denies the accusations and insists Evans and his companions are lying.
  • The detectives suspend Blanchard, stating, “If you're innocent, we're gonna do all we can. If you're guilty, we'll see that you get everything that's coming to you.” (Joe Friday, [06:52])

2. Gathering Witness Testimony

• [08:41–10:34] Interview with Eleanor Rowland (Witness)

  • Rowland, under the influence of narcotics, presents an inconsistent account.
  • She claims the officer beat up Evans for refusing a bribe, but later admits to getting parts of her story directly from Evans:

    "Some of the details I didn’t remember so well. He straightened it out for me though. He told me just what happened." (Eleanor Rowland, [10:28])

• [10:40–11:41] Interview with Ray Sherman (Witness)

  • Presents a similar story to Rowland but also exhibits discrepancies and inconsistencies.

3. Questioning the Complainant

• [11:41–14:39] Interview with George Evans
  • Evans claims previous encounters with Blanchard, alleging past attempts by the officer to solicit bribes.
  • Begins to grow hostile and accuses the detectives of a police cover-up when inconsistencies in his story are revealed.
  • Detectives note major contradictions:

    "The girl says Blanchard worked you over in the living room there. Sherman says Blanchard took you out in the kitchen and beat you up. Now, which is it?" (Ed Jacobs, [13:34])

4. Digging into Evans’ Background

• [15:32–16:24] Interview with Marie Evans Arconi (Ex-Wife)
  • Describes Evans as involved in various illegal rackets including narcotics, blackmail, and bookmaking.
  • Identifies Dr. Chase as their family doctor.

5. Doctor’s Testimony: The “Trick Shoulder”

• [17:02–18:32] Interview with Dr. Chase

  • Dr. Chase reveals Evans’ shoulder wasn’t dislocated and calls it a “trick shoulder,” implying Evans can make it appear dislocated on command.

  • Cast was applied “to make him feel better,” not for medical necessity.

  • Notable moment:

    "He can make it appear dislocated anytime he wants." (Dr. Chase, [18:32])

  • Light comic relief: detectives humorously comment on an extremely old magazine (“Teddy Roosevelt breaks ground for Panama Canal!”) in the doctor’s office. (Ed Jacobs, [17:22])

6. Neighborhood Investigation and Alternate Suspects

• [19:00–21:03] Exploring Evans’ Activities and Ties
  • Detectives establish Evans lied about being home all morning; multiple independent witnesses place him out in the company of known gamblers.
  • A confidential informant, Martin Kimbrough, provides the lead that Evans was beaten by gamblers (Sweetser & Parrish) over a gambling debt—not by the officer.

7. Confronting the Real Culprits

• [22:25–24:13] Interview with Carl Sweetser (Gambler)
  • Initially denies knowing Evans but is persuaded to discuss his knowledge in order to clear himself.
  • Sweetser provides enough detail to help the detectives confirm Evans’ beating happened miles from the alleged crime scene, at a different time, and was unrelated to Blanchard.
  • Notable quote:

    “All you need is proof the cop didn’t give Evans a working over.”
    “That’s right.”
    “Okay, you got a deal.” (Joe Friday and Carl Sweetser, [24:22])

8. The Frame Job Falls Apart

• [24:28–26:29] Witnesses Recant
  • After being confronted with the evidence, both Rowland and Sherman admit Evans promised them $50 each to testify against Blanchard.
  • Detectives gather sworn statements exposing the frame-up.

9. Evans' Final Denial and Arrest

• [25:32–26:29] Evans is Confronted and Arrested
  • Detectives present Evans with the evidence, but he refuses to admit wrongdoing, clinging to his false story—

    "I don't care what they say. They're lying. Both of them." (George Evans, [26:27])

10. Resolution and Sentencing

• [26:44–28:21] Trial Outcome (Stated by Announcer)
  • George Evans: 30 days in county jail (filing a false police report)
  • Ray Sherman: 1 year in jail, 3 years’ probation (narcotics possession)
  • Eleanor Rowland: 60 days in jail (vagrancy/addiction)
  • Officer Blanchard: Cleared and reinstated with back pay

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the burden of finding the truth in police investigations:

  "If you're innocent, we're gonna do all we can. If you're guilty, we'll see that you get everything that's coming to you." (Joe Friday, [06:52])

• Rowland's unreliable testimony:

  "He straightened it out for me though. He told me just what happened." (Eleanor Rowland, [10:28])

• Comic relief with the ancient magazine:

  "Teddy Roosevelt breaks ground for Panama Canal!" (Ed Jacobs, [17:22])

• Dr. Chase on Evans’ “trick shoulder”:

  "He can make it appear dislocated anytime he wants." (Dr. Chase, [18:32])

• Exposing the frame:

  “After an hour of questioning, Sherman admitted the same thing. We had a stenographer take their statements.” (Narrator, [24:28])

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Adam Graham’s Post-Episode Commentary

[28:32–35:34]

• Graham highlights the calculated risk Evans took in attempting to frame Blanchard, despite relying on unreliable witnesses (two addicts) and an easily disprovable “trick shoulder.”

• Explains that Evans’ motives were reputational: he wanted to avoid being known as a “welcher” in criminal circles after being beaten by gamblers, so he shifted blame to a police officer.

• Points out that, even if evidence hadn’t been found against Evans, the most likely result would have been dropped charges, not a conviction of the officer.

• Discusses the psychological tactics used by Friday to get information from the real culprits and persuade reluctant witnesses.

• Comments on the subtle humor in Dragnet, like the ancient magazine, and its exaggerated but relatable take on “doctor’s office reading material.”

  "This would be like going into your doctor's office in 2026 and finding a magazine talking about the start of the Iran hostage crisis." (Adam Graham, [32:15 approx.])

• Listener feedback is included, praising Dragnet's enduring appeal.

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Important Timestamps & Segments

• [03:25] – Start of officer interviews regarding the allegation
• [08:41] – Interview with first witness, Eleanor Rowland
• [11:41] – Interview with George Evans (complainant)
• [15:32] – Interview with Marie Evans Arconi, ex-wife
• [17:02] – Interview with Dr. Chase (revealing “trick shoulder”)
• [22:25] – Interview with Carl Sweetser (gambler/beating suspect)
• [24:28] – Witnesses confess to frame-up
• [26:44] – Announcer reveals sentences and resolution
• [28:32] – Adam Graham’s analysis and listener comments

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Final Thoughts

The Big Evans delivers a complex morality tale about police procedure, criminal cunning, and the fragility of reputation among criminals. Through thorough investigation and psychological insight, the Dragnet team exposes a calculated attempt to frame an officer, highlighting both the danger of false accusations and the necessity of rigorous, impartial police work.

Adam Graham’s commentary underscores Dragnet’s effectiveness in dramatizing real police work, with occasional moments of dry humor that remain relatable even for modern listeners.

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Transcript

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[Eleanor Rowland]

Sam.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you are enjoying this series, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the podcast on a one time basis by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, P.O. box 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715. And you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go to patreon grgreatdetives.net but now, from March 6, 1952, here is the big Evans.

[Narrator]

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 personnel division. A resident of your city files a report of assault and battery. His shoulder is dislocated. He's been badly beaten. He claims his assailant was a young police officer. Your job, investigate.

[Dragnet Announcer]

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.

[Joe Friday]

It was Tuesday, June 11. It was mild in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out of bias. My partner's Ed Jacobs. The boss is Lieutenant Jesse. My name's Friday. It was 10:23am When I got to room 83, the squadroom.

[Ed Jacobs]

Joe. You catch up with a lieutenant?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, in a meeting. Said he'd be out about 11:30. He wants us to handle it for the time being.

[Ed Jacobs]

Oh, Joe. This is Officer Blanchard. This is my partner, Joe Friday.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I'm glad to know you, Friday. I think I've seen you around Central a couple of times.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[George Evans]

How are you?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What's this thing all about? Do you mind telling me?

[Ed Jacobs]

You worked yesterday, didn't you?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, that's right My regular beat. South Central Area.

[Joe Friday]

Anything out of the ordinary happen while you were on duty?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, not much. Made a couple of pinches, that's about all. Pretty quiet otherwise.

[Joe Friday]

Did you make one of Those arrests at 7928 Cortlandt Avenue?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, that's right. Woman, two men, users. All three of them were booked in violation State Narcotics Act.

[Ed Jacobs]

Any of the three familiar to you at all? Blanchard? Mean, had you ever seen him before the time you arrested him?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

No, none of them. I knew the place though. I've been keeping an eye on it lately. One of those old fashioned homes converted into a rooming house. I've been noticing some of the people going in and out of the place. They didn't look too good to me. That's why I say I've been keeping an eye on the house. What's the story on this anyway? You get a kickback on all the rest I made?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, we'd like to have your version of it first. Blanchard, exactly what happened? How'd you come to make the pinch?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, I was walking my regular beat. I think it was about 3:30 yesterday afternoon. I was going along Cortland, the 7900 block. A woman came out of the front door and hailed me. She complained about a 507 party in the house a couple doors down the street.

[Joe Friday]

That was it. Number 7928. The boarding house?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah. I checked it out. The party was going on up on the third floor. I went up, found the girl and the two men in the room facing on the street. Girl was fixing a pop for herself

[Ed Jacobs]

when I came in.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

2 caps of heroin on the table in front of her.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you do then?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I made a grab for the two caps. One of the guys beat me to it. Got him. Ran to the next room and tried to flush him down the drain. He didn't quite make it, though. I got one of the caps before he could get rid of it.

[Ed Jacobs]

What'd you do then, Blanchard?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Then I sat the three of them down, called into the office. I checked the room over while we were waiting. Found two more caps of heroin. Usual equipment to go with it. When the radio car showed up, the three of them were taken downtown a narcotics squad and booked. That's all I can tell you about it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, during the time you were waiting there in the room, Blanchard, did you have any trouble with the suspects at all?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I got a lot of talk from one of the men. Fella by the name of Evans. He's supposed to run the boarding House claims he didn't have anything to do with it. He didn't know the girl was a hype. You know, the usual stuff.

[Ed Jacobs]

That was the extent of it. Just talked.

[Joe Friday]

Sure.

[Dr. Chase]

That's all.

[George Evans]

Why?

[Joe Friday]

Well, that's not the story. According to Evans, he had his lawyer bail him out last night. He was in to file charges against you, huh?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Assault and battery. He claims that you worked him over for no reason at all. He says you beat him up and dislocated his shoulder.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, he's crazy. He's lying. I didn't work him over.

[Joe Friday]

Well, he says he's got witnesses to prove it. Blanchard, the two people who were with him, the woman, the other man, he says elsewhere. That's what you did.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, but it's not true. They're trying to cook up a frame. I didn't touch any of them.

[Ed Jacobs]

Les Evans looks like he's been mussed up. Cuts and bruises all over his face, his shoulders. Fairly recent, too.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I know that, but I didn't do it. He was in the same shape when I found him up in that room yesterday. Matter of fact, I asked him about it. He wouldn't tell me. It's the truth, Sergeant. So help me, all three of them are lying. I didn't beat him up.

[Joe Friday]

Well, it's your word against theirs, Blanchard. The facts seem to favor Evans.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I don't get this at all. Two of those people are known hypes. They'd swear anything for a free cap. You know that. What good is their word?

[Ed Jacobs]

Maybe no good at all. It's not up to us to decide. Evans filed a complaint. It's our job to follow through.

[Joe Friday]

Are you sure about the shape Evans was in when you found him up in that room yesterday, Blanchard? He was already marked up. Is that right?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

I'm sure he was. I told you. I asked him if he wouldn't answer me.

[Joe Friday]

But you had no way of proving that you couldn't possibly have been responsible for it.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, it's up to him, isn't it, Evans? If he says I worked him over, let him prove it.

[Ed Jacobs]

I'm afraid he's got the jump there. Two witnesses.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yeah, but they're lying. You must know that they're lying.

[Joe Friday]

Well, now, look, you can see the position it puts us in. If you're innocent, we're gonna do all we can. If you're guilty, we'll see that you get everything that's coming to you.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, you know it as well as I do, Sergeant. I had no reason to beat him up I didn't do it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, it's not up to us, Blanchard. The court will have to decide.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

It doesn't make sense. None of it does.

[Ed Jacobs]

There's no other way to handle it. We got 4,500 men in the department. We don't claim they're all saints.

[Joe Friday]

Once in a while, one of them

[Ed Jacobs]

turns bad and all of us get a black eye. You're in a jam, Blanchard, like anyone else. You'll get a fair trial.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Well, what happens now? Do I draw suspension?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right. If you're clear to the charges in court, there'll be a hearing before the Board of Rights.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Am I through? Right now we'll have to book you

[Joe Friday]

in at the main jail. Case will be presented to DA's office tomorrow.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Doesn't make sense. I had no reason to beat up Evans. No reason at all.

[Ed Jacobs]

You sure of that?

[Joe Friday]

Are you?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean? Of course I'm sure.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, Evans claims you did have a reason. A good one.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What?

[Joe Friday]

Well, he says you handed him a proposition. He wouldn't go for it, so you worked him over.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What do you mean? What kind of a proposition?

[Joe Friday]

A bad kind.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Huh?

[Joe Friday]

He says you wanted to pay off. Investigating charges against a police officer involves exactly the same procedure as cases where private citizens are concerned. Prove the suspect innocent or guilty. If Blanchard was innocent, it wasn't going to be an easy job proving it. If he hadn't beat up the complainant, George Evans, and dislocated his shoulder, it seemed the only way out would be to find the man who did. Either that or prove that the two witnesses Evans had come up with were lying. If Blanchard was guilty, if he actually had slugged and beaten Evans, we had to find sufficient evidence. And we had to find a motive. 11:10am Ed and I took Officer Harry Blanchard over to the main jail where he was booked in and lodged in one of the cell blocks. Then we went upstairs to the women's jail where we interviewed one of the witnesses to the alleged beating, an Eleanor Rowland. She'd had previous arrests for vagrancy, grand theft auto and petty theft, as well as an established reputation as a user of narcotics. She was 23 years old.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah, it was terrible. That cop really roughed him up. Poor old Evans. Cop didn't have to treat him like that.

[Ed Jacobs]

How long have you known George Evans, Ms. Rowland? You old friends?

[Eleanor Rowland]

No, I wouldn't say that. I met him a couple weeks ago when I came down from North San Francisco. Portland. I was visiting up there. I'm a Portland girl. Originally.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how about this other man you were with at the time Officer Blanchard picked you up? This Ray Sherman? He an old friend?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Buster? Yeah, I've known him a few years.

[Ed Jacobs]

Do you know Evans very well?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah, I guess you could say that. Ray's had a room at the boarding house a couple of years. I guess he's good friends with Evans. Say, can I ask you something?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yes, ma'.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Am. You ever worked narcotics up in Portland?

[Joe Friday]

No, ma'.

[George Evans]

Am.

[Ed Jacobs]

Never have.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Hmm. Face is familiar. Could have sworn I met you in Portland.

[Joe Friday]

Do you want to run over that story again for us, Ms. Rowland? About what happened yesterday?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Not much to say. Just the same as I told you.

[Joe Friday]

You usually stay at Evans rooming house when you're in town, do you?

[Eleanor Rowland]

No, it's only the second time I was there.

[Ed Jacobs]

How about George Evans? Was he there at the time?

[Eleanor Rowland]

No, not first. Me and Buster had a pop, and then we sat around and talked. Evans came in a little later. Three of us talked. Told me and Buster not to bring any more junk in the house. He didn't want to get into trouble. Then. Speak of the devil. A cop walked in.

[Joe Friday]

What happened then?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Buster grabbed two caps off the table, tried to get rid of them. He only got rid of one, though. The cop got the other one.

[Joe Friday]

How'd the argument start? You remember that? Between Evans and the officer, I mean.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Well, I was a little high at the time. I don't remember it word for word. Evans said he didn't have anything to do with it, but the cop kept pressing him. He told Evans he'd forget about it if Evans would pay him off. Evans told him no, he wouldn't give him a cent. And then the cops started beating him up.

[Ed Jacobs]

You were in the same room with him all this time?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah. Buster and me, we saw it all. Poor old Evans. He really got worked over. Cop didn't have to treat him like that. Say, are you sure you're not from Portland?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yes, ma', am, I'm sure. Now, about how many times would you say the officer hit Evans?

[Eleanor Rowland]

I couldn't tell you that exactly. Dozens of times, I guess. Kept hitting him with his fist. Pushed him all around the room. I was a little high at the time. I don't remember everything exactly. Sure could use a booster about now.

[Joe Friday]

Are you sure about everything you've told us, Ms. Rowland? That's the truth.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Yeah, that's right. Some of the details I didn't remember so well. He straightened it out for me, though. He told me just what happened.

[Joe Friday]

Who's that?

[Eleanor Rowland]

George Evans.

[Joe Friday]

11:50am Ed and I continued questioning Eleanor Roland. The more we talked to her, the more we were convinced that at the time of the alleged beating, she was under a heavy dose of narcotics and that for the most part, she picked up her version of the story from the alleged victim, George Evans. We went down to the second floor of the main jail to one of the interview rooms where we talked to the second witness, Ray Sherman, alias Tom Raymond, alias Buster Raymond. He also had a long record as a user of narcotics. He gave the same general version of the incident as the Roland girl did. But despite the girl's story, he claimed he was not under the influence of narcotics at the time Officer Blanchard entered the room and made the arrests. Besides that, there were other discrepancies. 1:05pm we had some lunch at the Federal Cafe and then we drove out to interview the complainant in the case, George Evans. After checking in his rooming house, we finally located him in a neighborhood bowling alley. He was sitting at a bar adjoining the actual playing area, drinking a bottle of beer. Parts of his face and neck were bandaged in. His left shoulder was in a cast. He appeared friendly and cooperative.

[George Evans]

I kept telling the cop I didn't have any money. Told him I wouldn't give him a payoff even if I did.

[Ed Jacobs]

So he started working you over that, right, Evans?

[George Evans]

Yes, that's right. I don't have anything against cops normally, but this guy, that's something else. How do you ever get on the force anyway?

[Joe Friday]

Had you ever had any contact with Officer Blanchard before yesterday, Evans?

[George Evans]

Yes, I did. Twice before. Came to the house, accused me running a hideout for thieves, junkies. Tried to get me to pay him off then too. I wouldn't do it.

[Ed Jacobs]

That's. When was that, Evans?

[George Evans]

About six, eight months ago? Yeah, at least that.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how is it you didn't report Blanchard then?

[George Evans]

Well, that wouldn't cause any trouble, get mixed up in a law case. I figured I could take care of him myself. But after that going over yesterday, that was enough for me. I don't understand how the guy ever made the force to begin with.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter?

[George Evans]

Shoulder of mine, he really tore it apart.

[Joe Friday]

How'd you spend your time yesterday, Evan? Do you mind telling us?

[George Evans]

No, I don't mind. I slept till about half past 12, 1 o'.

[Ed Jacobs]

Clock.

[George Evans]

Had a little bit of a hangover. Then I got up and made some breakfast and read the paper. That's about size of it.

[Ed Jacobs]

I mean, you were in your room all day up to the time you went down the hall to Ray Sherman's room?

[George Evans]

That's right. Ray was there with this girlfriend of his, Eleanor. I didn't know she was a hype. That's the truth. Ray should have known better having her there. I don't like the kind of stuff going on around my place.

[Joe Friday]

Now, we've checked you through the record bureau, Evans. There's been three or four similar cases at your places the last few years, hasn't there?

[George Evans]

A couple. Yeah. It's a real problem. I don't know how you keep them out. Whole neighborhood around here, you know. Pretty hard to stop it, I guess.

[Joe Friday]

We understand you were in the room there while the girl helped herself to a fix. Is that right?

[George Evans]

No, I wasn't in the room when

[Dr. Chase]

she took the fix.

[George Evans]

I got there a couple minutes after. I didn't even know what was going on. You can ask Ray Sherman. The girl, too. They'll tell you I wasn't there.

[Ed Jacobs]

There's something else we wanted to ask you about. Sherman and the girl don't seem too sure of their stories. Can you straighten us out there?

[George Evans]

How do you mean?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, Sherman tells us one thing, the girl tells us something else. Can't seem to get together.

[George Evans]

Yeah, but I told him.

[Joe Friday]

You told him what, Evan?

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Nothing.

[George Evans]

I told him to tell the truth, that's all. Stupid Ray. He doesn't know half the time what he's doing.

[Joe Friday]

Well, that doesn't make him much of a witness then, does it?

[George Evans]

What do you mean? He was there when that cop slugged me. Beat me up. He could see that much.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, that's just it. We're not sure he did. Huh? The girl says Blanchard worked you over in the living room there. Sherman says Blanchard took you out in the kitchen and beat you up. Now, which is it?

[George Evans]

I think I'm beginning to get the pitch.

[Joe Friday]

How's that?

[George Evans]

You're out to cover up with that cop. Is that it? Take care of your own.

[Joe Friday]

We're assigned to investigate this thing, Evans, just like any other criminal case. Blanchard's not getting any more of a break than any other suspect would.

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah, sure. We still haven't asked our question. Where did happen? Living room or kitchen?

[George Evans]

The interview's all over, Sergeant. I got the pitch. You can take this back to your office. I'm going to get that cop convicted if it's the last thing I do. You can count on that.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter, Evans? All we did was ask you a simple question.

[George Evans]

Don't try to kid me, Sergeant. I got the angle you're trying for a Cover up. Okay, go ahead and try.

[Joe Friday]

Now look, why don't you snap out of it, mister? Nobody's trying to cover up unless it's you. Sherman and the girl are your witnesses. Some of the points of their stories don't check out. We want to clear them up. Does that sound unreasonable?

[George Evans]

I told you, Sergeant, it's no use. I got your angle.

[Ed Jacobs]

Answer me one more thing, Evans.

[George Evans]

You're on your own. I'm telling you nothing.

[Ed Jacobs]

Who was the doctor that treated you

[George Evans]

after you were beaten up down at Georgia Street? The emergency. You ought to know that.

[Ed Jacobs]

No, I mean for your shoulder. We checked over your car down at Georgia Street. No mention there of a dislocated shoulder.

[George Evans]

No, of course not. I didn't even know I had one until I was bailed out. I had my own doctor fix it.

[Joe Friday]

You mind giving us his name?

[George Evans]

Why should I? I was willing to go along, cooperate. Then you started playing in cage. You're trying to cover up for that cop. Now you work it out on your own.

[Joe Friday]

All right, mister. Any way you want it.

[George Evans]

You bet that's the way I want it. You had this whole thing framed from the beginning.

[Joe Friday]

Now you're off the track, Evans.

[George Evans]

You're not kidding me. You're trying to prove that cop's innocent. Trying to make me out a liar. What am I supposed to do? Help you prove I'm a liar?

[Joe Friday]

No, you've helped enough already. Ed and I double checked through Officer Blanchard's departmental record. It showed that Blanchard had been working his present beat for a little more than four months. Evans had told us that Blanchard allegedly had solicited payoffs from him at least six to eight months before. The following day, Ed and I made further inquiries in the neighborhood of Evans rooming house and also among his friends and associates. For one thing, we found out that Evans had not spent the entire morning and early afternoon in the house. He'd been seen leaving his place by several neighbors at about 10am through one of his contacts, we got the address of an ex wife since remarried, a Marie Evans Arconi. We located her in a small apartment in the East Wilshire district. A small Brunette woman, about 35.

[Ed Jacobs]

Now you tell us you used to be married to Evan.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Yeah, that's right.

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, what kind of business was Evans in when you were married to him, ma'?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Am? Well, he had that rooming house over on Courtland.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, we know about that. Was there anything else?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Well, I don't know what matter anyway.

[Joe Friday]

Just a routine investigation. We like to have as much Background on him, as you can remember. Are you on fairly good terms with Evans now?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

No, I haven't seen him since we split up. About a year and a half ago. I think that's why I couldn't stand him.

[Ed Jacobs]

What was the trouble, ma'? Am, you mind telling us?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Just isn't much good, that's all. You find a lot of names to fit him. He was in everything.

[Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

That's why I got away from him. Every cheap, lousy racket you can think of, he was in it peddling dope, blackmail, making book. Some of the two bit rackets. He's been in all of them? One after the other. I had to get away.

[Ed Jacobs]

Rooming house on Cortland Avenue. That's where he's been operating all this time.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Long as I've known him? Yeah, about three years, I'd say.

[Joe Friday]

Is narcotics just a sideline with him or does he go in for it pretty heavy?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

He was in it pretty heavy when I left him. I don't know what he's been doing since. I don't care. Soon forget all about it.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am. I can understand.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

What's the matter now anyway. Got a case against him?

[Ed Jacobs]

Well, not exactly. Evans is filed against a police officer. Assault and battery, soliciting a bribe. We're investigating the charges.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Sounds like him. Some cop. Really rough him up?

[Joe Friday]

Well, we don't know, ma'. Am. That's what we're trying to find out.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Oh. Well, I'd like to help you out. Don't think I can, though.

[Joe Friday]

Well, just one more question, ma'.

[George Evans]

Am.

[Joe Friday]

While you were married to Evans, did you have a family doctor? I mean, one that you called regularly when you were sick?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Yeah, we did. Why?

[Joe Friday]

What was his name? Can you remember?

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Yeah.

[Eleanor Rowland]

Dr. Chase.

[Marie Evans Arconi]

Would you like his address?

[Joe Friday]

2:47pm we got to Dr. Chase's office and luckily we found him in.

[Ed Jacobs]

Take a look at this magazine, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

What?

[Ed Jacobs]

National Geographic. Looks like a real old one, wouldn't you say?

[Joe Friday]

It sure does. Cover's torn off, eh?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah, what do you know about that? It's older than I thought. Look at this here.

[Joe Friday]

What do you got?

[Ed Jacobs]

These pictures there, look. Four pages of them. Pretty grand affair, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ed Jacobs]

Teddy Roosevelt breaks ground for Panama Canal.

[Dr. Chase]

How about that?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Sorry to keep you waiting, gentlemen. That's perfectly all right, Doctor.

[Dr. Chase]

That's seen.

[Ed Jacobs]

How you want to know about Mr. Evans. Dr. George Evans.

[Dr. Chase]

Oh, yes, Evans. What was it exactly, Sergeant? What'd you have in mind?

[Joe Friday]

Well, the first thing we'd like to know is if You've treated Evans recently? The last week or so?

[Dr. Chase]

Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. He was in here. Well, have I seen a.

[Joe Friday]

Let's see.

[Dr. Chase]

Yes, I thought so. He was in here three days ago. I had some bad cuts and bruises. They'd already been treated, though there wasn't much I could do.

[Ed Jacobs]

Was there anything else wrong with him, Doctor?

[Dr. Chase]

No, not actually. I examined his shoulder. He insisted it hurt him. He wanted me to put it in a cast.

[Joe Friday]

You put the cast on, did you?

[Dr. Chase]

Well, there really wasn't any need for it, but I put it on anyway. A little bit of psychiatry. Thought it'd make him feel better.

[Ed Jacobs]

How do you mean, Doctor? Wasn't there a need for it?

[Dr. Chase]

Just one of those peculiar things. I've been treating Evans for some time, you know.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. That's what we understand.

[Dr. Chase]

It's very unusual. Hardly a rare case, though. Suppose you might call it a trick shoulder. Looks as though it might be dislocated, but it actually isn't. I think it's voluntary.

[Joe Friday]

You mean he could do this thing himself?

[Dr. Chase]

Oh, yes. He can make it appear dislocated anytime he wants.

[Dragnet Announcer]

You are listening to Dragnet Authentic stories of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

Saturday, June 15, 10am the investigation continued. Meantime, the newspapers were still making front page material out of the story. One of the morning banner lines read, cop Slugs Cripple Citizen to get Payoff. And another one, police Brutality Rouses Entire City. Our investigation went on early Saturday afternoon. Ed and I succeeded in locating a former friend of Evans who told us that he'd seen him downtown the morning of the day on which the alleged beating had taken place. The same time Evans had told us he was in bed, nursing a hangover. The former friend, a Fred Werner, said Evans was in the company of two known gamblers, Carl Sweetser and Stanley Parrish. He told us that he'd spotted the three of them together at about 11:45am we questioned Sweetser and Parish, but they refused to tell us anything. They admitted that they were acquainted with Evans, but they knew nothing about the beating he'd received. We continued making the rounds. 5:30pm we dropped to the main jail and questioned Evans. Two witnesses again, Ray Sherman and Eleanor Rowland. We got the same stories as before. 6:18pm we got back to the City Hall.

[Ed Jacobs]

Long stretch, huh? Sure be glad to get home.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Not a bad day, though. We had fair luck tonight.

[Ed Jacobs]

I suppose so. It could always be better. Sure like to get the straight story one way or the other.

[Joe Friday]

You want to check the Book Ed, see if we got anything.

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah, okay. No, not much. Joe, Call from a Tom Donnelly. You know him?

[Joe Friday]

Donnelly? No, that doesn't sound too familiar to me.

[Ed Jacobs]

I got it. Person Al Jacobs. How's that? I'm afraid he's gone for the night.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Ed Jacobs]

No, I'm sorry. I wouldn't know. All right, thank you. Another message here for us, Joe, in the book. Yeah, from Blanchard's wife.

[Narrator]

Again.

[Ed Jacobs]

I'm getting to feel pretty silly about her telling her the same thing. Not after night. Why don't you call her tonight?

[Joe Friday]

You've been doing all right. Why give up now? Personnel.

[George Evans]

Friday.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. What was that? Mm? Your name? Yeah. Okay. Huh. 10:00 clock tonight. All right, that's fine. That's all.

[George Evans]

Sure.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, we'll meet you. Okay. 10 o'?

[Eleanor Rowland]

Clock?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, fine. Bye. Sounds pretty good.

[Ed Jacobs]

What was it?

[Joe Friday]

Guy by the name of Martin Kimbrough. Says he knows George Evans. He wants to talk to us tonight.

[Ed Jacobs]

What's the pitch?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. Might be straight, might not. What'd he say about Evans being worked over? He claims he knows all about it. Yeah, he says Blanchard couldn't possibly have done it. 7:05pm we went over to Frank Tang's place, had some dinner, and then we drove out to interview the man who'd identified himself on the phone as Martin Kimbrough. We located him at the designated meeting place, a small bar just off Beverly Boulevard and Normandy Avenue. Kimbrough was a small man, slight build, middle aged. He seemed less sure of himself than he did on the phone. He said that he knew George Evans fairly well and that up until six months before, he'd been on good terms with him. He didn't go into details, but he gave us the general idea that Evans had cheated him on some business deal the two of them had been engaged in. We asked Kimbrough about the beating Evans had taken. He said it was common knowledge among the people he traveled with that gamblers Carl Sweetser and Stanley Parrish were responsible for beating up Evans. He'd welched on a gambling debt and the two of them had been after him for months to pay off. He also said he knew a close friend of the two gamblers who told him that in private, Carl Sweetser openly boasted of beating up Evans. According to Kimbrough, the beating had taken place about 1pm The Monday before, the same day Officer Blanchard allegedly had given him the beating. We located Sweetser in the coffee shop of a small hotel on South Rampart Street.

[Carl Sweetser]

I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about, Sergeant. I don't know any George Evans. I've never heard of him.

[Ed Jacobs]

We understand you do, Sweezer. Heard you used to play cards with him.

[Carl Sweetser]

Got it from a couple of people, that's how. I guess they made a mistake. I don't remember the name at all. Maybe he's going under a different one, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Well, how about his description? You ought to remember that.

[Carl Sweetser]

Well, maybe I meet quite a few people. It's kind of hard to place all of them, you know.

[Joe Friday]

What does it kind of look like? Oh, he's tall. Dark complexion, dark hair, scar under his chin. He dresses pretty well. Usually wears a suit.

[Carl Sweetser]

No, it doesn't mean a thing to me.

[Ed Jacobs]

Runs a rooming house over on Cortlandt Avenue. Been in quite a few rackets. All in all.

[George Evans]

Sorry.

[Carl Sweetser]

Afraid I wouldn't know him.

[Joe Friday]

Now, look, we haven't got any beef with you, Sweetser. That's not the point. Evans is trying to get away with the fast one. We're out to stop him. We could use your help. How about it?

[Carl Sweetser]

I don't see how I can help you. What's the beef, anyway?

[Joe Friday]

We think you know. It's been all over the newspapers the last couple of days.

[Carl Sweetser]

Oh, yeah, a young cop. What's Evans got against him anyway?

[Ed Jacobs]

He's trying to save face, we figure. That's what we hear anyway.

[Carl Sweetser]

Well, what do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I think you know how Evans likes to play the big shot. It wouldn't do his stock much good around town if the real story got out.

[Carl Sweetser]

I don't follow. What story are you talking about?

[Joe Friday]

About his welching on a gambling tab, getting roughed up. If he says a cop did it makes him look a lot better, doesn't it? He comes out of it pretty clean that way. Doesn't he pass us all, huh?

[Ed Jacobs]

Yeah, sure.

[Carl Sweetser]

Why don't you guys have some coffee? I hate to eat alone.

[Ed Jacobs]

Okay, as soon as the waitress comes around.

[Carl Sweetser]

Oh, what else you hear about this Evans? Pretty bad boy, that right?

[Joe Friday]

Bad enough. He's got a fast mouth, telling quite a few stories around the neighborhood.

[Carl Sweetser]

That's all I might remember. A tall, dark guy, runs a room house.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right. You should remember him. He's mentioned you in a couple of the stories he's passing around.

[Carl Sweetser]

Where'd you get that?

[Joe Friday]

Talking to a fellow last night. He says Evans claims that that card game he was in with you was rigged. That's why he didn't pay you off. He claims you and Stan Parish Framed the whole thing.

[Carl Sweetser]

That's a laugh, huh? Phony bums are all alike. Lose a couple of dollars and squeal like a pig. What's this Evans doing now?

[Ed Jacobs]

He's up for narcotics rap. He's out on bail.

[Carl Sweetser]

What's your stake in this thing?

[Joe Friday]

We're trying to clear the thing up. Apparently, Evans figures he's gonna frame the young cop, save face, talk himself out of a bad situation.

[Carl Sweetser]

Oh, what do you want from me?

[Joe Friday]

The truth.

[Carl Sweetser]

I'm not gonna talk myself into jail. Young cop or not, we're not asking you to. You want to clear the case, huh? All you need is proof the cop didn't give Evans a working over.

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Okay, you got a deal.

[Joe Friday]

Without actually incriminating himself in any way, Carl Sweetser gave us information and leads which after they were checked out, showed definitely that George Evans was slugged and beaten in a neighborhood at least a mile from his rooming house. We talked to half a dozen people who saw Evans in that neighborhood shortly after 1pm the day of the incident. We talked to the clerk at the drugstore where Evans went to buy iodine and bandages. They all told us that he bore the markings of a severe, severe beating. As early as one o' clock that afternoon, Evans had told us repeatedly that he'd received the beating at the hands of Officer Blanchard no earlier than 3 or 3:15 that afternoon. Ed and I drove over to the main jail where we interviewed Evans. Two witnesses again. The girl, Eleanor Rowland, was the first to break. She admitted that Evans had promised both her and her friend Ray Sherman $50 apiece if they would go along with him in his plan to frame Officer Blanchard for assault and battery and soliciting a bribe. After an hour of questioning, Sherman admitted the same thing. We had a stenographer take their statements. 4:50pm Ed and I got in the car and drove out to the rooming house on Cortland Avenue.

[George Evans]

Yeah? Oh, how are you, sir?

[Joe Friday]

You want to get your coat? Evans like to see you downtown.

[George Evans]

What for?

[Carl Sweetser]

What's it about?

[Ed Jacobs]

Filing a false report. You know the story.

[George Evans]

What are you talking about? What do you mean, a false report?

[Joe Friday]

You've been checked out all over town, Evans. Your doctor, your ex wife, your gambling friends. We've talked to them all.

[George Evans]

So what? What's that prove anyway?

[Ed Jacobs]

Proves you were lying, mister. That young officer, Blanchard, he didn't beat you up. There's nothing wrong with your shoulder either. Dr. Chase will vouch for that.

[George Evans]

Look, I don't care what he says. I don't care what any of them say. I got my case against that cop. I'm sticking with it. You're not going to talk me.

[Joe Friday]

Why don't you give it up, Evans? We had a talk with Carl Sweetser.

[George Evans]

What'd he tell you?

[Joe Friday]

Enough to convince us you're trying to frame Blanchard. We've got statements from people who saw you before you got back home Monday afternoon. They say you were mussed up then. That was at one o' clock in the afternoon. You've been telling us Blanchard wasn't at your place till 3 o'. Clock. Now, how do you explain that?

[George Evans]

I don't know. Maybe I didn't have the time right. My watch could have been off. Doesn't make any difference anyway.

[Ed Jacobs]

It's gonna make a lot of difference. How about getting your code?

[George Evans]

I'm gonna call my lawyer first.

[Joe Friday]

That isn't gonna do much good. We've got statements from your two witnesses. Ray Sherman and the girl. They've admitted the whole thing. Now you haven't got much of a case left.

[George Evans]

I don't care what they say. They're lying. Both of them. They're lying.

[Joe Friday]

You ought to know, mister, what you taught them. How.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Dragnet Announcer]

On September 2, trial was held in Superior Court Department 89, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. A complaint was received on George Evans from the City attorney's office for Violation of Section 5243, Municipal Code. Filing a false report to the police department Department. A misdemeanor. He received a sentence of 30 days in the county jail. Ray Sherman was tried and found guilty of section 11,500, health and safety Code, Possession of narcotics. He was sentenced to one year in the county jail and three years probation. Eleanor Rowland was filed on as a bag addict. Section11721, Health and Safety Code. She was sentenced to 60 days in the county jail. Officer Harry Blanchard was cleared of the charges pending against him and was reinstated with back pay. 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 Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn and Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Barney Phillips and Whit Connor. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Joe Friday]

Now it's counter spy on NBC.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. As the case unfolds, it becomes painfully apparent. But a big risk that Evans was taking the two witnesses he relied upon were junkies. So it's such a big risk to bet on them being consistent and sticking to a story and then throwing in his trick shoulder as part of the alleged injury. Clearly, he hadn't considered the degree to which this was going to be investigated. But he's not some random idiot doing something for no reason. To him, it was a way to preserve his criminal reputation, as the gamblers were making an example of him. And when word got around, it would mark him as a welcher, and it would be just generally bad for his ability to function in the world of vice he operated in. And truth be told, even if they had found his evidence wanting and not enough to prefer charges against the officer, they would not have probably been able to bring a charge against him because they still had the injuries and the witnesses. So it would have ended up a situation where there was not enough evidence to charge the officer and he might receive some lesser consequence because of Evans deceiving them about the trick shoulder. That cast doubt on the entire allegation. But to actually turn it around and charge them, they needed the cooperation of the guy who beat Evans up. And I think Evans probably would have expected that'd be very hard to get. He would. It'd just be a case where he accused the officer, nobody got charged, and he just goes around and saying, yeah, the cops, they just defended their own and let the guy get off. But, yeah, cop beat me up. Can you believe it? And it's very hard for the gamblers, particularly to officially tell their story because they committed a crime. But then Friday gives them some incentive because not only did Evans welch on a bet, which the gamblers are not in the beating people up business, they are in the taking money from people business. And if you ignore all their attempts to collect and they have to physically injure you, that is an effort to preserve their reputation. That is not what they're in business for. So the idea that this guy welched and didn't pay off on his bet would have them angry. But then they. He learns not only that, but he's been going around town saying the game he lost the money in was crooked. Well, that's reputational harm to the gamblers. And so he finds a way to cooperate without incriminating himself. Because at this point, the police aren't concerned about vice in particular or some beating that there's no witness to other than the participants and who Evans wouldn't testify against anyway. They're concerned about clearing up the involvement of the officer. Now, one thing I should note is that we don't actually positively learn from the narration that Friday got that information that Evans was going around spreading that rumor. The information he summarizes is very generic. Now, he could have gotten that information, but technically it's also possible that he came up with that as a way to get the cooperation of the man he needed. Understanding that particular psychology. I also have to note a little bit of absurdity in dragnet, or absurdism, I guess, in humor that's also a bit subtle, even while being absurd. And that was in the doctor's office where Jacobs found the old magazine. And of course, if you've been in a doctor's office and this may change as magazines become less popular, but you'll often find, yep, a few years old magazines. And so they exaggerated this to the max with the Teddy Roosevelt breaks ground on the Panama Canal. Now, technically, Teddy Roosevelt did not break ground on the Panama Canal. He visited the construction site. But the groundbreaking actually occurred in 1904, but he visited it in 1906. So this takes the idea of old magazines in the doctor's office to the extreme, as apparently there's a 46 year old magazine in this office. This would be like going into your doctor's Office today in 2026 and finding a magazine talking about the start of the Iran hostage crisis and how President Carter is going to handle that. It's a subtle, absurd thing that you don't expect to find in Dragnet, but there it is. Listener comments and feedback now. And we go to YouTube where cuthbert 2546 comments on the Big Honeymoon Dragnet never gets old indeed, even though magazines and doctor's office do. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Judith. Patreon supporter since March of 2016, currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Judith. 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 from. We'll be back next Thursday with another episode of Dragnet, but join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny dollar Ware.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's just that I don't like being threatened, Johnny.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Threatened.

[Johnny Dollar]

Heaven knows I have enough trouble keeping this ulcer under control with just the daily run of problems I have to face at the office.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Oh, what do you mean by, you

[Johnny Dollar]

know, you know, people demanding more from their insurance than they deserve. People filing claims when they aren't entitled to any insurance at all, and then trying to.

[Adam Graham]

Oh.

[Joe Friday]

What? Nothing. Nothing, Johnny. I just. I'll be all right.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

You forget to take one of your pills, Ray?

[Joe Friday]

No, but maybe I better take another.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Yes, mate, you're taking too many of them. But what was this talk about being threatened?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Johnny, this fella by the name of.

[Joe Friday]

Oh. Oh, no.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

Ray.

[George Evans]

Johnny.

[Joe Friday]

Ray.

[Officer Harry Blanchard]

What's the matter?

[Joe Friday]

There's paint in my stomach. It's killing me.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us, then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.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.