1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:12,360 The story you are about to hear is true. 2 00:00:12,360 --> 00:00:16,280 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 3 00:00:16,280 --> 00:00:24,560 Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, brings you Dragnet. 4 00:00:24,560 --> 00:00:37,760 You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to homicide detail. For two months a depraved 5 00:00:37,760 --> 00:00:43,040 criminal has been at work in your city. Men and women have been robbed, brutally attacked. 6 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:53,600 Your job, get them. If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes. 7 00:00:53,600 --> 00:01:01,360 Smoke extra mild Fatima. Yes, Fatima is the king size cigarette which contains the finest 8 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:07,840 Turkish and domestic tobaccos, superbly blended to make it extra mild. To give Fatima a much 9 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:14,200 different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. That's why Fatima has more 10 00:01:14,200 --> 00:01:21,640 than doubled its smokers coast to coast. Enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself. Best of all long 11 00:01:21,640 --> 00:01:28,920 cigarettes. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 12 00:01:28,920 --> 00:01:41,600 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the 13 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:46,320 Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an 14 00:01:46,320 --> 00:01:52,080 actual case from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, 15 00:01:52,080 --> 00:02:01,440 Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. It was Wednesday, March 7th. It was cloudy 16 00:02:01,440 --> 00:02:06,640 in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of homicide. My partner's Ben Romero, the 17 00:02:06,640 --> 00:02:11,800 boss is Thad Brown, chief of detectives. My name is Friday. I was on the way home from the office 18 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:25,040 and it was 2 25 a.m. when I got to Collis Avenue. Number 4656. Joseph? Is that you? Yeah, 19 00:02:25,040 --> 00:02:33,240 Ma. Did I wake you? What time is it? A little after two. Oh, you can't keep this up. You've got to have your rest. 20 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:37,960 Don't worry, I'm okay. Got any cold meat in the icebox? There's some pressed ham, 21 00:02:37,960 --> 00:02:44,080 a few slices of bologna. Didn't you have any dinner? A couple hamburgers and a piece of pie. 22 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:49,920 I got hungry again. I had some nice beef stew for dinner. There's some left in the icebox. 23 00:02:49,920 --> 00:02:54,160 I'll come down and warm it for you. No, no, all I want is a sandwich, Ma. You go on back to sleep. 24 00:02:54,160 --> 00:03:05,720 You can't live on pie and sandwiches and keep up your strength. I'm working all hours. First thing, 25 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:11,480 you know you'll be getting sick. You need your food and you need your rest. Nobody cares when you're sick. 26 00:03:11,480 --> 00:03:16,520 You didn't have to get up, Ma. All I want is a sandwich, pie and fix it. You better have a bowlful of stew. 27 00:03:16,520 --> 00:03:24,680 Here, it won't take a minute to warm it up. Nice new potatoes in it. Some of those onions you like, too. 28 00:03:24,680 --> 00:03:33,080 Like Bermuda's. Okay, not too much now. I'll get the milk. It's half past two in the morning. 29 00:03:33,080 --> 00:03:39,080 What kept you so late again? Another steakhouse, the same job. Is that the murder in Highland Park? 30 00:03:39,080 --> 00:03:43,080 No, Ma, the badge bandit, the one that poses as a policeman. Oh, that one. 31 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:49,240 You certainly ought to do something about him. Yeah, well, I'm trying to. I can't find him. 32 00:03:49,240 --> 00:03:54,160 There was a piece in the paper about it tonight. They say it's just terrible the way he beats up 33 00:03:54,160 --> 00:04:01,640 people and robs them. Yeah. Badge bandit. The way he treats women ought to be a shame. They ought to 34 00:04:01,640 --> 00:04:10,360 put him away. You know, you got some more rye bread. Mm-hmm. You're going to have tomorrow off, Joseph? 35 00:04:10,360 --> 00:04:14,520 Thanks. You know, the captain says we work straight through till we get the guy. 36 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:21,000 Oh, I thought you were going to have tomorrow off. You ought to tell the captain you need your rest. 37 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:26,120 You can't go on like this working all hours. You'll be coming down sick one of these days. 38 00:04:26,120 --> 00:04:33,160 Mm-hmm. 15 robberies, 15 assaults, all in two months. Somebody's got to stop him. 39 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:38,680 You ready? Oh, yeah, I think so. Well, can't they warn the people? 40 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:43,640 They wouldn't be getting robbed and beaten up if they weren't parked in those lonely places. 41 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:51,160 Spooning. So silly. Yeah. I'm afraid we can't do anything about that, Ma. It's a public place. 42 00:04:51,160 --> 00:04:56,200 It's a public place. We got to write the park, though, huh? Yeah, I suppose. Let me have your plate. 43 00:04:56,200 --> 00:05:01,400 Right here. Now hold it, hold it. That's fine. Another spoonful. You can't work if you don't eat. 44 00:05:03,880 --> 00:05:09,080 Mm. This is good stew. Yeah, sure it is. But you're down to shop rides nice. 45 00:05:10,280 --> 00:05:16,760 His stewing beef's just wonderful. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Ben work late with you? Yeah, his wife saw too. He 46 00:05:16,760 --> 00:05:22,120 hasn't been home much since we started on this. It's a tough one. Oh, my. Time certainly have 47 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:29,960 changed since I was a girl. All this robbing, beating up, crazy people. Yeah. Any mail today? 48 00:05:30,760 --> 00:05:36,280 No, just a couple of bills. Well, you set the alarm. I got to check back in at eight in the morning. 49 00:05:36,840 --> 00:05:42,760 Eight o'clock? Why so early? Badge band had got two more victims tonight. They were college kids. 50 00:05:42,760 --> 00:05:46,920 The doctor said he didn't think we should talk to him tonight, so we'll have to see him tomorrow morning at the hospital. 51 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:53,000 And were they badly injured? Well, pretty bad. A boy took a terrible beating. The girl was attacked, same as others. 52 00:05:53,000 --> 00:06:01,000 Oh, my. Well, it's very good, Ma. I better get to bed. Yeah, well, your face looks so thin. You need all the rest you can get. 53 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:04,520 I'll get it. Now who can that be? It's almost three in the morning. 54 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:12,120 Hello. This is Lorman down homicide, Joe. Sorry to bother you. Yeah, Lorman. What is it? Kevin wants you 55 00:06:12,120 --> 00:06:17,400 and America to meet him in Hollywood and Laurel right away. What's the matter now? Attack and hold up in Laurel Canyon 20 minutes ago. 56 00:06:17,400 --> 00:06:22,840 Yeah. Got the area blocked off. Figure they got the man trapped. The victims get out and look at the guy? Same description the badge banded. 57 00:06:27,480 --> 00:06:31,560 I left the house, went over and picked up Ben. We drove out to the edge of the Santa Monica mountains 58 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:36,120 where Hollywood Boulevard ends and Laurel Canyon begins. We headed back into the canyon to the 59 00:06:36,120 --> 00:06:42,360 blockaded area. Captain Steed from homicide was there waiting for us. 60 00:06:45,720 --> 00:06:49,960 Hi, Skipper. Hi, just a minute. Taylor, call communications again. Have them tell the men out on the 61 00:06:49,960 --> 00:06:53,320 ventour to start moving in. Right, Captain. Sorry to call you back. Couldn't be helped. 62 00:06:54,280 --> 00:06:56,200 How's it shaping up? Wait a minute. 63 00:06:56,200 --> 00:07:03,320 Search detail in the vicinity of Laurel Canyon. Unit 62K reports that they are at Mulholland Drive and Oakstone Avenue. 64 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:08,520 Nothing further to report. Okay, what did you say, Joe? How's it shaping up? Well, here's a sketch of the area. 65 00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:13,800 It covers just about all the Laurel Canyon district. The badge banded got his victims near the top of this hill here. 66 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:18,920 Old man in the neighborhood heard a woman scream and phoned in. How sure are we the guy didn't get away? 67 00:07:18,920 --> 00:07:23,960 Well, the man who called in said the banded had trouble starting his car. Finally left it and took off into the brush. 68 00:07:23,960 --> 00:07:28,360 He was headed west down this road here. Captain, I just had a call from communications. The crew from 69 00:07:28,360 --> 00:07:33,560 Leighton Prince are on their way. All right, any report from the detail up on Canyon Road? Nothing yet. I'll stand by the radio. Okay. 70 00:07:34,840 --> 00:07:40,280 How much area we got to cover? From the mouth of the canyon here all the way back to Ventura Boulevard. 71 00:07:40,280 --> 00:07:46,040 On the west here from Lookout Mountain Avenue over to Crestview Drive on the east. How much have we got to go on? 72 00:07:46,040 --> 00:07:50,200 Crowley talked to the victims for a minute before they took him to Georgia Street. Yeah. The guy's 73 00:07:50,200 --> 00:07:53,880 description is the same. Heavy set, blonde hair, chubby face, horn rimmed vassals. 74 00:07:53,880 --> 00:07:59,880 Uh-huh. Well, if he's on foot, there's plenty of underbrush around here to hide him. Just a minute. 75 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:05,080 I want to get this call in first. Taylor, I have communications contact 72K. Tell them to hold their 76 00:08:05,080 --> 00:08:09,880 line stationary. Yeah. We'll have the others close in from the west to the north. Right. You two better 77 00:08:09,880 --> 00:08:14,840 get up on Groland Drive. Line's pretty thin up there. Use the help. Is that the area where you've 78 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:19,240 been in the car? Yeah. I want you to cover all the houses in that area. Check with everybody. You can 79 00:08:19,240 --> 00:08:23,800 find the neighborhood. They may be able to help. If they don't answer, find out why. Okay. Now we're making 80 00:08:23,800 --> 00:08:28,280 the rounds in another 10 minutes. Check with you then. All right. Let's go. One more thing. Yes, sir. 81 00:08:28,280 --> 00:08:32,360 I'll tell you what I told the rest of the men. This guy's in a corner and he's got a gun. 82 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:35,000 There's only one way out for him. Yeah. Make sure it's not you. 83 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:44,120 3 45 a.m. Ben and I drove up to Groland Drive and joined the search. We started our house to house 84 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:48,600 canvas of the neighborhood where the suspect had abandoned his car. None of the residents had any 85 00:08:48,600 --> 00:08:59,080 further information to give us. 4 a.m. We kept on checking. 23 hours. It's a long shift. Yeah. I could 86 00:08:59,080 --> 00:09:05,240 use some sleep. My wife of mine is boiling mad. She's even mad at the kid. Yeah? What's the trouble? 87 00:09:05,240 --> 00:09:11,240 Oh, aunt of hers sent down some flower bubs from Oregon yesterday. Bloody old bub. Yeah. The kid was 88 00:09:11,240 --> 00:09:16,440 playing with a little girl next door yesterday and they found a box of flower bubs. They put the mess 89 00:09:16,440 --> 00:09:21,640 of them in a pot of water and boiled them on the stove. What'd they do that for? Who knows? 90 00:09:23,240 --> 00:09:25,880 There's another house up ahead. We better check it. Yeah. 91 00:09:29,880 --> 00:09:32,120 We ought to get some street lights up here. Yeah. 92 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:37,960 That's nice work. Working people up in the middle of the night. I don't like it any more than they do. 93 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:39,560 Wish we could make them believe that. 94 00:09:39,560 --> 00:09:40,840 Yeah. 95 00:09:45,400 --> 00:09:51,160 Nice neighborhood up here. I wonder what the price is on these lots. Well, it shouldn't be too high. 96 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:58,120 Say real estate's coming down. Yeah. What is it? Place officers. Sorry to disturb you. We'd like to 97 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:06,280 talk to you a minute. Oh, all right. Let me get the door open. What's been going on in the neighborhood 98 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:10,120 tonight? Some kind of trouble? Cars racing up and down the hill. What's the trouble? Have you noticed 99 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:14,360 any strangers in the neighborhood last hour? No, I just got to bed 20 minutes ago. I work out a 100 00:10:14,360 --> 00:10:18,120 paramount. We're shooting nights. What's all the commotion anyway? We're looking for a suspect. 101 00:10:18,120 --> 00:10:21,640 He's supposed to be around this area. Well, I haven't seen anybody. I thought I heard somebody 102 00:10:21,640 --> 00:10:25,160 out of the garage a few minutes ago. Went out and looked around, but I didn't see anything. Did you 103 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:29,880 check to see if your car is still in the garage? No, I left it in the driveway. No, sir. There's no car 104 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:36,920 in your driveway. Sure there is. Let me show you. Hey, it's gone. Can we use your phone? Yeah. Yeah, 105 00:10:36,920 --> 00:10:41,400 but I saw it just a few minutes ago. The car was right there in the driveway. You think that guy 106 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:45,800 took my car? Yes, sir. It's a pretty good bet. You got your license number handy there. I don't 107 00:10:45,800 --> 00:10:49,640 remember it. I got it on a card in my wallet. Can you give me communication? Can you give us a 108 00:10:49,640 --> 00:10:53,720 description of your car? It's a Plymouth sedan black. Two door sedan with search detail. Laurel 109 00:10:53,720 --> 00:10:59,400 Canyon. I got some new information for all units in the details. Here's the license number. 110 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:05,000 Thanks. Will you broadcast this information to all units in the search detail? What was the make and 111 00:11:05,000 --> 00:11:11,400 model of your car? 46 black Plymouth, a two door sedan. Uh, 1946 black Plymouth, two door sedan, 112 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:18,520 license number, let me see, seven x-ray, two five six nine. This car has just been stolen from 113 00:11:18,520 --> 00:11:24,760 102-11, Groven Drive. Any identifying marks on the car? Well, I left my keys in it. No, no, 114 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:28,840 sir. I mean any special markings on the car. Maybe a dent in one of the fenders. Well, 115 00:11:28,840 --> 00:11:32,840 yeah, George, hold on. We're getting it. The right headlight went out on me last night. I haven't had 116 00:11:32,840 --> 00:11:36,920 it fixed yet. The right headlight on the car is out. Notify all units in the search detail that we 117 00:11:36,920 --> 00:11:42,200 believe suspect is now in possession of this car. Right, thank you. Let's go. Must have happened in 118 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:46,040 the last 15 minutes. I heard that noise and I went out to check the car was there then. Well, 119 00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:49,640 here's our card. We'll be checking with you later. Yeah, I sure hope you find it. I don't know how I 120 00:11:49,640 --> 00:11:53,880 can get to work tomorrow without my car. Yeah, we'll notify. Yeah, gee, I sure hope you find it. Thanks 121 00:11:53,880 --> 00:12:01,960 for your help. Come on, Ben. 122 00:12:17,400 --> 00:12:19,640 I don't think he could have gotten that car through the blockade yet. You 123 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:27,640 know, better start searching the side roads. Yeah, there's one leading off to the left up ahead. 124 00:12:27,640 --> 00:12:28,440 Okay, let's try it. 125 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:35,720 Wait a minute. There's a car coming down the hill toward us. You're always making time. 126 00:12:36,760 --> 00:12:40,600 Joe, only one headlight on the car. It's coming right at us. Turn around quick. There's no room. 127 00:12:40,600 --> 00:12:51,480 Get over to the inside. 128 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:05,480 Ben, you all right? Ben. 129 00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:13,640 An ambulance was called and Ben and I were taken to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. 130 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:18,760 There I received emergency treatment for multiple cuts and bruises and a sprained left shoulder. 131 00:13:18,760 --> 00:13:23,400 Ben didn't do so well. He had a possible concussion, two broken ribs, and half a dozen 132 00:13:23,400 --> 00:13:28,200 severe cuts about the face and arms. We were then taken to the PNF ward. The next afternoon 133 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:31,160 we had a visit from Captain Steed and Chief of Detective Stad Brown. 134 00:13:31,160 --> 00:13:39,000 Friday, how are you feeling? Oh, pretty good, Chief. I saw Romaro across the hall. You came out 135 00:13:39,000 --> 00:13:43,800 better needed. Yeah, that's what I hear. You resting any? Much better. No danger involved. 136 00:13:43,800 --> 00:13:48,360 Needs rest. That's about all. How long? Oh, you'll be here two weeks, according to the doctor. 137 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:54,200 What about you? A couple of days. Too bad, Joe. Bad's been? Yeah. Looks like you two got banged up 138 00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:58,520 for nothing. Oh. After he rammed your car, he ditched the black Plymouth and then we figure he hit 139 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:02,600 with the underbrush. Yeah. Somehow when we were hauling you and Ben out of that wreck, 140 00:14:02,600 --> 00:14:07,800 he slipped through the line. Any fingerprints on the car? None we could use. It's rotten luck. I 141 00:14:07,800 --> 00:14:11,880 guess it was his night, huh? We're getting more men from Metro Division to help out. And we're 142 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:16,280 doubling the number of decoys around the city. Police women, huh? We'll have each of them planted 143 00:14:16,280 --> 00:14:20,120 in a parked car along with an officer in every area of the badge bend that's been working. 144 00:14:20,120 --> 00:14:24,760 All he has to do is grab at the bait once. Yeah, if he goes for it. He'll have plenty of time to 145 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:29,480 choose. We work the same setup every night till we reach him. It's a big operation. Might have to run 146 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:34,200 it for weeks unless he quits. There's only one way a guy like that ever quits. Yeah. When we stop him. 147 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:43,720 Saturday, March 10th, 2 p.m. I was released from the PNF ward and went home. Ben stayed on at the 148 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:49,960 hospital. He had at least another 10 days to go before release. Sunday I spent at home. Monday 149 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:54,440 afternoon I checked back in at the office and Captain Steed put me on decoy duty for that week 150 00:14:54,440 --> 00:14:59,240 along with policewoman Dorothy River. We were assigned to cover an isolated parking area near 151 00:14:59,240 --> 00:15:05,480 Mulholland Drive in Beverly Glen. It was a nice view but the duty was slow. No sign of the badge 152 00:15:05,480 --> 00:15:11,400 bend. Policewoman River and I waited it out from late evening to early morning from Monday through 153 00:15:11,400 --> 00:15:20,840 Thursday. Friday night came. Same thing. We waited. How's Ben? You see him today? Yeah, he's doing fine. 154 00:15:20,840 --> 00:15:28,440 Be out next week. Grouchy I guess. Oh sure. You want a cigarette? Thank you. You sure tell it's 155 00:15:28,440 --> 00:15:39,720 Friday night. Yeah. In fact, college kids are out in force. What time you got? A quarter to two. 156 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:48,680 Long nights. Yeah, slow. You cold? No, you? Just a little. It's chilly up here in the early morning. 157 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:54,520 What's that? A car full of kids just pulling out. Where the car's gone to? 158 00:15:55,880 --> 00:16:04,840 Yeah, the only ones left. Steakhouse got on your nerves. So look if you're cold you can have my coat. 159 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:11,720 It doesn't bother me. No, no, it's all right Joe. Thanks. It's a beautiful view from up here isn't it? 160 00:16:11,720 --> 00:16:21,080 All the lights. Yeah. You like to dance Joe? What? I said do you like to dance? Oh once in a while I guess. 161 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:27,080 I'm not too good. Why? Well our club's having its big annual dance two weeks from Saturday. Yeah. 162 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:31,720 Might get a kick out of it as a former. That leaves me out. I don't own a tux. You could rent one. It'd 163 00:16:31,720 --> 00:16:37,080 be fun. Nah, I'm afraid I don't look good in a tux. I never met a man who thought he did. Why don't you try it? 164 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:42,600 I might be working. Well I mean if you're not working why don't you come? You going? Well I was 165 00:16:43,240 --> 00:16:49,400 planning on it. Got a date? Yeah, I have hope. There's a car pulling in. 166 00:16:51,320 --> 00:17:00,120 See? Yeah, parked over in back of us. I can only make out one person in the car. Yeah, looks like a man I 167 00:17:00,120 --> 00:17:07,960 can't be sure. All right, come on over closer. We might as well look the part huh? All right. 168 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:13,720 He's getting out of the car. Is he coming this way? Walking over to the side of the road. He's got a flashlight 169 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:22,200 looking around. He's built like the badge bandit. Short and heavy set. Yeah, he's turning around. He's 170 00:17:22,200 --> 00:17:30,600 got his flashlight on us. He's coming up on your side of the car. All right, take it easy. You know what to do. 171 00:17:31,880 --> 00:17:36,040 Come on out of that car. Police officer. All right, hold on. Got a gun Joe. Yeah. 172 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:41,800 Come on. I said out of the car. Both of you. All right. All right. Drop the gun. Drop it. 173 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:58,920 Oh my god. That's him. Yeah. Now I'll get the cuffs on him. Thanks. I didn't think I hit him that hard. You didn't. I didn't. 174 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:07,320 Policewoman Dorothy River Knight took the suspect to Hollywood Division where he was 175 00:18:07,320 --> 00:18:12,120 booked on suspicion of robbery. He gave his name as Charles Leon Kirby age 46. 176 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:17,160 Monday, March 19th, Ben was released from the hospital and checked back in for work. 177 00:18:17,160 --> 00:18:21,800 A special show-up was held at which 10 of the 17 victims definitely identified Kirby as the badge 178 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:27,880 bandit. The suspect had finally been apprehended. Now we started the slow process of formally charging 179 00:18:27,880 --> 00:18:33,640 the man and presenting our evidence against him to bring him to trial. 10 a.m. Ben and I went across 180 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:37,480 the street to the sixth floor of the Hall of Justice to present our case against Kirby and 181 00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:41,320 to obtain a formal complaint against him. We met with Deputy District Attorney Broker. 182 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:45,720 When'd you get out of the hospital Ben? This morning. Sure got sick of that play. Heard about your 183 00:18:45,720 --> 00:18:49,800 accident. That guy sure gave you enough trouble didn't he? Yeah, he's still giving us trouble. 184 00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:54,360 How's that? He got in a tangle with another prisoner out in Hollywood Division. Yeah? The other 185 00:18:54,360 --> 00:18:59,560 prisoner gave Kirby a pretty bad going over. Cut him up and broke his left forearm. They're moving 186 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:03,560 him in an ambulance from Hollywood to the prison ward at the general hospital. When this happen? 187 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:08,280 This this morning. I think they're moving him downtown now. Tough one. Now how about your 188 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:13,160 reports on Kirby? Are they all in order? Here's a summary report. Alleges 10 positive identifications 189 00:19:13,160 --> 00:19:18,600 containing 10 counts of robbery and 10 counts of forcible rape. All right. And here are seven 190 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:24,840 other crime reports. Only partial identification on these. Okay. What do you got for corroborating 191 00:19:24,840 --> 00:19:29,240 evidence against him? Oh we went through Kirby's apartment. Found at least a dozen pieces of 192 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:34,040 property that he took from his victims. Mostly watches and jewelry. The victims identified every 193 00:19:34,040 --> 00:19:40,600 piece we found. Okay let me get the details down here. Excuse me Matt. Sure. Broker speaking. 194 00:19:41,880 --> 00:19:50,200 Yeah it's a minute. You Friday. Thank you. Friday. When? Yeah right away. Well that does it. What's 195 00:19:50,200 --> 00:20:05,080 my Kirby? He just broke out of that ambulance. You are listening to Dragnet. The case history of a 196 00:20:05,080 --> 00:20:10,840 police investigation presented in the public interest by Fatima cigarettes. If you smoke a 197 00:20:10,840 --> 00:20:16,680 long cigarette it will be in your interest to listen to a typical case history of a Fatima smoker. 198 00:20:16,680 --> 00:20:21,800 It's the case of Mr. Richard Watts Jr. drama critic of one of New York's great newspapers. 199 00:20:21,800 --> 00:20:26,680 This is his actual signed statement. My working day starts when most people are going to bed. 200 00:20:27,240 --> 00:20:30,920 When the curtain closes on the last act I've got a newspaper deadline to make. 201 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:38,280 Working more means smoking more. And that's when Fatima quality really tells. I agree. It's wise 202 00:20:38,280 --> 00:20:44,840 to smoke extra mild Fatima. And so do more and more smokers every day. Actual figures show extra 203 00:20:44,840 --> 00:20:52,200 mild Fatima has more than doubled its smokers coast to coast. So enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself. 204 00:20:52,200 --> 00:20:58,040 The king-size cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos superbly 205 00:20:58,040 --> 00:21:04,520 blended to make it extra mild. You will prefer Fatima's much different much better flavor. 206 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:12,760 You will agree. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 207 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:15,400 The best of all long cigarettes. 208 00:21:22,120 --> 00:21:26,600 As soon as word of Kirby's escape came through the information was broadcast to all points. 209 00:21:26,600 --> 00:21:30,760 All available cruiser cars and men were rushed to the escape area and a door-to-door canvas got 210 00:21:30,760 --> 00:21:34,520 underway. All of the men were given mug shots of Kirby together with his description. 211 00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:39,960 11 a.m. Ben and I got back to the office. We found a message from Captain Stead to meet him 212 00:21:39,960 --> 00:21:44,600 in the chief of detective's office. No man in that area will further notice. Check the bus depots in 213 00:21:44,600 --> 00:21:49,320 the Union Station. Right. What's the story chief? That's what I'm trying to find out. Where'd he make 214 00:21:49,320 --> 00:21:53,560 the break? Near 4th and Main. Couldn't have picked a better spot. The ambulance had just crossed 3rd 215 00:21:53,560 --> 00:21:58,040 and Main when Kirby slugged the guard. Driver was too busy dodging traffic to notice what was going on 216 00:21:58,040 --> 00:22:02,200 in back. That's a lousy break. Kirby jumped out of the back end of the ambulance and disappeared in 217 00:22:02,200 --> 00:22:06,200 the crowd. No sign of him since. That's fine. Takes us almost three months to reach the guy and he 218 00:22:06,200 --> 00:22:10,360 breaks away on a cheap loop like that. Well he doesn't have many friends in town. He's only got 219 00:22:10,360 --> 00:22:15,080 one we know of. Yeah. A brother. Kirby stays with him pretty often from what we gather. His brother 220 00:22:15,080 --> 00:22:19,080 lives in a roomy house down on Alameda. Anybody check that yet? We've got it staked out. The brother 221 00:22:19,080 --> 00:22:22,840 works at a box factory in the south end of town. Let's cover it too. He's not going far with a 222 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:27,880 broken arm. What have you got? One shop pulled up 6th Street happened a few minutes ago. Yeah. Here's 223 00:22:27,880 --> 00:22:32,840 the description of the hold-up man. Stocky bill blonde hair horn rimmed lashes. Chubby face. You 224 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:41,400 were wrong about that broken arm. Come on. 11 20 a.m. Ben and I pulled up at the East Asia pawn shop 225 00:22:41,400 --> 00:22:46,280 on 6th Street. Inside we found the proprietor Morris Brubaker lying propped up against one of 226 00:22:46,280 --> 00:22:51,160 the showcases. It was an elderly man. His face and head showed the marks of a savage beating. 227 00:22:51,160 --> 00:22:54,680 His wounds were hemorrhaging badly and ambulance attendants were giving him first aid. 228 00:22:55,240 --> 00:23:01,000 We showed him Charles Kirby's mug shot. That's the man. I wouldn't make a mistake. That's him. 229 00:23:01,000 --> 00:23:06,360 Was he alone Mr. Brubaker? Yes by himself. He asked to look at a watch and when I 230 00:23:06,360 --> 00:23:12,840 turned to get it he kicked me. I fell against the showcase and cut myself. He pulled me in the back 231 00:23:12,840 --> 00:23:18,040 room. I didn't even know him. He kept beating me. Easy Mr. Brubaker. Let me get this compass on. 232 00:23:18,600 --> 00:23:24,280 How much did he get away with do you know? I'm not sure. Blue suit, blue overcoat, wrap around, 233 00:23:25,080 --> 00:23:29,640 navy blue both. He kept hitting me. All right sir just take it easy though. I'll be out of here in a 234 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:33,240 minute. He kept hitting me like a crazy man. This is antiseptic might sting a little. 235 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:40,760 Okay. What else did he take Mr. Brubaker? Can you remember? Yes from the cash register. He took 236 00:23:40,760 --> 00:23:46,120 money. How much? 13, 14 dollars. I can't be sure. When he left your store did you see which way he 237 00:23:46,120 --> 00:23:51,720 was going? No he dragged me in the back room. He locked me in. Ready to move now sergeant. Okay. 238 00:23:51,720 --> 00:23:57,240 I don't know. I saw him going through the shelves there in the back of the counter. I don't know. 239 00:23:57,240 --> 00:24:03,320 What'd you keep there? My account books and my gun. Box of shells too. You want to take a look Ben? 240 00:24:03,320 --> 00:24:07,000 Well my head. Yes sir just take it easy. It's only going to be a minute now. 241 00:24:07,560 --> 00:24:10,280 Account books are still there. Yeah. He got the gun. 242 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:19,720 4 p.m. Kirby alias the Badge Bandit was still at large. As far as we were concerned the case was 243 00:24:19,720 --> 00:24:24,760 almost back to where it started from 11 weeks before. The suspect was still loose. It was well 244 00:24:24,760 --> 00:24:31,000 armed. Was still free to rob, assault, or murder. We had two big advantages. Kirby's possible broken 245 00:24:31,000 --> 00:24:36,920 arm which would need medical attention and secondly the lead to Kirby's brother. At 5 30 p.m. we had a 246 00:24:36,920 --> 00:24:40,600 report that the suspect was seen purchasing a ticket at a theater box office out on Hollywood 247 00:24:40,600 --> 00:24:47,480 Boulevard. We ran it down. It didn't pay off. At 6 15 a taxi driver thought he spotted Kirby boarding 248 00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:53,720 an outbound streetcar at Figaro and Pico. Was checked out. No results. At seven o'clock Ben and 249 00:24:53,720 --> 00:24:57,880 I got something to eat at a drive-in and we relieved the men on stakeout at the rooming house on 250 00:24:57,880 --> 00:25:06,280 Alameda Street where Kirby's brother was staying. 10 p.m. Midnight. No sign of Kirby. We waited. 251 00:25:07,320 --> 00:25:11,640 At 3 a.m. Hanson and Cummings of Homicide relieved us and Ben drove me home. 252 00:25:11,640 --> 00:25:23,080 It was 3 45 when he dropped me off at Collis Avenue number 4656. 253 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:34,760 Joseph? That you? Yeah Ma. I didn't mean to wake you. What time is it? Almost four. Oh my. 254 00:25:34,760 --> 00:25:42,440 These late hours you've got to get your rest Joseph. I'll be all right Ma. Got something to eat in the 255 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:46,760 ice box? There's a little cold meat and some cheese in the cupboard. Just want a sandwich. 256 00:25:46,760 --> 00:25:53,080 You're going back to sleep. I had some nice meatballs and spaghetti for dinner. I can warm some for you. 257 00:25:55,960 --> 00:26:03,240 My kind sandwich is working all hours. You just get sick Joseph and you'll see nobody cares about 258 00:26:03,240 --> 00:26:07,800 you when you're sick. I wish you wouldn't get up Ma. I can fix something. Warm up the meatballs and 259 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:14,280 spaghetti. You need something substantial. I get it. 4 a.m. I hope it's not that awful. 260 00:26:16,760 --> 00:26:21,400 Hello. Warman down Homicide. Yeah Warman. Thought you'd like to know they just got Kirby. 261 00:26:21,960 --> 00:26:26,040 Where? At his brother's place about 15 minutes ago. Hanson and Cummings grabbed him. 262 00:26:26,040 --> 00:26:30,840 Any trouble? No. Grabbed him before he got to his gun. We just locked him up. Thought you'd like to know. 263 00:26:30,840 --> 00:26:34,600 Yeah. Thanks Warman. Night. Night. 264 00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:47,080 Well that wasn't Joseph. The office Ma. I got Kirby the badge bandit. Oh did they? Well that's nice. 265 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:52,760 Maybe you'll have some time off now. Yeah. Never fails does it. We work on a case for three months. 266 00:26:52,760 --> 00:27:00,120 Leave it for 30 minutes and it's all over. Well the food's warm. Is there anything else you want? 267 00:27:00,120 --> 00:27:06,200 No no that's fine Ma. You go on to bed. Well all right Joseph. Now don't stay up too long. 268 00:27:06,200 --> 00:27:24,200 All right. Night. Hey Ma. Yes Joseph. Have I still got that old tuxedo around? 269 00:27:24,200 --> 00:27:30,600 The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 270 00:27:30,600 --> 00:27:36,200 On June 27th trial was held in Superior Court, Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, 271 00:27:36,200 --> 00:27:41,400 State of California. In a moment the results of that trial. It's amazing how many long cigarette 272 00:27:41,400 --> 00:27:48,120 smokers are changing to extra mild Fatima. Here is the actual report. From coast to coast 273 00:27:48,120 --> 00:27:54,200 extra mild Fatima has more than doubled its smokers. Yes more and more smokers every day 274 00:27:54,200 --> 00:28:01,000 are discovering that Fatima is the king-size cigarette that is extra mild. Extra mild because 275 00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:07,240 it contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos superbly blended to make it extra mild 276 00:28:07,240 --> 00:28:13,560 to give it a much different much better flavor and aroma. Enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself. 277 00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:21,400 The best of all long cigarettes. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. It's wise to smoke 278 00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:34,680 extra mild Fatima. Charles Leon Kirby alias the badge bandit was tried and convicted in Superior 279 00:28:34,680 --> 00:28:39,400 Court on several counts of armed robbery, rape and assault with intent to commit murder. He was 280 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:44,520 sentenced to life imprisonment. After serving one year in the state penitentiary he was judged insane 281 00:28:44,520 --> 00:28:49,160 and committed to the state mental hospital at Mendocino. After two months there he escaped. 282 00:28:49,160 --> 00:28:55,560 Charles Kirby alias the badge bandit is still at large. You have just heard Dragnet a series 283 00:28:55,560 --> 00:29:00,520 of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the Office of Chief 284 00:29:00,520 --> 00:29:20,360 of Police W.A. Wharton. This is NBC the national broadcasting company.