WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:13.400 The story you're about to hear is true. 00:13.400 --> 00:17.320 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:17.320 --> 00:23.000 Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, brings you Dragnet. 00:23.000 --> 00:35.960 You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to Blanco Detail. 00:35.960 --> 00:40.240 An expert confidence man has resumed operations in your city. 00:40.240 --> 00:46.840 His criminal record dates back 35 years. He's a master in the art of the gentle swindle. 00:46.840 --> 00:56.960 Your job, stop him. If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long 00:56.960 --> 01:03.760 cigarettes. Smoke Fatima. Fatima is the long cigarette which contains the finest 01:03.760 --> 01:09.160 Turkish and domestic tobaccos superbly blended to make Fatima extra mild. And 01:09.160 --> 01:14.760 that's why Fatima has a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any 01:14.760 --> 01:19.720 other long cigarette. That's why Fatima has more than doubled its smokers coast 01:19.720 --> 01:27.520 to coast. So enjoy Fatima, the best of all long cigarettes. It's wise to smoke 01:27.520 --> 01:38.080 extra mild Fatima. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 01:38.080 --> 01:43.800 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes in 01:43.800 --> 01:47.720 cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step 01:47.720 --> 01:52.320 on the side of the law through an actual case from official police files. From 01:52.320 --> 01:56.920 beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your 01:56.920 --> 02:00.240 police force in action. 02:00.840 --> 02:06.880 It was Tuesday, July 28th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch 02:06.880 --> 02:10.920 at a Blanco Detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of 02:10.920 --> 02:14.960 Detectives. My name's Friday. I was on the way back from the Record Bureau and it 02:14.960 --> 02:20.560 was 10 45 a.m. when I got to room 38. Blanco Fugitive Detail. 02:20.560 --> 02:21.560 Friday? 02:21.560 --> 02:24.080 Captain, they're bringing him in now. 02:24.080 --> 02:25.080 Sit down. 02:25.080 --> 02:28.520 Thanks. Here's the mama sheet on him. 02:28.520 --> 02:32.360 Oh, gentlemen Wallace. I thought he was out of our hair for good. 02:32.360 --> 02:35.160 So did I. The list turned up. I heard he was working New York. 02:35.160 --> 02:39.040 Look at the package in this guy. He's like a good-sized dictionary. 02:39.040 --> 02:41.480 Yeah, check the date of his first arrest there. 02:41.480 --> 02:46.320 June 2nd, 1913. He's been in and out of jail all over the country. 02:46.320 --> 02:51.240 McLean County, Oregon, forgery. Bum-checked beef, San Francisco, 1914. 02:51.240 --> 02:56.760 Besamut, Santa Ana. Parole violations, Seattle, Portland. More checks, Reno. 02:56.760 --> 03:01.760 Billings, Montana, forgery, 1920. Dayton, Ohio, Pittsburgh, New York, Grand 03:01.760 --> 03:05.280 Larceny. Bunko wraps, Las Vegas, Cleveland, Chicago. 03:05.280 --> 03:07.640 That's only the first page. There's a couple more there. 03:07.640 --> 03:11.080 He reads like a novel. Just about as long. 03:11.080 --> 03:13.600 What's the story on Wallace this time? What have we got? 03:13.600 --> 03:17.520 He reached a couple of used car dealers Saturday. Took them for 2,000 each and we can't touch 03:17.520 --> 03:19.320 him. Why not? How'd he work it? 03:19.320 --> 03:22.880 Saturday afternoon he went to a car lot in the corner of South 3rd and Washington. 03:22.880 --> 03:27.400 He bought a 1948 Lincoln sedan. Showed him his identification, wrote a check 03:27.400 --> 03:31.040 for $1,500 for a down payment and drove away. Another bum-checked deal. 03:31.040 --> 03:34.560 That's a little more than that. About 45 minutes after he left, he drove 03:34.560 --> 03:38.800 into another used car lot two blocks away from the place where he bought the Lincoln. 03:38.800 --> 03:41.920 Told the salesman there that he didn't like the car and he wanted to trade it in on another 03:41.920 --> 03:44.800 one. Salesman offered him $900 less than he paid 03:44.800 --> 03:47.040 for it. Wallace accepted and offered them a personal 03:47.040 --> 03:49.840 check to cover the balance. And the salesman went for it? 03:49.840 --> 03:52.040 Almost. Wallace seemed so anxious to get rid of the 03:52.040 --> 03:56.120 car that the clerk got suspicious, but it was late Saturday and he couldn't call the bank 03:56.120 --> 03:58.600 on Wallace's check. So he called the place where Wallace bought 03:58.600 --> 03:59.920 the car. That's right. 03:59.920 --> 04:03.800 He found out that the sale was made less than an hour before and that Wallace had given 04:03.800 --> 04:08.520 them his personal check for it. And then the two used car dealers got on the 04:08.520 --> 04:13.520 phone, decided that Wallace was pulling a fast hustle, called a cop and had him jailed. 04:13.520 --> 04:16.520 Hold that light a minute, will you? Thanks. 04:16.520 --> 04:21.800 Well, then what? Well, when the banks opened Monday morning, 04:21.800 --> 04:26.840 they called about Wallace's account. They had enough money in to cover both checks. 04:26.840 --> 04:30.680 Wallace got a lawyer and threatened suit against the two car dealers. He had both of them cold. 04:30.680 --> 04:34.440 They settled out of court for 2,000 a piece. Quick deal. Sounds like a master. 04:34.440 --> 04:39.360 He's been grifting for 35 years. Knows the con game anyway they want to play it. 04:39.360 --> 04:41.560 We can't even book him on a vague charge. He's got a job. 04:41.560 --> 04:45.360 Who's he working for? Plastic outfit out in Pasadena. Salesman. 04:45.360 --> 04:47.400 Is he registered under 5238? Yes. 04:47.400 --> 04:53.120 No, just a minute. Yeah? All right, send him in. 04:53.120 --> 04:55.920 Romero, he's got Wallace with him. Ben? 04:55.920 --> 05:01.440 Wallace, this is Captain Bryson. Captain, I'm very happy to know you. I've heard a lot about you. 05:01.440 --> 05:03.720 Yeah. Saturday, Friday, how are you? 05:03.720 --> 05:10.200 I would like to talk to you, Wallace. Sit down. Oh, thanks. 05:10.200 --> 05:17.440 Warm out today. Prespiring. Now, what is it I can help you gentlemen with? 05:17.440 --> 05:21.360 Always glad to cooperate? You don't have to give us a buildup, Wallace. We're not buying. 05:21.360 --> 05:26.280 You know me better than that, Sergeant. No point in making this visit an unpleasant one. 05:26.280 --> 05:30.480 Codiality, that's a secret. My mother-in-law used to tell me that. She used to say... 05:30.480 --> 05:34.240 Look, mister. You're not here to get the keys to the city hall. You're here for investigation. 05:34.240 --> 05:38.640 I'm here out of courtesy, Captain. My lawyer informed me I didn't have to come. 05:38.640 --> 05:40.880 I don't believe in making enemies, that's all. 05:40.880 --> 05:44.320 You're a guy that's not trying. You've done pretty well, haven't you? 05:44.320 --> 05:49.080 Now, how long do you plan to stay here in town? Los Angeles is my home. It's my place of business. 05:49.080 --> 05:51.800 That's fine with us, Wallace, just as long as it's honest. 05:51.800 --> 05:54.840 Now, let me hand you a piece of advice. You try copping any more jobs in this town, 05:54.840 --> 05:59.640 we're gonna lean on you, understand? I don't think I do understand, Captain. 05:59.640 --> 06:03.720 The incident with the used car dealers, I hope that isn't what upset you. 06:03.720 --> 06:06.840 You guessed it, and it better be the last caper you try around here for a long time. 06:06.840 --> 06:11.480 I had every right to take action against those car dealers. False arrests. They humiliated me. 06:11.480 --> 06:15.960 They damaged my reputation. Here's your reputation, Wallace. 35 years of it. 06:15.960 --> 06:20.920 Ten jail terms, larceny, bunko, forgery. Have you ever heard of rehabilitation, Sergeant? 06:20.920 --> 06:24.520 Oh, yeah. I did my time. I don't owe them a day. 06:24.520 --> 06:27.960 I've got an honest job. I've been off the grift for years now. 06:27.960 --> 06:30.600 Then take a hint, Wallace. Stay off. You'll do better. 06:30.600 --> 06:33.880 That's all, Wallace. Just remember, the next time we tag you, you're gonna fall hard. 06:33.880 --> 06:38.120 You got it straight? Captain, I've been square since I got to town. I'm not switching. 06:39.880 --> 06:41.160 Is that it? That's all. 06:41.160 --> 06:46.280 Well, that wasn't so bad. Would you gentlemen care to have some lunch with me at the club? 06:46.280 --> 06:47.880 Just a snack. No, thanks. 06:47.880 --> 06:52.200 Sure, I can't persuade you. The club's just up the street. Fine food. 06:52.200 --> 06:53.880 Some other time, Wallace. Goodbye. 06:53.880 --> 06:57.160 Well, goodbye, Sergeant. Goodbye to you, Captain. 06:57.160 --> 07:01.240 Yeah. Well, we gave him the word. 07:01.240 --> 07:03.960 I don't know how much good it's gonna do. What do you think, Skipper? 07:03.960 --> 07:11.320 Two things about grifters. They never retire and they never change. Watch him. 07:11.320 --> 07:14.920 For the next four months, Charles Wallace was kept under surveillance. 07:14.920 --> 07:19.960 From his daily actions, there was nothing to indicate that he'd return to his former profession of confidence man. 07:19.960 --> 07:23.160 From experience, we knew it was too good to be true. 07:23.160 --> 07:28.200 For a man who would work the con game from every conceivable angle for as long as Wallace had, 07:28.200 --> 07:31.720 chances of his going straight amounted to less than one in a thousand. 07:31.720 --> 07:39.240 Just as a dope addict, as a slave to drugs, the full-fledged con man or grifter is obsessed with the idea of swindling for a living. 07:39.240 --> 07:45.480 He loves his work and he takes pride in it just as much as a doctor, a lawyer, or any legitimate professional man. 07:45.480 --> 07:49.480 He has a life and a code of ethics all his own. He even has his own language. 07:49.480 --> 07:55.960 The grifters' victims are wealthy, middle class, and poor, and many more than the average citizen imagines. 07:55.960 --> 08:01.960 Wednesday, December 1st, 1 p.m. Ben and I had lunch and checked back in at the office. 08:01.960 --> 08:05.960 Food's getting better at the cafeteria, don't you think? 08:05.960 --> 08:09.960 Beef stew is pretty good. You got an extra coat hanger in your locker? 08:09.960 --> 08:11.960 Oh yeah. Yeah, here you are. 08:11.960 --> 08:13.960 Thanks. Hi, Conlon. 08:13.960 --> 08:17.960 Joe. Do you see this report the post office detail sent over? 08:17.960 --> 08:19.960 You mean that lonely heart thing? 08:19.960 --> 08:21.960 No, this is a different one. A real twist. 08:21.960 --> 08:23.960 How do you mean, Harry? Let me look. 08:23.960 --> 08:25.960 That's the name he uses anyway. 08:25.960 --> 08:28.960 A couple of weeks ago, he planted a small wand ad in the newspapers around town. 08:28.960 --> 08:30.960 Been cleaning up ever since. How'd he work? 08:30.960 --> 08:33.960 Here, take a look at the ad he was running. 08:33.960 --> 08:43.960 Remember, tomorrow is the last day to send your dollar to Box 565, Main Post Office, Los Angeles. Was that all? 08:43.960 --> 08:47.960 That's all it took. The last couple of days, he's been getting about 40 letters a day from people in this city. 08:47.960 --> 08:49.960 With a dollar in each one. 08:49.960 --> 08:52.960 Ad doesn't promise a thing. Just send your dollar. People send them. 08:52.960 --> 08:54.960 They picked the guy up, Harry? 08:54.960 --> 08:57.960 He called for the last batch of letters two days ago. Probably pulled out. 08:57.960 --> 09:02.960 Postal inspectors checked the address he gave when he applied for the box. They never heard of him there. 09:02.960 --> 09:05.960 Barney Grant. That sound familiar to you, Ben? 09:05.960 --> 09:08.960 Little, yeah. Maybe R&I has a package on him. 09:08.960 --> 09:09.960 Mm-hmm. 09:09.960 --> 09:10.960 Friday, see you in a minute. 09:10.960 --> 09:14.960 Right, Captain. Ben, you and Conlon want to check that name through R&I. I'll be in the list giver. 09:14.960 --> 09:16.960 Yeah, okay, Jack. 09:18.960 --> 09:20.960 Well, Friday, close the door, will you? 09:20.960 --> 09:22.960 Sure. 09:23.960 --> 09:27.960 This is Mr. Sawyer. He's with Western Central Railroad. Sergeant Friday. 09:27.960 --> 09:28.960 Sergeant, how are you? 09:28.960 --> 09:32.960 It's about Wallace Friday. Mr. Sawyer has a complaint against him. We've got the crime report. 09:32.960 --> 09:33.960 Gentlemen Wallace? 09:33.960 --> 09:35.960 Yeah. You want to fill him in, Mr. Sawyer? 09:35.960 --> 09:39.960 Well, Sergeant, I'm employed as a standards engineer for the Western Central Railroad. 09:39.960 --> 09:46.960 Wallace first approached me about a month ago. He said he was an inventor and he was working on plans of a new type of air brake for use on railroad cars. 09:46.960 --> 09:47.960 Mm-hmm, go ahead. 09:47.960 --> 09:51.960 He said he'd conceive the idea, but that he needed more time and money to perfect his invention. 09:51.960 --> 09:55.960 He told me I'd share in half of the profits he got from his idea. It sounded more than fair. 09:55.960 --> 09:57.960 How much money did you give him? 09:57.960 --> 10:03.960 All I had in my savings account, 3,000. I talked it over with the wife and the idea looked real good on paper. 10:03.960 --> 10:04.960 Yeah. 10:04.960 --> 10:10.960 I didn't expect to make too much money for myself out of this, but I thought if I could get a hold of this braking system, it would certainly help the company out. 10:10.960 --> 10:13.960 Mm-hmm. He took your money and you haven't heard from him since. 10:13.960 --> 10:17.960 Well, I presented the plans to the chief specifications engineer in our Eastern office. 10:17.960 --> 10:18.960 Yeah? 10:18.960 --> 10:23.960 I got an answer yesterday, air mail. Our New York office has been working for two years on exactly the same set of brake plans. 10:23.960 --> 10:25.960 And how do you get a hold of them? 10:25.960 --> 10:26.960 From the patent bureau in Washington. 10:26.960 --> 10:27.960 Oh, yeah. 10:27.960 --> 10:29.960 The company has a patent pending on the new device. 10:29.960 --> 10:30.960 Mm-hmm. It's all legal, isn't it? 10:30.960 --> 10:35.960 Yes, yes. He simply got the information from them, drew up an exact copy, and submitted them to me. 10:35.960 --> 10:37.960 He sold you an invention that your company already owned. 10:37.960 --> 10:40.960 Yes, sir. And I'm out 3,000 dollars. 10:40.960 --> 10:41.960 You know where Wallace might be now? 10:41.960 --> 10:46.960 We've checked the boarding house where he was staying. He left there last night. No forwarding address, nothing. 10:46.960 --> 10:50.960 We've got an all-out points bulletin on him. Do everything we can. 10:50.960 --> 10:52.960 Well, thank you, Captain. Sergeant Friday. 10:52.960 --> 10:53.960 Mm-hmm. 10:53.960 --> 10:56.960 You have my card. If there's anything I can do to help, please call. 10:56.960 --> 10:57.960 All right, Mr. Sawyer. Goodbye. 10:57.960 --> 10:58.960 Goodbye. 11:00.960 --> 11:01.960 How long are we looking for, Joe? 11:01.960 --> 11:02.960 Well, let's see. 11:02.960 --> 11:03.960 What's that, Romero? 11:03.960 --> 11:07.960 On that phone he had the post office detail reported this morning. 11:07.960 --> 11:10.960 Check the name Barney Grant through the crime index. That's the name of the guy you... 11:10.960 --> 11:11.960 Yeah? 11:11.960 --> 11:14.960 Oh, this is the package on Gentleman Wallace. 11:14.960 --> 11:18.960 That's right. His alias list goes for three pages. Read them again. 11:18.960 --> 11:22.960 Charles French, Walter Grant, Charles Grant, Barney Grant. 11:22.960 --> 11:25.960 That's right. Gentleman Wallace, Barney Grant, same guy. 11:29.960 --> 11:34.960 We got out a local broadcast, an APB, and a radiogram on Charles Gentleman Wallace. 11:34.960 --> 11:36.960 For a full month, there wasn't a sign of him. 11:36.960 --> 11:40.960 Then we received a communication from the Denver, Colorado Police Department. 11:40.960 --> 11:46.960 Wallace had cashed worthless checks in that city in the amount of $2,500, and then he'd skipped town. 11:46.960 --> 11:49.960 But before he left Denver, he managed another deal. 11:49.960 --> 11:53.960 He sold 30 cartons of electric razors, which one, did not belong to him. 11:53.960 --> 11:56.960 Two, had been stolen from another con man and resold. 11:56.960 --> 11:59.960 And three, the razors didn't work in the first place. 11:59.960 --> 12:03.960 The mechanisms had been taken out and replaced with lead weights. 12:03.960 --> 12:08.960 Another 60 days passed before we got the next report on Wallace from Cleveland, Ohio. 12:08.960 --> 12:14.960 By means of forged papers, two well-versed assistants to our ropers, and a fast line of talk, 12:14.960 --> 12:19.960 Wallace had sold a Cleveland hardware concern, a shipment of 10 penny nails, much below the market price. 12:19.960 --> 12:24.960 He collected $1,200 as partial payment for the shipment, but it was never delivered. 12:24.960 --> 12:29.960 Eight a.m. Monday, March 3rd. Ben and I checked in for work after a weekend off, 12:29.960 --> 12:33.960 and we found a message in the book to report to Chief of Detectives Thad Brown. 12:39.960 --> 12:41.960 Chief, you wanted to see ya? 12:41.960 --> 12:43.960 Come in. 12:44.960 --> 12:45.960 Yes, sir? 12:45.960 --> 12:47.960 Gentleman Wallace is back in town. 12:47.960 --> 12:48.960 Where'd you get that? 12:48.960 --> 12:50.960 A guy by the name of Patterson. So. 12:50.960 --> 12:51.960 All right, thanks. 12:51.960 --> 12:54.960 Hagen, I have Patterson brought to the interrogation room. 12:54.960 --> 12:56.960 Is that the mouse Patterson's given? 12:56.960 --> 13:00.960 Yeah, a small-time grifter. He was running with Wallace as late as a month ago, back in Pittsburgh. 13:00.960 --> 13:02.960 When was Patterson picked up? 13:02.960 --> 13:05.960 Last night at a big hotel out in Hollywood. He was working a fast deal. 13:05.960 --> 13:07.960 You think he came to town with Wallace? 13:07.960 --> 13:11.960 I know he did. One of Conlon's informants spotted Wallace and Patterson last night. 13:11.960 --> 13:13.960 We nabbed Patterson, and Wallace slipped away. 13:13.960 --> 13:16.960 We figured we'd been operating him out of the city for about two weeks. 13:16.960 --> 13:18.960 Any idea what his angle is this time? 13:18.960 --> 13:21.960 I think so. Take a look at this. 13:21.960 --> 13:24.960 I bet you already noticed he slipped from the newspaper. 13:24.960 --> 13:26.960 How do these tie in? 13:26.960 --> 13:29.960 The con artist takes a dead man's name from the obituary list, 13:29.960 --> 13:32.960 finds out a little bit about him, and writes him a letter. 13:32.960 --> 13:33.960 He writes the dead man a letter. 13:33.960 --> 13:36.960 Here's a sample we had reported to us. Read it. 13:36.960 --> 13:40.960 William Radford, 233 South Brookway, Hollywood. 13:40.960 --> 13:45.960 Dear Bill, I heard you were sick, and I didn't want to bother you at this time, 13:45.960 --> 13:47.960 but believe me, I'm desperate. 13:47.960 --> 13:51.960 I don't mean to hound you about the $400 you borrowed from me, 13:51.960 --> 13:56.960 but we are having sickness in our family, and I do need the cash. 13:56.960 --> 13:57.960 Wait a minute. 13:57.960 --> 13:59.960 Wallace writes a letter like this to a man knowing he's dead, 13:59.960 --> 14:01.960 and the family opens it and raises it. 14:01.960 --> 14:03.960 And they figure it's some unpaid debt that they didn't know about, 14:03.960 --> 14:04.960 which the deceased owed. 14:04.960 --> 14:06.960 That's right. And the con man collects. 14:06.960 --> 14:07.960 Yeah. 14:07.960 --> 14:09.960 The letter's been showing up right in the middle of funeral arrangements. 14:09.960 --> 14:12.960 The family's bereaved, bereaved stricken, caught off guard. 14:12.960 --> 14:14.960 They don't suspect anybody could be that ruthless, 14:14.960 --> 14:17.960 or they pay off what they think is a legitimate debt. 14:17.960 --> 14:19.960 That sets a new load, doesn't it? 14:19.960 --> 14:20.960 Excuse me. 14:20.960 --> 14:22.960 Ron speaking. 14:22.960 --> 14:24.960 All right, thanks. 14:24.960 --> 14:26.960 I got Patterson in the interrogation room. 14:26.960 --> 14:28.960 You two question him, find out everything you can. 14:28.960 --> 14:29.960 Right, Chief. 14:29.960 --> 14:31.960 When you're through talking to Patterson, you can start checking on these names. 14:31.960 --> 14:32.960 What's this? 14:32.960 --> 14:35.960 It's a list of all the names that appeared in the obituary column in today's paper. 14:35.960 --> 14:37.960 It's a long list. 14:37.960 --> 14:39.960 Don and Myberg are checking half. You and Romero take the rest. 14:39.960 --> 14:40.960 Right. 14:40.960 --> 14:42.960 Get to those families before Wallace does. 14:45.960 --> 14:47.960 We went down the hall of the interrogation room 14:47.960 --> 14:49.960 and questioned Patterson for an hour and a half. 14:49.960 --> 14:51.960 He denied that he even knew Wallace. 14:51.960 --> 14:53.960 He refused to tell us anything. 14:53.960 --> 14:55.960 We had Patterson return to his cell in the county jail, 14:55.960 --> 14:58.960 and Ben and I started to check with the relatives of the deceased 14:58.960 --> 15:00.960 who appeared in the daily obituary list. 15:00.960 --> 15:05.960 Adams, Connolly, Craig, Denberg, Donzetti, Edmonds, Fowler. 15:05.960 --> 15:10.960 None of them had received letters claiming payment of secret debts owed by the deceased. 15:10.960 --> 15:12.960 Well, there are more pleasant jobs 15:12.960 --> 15:15.960 than bothering families with an investigation in the middle of their sorrow. 15:15.960 --> 15:18.960 It wasn't easy, but it was necessary. 15:18.960 --> 15:21.960 The eighth name on the obituary list was Foreman, Carl J. 15:21.960 --> 15:23.960 He was survived by his wife, Jean. 15:23.960 --> 15:27.960 She lived at 5821 Santiago Street out in the valley. 15:27.960 --> 15:30.960 We're sorry to intrude at a time like this, Ms. Foreman. 15:30.960 --> 15:33.960 We know how you must feel, but it's an important matter. 15:33.960 --> 15:36.960 That's all right, Sergeant. Carl was sick for so long. 15:36.960 --> 15:38.960 Probably better this way. 15:38.960 --> 15:40.960 What did you want to know? 15:40.960 --> 15:42.960 Since your husband passed away, 15:42.960 --> 15:46.960 have you received any letters asking for payments on a debt that he might owe to somebody? 15:46.960 --> 15:49.960 Funny you should ask. Yes, I have. I got it yesterday. 15:49.960 --> 15:52.960 Yesterday, huh? Do you know the man who wrote the letter? 15:52.960 --> 15:55.960 No, I didn't. I took it for granted that it was someone Carl knew in the Army. 15:55.960 --> 15:57.960 Someone he borrowed from. 15:57.960 --> 15:59.960 How much money was it he said your husband owed him? 15:59.960 --> 16:01.960 Four hundred dollars. 16:01.960 --> 16:03.960 There's a letter over the mantle. I'll get it for you. 16:03.960 --> 16:04.960 Fine. 16:04.960 --> 16:06.960 Here it is. 16:06.960 --> 16:08.960 Thank you. 16:08.960 --> 16:10.960 Signs his name Howard Michaels. 16:10.960 --> 16:12.960 Has this man contacted you since? 16:12.960 --> 16:16.960 Yes, he called me last night and said that he just heard about Carl. 16:16.960 --> 16:18.960 He apologized for writing the letter. 16:18.960 --> 16:20.960 Said he had some medical bills of his own to pay. 16:20.960 --> 16:23.960 I went to the bank this morning and got the money for him. 16:23.960 --> 16:25.960 Is there anything wrong? 16:25.960 --> 16:27.960 And he's supposed to come here and get the money? 16:27.960 --> 16:29.960 He already has about two hours ago. 16:29.960 --> 16:31.960 He seemed to be a very good friend of Carl's. 16:31.960 --> 16:33.960 Ben, you got that mug shot on. 16:33.960 --> 16:35.960 Yeah. Yeah, I hear you. 16:35.960 --> 16:37.960 I don't understand, Sergeant. 16:37.960 --> 16:41.960 Is this the man who picked up the money this morning? 16:41.960 --> 16:43.960 Yes, that's Mr. Michaels. 16:43.960 --> 16:45.960 Don't you think he was Carl's friend? 16:45.960 --> 16:47.960 I don't think so, Miss Foreman. 16:47.960 --> 16:49.960 But no one would do that. 16:49.960 --> 16:51.960 Who could be that low? 16:51.960 --> 16:53.960 You're looking at his picture, Miss Foreman. 16:53.960 --> 16:55.960 His name's Wallace. 17:05.960 --> 17:07.960 You are listening to Dragnet. 17:07.960 --> 17:10.960 For the step-by-step solution to an actual police case. 17:10.960 --> 17:17.960 Here, step-by-step are the reasons why Fatima has more than doubled its smokers from coast to coast. 17:17.960 --> 17:18.960 Step one. 17:18.960 --> 17:22.960 The name Fatima has always stood for the best in cigarette quality. 17:22.960 --> 17:23.960 Step two. 17:23.960 --> 17:29.960 Long cigarette smokers discover Fatima has a much different, much better flavor and aroma. 17:29.960 --> 17:30.960 Step three. 17:30.960 --> 17:33.960 Long cigarette smokers find Fatima extra mild. 17:33.960 --> 17:39.960 Fatima is the long cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos, 17:39.960 --> 17:42.960 superbly blended to make Fatima extra mild. 17:42.960 --> 17:46.960 And that's why more and more smokers every day agree. 17:46.960 --> 17:50.960 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 17:50.960 --> 17:53.960 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 17:53.960 --> 18:00.960 Yes, the name Fatima on that golden yellow package is your insurance of an extra mild smoke. 18:00.960 --> 18:03.960 So, enjoy Fatima. 18:03.960 --> 18:09.960 The best of all long cigarettes. 18:14.960 --> 18:21.960 Over the past century, the confidence man here in the United States has earned the dubious title of aristocrat of the underworld. 18:21.960 --> 18:28.960 Among small-time thieves, cutthroats, dope peddlers, pickpockets, and similar small fry, he's looked up to and respected. 18:28.960 --> 18:33.960 The true con man does not consider himself a crook or a thief in the ordinary sense of the word. 18:33.960 --> 18:37.960 He's smooth, courteous, fast-talking, and he lives by his own code of rules. 18:37.960 --> 18:40.960 He never uses violence. He makes his living by his wits alone. 18:40.960 --> 18:45.960 Generally, he's far above average intelligence, and he's totally without a conscience. 18:45.960 --> 18:49.960 He thinks no more of fleecing a day laborer of his wages than he would of fleecing a millionaire. 18:49.960 --> 18:55.960 Because of their carefully planned operations, only a handful of confidence men are ever brought to trial. 18:55.960 --> 19:02.960 Monday, March 3rd, 6 p.m. Ben and I completed our interviews with the families of the deceased and returned to the office. 19:06.960 --> 19:08.960 Hi, you two having luck? 19:08.960 --> 19:10.960 Wallace is the guy we found out that morning. 19:10.960 --> 19:11.960 Who identified him? 19:11.960 --> 19:13.960 A woman out in the valley, a Mrs. Foreman. 19:13.960 --> 19:16.960 Wallace poses as an old friend of her husband's, took her for 400 bucks. 19:16.960 --> 19:18.960 How about Connell and Myberg, Captain? They get anything? 19:18.960 --> 19:20.960 They haven't checked in yet. I'm waiting for them. 19:20.960 --> 19:23.960 How does Mrs. Foreman make a payoff to Wallace? Through the mails? 19:23.960 --> 19:25.960 He's a good officer. He came out and picked up the doing person. 19:25.960 --> 19:27.960 And there's no chance of tracing him through the post office. 19:27.960 --> 19:29.960 Seems like he comes up with a new ammo every day. 19:29.960 --> 19:33.960 We checked out the rest of the families of the deceased on the list. The chief gave us no leads. 19:33.960 --> 19:38.960 Don Myers and handwriting check the letter Mrs. Foreman got. The writing matches are the others. It's Wallace. 19:38.960 --> 19:39.960 Hi. 19:39.960 --> 19:40.960 Connell and Myberg with you? 19:40.960 --> 19:43.960 Down the hall in handwriting, checking a couple letters with Myers. 19:43.960 --> 19:44.960 Doing any good today, Harry? 19:44.960 --> 19:48.960 Some. We found two families got phony letters through the mail. Same deal, Wallace. 19:48.960 --> 19:49.960 They pay off to him yet? 19:49.960 --> 19:54.960 Neither one. Told them to sit tight and call us if the guy should contact them again. Explain the setup. 19:54.960 --> 19:55.960 Who are the people, Harry? 19:55.960 --> 20:03.960 Let's see. One's an old fella. Oscar Dunn lives over in Highland Park. Others a pretty wealthy family. Bel Air. 20:03.960 --> 20:11.960 Here it is. Elizabeth Secor. She's the wife. Husband's name Burton James Secor. Investment broker. Died day before yesterday. 20:11.960 --> 20:13.960 How much of a debt is he supposed to evode? 20:13.960 --> 20:17.960 The guy in the letter claims 1200 bucks. Signed himself William Kilbright. 20:17.960 --> 20:20.960 The letters mention anything about how the payoff's supposed to be made? 20:20.960 --> 20:26.960 The guy wrote he'd contact them by phone first. They make arrangements to meet him. Both families will call as soon as they hear from him. 20:26.960 --> 20:28.960 Now if he doesn't change his M.O. we're set. 20:28.960 --> 20:33.960 Connell, you and Myberg stick with the family in Highland Park. Make sure they understand perfectly what the setup is. 20:33.960 --> 20:35.960 While it makes a contact, be there. 20:35.960 --> 20:36.960 Okay, Cap. 20:36.960 --> 20:37.960 Joe, you and Ben cover the family out in Bel Air. 20:37.960 --> 20:39.960 Okay. You got Secor's address here? 20:39.960 --> 20:41.960 Here's the crime report. It's got all the dope good. 20:41.960 --> 20:43.960 I'll grab it. 20:43.960 --> 20:48.960 Bunko, fugitive Conlon. Yes, ma'am? When? 20:48.960 --> 20:51.960 All right, thanks. We'll take care of it. 20:51.960 --> 20:53.960 Secor, as Wallace just called him. 20:53.960 --> 20:54.960 What's the pitch? 20:54.960 --> 20:56.960 Once it pays respect, he's going to visit him tonight. 20:59.960 --> 21:04.960 7.35 p.m. Monday, March 3rd. Ben and I drove out to Bel Air, to the Secor place. 21:04.960 --> 21:08.960 It was an English-type mansion with a circular driveway out in front. 21:08.960 --> 21:15.960 The wake for Mr. Secor was being held in the living room. The butler showed us into the library where Mrs. Secor was waiting. 21:15.960 --> 21:20.960 She told us everything had transpired since she first received a letter from Wallace following her husband's death. 21:20.960 --> 21:24.960 She said Wallace had promised to be at her home promptly at 9 p.m. 21:24.960 --> 21:28.960 We waited. 9 p.m. came and went. 21:28.960 --> 21:34.960 We told her that if the suspect should call to make any concessions, we'd agree to anything in order to set up a meeting with him. 21:34.960 --> 21:40.960 At 10 minutes past 10, the phone in the library rang. Mrs. Secor answered it. I listened in on the extension. 21:40.960 --> 21:47.960 I'm terribly sorry, Mrs. Secor. I did want to get out to pay my last respects, but I'm afraid that will be impossible. 21:47.960 --> 21:53.960 Oh, I'm sorry you won't be able to come. I'd like to settle up that debt, the money that Burton owed you. 21:53.960 --> 22:01.960 I do hope you understand, Mrs. Secor. It's very difficult for me to bring up such a subject at this time of your bereavement, 22:01.960 --> 22:10.960 but I do have need of the money. You see, it's my wife. She's quite ill, and, well, there are medical expenses to be met. 22:10.960 --> 22:14.960 Oh, I understand. When would you like to come for the money? 22:14.960 --> 22:17.960 Well, would tomorrow be all right? 22:17.960 --> 22:19.960 My husband's funeral is tomorrow. 22:19.960 --> 22:24.960 Oh, I see. Well, where will that be? 22:24.960 --> 22:30.960 At the cathedral on Sunset Boulevard, Arraquia Mass at St. Mary's at 9 o'clock. 22:30.960 --> 22:41.960 Well, since I don't want to bother you personally anymore, I wonder if it would be possible for you to leave the cash with the head usher there at the church. 22:41.960 --> 22:46.960 Well, yes, all right. I think that would be the best way. 22:46.960 --> 22:49.960 All right, then. Good night, and thank you. 22:49.960 --> 22:54.960 Yes, good night. 22:54.960 --> 22:57.960 I'm sorry. I know that's not easy for you. 22:57.960 --> 23:01.960 That's all right, Sergeant. It's strange, isn't it? 23:01.960 --> 23:02.960 What's that? 23:02.960 --> 23:09.960 One man burns out his whole life making money. The next man spends his time trying to steal it. What does it all mean? 23:09.960 --> 23:14.960 I don't know. We've got 2,600 men down in the county jail, and we all think they've got the right answer. 23:14.960 --> 23:28.960 Tuesday, March 4th, 9 a.m. in St. Mary's Cathedral on Sunset Boulevard, the final rites, Arraquia Mass, was being celebrated for Burton James Secor. 23:28.960 --> 23:30.960 Ben and I were stationed at the rear of the church. 23:30.960 --> 23:35.960 Conlon and Myberg, together with two other men from Bunko Detail, covered the side exits. 23:35.960 --> 23:39.960 An extra detail of men were placed at strategic points around the cathedral. 23:39.960 --> 23:42.960 The head usher stood a few feet from the main entrance. 23:42.960 --> 23:51.960 With him, he carried a plain manila envelope filled with pieces of newspaper cut to resemble the size of currency, along with a single dollar bill. 23:51.960 --> 23:58.960 He had instructions to hand over the envelope without question to the person who asked for it. 23:58.960 --> 24:00.960 Fifteen minutes past nine, Joe. 24:00.960 --> 24:03.960 Yeah. You see that head usher all right? 24:03.960 --> 24:05.960 Yeah, I got him spotted. 24:05.960 --> 24:06.960 All right. 24:06.960 --> 24:10.960 Pretty good-sized crowd here. Secor must have had lots of friends. 24:10.960 --> 24:12.960 Yeah. 24:12.960 --> 24:15.960 Nice choir. 24:18.960 --> 24:20.960 Just wondering, Joe. 24:20.960 --> 24:21.960 What's that? 24:21.960 --> 24:23.960 Suppose he doesn't show up? 24:23.960 --> 24:25.960 That's possible. He might have gotten suspicious. 24:25.960 --> 24:27.960 Could be. 24:27.960 --> 24:29.960 What time you got now? 24:29.960 --> 24:32.960 It's nine twenty. 24:32.960 --> 24:37.960 Joe, look. Uniform messenger just came in the door. 24:37.960 --> 24:41.960 Yeah. He's looking around. He's going up to the usher, talking to him. 24:41.960 --> 24:44.960 That's it. Usher gave him the envelope. Messenger's leaving. 24:44.960 --> 24:46.960 I know. Let's hold it. Give him a lead. 24:46.960 --> 24:49.960 All right, let's go. 24:55.960 --> 24:57.960 Now let's go, Ben. Don't lose him. 24:57.960 --> 24:59.960 He's getting into that can. Come on. 24:59.960 --> 25:02.960 Slide over. You got the cab number? 25:02.960 --> 25:05.960 Yeah. Let's move. 25:05.960 --> 25:10.960 Ten thirty a.m. Ben and I trailed the cab to a bus depot in downtown Los Angeles. 25:10.960 --> 25:14.960 We followed the messenger in and watched him check the manila envelope in a key locker. 25:14.960 --> 25:18.960 We waited. At eleven forty-five a.m. another uniform messenger entered the bus depot, 25:18.960 --> 25:20.960 picked up the envelope and left. 25:20.960 --> 25:25.960 We followed him to the Union Railroad Station where he left the envelope at the traveler's aid desk. 25:25.960 --> 25:29.960 At three p.m. the envelope was still there, unclaimed. 25:29.960 --> 25:31.960 No sign, Joe. What do you think? 25:31.960 --> 25:34.960 I don't know. It's a pretty fancy switch he's got worked on. 25:34.960 --> 25:36.960 Yeah. What time's the next train leave? 25:36.960 --> 25:39.960 Three twenty-five. Coast limited for San Francisco. 25:39.960 --> 25:43.960 It's three twenty-one now. Wait a minute. 25:43.960 --> 25:45.960 See that porter over at the desk? 25:45.960 --> 25:48.960 I told him that girl there. I don't know. 25:48.960 --> 25:52.960 That's it. She's giving him the envelope. Come on, Ben. 25:52.960 --> 25:56.960 He's heading up the ramp. Yeah. Let's hustle. 25:58.960 --> 26:01.960 You turn up the lamp? Yeah. Passenger platform. Coast limited. 26:01.960 --> 26:04.960 Not much time. Come on, run. 26:04.960 --> 26:09.960 Come on, Ben. Where'd the porter get on? Next car. Come on, run. 26:11.960 --> 26:13.960 Let's jump. 26:14.960 --> 26:16.960 This way. Through here. 26:16.960 --> 26:22.960 That the same porter? Yeah. He's knocked the door to that compartment, handing in the envelope. 26:22.960 --> 26:24.960 That's it. Let's go. 26:25.960 --> 26:27.960 It's locked. Knock. 26:29.960 --> 26:31.960 Yes? What is it? An after. 26:31.960 --> 26:33.960 Just a minute. 26:35.960 --> 26:37.960 What is this? All right, Ben. 26:37.960 --> 26:39.960 Now look, son. 26:39.960 --> 26:41.960 What's that? 26:41.960 --> 26:46.960 What is this? All right, Ben. Now look, Sergeant. 26:46.960 --> 26:48.960 There's no need for any unpleasantness. 26:48.960 --> 26:52.960 Certainly we can sit down and talk this thing over like intelligent human beings. 26:52.960 --> 26:54.960 Grab the luggage, will you, Ben? All right, let's go, Wallace. 26:54.960 --> 26:58.960 Look, wait a minute, please. I'm sure we can come to some agreement. 26:58.960 --> 27:02.960 I have plenty of money. Look, right here alone in this envelope. I have plenty. 27:02.960 --> 27:05.960 There's only a dollar here. The rest is newspaper. 27:05.960 --> 27:11.960 Yeah. I've been taken. So have a lot of people. Let's go. 27:15.960 --> 27:21.960 The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:21.960 --> 27:28.960 On June 23rd, trial was held in Superior Court, Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. 27:28.960 --> 27:30.960 In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:30.960 --> 27:34.960 It's amazing how many long cigarette smokers are changing to Fatima. 27:34.960 --> 27:36.960 Here is the actual report. 27:36.960 --> 27:40.960 From coast to coast, Fatima has more than doubled its smokers. 27:40.960 --> 27:46.960 Yes, more and more smokers every day are discovering that Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. 27:46.960 --> 27:52.960 Long cigarette smokers find Fatima has a much different, much better flavor and aroma. 27:52.960 --> 28:02.960 Long cigarette smokers find that Fatima is extra mild because it's the long cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos 28:02.960 --> 28:05.960 superbly blended to make it extra mild. 28:05.960 --> 28:11.960 So enjoy extra mild Fatima. Best of all long cigarettes. 28:11.960 --> 28:15.960 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 28:15.960 --> 28:18.960 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 28:18.960 --> 28:34.960 Charles Gentleman Wallace was tried and convicted on four counts of grand theft and sentenced to the state penitentiary for the term prescribed by law, 28:34.960 --> 28:38.960 with holes being placed on him by four other states. 28:38.960 --> 28:43.960 You have just heard Dragnet, authentic cases from official files. 28:43.960 --> 28:50.960 Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office of Chief of Police W.A. Wharton, Los Angeles Police Department. 28:50.960 --> 28:56.960 Dragnet wishes to thank the editors of True Detective Magazine for their considerate appraisal of this program. 28:56.960 --> 29:02.960 For those of you who may be interested, the behind the scenes story of Dragnet appears in the March issue of True Detective. 29:02.960 --> 29:07.960 Fatima cigarettes, the best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet from Los Angeles. 29:07.960 --> 29:13.960 Tomorrow, hear the Ronald Coleman's in the charming series, Halls of Ivy, on NBC.