WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:09.440 Ladies and gentlemen, for a more authentic presentation, portions of the program you 00:09.440 --> 00:15.000 are about to hear were actually recorded on the scene. 00:15.000 --> 00:24.480 The story you are about to hear is true. 00:24.480 --> 00:28.280 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:28.280 --> 00:44.840 Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, brings you Dragnet. 00:44.840 --> 00:46.320 You're a detective sergeant. 00:46.320 --> 00:49.960 You're assigned to robbery detail. 00:49.960 --> 00:54.120 A gang of holdup men have been running loose in your city. 00:54.120 --> 00:57.040 They've committed more than a dozen robberies. 00:57.040 --> 01:00.640 They're heavily armed, quick to shoot. 01:00.640 --> 01:06.520 Your job, stop them. 01:06.520 --> 01:11.640 If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes. 01:11.640 --> 01:12.640 Smoke Fatima. 01:12.640 --> 01:19.400 Fatima is the long cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos, 01:19.400 --> 01:23.840 superbly blended to make Fatima extra mild. 01:23.840 --> 01:29.600 And that's why Fatima has a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other 01:29.600 --> 01:31.440 long cigarette. 01:31.440 --> 01:35.360 That's why Fatima is doubling and redoubling its smokers. 01:35.360 --> 01:42.200 So if you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes. 01:42.200 --> 01:44.200 Smoke Fatima. 01:44.200 --> 01:49.760 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 01:49.760 --> 01:54.240 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 01:54.240 --> 01:58.800 travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case from official police 01:58.800 --> 02:00.280 files. 02:00.280 --> 02:05.760 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 02:05.760 --> 02:11.360 in action. 02:11.360 --> 02:14.800 Was Saturday, July 21st, was hot in Los Angeles. 02:14.800 --> 02:17.640 We were working the night watch out of robbery detail. 02:17.640 --> 02:20.840 My partner's Ben Romero, the boss is Thad Brown, chief of detectives. 02:20.840 --> 02:21.840 My name's Friday. 02:21.840 --> 02:28.040 I was on the way back from the record bureau and it was 6.55 p.m. when I got to room 27A. 02:28.040 --> 02:29.040 Robbery detail. 02:29.040 --> 02:30.040 Hi, Joey, ready? 02:30.040 --> 02:31.040 Let's go. 02:31.040 --> 02:32.040 What'll I dump this top coat? 02:32.040 --> 02:33.040 It's too hot out tonight for that. 02:33.040 --> 02:34.040 Yeah, the rest of the guys take off already? 02:34.040 --> 02:35.040 Yeah, we better huddle. 02:35.040 --> 02:36.040 How many men are working this thing? 02:36.040 --> 02:37.040 I don't know. 02:37.040 --> 02:38.040 I don't know. 02:38.040 --> 02:39.040 I don't know. 02:39.040 --> 02:40.040 I don't know. 02:40.040 --> 02:41.040 I don't know. 02:41.040 --> 02:42.040 I don't know. 02:42.040 --> 02:43.040 I don't know. 02:43.040 --> 02:44.040 I don't know. 02:44.040 --> 02:45.040 I don't know. 02:45.040 --> 02:46.040 I don't know. 02:46.040 --> 02:47.040 I don't know. 02:47.040 --> 02:48.040 How many men are working this thing tonight? 02:48.040 --> 02:52.040 Must be at least 50, covering every drug store in the south central area. 02:52.040 --> 02:54.160 Which one did we drop? 02:54.160 --> 02:56.160 Naomi and South Alameda Rec Formation. 02:56.160 --> 02:57.160 Yeah. 02:57.160 --> 03:00.880 Apart from out across the street, we can cover the pharmacy from there. 03:00.880 --> 03:03.040 We better check out of Thompson from the business office first, huh? 03:03.040 --> 03:04.040 That's a good idea. 03:04.040 --> 03:05.040 We might as well be ready. 03:05.040 --> 03:06.040 They are. 03:06.040 --> 03:08.160 Who got the tip the gang was moving into the south end of town? 03:08.160 --> 03:11.160 Johnny Powers, one of his informants. 03:11.160 --> 03:14.160 Okay, here we are. 03:14.160 --> 03:17.160 The business office, Blair. 03:17.160 --> 03:20.160 Yeah, I'll take care of it. 03:20.160 --> 03:21.160 Thanks. 03:21.160 --> 03:22.160 Hey, Barry, do you want to check out of Thompson for us? 03:22.160 --> 03:23.160 Okay, funny. 03:23.160 --> 03:24.160 Have you done any? 03:24.160 --> 03:25.160 Yeah, kind of. 03:25.160 --> 03:26.160 Here's a sign out book. 03:26.160 --> 03:27.160 Thank you. 03:27.160 --> 03:28.160 Hey, you might as well give us a shotgun while you're at it, Blair. 03:28.160 --> 03:29.160 Okay. 03:29.160 --> 03:30.160 Check these out for an hour. 03:30.160 --> 03:31.160 Sounds like a busy night for you fellas. 03:31.160 --> 03:32.160 Yeah, maybe. 03:32.160 --> 03:47.160 Thompson's okay. 03:47.160 --> 03:55.160 So the shotgun, want to sign up for the shotgun too, Joe? 03:55.160 --> 03:56.160 Yeah. 03:56.160 --> 03:57.160 Okay. 03:57.160 --> 04:04.160 One Thompson, one machine gun, one shotgun. 04:04.160 --> 04:06.160 You got those serial numbers there, Blair? 04:06.160 --> 04:09.160 Yeah, Thompson 67811. 04:09.160 --> 04:10.160 67811. 04:10.160 --> 04:11.160 Yeah. 04:11.160 --> 04:12.160 Shotgun 655228. 04:12.160 --> 04:13.160 655228. 04:13.160 --> 04:14.160 Okay. 04:14.160 --> 04:15.160 Signed, Joe Brady, serial number 22. 04:15.160 --> 04:28.160 What's your serial number, Ben? 04:28.160 --> 04:31.160 2633. 04:31.160 --> 04:35.160 Oh yeah, 2633. 04:35.160 --> 04:39.160 Six shells for the shotgun, 50 shells for the Thompson, okay? 04:39.160 --> 04:45.160 All right, I'll sign for them. 04:45.160 --> 04:46.160 Okay. 04:46.160 --> 04:47.160 Gang's pretty rough, I understand. 04:47.160 --> 04:48.160 Gun heavy. 04:48.160 --> 04:51.160 Yeah, that's what they tell us. 04:51.160 --> 04:54.160 Okay, here's the book all signed. 04:54.160 --> 04:55.160 Okay. 04:55.160 --> 04:56.160 Here you go. 04:56.160 --> 04:58.160 A lot of firepower there. 04:58.160 --> 05:03.160 Yeah, hope you don't have to clean them when we bring them back. 05:03.160 --> 05:09.160 We went down to the basement of the city hall, picked up our car, 80K, and drove out to Naomi 05:09.160 --> 05:11.160 and South Alameda streets. 05:11.160 --> 05:13.160 We located the parking lot and pulled in. 05:13.160 --> 05:16.160 There were four other cars parked in the lot so we wouldn't be conspicuous. 05:16.160 --> 05:18.160 Ben and I got in the back seat out of the light. 05:18.160 --> 05:22.160 From our vantage point, we had a clear view of the entrance to the Rex Pharmacy across 05:22.160 --> 05:23.160 the street. 05:23.160 --> 05:25.160 We had the shotgun and the submachine gun on the seat beside us. 05:25.160 --> 05:28.160 We listened to the calls coming in the radio and we waited. 05:28.160 --> 05:31.160 13-J, stand by. 05:31.160 --> 05:34.160 There's no cooler here than business offices. 05:34.160 --> 05:36.160 Hot and sticky, huh? 05:36.160 --> 05:37.160 Yeah. 05:37.160 --> 05:39.160 Paper says it's going to be worse tomorrow. 05:39.160 --> 05:41.160 Roll down your window, will you, and get some air in here. 05:41.160 --> 05:45.160 Yeah, I'll do it. 05:45.160 --> 05:47.160 The pharmacy isn't doing much business. 05:47.160 --> 05:49.160 Not more than a dozen people in there in the last hour. 05:49.160 --> 05:52.160 No soda fountain again. 05:52.160 --> 05:53.160 Sure is hot. 05:53.160 --> 05:55.160 You have to talk about it, huh? 05:55.160 --> 05:56.160 I need help. 05:56.160 --> 05:58.160 What time you got? 05:58.160 --> 06:00.160 Ten minutes to ten. 06:00.160 --> 06:02.160 No smoke? 06:02.160 --> 06:03.160 No, Hank. 06:03.160 --> 06:08.160 Yeah, I'll get it. 06:08.160 --> 06:09.160 That gang's going to show up here. 06:09.160 --> 06:11.160 Wish they'd get it over with. 06:11.160 --> 06:13.160 The fellas might have got a bum tip. 06:13.160 --> 06:16.160 Well, the gang hasn't missed a weekend for two months. 06:16.160 --> 06:19.160 I wonder how much time the average cop's been waiting. 06:19.160 --> 06:20.160 I don't know. 06:20.160 --> 06:22.160 Put it all together and make a fine vacation. 06:22.160 --> 06:23.160 What do we do? 06:23.160 --> 06:25.160 Sit this out till the pharmacy closes? 06:25.160 --> 06:27.160 Yeah, at two a.m. 06:27.160 --> 06:30.160 Oh, it's hot. 06:30.160 --> 06:31.160 Yeah. 06:31.160 --> 06:33.160 Midnight came and passed. 06:33.160 --> 06:35.160 The traffic on South Alameda thinned out. 06:35.160 --> 06:38.160 Only an occasional customer entered the pharmacy across the street. 06:38.160 --> 06:40.160 Ben kept complaining about the heat. 06:40.160 --> 06:41.160 We waited. 06:41.160 --> 06:42.160 Well, that's it, Joe. 06:42.160 --> 06:43.160 Air go the latch. 06:43.160 --> 06:44.160 Drugstore's closing. 06:44.160 --> 06:46.160 Yeah, the guy's locking the doors. 06:46.160 --> 06:47.160 There he goes. 06:47.160 --> 06:48.160 We might as well shove off, too. 06:48.160 --> 06:49.160 Yeah. 06:49.160 --> 06:51.160 Let's get in the front seat. 06:51.160 --> 06:55.160 There's not much call for this shotgun tonight. 06:55.160 --> 06:57.160 I was checking it in. 06:57.160 --> 06:58.160 Same duty to mine, eh? 06:58.160 --> 06:59.160 Mm-hmm. 06:59.160 --> 07:01.160 Attention all units. 07:01.160 --> 07:05.160 All units in the vicinity of 8th Hill on the corner of Hill and Geneva Alley. 07:05.160 --> 07:08.160 The 211 shooting, row three. 07:08.160 --> 07:09.160 Hit the light. 07:09.160 --> 07:10.160 Yeah, come on. 07:10.160 --> 07:11.160 Let's roll. 07:11.160 --> 07:17.160 Sunday, July 22nd, 2 15 a.m. 07:17.160 --> 07:22.160 Ben and I pulled up with the Merchant Security Trust Company on the corner of South Hill and Geneva Alley. 07:22.160 --> 07:33.160 Two patrol cars were already on the scene and four uniformed officers were trying to keep back a crowd of people who had gathered at the top of a flat of marble stairs which led off the street down one flight to the bank's night depository. 07:33.160 --> 07:37.160 At the bottom of the stairs, an elderly man was sprawled out face down, his right arm twisted under him. 07:37.160 --> 07:39.160 The man was dead. 07:39.160 --> 07:41.160 Ben counted five bullet wounds in the victim's back. 07:41.160 --> 07:44.160 We interviewed the only witness, a young sailor. 07:44.160 --> 07:45.160 My name's Vasey, Sergeant. 07:45.160 --> 07:47.160 Don Vasey, quartermaster, second class. 07:47.160 --> 07:48.160 Here's my ID card. 07:48.160 --> 07:50.160 You saw the shooting, Vasey? 07:50.160 --> 07:51.160 I was about a half a block away. 07:51.160 --> 07:54.160 I just came out of the bar down the street there, the top hat. 07:54.160 --> 07:55.160 Yeah? 07:55.160 --> 07:56.160 Had a couple of beers. 07:56.160 --> 07:58.160 Then I left and I started walking back to the hotel. 07:58.160 --> 07:59.160 When was that? 07:59.160 --> 08:01.160 About five after two. 08:01.160 --> 08:02.160 Go on. 08:02.160 --> 08:05.160 Well, before I got to the corner, I saw this man ahead of me. 08:05.160 --> 08:08.160 He crossed the street and headed over for the bank. 08:08.160 --> 08:10.160 Then this car pulled up and some guys got off. 08:10.160 --> 08:13.160 They ran over to the man and it looked like they were frisking him. 08:13.160 --> 08:14.160 Yeah? 08:14.160 --> 08:15.160 All of a sudden I heard shots. 08:15.160 --> 08:19.160 The man ran for the stairs here and it looked like he stumbled and fell. 08:19.160 --> 08:22.160 I went to the car and I saw a bunch of guys jump back in the car and drove away. 08:22.160 --> 08:23.160 What'd you do then? 08:23.160 --> 08:25.160 I ran up to see what I could do for the old man. 08:25.160 --> 08:27.160 He was lying down there where he is now. 08:27.160 --> 08:28.160 Nothing I could do for him. 08:28.160 --> 08:29.160 I yelled for a cop. 08:29.160 --> 08:31.160 Did you get a look at the man in that car? 08:31.160 --> 08:33.160 No, I just saw him from a distance. 08:33.160 --> 08:35.160 Four of them, maybe five. 08:35.160 --> 08:36.160 What about the car? 08:36.160 --> 08:37.160 Did you see the license number? 08:37.160 --> 08:39.160 The last couple of numbers, that's all. 08:39.160 --> 08:40.160 699. 08:40.160 --> 08:41.160 Couldn't see the rest. 08:41.160 --> 08:43.160 What was it, a coupe or a sedan? 08:43.160 --> 08:44.160 A sedan, maroon color. 08:44.160 --> 08:47.160 It was a Pontiac, either a 1940 or 41. 08:47.160 --> 08:48.160 Are you sure about that? 08:48.160 --> 08:50.160 I saw it when I went back in Delaware, 1940 model. 08:50.160 --> 08:52.160 I sold it to my brother when I went in the Navy. 08:52.160 --> 08:53.160 I'm sure all right. 08:53.160 --> 08:55.160 And you're sure about the number of men in the car? 08:55.160 --> 08:57.160 Oh yes, sir, four or five, no more. 08:57.160 --> 08:58.160 I see, thanks. 08:58.160 --> 09:00.160 Well, will you drive back to the office with us and give us a full statement? 09:00.160 --> 09:01.160 Sure, Sergeant, anything you say. 09:01.160 --> 09:03.160 You can wait in the car, Vasey. 09:03.160 --> 09:04.160 We won't be long. 09:04.160 --> 09:05.160 Sure. 09:05.160 --> 09:07.160 Well, what do you think? 09:07.160 --> 09:08.160 I don't know. 09:08.160 --> 09:09.160 Drugstore gang? 09:09.160 --> 09:11.160 Said there were four guys, could be. 09:11.160 --> 09:12.160 No description. 09:12.160 --> 09:16.160 Maroon car, three numbers off the license plate. 09:16.160 --> 09:17.160 Pretty thin. 09:17.160 --> 09:19.160 Yeah, looks like a hard summer. 09:23.160 --> 09:25.160 We completed our preliminary investigation. 09:25.160 --> 09:29.160 The coroner arrived and the body was taken to the County morgue in the basement of the Hall of Justice. 09:29.160 --> 09:35.160 The victim was identified as Walter Conroy, the proprietor of the Flowerland Dance Hall on South Hill Street. 09:35.160 --> 09:38.160 Together with officers Fremont and Hurst from Homicide, 09:38.160 --> 09:43.160 Ben and I spent most of Sunday tracking down employees of the dance hall and interviewing them. 09:43.160 --> 09:48.160 We sent a rushed teletype to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Sacramento containing the partial license number 09:48.160 --> 09:52.160 plus our scanned information on the car which the suspects drove. 09:52.160 --> 09:58.160 Early Monday afternoon, Ben and I, along with Captain Ed Walker of Robbery Detail, met with Chief of Detective Stad Brown. 09:58.160 --> 10:00.160 What kind of a motive are you working on? 10:00.160 --> 10:01.160 Robbery. 10:01.160 --> 10:06.160 The dance hall manager, Conroy, was on his way to the bank's knife depository when this bunch caught up with him. 10:06.160 --> 10:09.160 He had the knife's receipts with him from the dance hall. 10:09.160 --> 10:10.160 How much they got, Walker? 10:10.160 --> 10:16.160 Three hundred and fifty dollars. They missed over a thousand Conroy had in an inside pocket. 10:16.160 --> 10:18.160 No idea who pulled the sticker? 10:18.160 --> 10:20.160 Could have been that drugstore gang. 10:20.160 --> 10:21.160 Why them? 10:21.160 --> 10:26.160 They haven't missed working a weekend night for two months. There's no sign of any other job that they might have pulled Saturday. 10:26.160 --> 10:28.160 Just a hunch, Chief. 10:28.160 --> 10:31.160 Nothing to go on. We'll have to guess our way for a while. 10:31.160 --> 10:35.160 Sacramento check in the description of the car. The numbers on the license plate? 10:35.160 --> 10:38.160 Yeah. I ought to have an answer this afternoon. 10:38.160 --> 10:40.160 Any leads on the drugstore gang at all? 10:40.160 --> 10:42.160 Plenty. None of them good. 10:42.160 --> 10:46.160 Suspects are loaded down with guns. That's all we know. 10:46.160 --> 10:48.160 Excuse me. 10:48.160 --> 10:50.160 Brown speaking. 10:50.160 --> 10:52.160 Just a minute. Friday's for you. 10:52.160 --> 10:53.160 Thanks. 10:53.160 --> 10:55.160 I'll reach it over here. 10:55.160 --> 10:56.160 Friday. 10:56.160 --> 10:58.160 Yeah, Ralph. 10:58.160 --> 10:59.160 How many? 10:59.160 --> 11:00.160 Yeah. 11:00.160 --> 11:02.160 Okay. Thank you. 11:02.160 --> 11:05.160 I got an answer from DMV Sacramento about the holdup car. 11:05.160 --> 11:06.160 What'd they say, Joe? 11:06.160 --> 11:13.160 Well, they looked up the possible combinations of 1940 or 41 Pontiac sedans with the numbers 699 on the license plate. 11:13.160 --> 11:14.160 Yeah? 11:14.160 --> 11:16.160 123 possibles to check. 11:16.160 --> 11:17.160 Not much choice. 11:17.160 --> 11:21.160 No car of that description on the hot list. The killer might be the legal owners. 11:21.160 --> 11:26.160 123. Well, even after we check them, we still might not have the right party. 11:26.160 --> 11:29.160 That's right. If you got a better lead, we'll work on it. 11:29.160 --> 11:30.160 Nope. 11:30.160 --> 11:37.160 Well, then ride this till it falls apart. 11:37.160 --> 11:46.160 For the next 13 days, Ben and I, Fremont and Hurst from homicide, plus a half a dozen other men, hacked away at the list of 123 car registrations, 11:46.160 --> 11:49.160 any one of which could have been issued to the holdup car. 11:49.160 --> 11:56.160 The color of the sedan didn't help us much to start with since California vehicle registrations do not include the colors of the cars. 11:56.160 --> 12:03.160 After 14 days of gradual elimination of possibles, the field was narrowed to six, then four, then two. 12:03.160 --> 12:09.160 August 6th, Monday, 5.30 p.m., Ben and I were called to Thad Brown's office. 12:09.160 --> 12:14.160 Gentlemen, you check out that last possible yet? 12:14.160 --> 12:16.160 About 20 minutes ago. It didn't pan out. 12:16.160 --> 12:19.160 What about Hurst and Fremont? They had one left. 12:19.160 --> 12:22.160 Right here. Could be the answer. 12:22.160 --> 12:23.160 Yeah. 12:23.160 --> 12:28.160 1940 Pontiac sedan, license number 4XA699. Last registration, San Diego. 12:28.160 --> 12:29.160 Sounds good. 12:29.160 --> 12:34.160 We tell it to have to San Diego police. They say the car's been sold to a woman out in Santa Monica. 12:34.160 --> 12:35.160 Anyone checked her? 12:35.160 --> 12:38.160 No, that's what I want you two for. 12:38.160 --> 12:41.160 San Diego and Santa Monica. Well, it's in the right area. 12:41.160 --> 12:44.160 Can't afford to miss now. Hope it's the right one. 12:44.160 --> 12:49.160 Well, it's gotta be. Check it. 12:49.160 --> 12:56.160 Ben and I checked the woman in Santa Monica, Mrs. Fielding. She told us that she had sold the car six months before to a friend who lived in Bakersfield. 12:56.160 --> 13:01.160 We contacted her friend. He told us the car had been traded in by him to an auto dealer in Pasadena. 13:01.160 --> 13:06.160 We checked the dealer. He said the car had been sold off his used car lot two months before. 13:06.160 --> 13:13.160 The new buyer had given his name as Amo Thurston. Two names were given as reference, Lloyd Newton and John Lacombe. 13:13.160 --> 13:16.160 We ran a routine check through the record bureau. 13:16.160 --> 13:26.160 Random through, fellas. Here's the packages. 13:26.160 --> 13:27.160 Here to make, point? 13:27.160 --> 13:28.160 On all three. 13:28.160 --> 13:30.160 What'd you find on Thurston? 13:30.160 --> 13:40.160 Let's see. Thurston, two-time loser, second time up to Q-15 counts of armed robbery. On parole from Quentin now. 13:40.160 --> 13:42.160 How about the other two? 13:42.160 --> 13:51.160 Well, Lacombe, let's see. Preston Reformatory, two terms, went up three years ago, violation of the Dyer Act. He's on parole, too. 13:51.160 --> 13:53.160 What about Newton? Did you make him? 13:53.160 --> 13:58.160 Uh, two terms in Oklahoma. They're looking for him now at young parole. 13:58.160 --> 13:59.160 Can I look at that just a minute, Frank? 13:59.160 --> 14:00.160 Sure. 14:00.160 --> 14:06.160 So I have all three of them. Take a look, Ben. Each one of the mama sheets on these three guys. 14:06.160 --> 14:07.160 Yeah. 14:07.160 --> 14:10.160 Right here under General Amo. See? 14:10.160 --> 14:14.160 Mm-hmm. Thurston, heavily armed at time of arrest. 14:14.160 --> 14:16.160 Yeah. This one, Lacombe. 14:16.160 --> 14:17.160 Right. 14:17.160 --> 14:19.160 Heavily armed. 14:19.160 --> 14:23.160 This one on Newton. Same thing. 14:23.160 --> 14:24.160 Good and happy. 14:24.160 --> 14:26.160 Yeah. Come on. 14:26.160 --> 14:37.160 At the time he purchased the car, suspect Amo Thurston listed his home address as 1517 North Hoover Avenue. 14:37.160 --> 14:41.160 Previous robbery victims positively identified Thurston and his companions. 14:41.160 --> 14:46.160 At 1517 North Hoover, the landlady also identified Thurston and his companions as tenants. 14:46.160 --> 14:51.160 She told us they drove a red sedan and they parked the car at a Temple Street garage. 14:51.160 --> 14:58.160 An immediate stakeout was placed on the apartment house, and we started the canvas of Temple Street garages from Hoover Avenue down to Rampart Boulevard. 14:58.160 --> 15:03.160 At 4 p.m., Ben spotted the car in Donnelly's garage on Temple Street near Michigan Drive. 15:03.160 --> 15:09.160 The garage attendant told us that the owner of the car had given his name as Amo Thurston. We showed him the mug shots. 15:09.160 --> 15:13.160 Yeah. Used to park his car in here a while back. 15:13.160 --> 15:18.160 Then he came in yesterday morning with these two guys and said he wanted a paint job. 15:18.160 --> 15:23.160 Hmm. Doesn't look like he needs a paint job to me. 15:23.160 --> 15:29.160 They offered me 20 bucks extra if I do it in a hurry. He wants the car painted green. 15:29.160 --> 15:31.160 When's he gonna call for the car? 15:31.160 --> 15:38.160 About 10 o'clock tonight. These jobs take time. He's not gonna like it if the car's not finished. 15:38.160 --> 15:41.160 He won't like it if it is. Come on, Ben. 15:41.160 --> 15:56.160 You are listening to Drag Myth, authentic stories of your police force in action. 15:56.160 --> 16:01.160 Now, here is an authentic report from Fatima cigarettes. 16:01.160 --> 16:07.160 In 1949, Fatima doubled, tripled, and quadrupled its smokers. 16:07.160 --> 16:11.160 In 1950, enjoy Fatima yourself. 16:11.160 --> 16:14.160 You'll find Fatima extra mild. 16:14.160 --> 16:25.160 Because Fatima is the long cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobacco superbly blended to make Fatima extra mild. 16:25.160 --> 16:28.160 You'll find Fatima tastes much better. 16:28.160 --> 16:36.160 Fatima's superb blend gives you a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. 16:36.160 --> 16:40.160 You'll find Fatima tops in cigarette quality. 16:40.160 --> 16:45.160 Fatima has always stood for the best in cigarette quality. 16:45.160 --> 16:51.160 For a new year of greater smoking enjoyment, buy Fatima in the appealing golden yellow package. 16:51.160 --> 16:57.160 You'll agree, Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. 16:57.160 --> 17:04.160 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 7th. 17:04.160 --> 17:09.160 Chief of Detective Stad Brown and Captain Ed Walker swung the entire robbery detail into action. 17:09.160 --> 17:12.160 The stakeout at the apartment house on North Hoover continued. 17:12.160 --> 17:18.160 An additional detail of men was stationed in a vacant store on Temple Street directly opposite Donnelly's Garage. 17:18.160 --> 17:28.160 Donnelly's Garage was a small family outfit and the only spot from which we could cover it thoroughly without being seen was from a large paint locker set up against the right wall. 17:28.160 --> 17:33.160 The garage man cleared enough room so that Ben and I could fit into the locker in a half stoop position. 17:33.160 --> 17:38.160 Two small latches were rigged up so that we could pull the doors closed from the inside. 17:38.160 --> 17:43.160 Four ventilation holes at the top and bottom of the doors provided us with peep holes. 17:43.160 --> 17:47.160 At eight o'clock that night, Ben and I took our places inside the locker. 17:47.160 --> 17:50.160 The trap was set. We waited. 17:50.160 --> 17:54.160 Can you see all right, Joe? 17:54.160 --> 17:55.160 Yeah. 17:55.160 --> 17:58.160 It's hot in here. Stale air. 17:58.160 --> 18:02.160 It's a tight fit. I'm getting a clamp on my shoulder. 18:02.160 --> 18:05.160 What time did that garage man say he closed? 18:05.160 --> 18:07.160 Eleven o'clock. 18:07.160 --> 18:11.160 Lousy paint smell. 18:11.160 --> 18:13.160 Stuffy. 18:13.160 --> 18:16.160 Hey, that car pulling in. Can you see the driver? 18:16.160 --> 18:18.160 Wait a minute. 18:18.160 --> 18:21.160 It's nothing. Somebody getting gas. 18:21.160 --> 18:25.160 I hope they show up. I wouldn't want this to go on another night. 18:25.160 --> 18:27.160 Well, don't count on it. 18:27.160 --> 18:29.160 What's going to sleep? 18:29.160 --> 18:31.160 Why don't you stand still? What time you got? 18:31.160 --> 18:36.160 Let me see. Get the light on in here. Ten minutes to nine. 18:36.160 --> 18:39.160 Thanks. 18:39.160 --> 18:45.160 The popular conception of the working detective really includes a glimpse of his everyday run-of-the-mill duties. 18:45.160 --> 18:50.160 Filling out forms, conducting interviews, or waiting long, monotonous hours parked in a car, 18:50.160 --> 18:53.160 or standing half-cropped in a garage paint locker. 18:53.160 --> 18:59.160 It's slow, dull, and tedious, and it's 95 percent of the police officer's job. 18:59.160 --> 19:03.160 By ten o'clock that night, there was still no sign of Thurston and his friends. 19:03.160 --> 19:06.160 The cramped locker got more cramped with the passing minutes. 19:06.160 --> 19:09.160 The air was thick with paint fumes. We waited. 19:09.160 --> 19:13.160 At ten fifty-five, a taxi pulled to a stop in front of the garage. 19:13.160 --> 19:15.160 Three men got out. 19:15.160 --> 19:16.160 Can you see them, Joe? 19:16.160 --> 19:19.160 Wait until they step into the light. There's another guy still in the cab. 19:19.160 --> 19:20.160 Here they come. 19:20.160 --> 19:22.160 There's the first guy. 19:22.160 --> 19:24.160 Yeah, it's Thurston. 19:24.160 --> 19:26.160 The fourth guy's getting out of the cab. 19:26.160 --> 19:27.160 That looks like Newton, doesn't it? 19:27.160 --> 19:28.160 That's him. 19:28.160 --> 19:34.160 Yeah, it's Lecombe right behind. Fat guy. Here they come. 19:34.160 --> 19:36.160 Sure do look the boy. 19:36.160 --> 19:38.160 Unlatch your door, but don't open it. 19:38.160 --> 19:39.160 Yeah. 19:39.160 --> 19:41.160 Quiet, Ben. What's the matter? 19:41.160 --> 19:43.160 Matt, you're stuck. Wait a minute. 19:43.160 --> 19:45.160 Did you get it? 19:45.160 --> 19:46.160 No, it's really stuck. 19:46.160 --> 19:50.160 I might tap it with your gun stock. Come on, easy. 19:50.160 --> 19:52.160 There. There it is. It's loose. 19:52.160 --> 19:55.160 Good. Can you see where they are now? 19:55.160 --> 19:58.160 Yeah. Talking to the garage man. 19:58.160 --> 20:00.160 I'm looking this way. 20:00.160 --> 20:03.160 Oh, they just stay that way, huh? You ready? 20:03.160 --> 20:04.160 Okay. 20:04.160 --> 20:07.160 Don't tip them off till we're right on top of them. Let them get away from that garage man, huh? 20:07.160 --> 20:08.160 Right. 20:08.160 --> 20:12.160 All right. Let's go. 20:12.160 --> 20:16.160 Approximately 25 or 30 yards separated us from the suspects. 20:16.160 --> 20:21.160 I glanced across Temple Street at the vacant store where Thad Brown and the other men were staked out. 20:21.160 --> 20:24.160 25 yards is a long way to walk when you're approaching a murderer, 20:24.160 --> 20:28.160 and you know that he won't hesitate to kill you in order to escape. 20:28.160 --> 20:31.160 Ben flipped the safety off the machine gun. 20:31.160 --> 20:35.160 We were almost halfway across the garage, 15 yards away. 20:35.160 --> 20:38.160 Thurston turned and saw us. 20:38.160 --> 20:40.160 Look out, Joe! 20:40.160 --> 20:41.160 We got one up. 20:41.160 --> 20:43.160 The guy behind the car went up the stairs. Three of them. 20:43.160 --> 20:44.160 Come on. 20:44.160 --> 20:46.160 Ready. Where'd they go? 20:46.160 --> 20:47.160 Up the stairs. 20:47.160 --> 20:48.160 Go, Ben! 20:48.160 --> 20:50.160 After them, they'll turn to the building. 20:50.160 --> 20:52.160 Hurry! 20:52.160 --> 20:53.160 Up this way, Joe. 20:53.160 --> 20:56.160 Yeah. Watch it, Ben. Get up. 20:56.160 --> 20:58.160 They're somewhere back in that corner up there. 20:58.160 --> 21:02.160 You're trapped. Go on. You're certain. 21:02.160 --> 21:05.160 All right, Ben, give it up. 21:05.160 --> 21:09.160 One, two, three, four. 21:09.160 --> 21:14.160 Put on your guns. Throw them down. 21:14.160 --> 21:17.160 There's three of them. 21:17.160 --> 21:18.160 Six of them. 21:18.160 --> 21:21.160 All right, now come on down with your hands behind your head. 21:21.160 --> 21:23.160 Cover me, Ben. I'll frisk them. 21:23.160 --> 21:28.160 Right. You, up on the end. Get your hands back in your head. 21:28.160 --> 21:31.160 All right, stand still. 21:31.160 --> 21:33.160 All right, next one. 21:33.160 --> 21:34.160 Go on. 21:34.160 --> 21:37.160 Clean. 21:37.160 --> 21:38.160 All right. 21:38.160 --> 21:39.160 Look home. 21:39.160 --> 21:42.160 Watch him, Joe. 21:42.160 --> 21:47.160 Rest of you, stand back. Give me a hand. 21:47.160 --> 21:48.160 You all right, Joe? 21:48.160 --> 21:51.160 Yeah. Two more guns on him. 21:51.160 --> 21:53.160 All right, you two, hold it. 21:53.160 --> 21:54.160 Here comes the chief. 21:54.160 --> 21:55.160 Yeah. 21:55.160 --> 21:57.160 I'll get these guns together. 21:57.160 --> 21:59.160 Look home. He's not much of a fighter. 21:59.160 --> 22:04.160 Not without a gun. 22:04.160 --> 22:07.160 The suspects were booked at different divisions to keep them separated. 22:07.160 --> 22:12.160 Amel Thurston and Lloyd Newton were taken to Hollenbeck Park and booked on suspicion of armed robbery and murder. 22:12.160 --> 22:16.160 John LeCombe was booked at Highland Park Jail on the same charges. 22:16.160 --> 22:22.160 The other suspect, who had been wounded in the escape attempt, was identified as Harold Steeves, 19 years old. 22:22.160 --> 22:29.160 He was treated for a leg wound at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital and then transferred to the prison ward at the county hospital. 22:29.160 --> 22:32.160 During the next two days, each of the suspects was questioned individually. 22:32.160 --> 22:35.160 Thurston, LeCombe, Newton would admit nothing. 22:35.160 --> 22:39.160 The 19-year-old Steeves broke down and agreed to turn state's evidence. 22:39.160 --> 22:43.160 We took your statement to Chief of Detective Stad Brown. 22:43.160 --> 22:47.160 Gentlemen, what did the boy tell you? 22:47.160 --> 22:48.160 Just about everything, boss. 22:48.160 --> 22:52.160 They pulled the drugstore holdups and they killed that dance hall owner, Walter Conroy. 22:52.160 --> 22:53.160 Which one of them? 22:53.160 --> 22:56.160 Well, the kid says Thurston shot him. He says Thurston's the gang leader. 22:56.160 --> 22:59.160 Good. You finally got a count on those guns you took off them? 22:59.160 --> 23:03.160 Yeah, 12 of them. Each one of them was ready to go bulletin every chamber. 23:03.160 --> 23:05.160 Did you get a complaint from the DA's office yet? 23:05.160 --> 23:08.160 They were writing preliminary games set for Monday. 23:08.160 --> 23:11.160 Fine. You got them in jail, now put them in prison. 23:11.160 --> 23:16.160 The apprehension of the criminal doesn't mean the end of a case for a police officer. 23:16.160 --> 23:20.160 He spends just as much time helping to convict the criminal after he's caught. 23:20.160 --> 23:24.160 Evidence must be gathered and authenticated and presented to the district attorney's office. 23:24.160 --> 23:28.160 If confessions are possible, they must be obtained and put in order. 23:28.160 --> 23:33.160 The officer must also help out in formulating the case and in testifying at the trial of the suspect. 23:33.160 --> 23:37.160 On October 30th, almost three months after the Thurston gang was apprehended, 23:37.160 --> 23:41.160 they were brought to trial in Superior Court. It was a routine affair. 23:41.160 --> 23:45.160 Harold Steeves took the stand and told the story of the gang's activities. 23:45.160 --> 23:49.160 The victims identified the suspects and testified to the robberies. 23:49.160 --> 23:53.160 Both Ben and I took the stand and testified to the arrest and possession of guns by the defendants. 23:53.160 --> 23:56.160 We received no cross-examination. 23:56.160 --> 23:59.160 On the morning of March 2nd, the case went to the jury. 23:59.160 --> 24:02.160 Ben and I had lunch with Lieutenant Rambo from robbery in the City Hall cafeteria, 24:02.160 --> 24:05.160 and it was five minutes past one when we got back to the jury. 24:05.160 --> 24:09.160 It was five minutes past one when we got back to the office. 24:09.160 --> 24:12.160 Oh, it sure was good soup today. It was a nice lunch. 24:12.160 --> 24:13.160 You want to check the mail? 24:13.160 --> 24:14.160 I didn't yet. 24:14.160 --> 24:16.160 I'll get it. 24:16.160 --> 24:17.160 Robbery Friday. 24:17.160 --> 24:19.160 Yeah? When? 24:19.160 --> 24:22.160 Right. LaComa and Thurston had just broke jail. 24:22.160 --> 24:30.160 Within seven minutes, a dragnet for the escaped criminals had been thrown around the entire city. 24:30.160 --> 24:33.160 Chiba Detective Stad Brown directed the operation. 24:33.160 --> 24:36.160 At 14 minutes past one, he called us to the photocopy room. 24:36.160 --> 24:45.160 The machines were turning out duplicate mugshots of Thurston and LaComa for distribution at the rate of one every four seconds. 24:45.160 --> 24:46.160 You want us to stand by, Chief? 24:46.160 --> 24:49.160 For the moment, yeah. We got all the help we need on the street. 24:49.160 --> 24:51.160 How'd they pull the break anyway? 24:51.160 --> 24:53.160 Slugged the deputy when he brought in their lunch. 24:53.160 --> 24:55.160 Used a steel leg from one of the benches in the prisoner's tank. 24:55.160 --> 24:56.160 Yeah? 24:56.160 --> 25:00.160 And they beat the deputy right into the ground, but he held on to Newton. He didn't get away. 25:00.160 --> 25:02.160 How'd Thurston and LaComa ever get out of the building? 25:02.160 --> 25:04.160 He's a real freak. 25:04.160 --> 25:06.160 They slugged the elevator man and got down to the basement. 25:06.160 --> 25:07.160 Uh-huh. 25:07.160 --> 25:10.160 The right-hand ambulance crew was wheeling a body in the morgue. 25:10.160 --> 25:13.160 The attendant left the ignition keys in the ambulance. 25:13.160 --> 25:16.160 Shouldn't be too rough to track them if they're in an ambulance. 25:16.160 --> 25:17.160 Tougher than you think. 25:17.160 --> 25:19.160 Honda's copy's coming, Frank. 25:19.160 --> 25:22.160 Fast as we can make them, Chief. Have another batch for you in a minute. 25:22.160 --> 25:24.160 You had any reports at all yet, boss? 25:24.160 --> 25:27.160 Couple. They're moving fast. 25:27.160 --> 25:30.160 Frank, you want to get that? I can't see in this dark room. 25:30.160 --> 25:33.160 I can't see it. 25:33.160 --> 25:34.160 Yeah? 25:34.160 --> 25:36.160 Chief Brown in there? 25:36.160 --> 25:38.160 Yeah, come on in. 25:38.160 --> 25:40.160 Now, Walker, what do you got? 25:40.160 --> 25:41.160 A killer dryer, wasn't it? 25:41.160 --> 25:43.160 Oh, yeah. 25:43.160 --> 25:44.160 Now, what do you got? 25:44.160 --> 25:46.160 Gas station out on Sunset. 25:46.160 --> 25:48.160 LaComa and Thurston just held it up. 25:48.160 --> 25:58.160 We picked up our car in the City Hall garage and drove out to the service station on the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Lorraine Drive. 25:58.160 --> 26:01.160 Detective Ruiz and Stormwall from robbery were already on the scene. 26:01.160 --> 26:11.160 The two escapees had abandoned the ambulance there, robbed the station of $56 in currency, and stolen a 1938 Grey Packard Coupe, license number 7-ROB-6336. 26:11.160 --> 26:15.160 We left the station and started to cruise the area. It was 1.55 p.m. 26:15.160 --> 26:17.160 Attention all units, attention all units. 26:17.160 --> 26:18.160 Get it up, Joe. 26:18.160 --> 26:21.160 6380 North Sunset, a 211 in progress. 26:21.160 --> 26:26.160 6380 North Sunset, a 211 in progress. Code 3. 26:26.160 --> 26:27.160 This is a 61-100 truck. 26:27.160 --> 26:28.160 Yeah, come on. 26:28.160 --> 26:31.160 6380 North Sunset. 26:31.160 --> 26:32.160 There's the lurker. 26:32.160 --> 26:33.160 Maybe. 26:33.160 --> 26:36.160 Push it. 26:36.160 --> 26:37.160 Hey, that car pulling out up ahead there. 26:37.160 --> 26:38.160 A Grey Coupe. 26:38.160 --> 26:39.160 Wait a minute. 26:39.160 --> 26:40.160 7-ROB-7. 26:40.160 --> 26:41.160 That's them. 26:41.160 --> 26:42.160 Life's changing. 26:42.160 --> 26:43.160 They can't make it. 26:43.160 --> 26:44.160 They're going through. 26:44.160 --> 26:45.160 They're skidding. 26:45.160 --> 26:47.160 They hit the lamppost. 26:47.160 --> 26:48.160 Broke it off. 26:48.160 --> 26:49.160 All right, pull up. 26:49.160 --> 26:50.160 Come on. 26:50.160 --> 26:51.160 All right. 26:51.160 --> 26:55.160 All right, let's go. 26:55.160 --> 26:57.160 Knock your failure through this one. 26:57.160 --> 26:58.160 Yeah. 26:58.160 --> 26:59.160 Come on, help me with this door. 26:59.160 --> 27:00.160 Yeah. 27:00.160 --> 27:01.160 All right. 27:01.160 --> 27:02.160 Pull. 27:02.160 --> 27:03.160 All right. 27:03.160 --> 27:04.160 All right. 27:04.160 --> 27:05.160 I'll get you. 27:05.160 --> 27:06.160 I'll get Lecombe. 27:06.160 --> 27:07.160 You look okay. 27:07.160 --> 27:08.160 Yeah. 27:08.160 --> 27:09.160 Get Thurston out of here. 27:09.160 --> 27:10.160 All right. 27:10.160 --> 27:11.160 Come on, you. 27:11.160 --> 27:12.160 Come on. 27:12.160 --> 27:13.160 All right, Lecombe, come on. 27:13.160 --> 27:14.160 Oh, sure you will. 27:14.160 --> 27:15.160 Come on. 27:15.160 --> 27:16.160 All right, don't try to walk. 27:16.160 --> 27:17.160 How's Thurston, Ben? 27:17.160 --> 27:18.160 Seems okay. 27:18.160 --> 27:19.160 A couple of scratches. 27:19.160 --> 27:20.160 All right, sit down over there. 27:20.160 --> 27:21.160 All right, sit down over there. 27:21.160 --> 27:22.160 All right, sit down over there. 27:22.160 --> 27:23.160 All right, sit down over there. 27:23.160 --> 27:24.160 All right, sit down over there. 27:24.160 --> 27:25.160 Lecombe, slug the guard. 27:25.160 --> 27:26.160 That's funny. 27:26.160 --> 27:27.160 They don't look great, do they? 27:27.160 --> 27:28.160 They can't play their part. 27:28.160 --> 27:29.160 They haven't got their guns. 27:29.160 --> 27:30.160 The story you have just heard was true. 27:30.160 --> 27:46.000 Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:46.000 --> 27:51.960 On March 3, 1947, trial was held in Superior Court, Department 91, City and County of Los 27:51.960 --> 27:54.000 Angeles, State of California. 27:54.000 --> 27:56.160 In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:56.160 --> 28:01.240 It's amazing how many long cigarette smokers are changing to Fatima. 28:01.240 --> 28:03.160 Here are the actual figures. 28:03.160 --> 28:04.160 New York Division. 28:04.160 --> 28:07.920 Fatima sales up 132 percent. 28:07.920 --> 28:08.920 Chicago Division. 28:08.920 --> 28:13.120 Fatima sales up 453 percent. 28:13.120 --> 28:14.600 Los Angeles Division. 28:14.600 --> 28:18.240 Fatima sales up 545 percent. 28:18.240 --> 28:26.880 Yes, in 1949, more and more smokers discovered that Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. 28:26.880 --> 28:29.640 They found Fatima extra mild. 28:29.640 --> 28:33.540 They found Fatima has a much different, much better flavor. 28:33.540 --> 28:38.440 They found the name Fatima means the best in cigarette quality. 28:38.440 --> 28:42.360 In 1950, enjoy Fatima yourself. 28:42.360 --> 28:48.600 Best of all long cigarettes. 28:48.600 --> 29:00.400 Amal Thurston, John Lecombe, and Lloyd Newton were convicted of first degree murder and 29:00.400 --> 29:04.320 robbery and sentenced to life terms. 29:04.320 --> 29:11.240 For turning state's evidence, 19-year-old Harold Steves received special consideration. 29:11.240 --> 29:17.540 As a result of the jailbreak, Thurston and Lecombe were convicted of assault and escape. 29:17.540 --> 29:26.080 They are now serving life terms in the state penitentiary. 29:26.080 --> 29:31.800 You have just heard Dragnet, a new series of authentic cases from official files. 29:31.800 --> 29:36.800 Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the Office of Acting Chief of Police, W.A. Wharton, 29:36.800 --> 29:39.680 Los Angeles Police Department. 29:39.680 --> 29:45.080 Dragnet honors the city of Pasadena, state of California, and the men who make up the 29:45.080 --> 29:51.560 Pasadena Police Force, another of America's great law enforcement agencies. 29:51.560 --> 29:57.980 One of these men, Chief of Police Clarence H. Morris, traffic specialist and veteran 29:57.980 --> 30:09.120 police administrator, dedicates his life to making yours more secure. 30:09.120 --> 30:13.920 The Timah cigarettes, the best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet, portion 30:13.920 --> 30:20.880 transcribed from Los Angeles. 30:20.880 --> 30:36.960 Be sure to hear songs by Morton Downey tonight on NBC.