Dragnet: The Big Tomato (EP4664)

Summary

The Great Detectives Present Dragnet: "Dragnet: The Big Tomato (EP4664)"

Release Date: March 29, 2025
Host: Adam Graham

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Episode Overview

In this riveting episode of The Great Detectives Present Dragnet, host Adam Graham delves into the classic old-time radio episode titled "Dragnet: The Big Tomato." Graham's second journey through every episode of Dragnet brings listeners an engaging and detailed recounting of Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero as they tackle a formidable narcotics ring targeting high school students in Los Angeles.

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Case Background

Thursday, April 11
Los Angeles is abuzz with a tragic incident: the death of 17-year-old Kenneth (Ken) Morrow. Found crashed into a streetlight, Ken's severe injuries suggest a high-speed accident, but Detectives Friday and Romero sense foul play may be involved.

• [05:43]
  Ben Romero: "It was Thursday, April 11. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of narcotics detail."

Initial Investigation

Detectives Friday and Romero begin their investigation by consulting the coroner, learning that Ken sustained multiple skull fractures and internal injuries. Suspecting vehicular negligence or criminal intent, they examine Ken's car and gather information from his family and school.

• [06:04]
  Joe Friday: "Cause of death, multiple fractures of the skull. Internal injury. Boy was 17 years old."

Discovery of Narcotics Involvement

As the detectives dig deeper, they uncover a small metal case containing marijuana in Ken's car. This discovery shifts the investigation towards a narcotics angle, indicating that Ken may have been involved in drug use or trafficking.

• [08:16]
  Joe Friday: "We found some in his car. We found some more in his locker upstairs."

Identifying the Ringleader

Interviews with Ken's girlfriend, Peggy Kane, reveal a noticeable change in Ken's behavior—swearing, neglecting studies, and associating with a new crowd. This leads detectives to Bob Lavelle, Ken's close friend, who inadvertently provides the nickname of the criminal mastermind: "Big Tomato."

• [09:29]
  Peggy Kane: "He began to swear. You know, bad talk, things like that."

• [18:44]
  Joe Friday: "The Big Tomato. That's what they call him."

Stakeout and Arrest

Armed with a lead on Tony Childs, suspected to be connected to "Big Tomato," Friday and Romero conduct a stakeout. After weeks of surveillance, a significant marijuana transaction is set up on Bruno Street. The detectives successfully intercept Tony Childs and his accomplices, ultimately leading to the identification and capture of "Big Tomato."

• [27:42]
  Ben Romero: "We spotted the man carrying a shopping bag emerge from behind a row of freight cars."

• [28:37]
  Ben Romero: "Tin can, huh? Full of marijuana. Did you look at the labels on those cans?"

Trial and Conviction

The culmination of the investigation results in a grand trial held in Superior Court. John A. Stanson, alias "Big Tomato," along with his associates, are convicted for violating the State Narcotic Act. Their convictions serve as a stern warning to others involved in narcotics distribution.

• [29:14]
  Narrator: "John A. Stanson, alias the Big Tomato, along with his associates in the narcotic gang, was tried and convicted for violating the State Narcotic Act."

Notable Quotes

• Ben Romero:
  "[05:11] News of Kenneth's tragic accident marked the beginning of a relentless pursuit to dismantle a growing narcotics operation impacting the youth of Los Angeles."

• Joe Friday:
  "[06:17] 'We're gonna have to dig up a fast answer somewhere. Lousy racket.'"

• Peggy Kane:
  "[09:29] 'He didn't talk the same. Ken was a real nice boy. Most of the time.'"

• Bob Lavelle:
  "[18:54] 'A big tomato. That's what they call him. You won't get him in 89 years.'"

• Joe Friday:
  "[25:05] 'It's about all.'"

Host Reflections

Adam Graham highlights the episode's unique elements, such as the intriguing nickname "Big Tomato" and the multiple layers of action that keep listeners engaged. He appreciates the depth of the investigation portrayed and the ethical stance taken by Detectives Friday and Romero in tackling narcotics crimes.

• [32:03]
  Host, Adam Graham: "This is a memorable episode because all of these titles have the big this and the big that in the title, but there's not actually a reference to the big family. But here we get the Big Tomato."

Conclusion

Dragnet: The Big Tomato showcases the meticulous and persistent efforts of law enforcement in battling narcotics distribution among youth. Through diligent investigation, strategic stakeouts, and unwavering commitment, Detectives Friday and Romero successfully bring down a significant narcotics ring, ensuring the safety and well-being of the community's young members.

For those new to the series, this episode offers a compelling blend of classic detective work, character development, and moral integrity, exemplifying why Dragnet remains a revered name in police procedural storytelling.

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Further Engagement

If you enjoyed this detailed exploration of "Dragnet: The Big Tomato," consider following The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps bring these classic stories to life for new audiences.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Ben Romero [05:11]:
  "It was Thursday, April 11. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of narcotics detail."

• Joe Friday [06:17]:
  "We're gonna have to dig up a fast answer somewhere. Lousy racket."

• Peggy Kane [09:29]:
  "He didn't talk the same. Ken was a real nice boy. Most of the time."

• Bob Lavelle [18:44]:
  "A big tomato. That's what they call him. You won't get him in 89 years."

• Joe Friday [25:05]:
  "It's about all."

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Thank You to Our Supporters

Adam Graham extends heartfelt thanks to Rosa, a loyal Patreon supporter since January 2020, currently contributing at the Detective Sergeant level. Your support enables the continuation of these engaging investigative journeys.

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Join the Investigation

Send your comments and thoughts to [e-mail], follow on Twitter @radiodetectives, and check out the Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectives. Stay tuned for more thrilling episodes, including upcoming features on Charlie Chan and the Adventures of the Falcon.

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From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

Transcript

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[Ben Romero]

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[Host]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. Before we get started, I want to encourage you, if you're enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software. And I'd also like to let you know a little bit about Fulton Fish Market. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have the freshest, highest quality seafood delivered straight to your kitchen? Look no further than FultonFishMarket.com, a legendary name in seafood trusted for over 200 years. This isn't just a market, it's where expert fishmongers meticulously select seafood that top chefs and home cooks alike rave about. Whether you're craving wild caught salmon, tender scallops or juicy shrimp, Fulton Fish Market guarantees peak freshness with every order. Now here's the best part. You can enjoy 17% off your entire order just by using the exclusive code box 13 at checkout. That's not just a discount, it's the highest one they offer. And yes, when you use my code, I do earn a commission, which helps the podcast. So you're not only getting amazing seafood, but you're supporting the show. So head over to FultonFishMarket.com and taste the difference that 200 years of expertise brings. Trust me, once you try it, that you'll never go back to ordinary seafood again. Use Box 13 today and get ready to impress everyone at your table. That's fultonfishmarket.com and use the code box13 now from January 25, 1950, here is the baked tomato.

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[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been change. Protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a narcotics detail. A band of dope peddlers launches a full scale operation in your city. Their merchandise, Marijuana. Their victims, high school students. Your job.

[Ben Romero]

Get them.

[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.

[Ben Romero]

It was Thursday, April 11. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of narcotics detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Kearney. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from R and I, and it was 10:25am when I got to Central Station. Narcotics detail.

[Joe Friday]

Joe. Hi.

[Ben Romero]

What'd you find out?

[Joe Friday]

Talk to the coroner. He finished posting the body?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Cause of death, multiple fractures of the skull. Internal injury. Boy was 17 years old. You check the car? Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

The kid must have been doing at least 70 when he hit that street light. It's a real mess. Car was really wound around that pole.

[Joe Friday]

We're gonna have to dig up a fast answer somewhere. Lousy racket.

[Ben Romero]

Well, there's only one way to burn it out. Find the big man and throw the book at him. Make him an example I'll never forget. Huh?

[Joe Friday]

You check the juvenile bureau?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. The evidence has been booked with the property Clerk, how about the boy's parents?

[Joe Friday]

Mrs. Moore wasn't feeling too well. He drove her home. Father's still down the hall. Inspector Walker's office.

[Ben Romero]

Can we talk to him now?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, he should be free by now. Let me check the book.

[Ben Romero]

Already dead. There's no calls.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, okay.

[Narrator]

Let's go.

[Ben Romero]

You know, there's only one thing fortunate about this whole thing.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Ben Romero]

Well, the kid being alone when he cracked up would have been a slaughter if he had a car full of his friends with him.

[Joe Friday]

It's still pretty grim.

[Ben Romero]

How's the boy's father taking it?

[Joe Friday]

Usual pretty rough. He should be able to help some.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Mr. Morrow? Yes, Sergeant. Inspector asked me to wait here for you. Yes, sir. This is my partner, Sergeant Friday. Mr. Morgel.

[Ben Romero]

How do you do, Mr. Friday?

[Joe Friday]

I just don't understand it, Sergeant. I don't understand any of it.

[Narrator]

My boy Ken wasn't the type to go racing around like that in the car. He never took the car without my permission.

[Ben Romero]

I just don't know what got into it.

[Joe Friday]

Had you noticed at all whether your boy was acting a little strange last few weeks or so?

[Narrator]

No.

[Joe Friday]

Of course, I only saw Ken in.

[Narrator]

The morning, a few hours in the evening. I'm at the office all day.

[Ben Romero]

Why do you ask that? Well, was he going out very often on school nights? Keeping odd or unusual hours?

[Joe Friday]

He used to go to the library three or four nights a week to do his schoolwork.

[Narrator]

Got home about midnight a few times and I warned him about that.

[Ben Romero]

Did you have any way of knowing if he was really spending his nights at the library?

[Joe Friday]

No, but I took his word for it.

[Narrator]

Ken didn't lie to me. What's this have to do with the auto accident, Sergeant? I don't think I understand.

[Joe Friday]

The officers investigating the accident, sir. They checked over the car afterward.

[Narrator]

What was it?

[Joe Friday]

Were the brakes bad? What'd they find, Phil?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. You see this small metal case? We found it in the front seat on the floor of the car. What's that stuff inside?

[Narrator]

Did this belong to Ken?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Ben Romero]

We think he was using it.

[Joe Friday]

What for?

[Ben Romero]

I don't know. It's marijuana. Men and women who traffic in narcotics all the way from the small time peddler to the big wholesale, rated among the lowest kind of criminal. One step lower, you find an even more vicious kind. Those who lure youngsters into the deadly trap of narcotics. Who feed on the nickels and dimes by supplying their young victims with dope. The death of 17 year old Kenneth Morrow was the second of its kind within eight months. It seemed to stem from unidentified suspects who were making it their business to build a thriving marijuana trade among high school students. Thursday, 11am we continued to question the dead boy's father, Thomas Morrow, but he couldn't tell us anything further that might help. Friday, April 12th. We checked with the principal of the high school which the Morrow boy attended. We talked to the boy's teachers and checked his school record. His marks had been above average till about three months before when they began to fall off for no apparent reason. We got a list of most of the boy's friends from his teachers and we started checking them out. One was a 16 year old blonde girl, Peggy Kane, supposedly Kenneth Morrow's girlfriend. We found her waiting outside the music room.

[Peggy Kane]

Yes, Ken and I went around together for a while. He was a real nice boy.

[Joe Friday]

Did you see each other quite a bit, Peggy?

[Peggy Kane]

Oh, for about five or six months, yes. We got along fine. Just after Christmas was the last time I went out with him. We double dated.

[Ben Romero]

Did he seem all right to you then? I mean, did he act different at all?

[Peggy Kane]

Well, a little different, yes. Not silly, you know. He just wasn't like he used to be.

[Ben Romero]

How do you mean?

[Peggy Kane]

Well, he didn't talk the same. Ken was a real nice boy. Most of the time. I guess he started getting in with the wrong crowd. He began to swear. You know, bad talk, things like that.

[Joe Friday]

When did all this start, Biggie? Do you remember?

[Peggy Kane]

Just before Christmas, I think. I'm not sure. Poor Kim.

[Joe Friday]

Is there anything else you might have noticed?

[Peggy Kane]

I don't know. Ken used to be pretty good about his studies. And all of a sudden it seemed he just didn't care. Sometimes he'd come into the library. We used to study there. He'd make a lot of noise, just change, that's all. After a while, we didn't see each other there anymore.

[Ben Romero]

Well, why was that, Peggy?

[Peggy Kane]

We just didn't come down. I called his house a couple of times. His folks said he was at the library. I didn't say anything to him.

[Ben Romero]

Well, did Ken have many friends here at school? Do you know that?

[Peggy Kane]

Not many, no.

[Ben Romero]

I see. Well, those he did have. Who would you say was closer to him?

[Peggy Kane]

Gee, I don't know, Sergeant. There were half a dozen of them. Ken used to be with all of them.

[Joe Friday]

No one boy in particular?

[Peggy Kane]

Well, Bob Lavelle, maybe. I saw Ken and Bob's car a few times.

[Joe Friday]

Does Lavelle go to school here?

[Peggy Kane]

Yes, he's a senior. Ken used to work with Bob down the cafeteria. After school. But he got in the mix up. He was fired.

[Ben Romero]

Bob was fired?

[Peggy Kane]

No, Ken. He was rude to one of the ladies down there who does the cooking. Bob still works there.

[Joe Friday]

Would he be at the cafeteria now, do you know?

[Peggy Kane]

Yes, I think so. The fountains open till about 3:30.

[Ben Romero]

You think that this Bob Lavelle was about the closest friend that Ken had, huh?

[Peggy Kane]

I think so. The only one I know, anyway. Have you talked to Ken's folks?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, we have.

[Peggy Kane]

I feel so sorry for him. Gee, I think I have to go now, Sergeant. I have a chemistry class.

[Joe Friday]

Just one more question, Peggy. Last time you went out with Ken on this double date, who was the other couple? Do you remember?

[Peggy Kane]

I don't remember their names. They were some kids I never saw before. Kim knew them. Wasn't much of a date.

[Ben Romero]

Where did you go?

[Peggy Kane]

We started for the show, but Ken changed his mind. He wanted to go to the beach. And park was acting funny, talking all the time, saying silly things. The other boy was the same way.

[Ben Romero]

Were they drinking?

[Peggy Kane]

No. I never saw Ken take a drink. I couldn't smell any liquor on his breath. I don't know. It was such a silly thing.

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Peggy Kane]

Well, maybe it's just my imagination, but Ken and this other boy had a real terrible, musty smell about him. I kidded them about it and they said they'd been to a tea party. That's where they got it. They kept talking silly like that all evening.

[Ben Romero]

I see. Was the musty smell all over the car? Just on the board?

[Peggy Kane]

All over. Kind of made me sick, but they didn't seem to mind it.

[Ben Romero]

Look, I'd like you to think real careful. Peggy, have you ever come across that musty smell on anybody around the school here?

[Peggy Kane]

Yes, I have a couple of times. Makes me sick. What is it?

[Ben Romero]

Who did you notice it on, Peggy?

[Peggy Kane]

Bob Lavelle.

[Ben Romero]

Ben and I went back to the principal's office and checked the record on Robert Lavelle. He was 18 years old and was scheduled to graduate in June. The registrar told us that there was a good chance that he wouldn't be graduated. Because his marks had been poor for the better part of the year. They dropped even lower during the present semester. Lavelle had played football the year before and had made third string on the All City team. He was well liked by his teachers. For the last two years, he'd worked part time at the school soda fountain. We went down to interview him.

[Joe Friday]

Nice setup, huh? Yeah. Cafeteria soda fountain wasn't like that in my day.

[Ben Romero]

There must be the boy there behind the counter.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Let's sit down.

[Joe Friday]

How about that, Jim?

[Ben Romero]

What's that?

[Joe Friday]

That sign hanging up there? Idiot. Special. Five scoops of ice cream. Marshmallow, bananas, chocolate, strawberry flavoring, whipped cream topping. Maraschino cherries, chopped nuts and onion.

[Ben Romero]

No, you're reading over. That's on the hamburger sign there.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah.

[Bob Lavelle]

You want something?

[Joe Friday]

Chocolate soda. Could you make it with vanilla ice cream, please?

[Bob Lavelle]

Choc soda with vanilla cream.

[Ben Romero]

Are you Bob Lavelle?

[Bob Lavelle]

Yeah, that's right.

[Joe Friday]

Police officers, Bob.

[Ben Romero]

We'd like to talk to you.

[Bob Lavelle]

Oh, well, I'm pretty busy right now. Gotta clean up. We close in a few minutes. I'll make you soda right away. You say chocolate?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right.

[Ben Romero]

We'll make it brief. Did you know Ken Morrow, Bob? A little.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Bob Lavelle]

He used to work here.

[Joe Friday]

Did you spend much time with him outside of school, I mean?

[Bob Lavelle]

Not much. Went to a couple of shows together.

[Joe Friday]

It's about all.

[Bob Lavelle]

I'm kind of rushed now.

[Ben Romero]

When was the last time that you saw him? You remember?

[Bob Lavelle]

A week ago, I guess. Too bad about Ken.

[Ben Romero]

How about the night he was in the accident? Did you see him then?

[Bob Lavelle]

No, I didn't run too well. He went around with a different crowd.

[Joe Friday]

Reach me a bag of those cashews, huh, Joe? On the card there.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, you go.

[Joe Friday]

No, thanks. Want some crisp? Oh, no, thanks.

[Bob Lavelle]

The nuts are a dime, Officer.

[Joe Friday]

Right there on the counter, Bob.

[Bob Lavelle]

Oh, yeah. I gotta get going. As soon as I close, I have to get out of town.

[Ben Romero]

We talked to some of Ken Merle's friends around the school, Bob. They tell us that he used to drive around in your car with you quite a bit.

[Bob Lavelle]

Just a couple of times around school.

[Joe Friday]

And you hadn't been with him for about a week before the accident.

[Bob Lavelle]

That's right. Just what I told you. You want a little whipped cream on that?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Here. Lil.

[Bob Lavelle]

How about Jerry?

[Joe Friday]

Good, good. How are you?

[Bob Lavelle]

There you are.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you. Too late to fix a hamburger?

[Bob Lavelle]

Yeah, I really gotta close up. It's getting a little late, Officers. I'm gonna have to close up right now.

[Ben Romero]

We'll make it fast. Did you notice anything different about the Morrow boy in the last few weeks? Anything peculiar at all?

[Bob Lavelle]

No, he was same as ever. I didn't notice anything.

[Ben Romero]

Look, Bob, we're gonna lay it out for you. Did you know he was using marijuana?

[Bob Lavelle]

No, I didn't know anything about it.

[Joe Friday]

Do you have any idea where he might have gotten it?

[Bob Lavelle]

I wouldn't know that. Look, you mind if I lock up the counter? Now, I'll come around the other side, girl.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Bob Lavelle]

I didn't know that about Ken, Officer. I wouldn't know where he got the stuff. You sure he was using Mary?

[Ben Romero]

Well, we found some in his car. We found some more in his locker upstairs.

[Bob Lavelle]

That's tough. Anything more, Officer? I gotta hurry.

[Ben Romero]

Well, it's just routine, Bob. We did the same with the other boys we talked to. We'd like to check your locker. You don't mind, do you?

[Bob Lavelle]

I gotta get out of town. I'm late.

[Joe Friday]

Now, your locker's just upstairs, isn't it? Won't take that long.

[Bob Lavelle]

It's important to me. I gotta get on town.

[Ben Romero]

We've got our car outside. We'll drive you down. We'll be down there in no time.

[Bob Lavelle]

No, I've already got a ride. Can't you check it tomorrow?

[Ben Romero]

Not gonna take a minute, Bob. Now, let's go, huh?

[Bob Lavelle]

All.

[Joe Friday]

Right.

[Bob Lavelle]

Say, I happen to remember I didn't bring my locker key today.

[Joe Friday]

That's so.

[Bob Lavelle]

Yeah. Come to think of it, I don't know where it is. I guess I lost it.

[Ben Romero]

They must have a pass key around here, don't they?

[Bob Lavelle]

I don't think so.

[Ben Romero]

Well, we'll ask at the office, huh?

[Bob Lavelle]

You're putting me in a jam, Officer. That's going to take time. I'm due downtown.

[Ben Romero]

I'm sorry, Bob. We got to check it.

[Bob Lavelle]

I got my lock all jammed up with stuff. It'll take us an hour.

[Joe Friday]

Office is down there, Jim.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. All right, let's go.

[Bob Lavelle]

I don't know why you're picking on me. My locker's jammed. They can't get it open. Why are you picking on me?

[Joe Friday]

Let's ask him. Here. Go ahead, Bob.

[Bob Lavelle]

Close the door. Yeah, I got my key. I'll show you.

[Ben Romero]

Robert Lovell took us to his locker and opened it. Hidden inside one of his gym shoes, we found four sticks of medium grade marijuana. We took them, put them in an envelope and sealed it. On the way downtown, the boy told us that he'd been buying this stuff for about six months and reselling it to some of the students at the high school. Said that he paid 50 cents apiece for the sticks and sold them for 75. He was an occasional user himself. Before we turned him over to the juvenile officers, he told us that a man named Ray Jensen supplied him with a marijuana. Jensen's address was a trailer camp in the southwest part of Los Angeles. We drove out and checked with the operator of the camp. He pointed out Jensen's trailer at the Rear of the camp.

[Joe Friday]

That one, Joe. The blue and gray one.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, this is good right here.

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Ben Romero]

Looks like Jensen's doing well.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Nice looking trailer. Just a minute. Yeah?

[Ben Romero]

Police officers. All right, open it up.

[Bob Lavelle]

Get out of here.

[Host]

Get out.

[Joe Friday]

Watch. A joke.

[Ben Romero]

All right, hold it, mister.

[Bob Lavelle]

Get out.

[Joe Friday]

Get out.

[Ben Romero]

All right, Jensen. That's good, Ben. I'll get him.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Host]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

Come on. Get out. All right, what's the pitch, huh? Where's your warrant? It's all over the floor. Jensen. Marijuana. Who tipped one of those lousy kids, huh? Which one? You guess.

[Ben Romero]

You know enough of them.

[Joe Friday]

You can't tap me for all that. I'm not the Big Guy.

[Ben Romero]

All right, then who is?

[Joe Friday]

I don't know. I'm only one of the mules. Where do you get your stuff? The big guy. The Big Tomato. That's what they call him. Yeah, big man. Nobody sees him. I don't even know what he looks like. Neither do you.

[Ben Romero]

You let us worry about that. Come on.

[Joe Friday]

A big tomato. That's what they call him. You won't get him. He's smart. You won't get him in 89 years.

[Ben Romero]

Maybe not, but we'll get him.

[Narrator]

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

[Ben Romero]

Friday, April 12, 7pm we searched the trailer and a stakeout was placed on it. And then we took Ray Jensen downtown to the main jail where he was booked for suspicion of narcotics, a felony. The next day, Ben and I went back and questioned him. We got nowhere. The only thing he'd tell us was that the leader of the marijuana ring was unknown to him. The Big Tomato. That's all he could tell us. We went back and started rechecking leads furnished us by some of the high school boys who'd purchased narcotics from Robert Lavelle. They all ended nowhere. Meantime, the flow of marijuana into the schools and into the hands of the teenage students continued. We'd no sooner choke off one source of supply when two more would turn up. We knew that there was only one real solution. Find the gang leader and wipe out the entire supply and distribution setup. We stayed on it. Monday, April 22nd. Ben got a call from one of his informants that he had a lead on the source of marijuana on the east side of town. The informant's name was Willie Breck, a groundskeeper at a golf course near one of the city high schools. We drove out to talk to him. We located Breck by the clubhouse, near the first tee.

[Joe Friday]

I'm a tee now. Art Goring, Richmond, Virginia. You Remember my partner, don't you? Willie Joe Fry. Oh, yeah. Hi.

[Ben Romero]

How are you, Willie?

[Narrator]

Kind of busy today. Big tournament.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Quite a crowd you got here. It's a nice turnout. Yeah.

[Narrator]

You've been having trouble, huh? On a marrying town?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. You think you can help us?

[Narrator]

Maybe I can. Dirty business, huh? Working high school kids with that stuff. It's real dirty.

[Ben Romero]

Any ideas, Willie?

[Narrator]

Don't know how much of it's true. It's all from the grapevine downtown. The boss is somebody they call the Big Tomato. Funny one, that.

[Joe Friday]

Any idea who he is?

[Narrator]

Couldn't say. He's getting lots of this stuff in though. Usual feed line over from Mexico.

[Joe Friday]

What else will he hear?

[Narrator]

There's more on the way. Don't know when, though. All for high school trade. Guess they figure they got a good business.

[Joe Friday]

How'd they gettin junk over, you know?

[Narrator]

No, but it's getting here. Almost any kid can get some over on this side of town. Imagine that. Kids in their teens. Weed hits.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. How about this Big Tomato, Willie? No word at all?

[Narrator]

Just one. Pretty thin. Yeah, There's a connection. Lives over on Hauser Boulevard. Got his number here somewhere. Supposed to be the main connection for this tomato guy. Oh, yeah. There's his address. Third number there, it's a six. Guy's name is Tony Childs.

[Ben Romero]

Is he supposed to handle all the stuff?

[Narrator]

Most what I hear gets it off in a big tomato.

[Joe Friday]

That about it?

[Narrator]

That's it. Tony Charles. You got the address?

[Joe Friday]

Many thanks, Willie. Anything comes up, you'll call, huh?

[Narrator]

Sure thing.

[Joe Friday]

How's the job out here?

[Narrator]

Better than yours. I sure wouldn't want it working every day around joy poppers, mules, mainliners.

[Ben Romero]

Somebody's gotta do it, Willie.

[Narrator]

Yeah, but not for me, Sergeant. Us dopesters are all lice. Sellin junk to kids. Guess you met the lowest, huh?

[Ben Romero]

No, not yet. We're looking for him. We went back to the office and checked the name and address of Tony Childs through R and I. No previous record. A stakeout was placed on his home and at his place of business. Childs himself was placed under 24 hour surveillance. A week passed, nothing happened. Another week, still nothing. There was no let up in the supply of marijuana finding its way into the city and then into the schools. We couldn't see the beginnings of the racket, but we saw the end result. The percentage of juvenile users was still on the upswing. Wednesday, May 8, we heard rumbles of another big marijuana buy in the offing. Either it failed to materialize or we missed it Friday, May 10th. Ben and I took our turn shadowing the suspect, Tony Childs.

[Joe Friday]

Can you see him from here, Joe?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, he's still in the barber shop. There's two guys with him.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, ten past four. We better check in, huh?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, I'll call in, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Drugstore. There must have a phone.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah. All right. I'll be right back. Narcotics, please. Thank you. Yeah? Johnny, it's Joe. Friday? Yeah. Yeah, we got him paid. Okay, right away.

[Joe Friday]

Bye. What have you got?

[Ben Romero]

Tony Childs. They want him picked up right away.

[Joe Friday]

How come?

[Ben Romero]

Well, they just raided this place. They found 32 ounces of weed in his room. Supposed to have more on him.

[Joe Friday]

Let's go. Come on. What do you think, Drummer?

[Ben Romero]

Well, don't be surprised.

[Joe Friday]

Charles like to talk to you. What's that?

[Ben Romero]

Police officers like to talk to you and your two friends here. Downtown.

[Joe Friday]

Can't make it, copper.

[Narrator]

Flying to Vegas tonight.

[Joe Friday]

We want to see you downtown first. Look, don't push me, huh?

[Ben Romero]

Nobody's pushing you, Childs. We want to see you downtown now. Come on, let's go.

[Joe Friday]

Look out. Joe.

[Ben Romero]

Wrapped him, Sam.

[Bob Lavelle]

Watch it.

[Joe Friday]

That's it.

[Ben Romero]

Three of them.

[Joe Friday]

Okay, I get him. All right.

[Narrator]

All right.

[Ben Romero]

Come on, you.

[Joe Friday]

I'm glad this doesn't come up off. Where's the barber?

[Ben Romero]

He ran outside. Rough one, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. What's your hunch, Joe? Think one of these three is the Big Tomato? I don't know.

[Ben Romero]

Let's ask him. A search of the barber shop failed to reveal the presence of any narcotics. Tony Childs and his two companions were found to have a dozen sticks of marijuana in their possession. They were treated for cuts and bruises at Georgia street and then booked for suspicion of narcotics, a felony at the main jail. Three other men found at Child's apartment at the time of the raid were also booked. We got nowhere questioning any of them. As usual, we had the small fry. But the ringleader, the Big Tomato, was still in the clear. Still free to hire somebody else to run the marijuana supply line into the high schools. Three weeks passed. Together with Captain Kearney and Sergeant Barr, Ben and I rechecked our earlier leads. We ran down anything that even looked like it might be promising. Nothing panned out. Wednesday, June 5, 5:30pm we got a call from the main jail. Tony Childs wanted to talk to us. Ben and I went over to see him.

[Joe Friday]

Charles, I got something for you.

[Narrator]

Been playing the stooge long enough.

[Joe Friday]

If I'm good enough for jail, so's he.

[Ben Romero]

All right, what do you got?

[Narrator]

It's a big Buy coming off. When you get him, tell him how long I've been in here.

[Ben Romero]

What kind of a buy, Mary?

[Narrator]

One of the biggest.

[Joe Friday]

It was set up before I got in here. Where's the mate going to be? Bruno Street.

[Narrator]

Down with the train yards.

[Joe Friday]

I'll draw you a map. Setup's the same.

[Narrator]

Car pulls up and honks a couple of times. And an alley down there.

[Ben Romero]

Who's handling the bike?

[Narrator]

A big man. Don't waste any time.

[Ben Romero]

When is it?

[Narrator]

Tonight.

[Ben Romero]

We went back to the office and met with Sergeants Barr and Jacobson. 8:00pm Ben and I took up our positions on the stakeout along with the rest of the men. We had a clear view of the exact location where the buy was to be made. We waited. 10pm 11pm no one showed. Midnight came and left. 1:30am still no sign. At 18 minutes of 2, we spotted the man carrying a shopping bag emerge from behind a row of freight cars near the end of the rail yard. He made his way across the street to the alley. He stood back in the shadows.

[Joe Friday]

As soon as the car gets in the alley, we pull up and block it, huh?

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's right. Beck will do the same thing down at the other end.

[Joe Friday]

Headlights coming in the alley now. They're going on through.

[Ben Romero]

What's the time now?

[Joe Friday]

Four minutes to two.

[Ben Romero]

We waited. 18 minutes past. Still no sign of the car that, according to Childs, was supposed to be there for the big buy. We could still see the figure of a man with a shopping bag huddled in the alley. 3:00am Joe. Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

Car down there in the alley.

[Ben Romero]

Yeah, that's it. You want to start up?

[Joe Friday]

Yep.

[Ben Romero]

Just enough to block the alley.

[Joe Friday]

That's good.

[Ben Romero]

All right, come on. Let's go. Come on. All right, kill your engine and get.

[Joe Friday]

Out of the car. Joe, look out. They can't go.

[Ben Romero]

Come on. All right, let's get him out of there.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. There's three of them. Here's the guy with the shopping bag.

[Bob Lavelle]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

I got it fresh, not some. Cold? Yeah, that's one.

[Ben Romero]

Easy there.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, pull right over there, Will. Yeah.

[Ben Romero]

Let's get his coat off of that.

[Joe Friday]

I got it. That's it. That's it. All three of them? Yeah. Hey, hey, look at this. Joe. Found one up in this guy's hand.

[Ben Romero]

Tin can, huh? Full of marijuana. Did you look at the labels on those cans?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Fancy, solid packed tomatoes. There he is.

[Ben Romero]

A big tomato.

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. On October 3, 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. John A. Stanson, alias the Big Tomato, along with his associates in the narcotic gang, was tried and convicted for violating the State Narcotic Act. He received sentences as prescribed by law and are now serving their terms in the state penitentiary.

[Ben Romero]

The radio editors of the United States.

[Narrator]

And Canada have named Dragnet the best.

[Ben Romero]

Radio program of its type for 1950.

[Narrator]

And Dragnet's Jack Webb the most promising star of tomorrow.

[Ben Romero]

In behalf of Dragnet, I'd like to thank the radio editors of the United States and Canada and the editors of Motion Picture Daily who conducted the voting in the 15th annual poll for Fame magazine.

[Narrator]

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.

[Joe Friday]

Later.

[Ben Romero]

Here's Spellbound with Joseph Cotton on Screen Directors on NBC.

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[Ben Romero]

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[Ben Romero]

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[Narrator]

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[Ben Romero]

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[Host]

Welcome back. This is a memorable episode because all of these titles have the big this and the big that in the title, but there's not actually a reference to the big family. But here we get the Big Tomato. And I love that we got an explanation for why this guy was called the Big Tomato. Also, it's one of those rare dragnets where we get multiple bits of action and even rarer. Ben Romero actually got to eat something, so it was a fun time. Alright, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Rosa. Rosa has been one of our patreon supporters since January 2020, currently supporting the podcast at the detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, Rosa. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And please be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Saturday with another episode of Dragnet. Next Tuesday, of course, we'll be bringing you Charlie Chan. But join us back here on Monday for the Adventures of the Falcon. Where?

[Joe Friday]

Nice and quiet here.

[Narrator]

I got a feeling it won't be for long.

[Joe Friday]

I got the same feeling.

[Ben Romero]

Where'd you get that parcel?

[Narrator]

What's it to you?

[Joe Friday]

Look, fella, don't get smart. Just lay it down on the floor.

[Ben Romero]

Now back up a couple of steps.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, that's fine. Now tell me something about yourself. Sure, Julian. What did you call me?

[Narrator]

Julian. Isn't that your name?

[Joe Friday]

How'd you know that?

[Narrator]

I got a great memory for faces. You were pointed out to me about nine years ago in Detroit when you were running with the Purple mob.

[Joe Friday]

And what do they call you?

[Narrator]

Mike Waring.

[Joe Friday]

Where'd you get that claim check?

[Narrator]

I found it in the street.

[Joe Friday]

I asked you something and I answered it. Joan Calvin gave it to you, didn't she?

[Narrator]

Look, Julian, I think I've been very patient. I don't know what you want.

[Ben Romero]

Get back.

[Narrator]

Well, you can't blame a guy for trying.

[Joe Friday]

No, in your place, I'd probably do the same. You see. But then I'm not in your place. And right now I wouldn't change for the world. There's one thing I can't stand. It's a wise guy.

[Host]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box [e-mail]. 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.