Dragnet: The Big Affair (EP4919)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Dragnet – "The Big Affair" (The Great Detectives Present Dragnet, EP4919)

Date: February 26, 2026

Host: Adam Graham
Original Air Date of Episode: November 29, 1951

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of Dragnet, titled "The Big Affair," centers on a string of violent jewelry store robberies occurring in Los Angeles. Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero work to track down the unidentified armed bandit. The story stands out for its interplay of crime investigation and a personal subplot involving a troubled romance that ultimately connects to the perpetrator. Adam Graham provides historical context and contemporary analysis after the dramatization.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Introduction & Setup

• [01:20–02:27] The audience learns that a series of meticulously planned jewelry store robberies has struck Los Angeles. In each crime, the bandit violently assaults victims after obtaining the loot.
  • Quote (Narrator, 01:20): “The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. ... The bandit commits brutal attacks on each of the victims.”

2. Interview with the Latest Victims

• [02:27–06:34]
  • Detectives Friday and Romero interview Mr. and Mrs. Gordon (the latter with limited English and speaking French) about the latest robbery.
  • Description of the suspect: blue coat, dark hair, about 5’8,” 170 pounds, no hat.
    • Quote (Mr. Gordon, relaying wife’s description, 03:37): “She says a fellow was wearing a blue coat. He had dark hair. Wasn't a very big man.”
  • The robber beat both the clerk and Mrs. Gordon.

3. The Investigation Progresses

• [06:34–09:51]
  • Detectives have only a method of operation (MO) and a suspect description, but no solid leads.
  • Their promising lead, suspect Jack Maynard, is proven false—he’s still in prison.
  • Stakeouts are arranged throughout the downtown jewelry district.

4. The Fifth Robbery

• [10:38–14:53]
  • A fifth robbery occurs outside of the stakeout area.
  • Interview with victim Walter Myers, describes the bandit’s violent attack on his son-in-law.
    • Quote (Myers, 11:06): “Just when I thought he was going to leave, he turned around... said to Herb, ‘You think you’re a smart guy, don’t you?’ Then he slugged Herb with the gun.”
  • The suspect flees, leaving behind his topcoat. Detectives find a torn scrap of paper (with a phone number) in the lining.

5. Following the Clues: Narrowing to the Suspect

• [14:53–18:13]
  • The phone number leads the detectives to a Los Feliz apartment building—specifically, a public phone booth.
  • Mrs. Iverson, a tenant, points them to Ms. Lenore King’s apartment as a place where a man matching the suspect’s description has been seen.

6. The Romantic Subplot: The Mystery Man 'Marty'

• [16:21–18:19]
  • Lenore King admits that a man named Marty visits her, but only as go-between for her friend Virginia Brewer, who is in love with him.
  • Marty’s relationship with Virginia is clandestine—she’s already married.
    • Quote (Lenore King, 18:25): “She’s already married.”

7. Interview with Virginia Brewer

• [19:02–22:55]
  • Virginia at first denies knowing Marty, then confesses after her dance performance.
    • Quote (Virginia Brewer, 21:19): “I know Marty. I've known him for six months. Lenore wasn't lying. I'm in love with him.”
  • She claims not to know his address or background—the two keep their meetings strictly limited and secret due to her marriage.
  • Detectives urge her to contact them if Marty gets in touch.

8. Stakeout & The Arrest

• [23:52–26:23]
  • Days later, when Lenore receives a call from Marty arranging a meeting with Virginia, the police set up a stakeout at Lenore’s apartment.
  • Marty approaches, but before he can enter the meeting goes awry. Virginia is upset and distraught over the betrayal.
    • Memorable exchange (Virginia Brewer, 26:11): “He was in trouble. He could have told me. If he loved me, would have told me. He would have told me everything.”
    • Joe Friday's blunt reply (26:23): “He didn’t love you.”

9. Resolution & Aftermath

• [26:32–27:54]
  • Marty—revealed as Martin Arthur Kessington—is wounded during his arrest, confesses to all five robberies, and is sentenced to five years to life in prison.
    • Narrator (27:34): “He was tried and convicted on five counts of first-degree robbery and received a sentence as prescribed by law.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mrs. Gordon’s shock:
  • “She says she can't understand how a man would do such a thing. She means how he cut up the clerk that way.” – Mr. Gordon relaying for his wife, [06:25]
• On detecting love vs. delusion:
  • Virginia Brewer (26:11): “If he loved me, would have told me everything.”
  • Joe Friday (26:23, with signature detachment): “He didn't love you.”
• Climactic confrontation:
  • Virginia breaks down after realizing Marty’s betrayal and the gravity of the crimes, underscoring Dragnet’s realistic, sometimes cold approach to crime and emotion.

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Adam Graham’s Commentary (Post-Episode Analysis)

[28:04–31:44]

• Graham commends Friday’s final line, calling it justified and illustrative of the nature of the relationship: “If this robber had actually loved her, I doubt that he could have been content with a situation where they would just be together for an hour.”
• He notes the mutual using and romanticizing in the affair.
• Points out the effective use of “dancing shoe” sound effects to immerse listeners in Virginia Brewer’s role as a nightclub dancer.
• Responds to listener comments regarding criminal confessions and police interrogation strategies.

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Important Segment Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|------------------------------------------------| | 01:20 | Episode Introduction & Setup | | 02:27 | Mr. & Mrs. Gordon Interview – Witness Account | | 06:34 | Meeting with Captain Didion; Investigation | | 10:38 | Fifth Robbery – Walter Myers Interview | | 14:53 | Key lead found in coat; Trace to Apartment | | 16:21 | Interview with Lenore King | | 19:02 | Interview with Virginia Brewer | | 23:52 | Lenore gets call from Marty, stakeout set up | | 24:54 | Marty arrives, dramatic emotional climax | | 26:32 | Case resolution & sentencing summary | | 28:04 | Adam Graham’s Post-Episode Analysis |

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Tone and Style

• Dragnet’s Tone: Authentic, spare, procedural, occasionally blunt—marked by Joe Friday’s iconic formality and emotional distance.
• Adam Graham’s Style: Thoughtful, analytical, connecting OTR storytelling with modern sensibility; responsive to listener feedback.

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Conclusion

This episode encapsulates Dragnet’s classic structure: a gritty crime investigated with procedural rigor, underpinned by human drama. The intertwining of police work and a doomed affair exposes not just the mechanics of crime but also the emotional cost—especially for those caught in the criminal’s orbit. Adam Graham’s thoughtful commentary closes the episode, grounding its mid-century drama in insights relevant for contemporary audiences.

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Transcript

[Virginia Brewer]

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 want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and you can support the show on a one time basis using our PayPal link over at support.greatdetives.net and and become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go to patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from November 29, 1951, here is the big affair.

[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 robbery detail. An unidentified armed bandit starts a campaign of jewelry store hold ups in your city. The robberies are carefully planned, carefully executed. The bandit commits brutal attacks on each of the victims.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your job.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Get him,

[Narrator]

Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It was Wednesday, March 10. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A robbery detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Didion. My name's Friday. It was 3:28pm when I got to room 27. A robbery detail. Joe. Yeah. Ben.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Joe, this is Mr. And Mrs. Gordon. Folks, I'd like to have you meet my partner, Sergeant Friday.

[Walter Myers]

How do you do?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Glad to know you.

[Mr. Gordon]

How are you, sergeant?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mrs. Gordon, are you feeling any better now?

[Mr. Gordon]

She's a lot better now, Sergeant.

[Walter Myers]

Thank you.

[Mr. Gordon]

My French isn't very good, but it's a lot better than her English. Cecile's only been over here a couple of weeks. I met her when I was on occupation duty over there. Army, you know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I see. Well, we'll try not to keep you long, sir. We got a few questions about the robbery. We think your wife might be able to help us.

[Mr. Gordon]

We'll sure try, Sergeant. Like to help you any way we can.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

And your wife was the only one in the store besides the clerk at the time of the hold up. Like to have her tell us everything that happened if she would, please.

[Mr. Gordon]

Okay. Qu' est qui a tari? Vait a la bijoux Terri.

[Virginia Brewer]

Oui, je pelleherdier je TOU vous.

[Mr. Gordon]

She says she saw everything that happened, Sergeant. What would you like to know first?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how about the hold up man, Mr. Gordon? Did your wife get a good look at him? Can she describe him for us?

[Mr. Gordon]

Cecile Petit, des Crille, le Vellur. She says a fellow was wearing a blue coat. He had dark hair. Wasn't a very big man.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Does she have any idea about how tall he was?

[Mr. Gordon]

Cecile du quel Taille. She can't say exactly how tall, Sergeant. Said he'd come up to about here on my shoulder. About five foot eight, I guess. She thinks maybe weighed about 170 pounds. She's not sure.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Would you ask her exactly what happened at the store? That is as much as she can remember

[Virginia Brewer]

exactly.

[Mr. Gordon]

Well, she says she was standing by the counter, Sergeant, when the hold up man came in. Says the fellow went over to the clerk. The man who was waiting on her says the fellow had a gun in his hand.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Would you ask her to go on, please?

[Mr. Gordon]

She says the hold up man made the clerk get up the jewelry. The guy took it and dumped it in a paper bag. Well, after he got all this jewelry in the paper bag, the thief began beating up on the clerk, she says for no reason at all. He began slugging the clerk with a gun he was carrying. Really got nasty with him. Naturally, it scared the wife and she let out a scream. He turned around and hit her. She says that's all she remembers. Sure like to get my hands on the lousy punk.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, I understand how you feel, Mr. Gordon. Could you ask your wife if there's anything else about the hold up man she remembers?

[Mr. Gordon]

Cecil, Tour appelle ti d' autre chose apropos de set il. That's about it, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how about the man's clothes? Does she remember anything else he was wearing besides that blue jacket?

[Mr. Gordon]

She thinks maybe he had on dark trousers. She's not sure though, since she was too scared to notice. Cecil Porteti. L' un chapeau. I asked her if he was wearing a hat. She said no. She's sure of that. I see.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, is there anything else that she can remember about him? Anything at all?

[Mr. Gordon]

You got it all, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, thank you very much, Mr. Gordon. Mrs. Gordon.

[Mr. Gordon]

How's that, ma'?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Am?

[Mr. Gordon]

She says she can't understand how a man would do such a thing. She means how he cut up the clerk that way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Mr. Gordon]

So hard for her. She just can't understand.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Tell her we can't either. Two weeks before, on the 27th of April. At 2:30 in the afternoon, the robbery suspect had begun his campaign of downtown jewelry store holdups. Since that time, in the same general area, he'd succeeded in committing three more jewel robberies and making good his escape. Each of the holdups netted him more than $3,000 in rings, diamonds and other precious stones. From his MO it was obvious that he was experienced. All of the robberies were committed in broad daylight. All of them were apparently well planned. After obtaining the loot, which he dumped into an ordinary paper bag, he turned on his victims and with no provocation, beat them viciously. After two weeks of investigation, we had yet to come up with a solid lead on either the identity of the suspect or his whereabouts. We had a fair description of the hold up man. We had a good rundown on his method of operation. But repeated checks on possible suspects through the record Bureau, CII in Sacramento and through our statistician's office failed to get us anything. There were no kickbacks on our all points bulletin. After we interviewed Mrs. Gordon, the witness to the latest jewel robbery, we were no further along than we were two weeks before. An MO And a description. Neither one of them were giving us much help. 4:05pm we met with Captain Didion.

[Walter Myers]

How about the mug books?

[Narrator]

Any luck there?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Ms. Gordon's in there now, Skipper, with her husband and checking through them. Nothing yet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What else you got working? New run going through the stats office. Third one this week. Might get us something.

[Mr. Gordon]

The store manager on that job this afternoon, did you talk to him yet?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, we did. He gave us the best lead we've had so far in the thing.

[Virginia Brewer]

Look.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Looks pretty good. What's that? We had him checking the mug books and he came up with a partial identification from one of them. San Quentin release Jack Maynard. He's only been arrested once here. Drunk charge. He's done time up at Q for robbery before. Ben and I pulled a package on him. We figure he ought to still be serving time. And Quentin? Couldn't tell from his record, though.

[Mr. Gordon]

How's that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, it's possible he might have been paroled the last month or so. That'd put him in line for these holdups.

[Mr. Gordon]

Your check, Quentin.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We got off a teletype to the warden's office late this morning. Skipper have answered pretty soon.

[Mr. Gordon]

Best lead we've had so far.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

I hope it stands up.

[Mr. Gordon]

Excuse me. Robbery, Didion.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Mr. Gordon]

Oh, yeah, I'm at his.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, you and the Caleb stay on it.

[Mr. Gordon]

Yeah, that's right. Over the weekend anyway.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, right.

[Walter Myers]

Bye.

[Mr. Gordon]

Well, what's the answer.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

He's had three weeks, he's cleared four jobs.

[Mr. Gordon]

Every one of them in broad daylight. More than $10,000 worth of stuff. Now how do we reach him?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How about some extra manpower, Skipper? Can we manage?

[Virginia Brewer]

You?

[Mr. Gordon]

What do you got in mind?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Stay cop seems to be the best angle for us with this kind of a setup.

[Mr. Gordon]

How many teams you figure it'll take?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, dozen anyhow. You figure that, Joe?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, just about. The thief seems to be concentrating on the downtown area. All four hold ups were in the same general neighborhood within a 20 block radius. We can't cover all the jewelry stores with a dozen teams. It'll give us pretty good coverage though. Sure help our chances.

[Mr. Gordon]

You checked out all the other angles, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Everything not doing us much good.

[Mr. Gordon]

Robbery, did he?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, just a minute. New Friday. Oh, thanks. Yeah, Friday talking. Yeah, that's right.

[Virginia Brewer]

Mm.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's all? No, we'll pick it up. Thank you. Those communications just got an answer on

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

that teletype to Quentin on Jack Maynard.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What did he say? No lead. He's still in prison. We went back and started again from the beginning. With our best lead gone, there wasn't any alternative. The following day, Thursday, March 11, the stakeouts went into effect. A dozen jewelry stores in the immediate downtown area, all of them potential holdup victims were placed under constant surveillance. Three days passed. Nothing happened. No sign of the holdup man. We stayed on it. Tuesday, March 16, 11am at a small downtown jewelry shop through three blocks from the nearest stakeout team. The bandit committed his fifth successive robbery and made good his escape. The MO and description matched in almost every respect. Ben and I answered the call and drove to the scene of the hold up to interview the victim, a Mr. Walter Myers.

[Walter Myers]

He came straight back this way, just where I'm walking. I was at the end of that counter there, just where you are. He had a brown paper bag in one hand and it was just a couple of feet from me. He put his other hand in his coat pocket and he came up with a gun. Pointed it right at me.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Store was empty at the time, sir. No customers around.

[Walter Myers]

Yeah, that's right. Just myself and my son in law, Herb, in the back room. I guess he heard this thief talking to me and he came out to see what it was all about. That's when the fireworks started.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What happened?

[Walter Myers]

Well, he made Herb line up along the counter right next to me. By this time he had all the loot he wanted in that paper bag he was carrying. Just when I thought he was going to leave, he turned Around. All of a sudden he said to Herb, you think you're a smart guy, don't you? Then he slugged Herb with the gun, brought it right down on the side of his head all his might.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's when the fight started. Is that right?

[Walter Myers]

Just about, yeah. Herb fell down on one knee. There was a great big gash on the side of his face. Even when he was down, the thief kept slugging Herb, kept pounding him in the face with that gun. Herb wasn't doing anything. I got good and sore.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What happened then?

[Walter Myers]

Well, I didn't care what happened. I just got sore at the lousy crook. I made a dive for him, grabbed him around the chest, and here, something like this.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Walter Myers]

The two of us went down on the floor and I wrestled him for the gun. That's when it went off. A wild shot. Plowed right into the wall over there. Herb picked himself up and piled on the guy, too. I guess the crook relief must have figured he was through. Fought like a wild man. I had a good hold of the top coat he had on, but he slipped right out of it. He grabbed his gun and the paper bag, ran out of the store, left me there holding an empty coat.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This is the Cody was wearing right here. Is that right?

[Walter Myers]

Yeah, that's it. You can see one of the sleeves there. It almost ripped it clean off trying to get away.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, I see.

[Walter Myers]

I already looked through the pockets.

[Mr. Gordon]

Nothing in them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about this description of the man, Mr. Myers? You're pretty sure of that, are you?

[Walter Myers]

I'm positive, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ben, you want to call the crime lab? There's a phone booth right over there. Do you mind? Oh, yeah.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I wonder if I could check that spot where the bullet hit Mr. Myers, that wild shot he fired.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, yeah.

[Walter Myers]

Right over here, sir. Back of the cash, right there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, bedded in there pretty solid. Yeah.

[Walter Myers]

Lucky it was the wall. Not one of us. Say, I got a pocket knife here if you want to dig it out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, sir. We've got a crew on the way out from our crime lab, ballistics men. They'll take care of it. I would like to take another look at that top coat, the one the thief was wearing.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Oh, yeah, sure.

[Walter Myers]

I had already looked it over pretty good. Nothing in the pockets. Couldn't find anything here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, sir. Just an ordinary topcoat, isn't it? There's no label on it. No, you're right. There's nothing in the pocket.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What is.

[Walter Myers]

Did you find something?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't know, sir. It feels like a hole in the Pocket here. Good sized one.

[Mr. Gordon]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Crime lab's on the way. Should be here in a couple of minutes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay, fine.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Anything at all in the coat? I don't know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here. Seems to be a hole in this pocket here. It's possible something might have dropped down into the lining of the coat. Maybe.

[Walter Myers]

Here, let me hold out that end for you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hold it up a little. That's fine.

[Walter Myers]

Right like this?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Uh huh.

[Virginia Brewer]

Uh huh.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, it feels like something down in here.

[Walter Myers]

What is it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just a minute. I get my hand down in there, see if I can get it.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here we are.

[Mr. Gordon]

A scrap of paper, some writing on it.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What is it, Joe?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Telephone number. The phone number printed neatly on the scrap of paper was crestview 92085. There were no other notations. We checked out the number and found that the telephone was installed at 6414 Cordova Drive in the Los Feliz district. After the crime lab crew arrived at the store, Ben and I took the bandit's topcoat and drove to the address listed for the phone number. A 12 unit apartment house on the corner of Franklin Avenue and Fairfax. The number turned out to be a public phone booth located in the lobby of the apartment. The manager could tell us nothing. We began checking with the tenants on the first floor of the building. We gave them the description of the jewelry store abandoned. We showed them the top coat. They failed to recognize either one. We started on the second floor at the end of the hall. The tenant was a Mrs. Iverson.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You recognize the description of door, Ms. Iverson? Mean anything to you?

[Virginia Brewer]

Yes, I'd say it did. Sergeant, have you tried the apartment next door? Ms. King's apartment?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, no ma'.

[Walter Myers]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why do you ask that?

[Virginia Brewer]

Yes, I'm almost sure of it.

[Narrator]

Ma'.

[Virginia Brewer]

Am, I've seen a man who looks like this go in there several times.

[Narrator]

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

March 16. Tuesday, 2:48pm Ben and I went next door to the apartment where a man answering the description of the jewelry store bandit reportedly had been seen several times. We rang, but there was no answer. We went back and checked with a manager of the building who told us that the apartment was registered to a Ms. Lenora King. He told us that as far as he knew, Ms. King worked during the day and that she usually returned to her apartment between 7 and 8 o' clock at night. The manager gave us the address of the place she worked and we checked it out. It was an exclusive gift shop on La Cienega Boulevard in West Hollywood. We located Lenore King back at the main packing desk where she was employed as a gift wrapper. When we put the question to her that a man answering the description of the jewelry store bandit had been seen visiting her, she readily admitted it.

[Lenore King]

Yes, that's right.

[Virginia Brewer]

I'd say he looks just like that.

[Lenore King]

He drops by my apartment four or five times a month. His name's Marty.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

What's his last name, Ms. King? Where can we find him?

[Lenore King]

I'm sorry. I never did know his last name. Afraid I don't know where you can find him either.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how's that, Ms. King? He visits you quite a bit. He's a friend of yours, isn't he?

[Lenore King]

Not exactly. I know him. That's about all. He's a friend of a friend.

[Virginia Brewer]

It's more like that.

[Lenore King]

Excuse me. I'm sorry. This package has a rush on it. I'll have to wrap it now. Do you mind?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma'. Am. You go right ahead.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

About this man, Marty, Ms. King. You mind explaining a little more? If you don't know him well, why

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

should he visit you so often?

[Lenore King]

Well, to tell you the truth, it's more of a favor than anything. It's for Virginia. She's my girlfriend. Only wish I never got mixed up in it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, how do you mean? Mixed up in what?

[Lenore King]

Well, it's confidential, Sergeant. I'd just as soon not mention, if you don't mind.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I'd like to have you tell us everything you know about it. It's a pretty important matter, ma'.

[Virginia Brewer]

Am.

[Lenore King]

Well, I don't know really how it started. I mean, how the two of them got together. Marty and Virginia.

[Virginia Brewer]

They just met.

[Lenore King]

I suppose Virginia fell in love with him. She had to find some way out.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

How's that, ma'?

[Virginia Brewer]

Am?

[Lenore King]

Virginia. She was crazy about Marty. I guess she still is. They didn't want to get all involved, though. Neither one of them. It's romantic, in a way. Could I have the scissors there, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Here you go.

[Lenore King]

All the two of them want us to see each other once a week. It's enough for Virginia. She says she loves him. That's all that counts. She doesn't want to know where Marty lives, what he does, anything about him. I guess the same goes for Marty.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let's see.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

So the two of them get in touch with each other through you, is that it?

[Lenore King]

That's right. Usually once a week. Maybe once every two weeks. I'd just as soon not talk about it. If you don't mind, though, I can Give you Virginia's address. She can tell you more about Marty than I can.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You have no idea where we can locate them?

[Virginia Brewer]

Anything?

[Lenore King]

I'm sorry. None at all. The only contact I have is when Marty phones me or when he comes around. He leaves a message for Virginia where to meet him and when. And then he leaves. I really think you ought to talk to Virginia about it.

[Virginia Brewer]

There we are.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

One thing I don't quite understand, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Virginia Brewer]

Yes?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

This girlfriend of yours, Virginia. You say she's in love with this fellow Marty?

[Virginia Brewer]

Oh, yeah.

[Lenore King]

Crazy about him.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

And why are they playing this hide and seek? If they're in love, why don't they come out and get married? What's the Virginia.

[Narrator]

What?

[Lenore King]

She's already married.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Before we left Lenore King, we advised her what the situation was. In the event the suspect, Marty, contacted her, she was to get in touch with us immediately. She gave us her promise that she wouldn't disclose our conversation with her. We left her our card and she gave us the address of her girlfriend, Virginia Brewer. It was a South Argyle street address, but Mrs. Brewer wasn't at home. 8:15pm we drove to her place of employment, a Valley nightclub out along Ventura Boulevard where she was appearing in the floor show. She was a dancer. We located her backstage, waiting to go on.

[Virginia Brewer]

You must have some other girl in mind, officer. I don't know anyone by the name of Marty.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

You sure about that, Ms.

[Narrator]

Brewer?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We got it from a pretty good source.

[Virginia Brewer]

Well, I'm sure. I don't know where you got it, but it's wrong. The name isn't familiar at all. Who told you this, anyway?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Close friend of yours, ma'. Am. She seemed to know what she was talking about.

[Virginia Brewer]

Who was it? I got a right to know that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Lenore King.

[Virginia Brewer]

Lenore? Why should she tell you a story like that?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We wouldn't know, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Unless it's the truth.

[Virginia Brewer]

Of course it's not the truth. I don't know any Marty. I don't even know what this is all about.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, she says you know the man, Mrs. Brewer. She says you're in love with him. She seemed to have all the details. Now, is there any good reason why she'd tell lies about you?

[Virginia Brewer]

I don't know. You believe what she told you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, we do. Unless you can prove it's a lie.

[Virginia Brewer]

I'm sorry, that's my introduction. I have to.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

All right, man, we'll wait.

[Virginia Brewer]

Just a minute. Be right back. I have to take another bowl.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, go ahead, Go ahead.

[Virginia Brewer]

Thank you. Have A great time. You want to come back here? Officers dressing room. We can talk there.

[Narrator]

All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Be fine.

[Virginia Brewer]

Come here.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Thank you.

[Virginia Brewer]

Well, I suppose there isn't any point in trying to cover it over. Only one thing I'd like to ask you.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yes, ma'?

[Virginia Brewer]

Am. My husband doesn't have to know, does he? I mean, whatever there is to this, you don't have to tell the papers, do you? You can keep it quiet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Whatever you tell us will be strictly confidential, ma'.

[Virginia Brewer]

Am.

[Lenore King]

All right.

[Virginia Brewer]

I know Marty. I've known him for six months. Lenore wasn't lying. I'm in love with him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We're not prying into your personal life, Ms.

[Narrator]

Brewer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'd just like to locate this man, Marty, that's all. It's pretty important to us.

[Virginia Brewer]

Why is it important? Why do you want him?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Robbery investigation, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We'd like to get a hold of him for an interview.

[Virginia Brewer]

Robbery? Think Marty's done something that way?

[Lenore King]

You want him?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We're not sure. Do you have any idea where we can find him?

[Virginia Brewer]

No more than Lenore. I guess she told you about it. Mean Marty and I, how it's been.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You have no idea where he stays, where he works?

[Virginia Brewer]

No, I don't. It's been that way from the beginning. Lenore knows as much about that as I do. Only one way I can get in touch with him. That's when he leaves a message at Lenore's or I leave a message. We first met, Marty and I. That's the way we both wanted it. He didn't want to get all involved because of my husband. I didn't either.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Have you seen this Marty lately, Ms. Brewer?

[Virginia Brewer]

Yes, about 10 days ago.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You expect to see him again soon?

[Virginia Brewer]

I don't know. I suppose so. He'll leave a message with Lenore. If he wants me. That's all I can go on.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Could you leave a message for him? With Lenore?

[Virginia Brewer]

Yes, I suppose. I suppose so. Have to wait till he calls, though. Can't you tell me more about it, Sergeant? Why do you want him? What's it about?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We're gonna have to ask your cooperation, ma'.

[Virginia Brewer]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your friend's a robbery suspect. We think he's a pretty good one.

[Lenore King]

Marty?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. Now, the next time he contacts you, the next time he sets up a date with you, we'd like to know where. We'd like to know when.

[Virginia Brewer]

You think he's guilty? Really think he's done something?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, he's a suspect, ma'. Am. That's all we know.

[Virginia Brewer]

I guess Lenore told you I love him. Love him more than anyone. Won't make any difference, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Virginia Brewer]

Won't make any difference? I love him. Even if he is guilty, it won't make any difference.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It will to him. 8:55pm we continued questioning Virginia Brewer before we left. We got her promise that in the event the man known as Marty contacted her she would notify us immediately. 9:20pm we checked back in at the office and made arrangements to keep keep the home of Virginia Brewer under constant surveillance as well as the apartment of her girlfriend, Lenore King. The following morning. We checked with the ballistics men at the crime lab who examined the slug which had been taken from the wall of Walter Myers jewelry store. The latest of the hold up man's victims. It was identified as having been fired from a.32 caliber revolver. The slug was marked and filed as evidence. Thorough examination of the top coat which the suspected left behind at his last hold up failed to yield any new leads. The jewel trays at the store which had been held up were also checked for fingerprints. A week passed, no sign of the jewel thief. Wednesday, March 24 I'll grab it.

[Mr. Gordon]

All right. Robbery.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Romero. Oh, yes. Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Well, when was that? All right, fine. Yes, ma'. Am. Thank you. Bye.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You got anything?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

That friend of Mrs. Brewers, Lenore King, says this fellow Marty called a few minutes ago. Set up a date with Mrs. Brewer. Supposed to meet at Lenore's apartment. When?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

8:00pm we checked with Captain Didion and set up a plan to have the apartment building where Lenore King lived thoroughly covered that night. Carr and Matthews were assigned to cover outside the main entrance. McCaleb and Olson would cover the lobby. Ben and I would be in the apartment proper along with Mrs. Brewer and Lenore King. By six o' clock that night, we were all in position. We waited. 6:30. 7 o'. Clock. 7:30. We waited. Mrs. Brewer walked the floor with a drink in her hand. 7:45. 7:50. Ben watched at the window. Virginia Brewer got nervous.

[Virginia Brewer]

You can't prove it. You don't know anything for sure. How I know you're not trying for a frame? Trying to blame Marty for something he didn't do?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

We're not blaming him for anything, ma'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

He's a suspect. We want to talk to him, that's all.

[Lenore King]

Why don't you sit down, huh? Virginia, you know you's getting upset. It'll be all right. Come on, honey.

[Virginia Brewer]

Got him all over the place. Lenore. Cops waiting for Marty. What am I supposed to think?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why don't you relax, Ms.

[Narrator]

Brewer?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

If he's not the man, you got nothing to worry about.

[Lenore King]

He's right, honey. Sit down, huh?

[Virginia Brewer]

Let me freshen up that drink.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Hey, Joe.

[Narrator]

Yeah?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Car pulling up outside. A sedan.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let's see. Right in front.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Man getting out. Yeah, he's coming in here.

[Virginia Brewer]

Marty.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can't see him.

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

He must be inside.

[Lenore King]

Marty.

[Virginia Brewer]

Marty. Why didn't he tell me?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to hop downstairs, Ben? See what happened, huh?

[Sergeant Ben Romero]

Yeah, right.

[Lenore King]

It'll be all right, honey.

[Narrator]

Take it easy.

[Lenore King]

It'll be all right.

[Virginia Brewer]

I didn't know. I didn't know, Sergeant. Why did you do it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do what, ma'?

[Virginia Brewer]

Am? Marty, I didn't know about it. We didn't know anything about each other, and this has to happen. Why didn't he tell me?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I wouldn't know.

[Virginia Brewer]

I love him. The rest I don't know. But I love him. He was in trouble. He could have told me. If he loved me, would have told me. He would have told me everything.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I guess maybe you got the answer.

[Virginia Brewer]

What?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He didn't love you.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On June 29, trial was held in Superior Court Department 91, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. The suspect, Martin Arthur Kessington, was wounded, but not fatally, when he attempted to resist arrest. After interrogation, he dictated a signed statement admitting guilt for all five of the jewelry store holdups. He was tried and convicted on five counts of first degree robbery and received a sentence as prescribed by law. Robbery in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a term of five years to life. 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. Barton Yarborough is Sergeant Ben Romero. Also heard were Vic Perrin and Virginia Greg. Script by Jim Mosey. Music by Walter Schumann. Al Gibney speaking.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Next, counter spy fights international intrigue on NBC.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. A solid episode and I think Joe Friday's comment at the end was just justified. If this robber had actually loved her, I doubt that he could have been content with a situation where they would just be together for an hour. And truth be told, if she actually cared as much for him as she said, she would not have been content with it either. What you had were two people who were using each other and at least in her case, overly romanticizing. The situation probably one of the most common sound effects that you'll hear in Dragnet, the sort of dancing shoe routine. That's something that's fairly easy for sound effects of the era to recreate, but it was used to really draw us into that scene and believe that we were watching a dancer with our ears. All right, well, listener comments and feedback. And we have a comment on the Big Bum Glow over on Spotify. And Dr. Whodunit wrote, Adam, I have to disagree with you. If I'm the suspect and guilty, I will deny it until my prison sentence is up. If I'm going to serve time either way, I would rather have a shot. If I'm the suspect and innocent, I will also be denying it until my prison sentence is up. However, if there's a lighter sentence and I can be released quicker than I will admit it, there is something to that. And I could totally go along with the idea of the burglar maintaining his innocence all the way through trial and beyond as a matter of trying to secure his release. And that makes total sense. What I don't get, and maybe I just don't understand, the criminal mind is continuing to argue this with the police because they're not buying your story and you're just wasting your energy. If you're denying a crime, whether you're guilty or innocent, at some point you have to reach the point where you say to the police, okay, well, I've tried to tell you what actually happened. You're not believing me. So I don't see the need to continue this conversation. And continuing to engage them gives them the chance to wear you down. And then over on YouTube, regarding the episode, the big hit and run killer James writes, definitely didn't see that twist coming. Great episode. Thanks so much, James. And now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Thank you so much to Jeff, patreon Supporter since March 2023, currently supporting the podcast at the Master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, J. Jeff. 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.

[Virginia Brewer]

Where he's dead, Mr. Dollar.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'd see him.

[Virginia Brewer]

Yeah, this is his apartment.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You said over the phone you thought you'd kill him. Well, he's dead all right.

[Virginia Brewer]

That's not what I meant. I meant. I thought I was the one who killed him. I'm not sure. Oh, I had. Oh, I don't know. Doesn't seem to matter. He's dead. I guess that's all it matters. He's dead. Come on now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Get hold of yourself, girl.

[Virginia Brewer]

Sorry. I guess I'm not making much sense. I feel sort of funny. Lightheaded.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Virginia Brewer]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let us sit down.

[Virginia Brewer]

Thanks.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, why don't you start at the beginning?

[Virginia Brewer]

All right. I came to see everett tonight. About 11 o'.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Clock.

[Mr. Gordon]

I guess he was a friend of yours.

[Virginia Brewer]

No, he sent for me and I had to come.

[Narrator]

Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Are you telling me why?

[Virginia Brewer]

He insisted that I have a drink with him. Then I started to feel funny.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13, greatdetectives.net follow us on Twitter Radio Detectives. Check us out on Instagram instagram.com greattech Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.