WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:13.000 The story you are about to hear is true. 00:13.000 --> 00:15.840 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:15.840 --> 00:17.800 Fatima cigarettes. 00:17.800 --> 00:31.000 First of all, long cigarettes brings you dragnet. 00:31.000 --> 00:32.840 You're a detective sergeant. 00:32.840 --> 00:35.720 You're assigned to burglary detail. 00:35.720 --> 00:39.960 Unidentified thieves start a campaign of burglaries in your city. 00:39.960 --> 00:43.240 Homes are broken into and stripped of their furnishings. 00:43.240 --> 00:45.440 There's no lead on the criminals. 00:45.440 --> 00:47.120 Your job. 00:47.120 --> 00:50.920 You're a detective sergeant. 00:50.920 --> 00:56.160 When you compare Fatima with other long cigarettes, the difference is quality. 00:56.160 --> 00:59.800 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 00:59.800 --> 01:04.280 If you want a long cigarette, smoke that best of all long cigarettes. 01:04.280 --> 01:06.520 Smoke extra mild Fatima. 01:06.520 --> 01:12.320 Fatima is the quality king size cigarette because it contains the finest Turkish and 01:12.320 --> 01:18.880 domestic tobaccos superbly blended and Fatima is extra mild with a much different, much 01:18.880 --> 01:23.200 better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. 01:23.200 --> 01:28.640 Because of its quality, its extra mildness, its better flavor and aroma, Fatima has more 01:28.640 --> 01:31.440 than doubled its smokers coast to coast. 01:31.440 --> 01:34.000 Enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself. 01:34.000 --> 01:37.280 It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. 01:37.280 --> 01:40.040 Because in Fatima, the difference is quality. 01:40.040 --> 01:43.560 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 01:43.560 --> 01:47.360 Smoke Fatima, the quality king size cigarette. 01:47.360 --> 01:55.320 Best of all long cigarettes. 01:55.320 --> 01:58.920 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 01:58.920 --> 02:02.960 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 02:02.960 --> 02:07.040 travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case from official police 02:07.040 --> 02:08.400 files. 02:08.400 --> 02:13.680 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 02:13.680 --> 02:14.680 in action. 02:14.680 --> 02:18.160 It was Monday, August 3rd. 02:18.160 --> 02:20.000 It was warm in Los Angeles. 02:20.000 --> 02:22.240 We were working the day watch out of burglary detail. 02:22.240 --> 02:25.600 My partner is Ben Romero, the boss is Thad Brown, chief of detectives. 02:25.600 --> 02:26.600 My name is Friday. 02:26.600 --> 02:31.800 I was on the way back from the business office and it was 9.25 a.m. when I got to room 45, 02:31.800 --> 02:32.800 burglary detail. 02:32.800 --> 02:35.560 Did they get all the money together Joe? 02:35.560 --> 02:37.880 Yeah, a dollar from each man in the detail. 02:37.880 --> 02:38.880 We got to buy the gift. 02:38.880 --> 02:40.840 When's Austin going to get married? 02:40.840 --> 02:41.840 Next Sunday. 02:41.840 --> 02:42.840 We haven't got too much time. 02:42.840 --> 02:45.360 Why do we always have to pick out the gifts? 02:45.360 --> 02:46.360 Somebody has to do it. 02:46.360 --> 02:47.360 You got any ideas what we ought to get him? 02:47.360 --> 02:49.000 I talked to my wife over the weekend. 02:49.000 --> 02:51.760 She thinks it'd be nice if we get him something to start housekeeping with. 02:51.760 --> 02:53.920 Maybe some nice kitchenware, table lamp. 02:53.920 --> 02:58.320 Yeah, I don't know if we have enough dough for a good lamp. 02:58.320 --> 03:00.000 But maybe they might like a bedspread. 03:00.000 --> 03:01.600 You can always use them. 03:01.600 --> 03:02.600 Maybe a nice wool blanket, huh? 03:02.600 --> 03:03.600 I don't know. 03:03.600 --> 03:05.560 We've got to be careful about those personal things. 03:05.560 --> 03:07.640 What do you mean what's personal about a blanket? 03:07.640 --> 03:10.320 Well, we don't know much about the girl Austin's going to marry. 03:10.320 --> 03:11.320 She might not need any. 03:11.320 --> 03:12.320 Excuse me, could you tell me something? 03:12.320 --> 03:13.320 What's that? 03:13.320 --> 03:14.320 I said, could you tell me something? 03:14.320 --> 03:15.320 Well, what do you want to know, little girl? 03:15.320 --> 03:18.320 Is this where you come to report about stolen things? 03:18.320 --> 03:19.320 Well, no, that all depends. 03:19.320 --> 03:24.320 Why don't you come on in and tell us all about it, huh? 03:24.320 --> 03:27.320 Thank you, I will. 03:27.320 --> 03:29.760 Would you like to sit down, little girl? 03:29.760 --> 03:30.760 I'm 12 years old. 03:30.760 --> 03:31.760 I'll stand if it's all right. 03:31.760 --> 03:32.760 All right. 03:32.760 --> 03:35.760 Now, would you like to tell us what's been stolen? 03:35.760 --> 03:36.760 Everything. 03:36.760 --> 03:37.760 Everything's been stolen. 03:37.760 --> 03:40.440 We came back this morning and found it that way. 03:40.440 --> 03:41.440 Grandpa's awful mad. 03:41.440 --> 03:44.440 Maybe we'd better get the facts to start with. 03:44.440 --> 03:45.440 What's your name? 03:45.440 --> 03:46.440 Ruth Ann Marie Jeanette. 03:46.440 --> 03:47.440 Jeanette? 03:47.440 --> 03:48.440 Is that your last name? 03:48.440 --> 03:49.440 No, Snyder. 03:49.440 --> 03:51.440 Ruth Ann Marie Jeanette Snyder. 03:51.440 --> 03:52.920 Did you come down here alone, Ruth? 03:52.920 --> 03:53.920 Yes, Grandpa sent me. 03:53.920 --> 03:54.920 He's awful mad. 03:54.920 --> 03:55.920 Where do you live? 03:55.920 --> 03:56.920 With Grandpa. 03:56.920 --> 03:57.920 Where's that? 03:57.920 --> 03:58.920 Over on College Avenue. 03:58.920 --> 04:00.920 Grandpa's leg's bothering him. 04:00.920 --> 04:01.920 Arthritis. 04:01.920 --> 04:05.280 So he told me to come down and tell you about it. 04:05.280 --> 04:06.280 About what, ma'am? 04:06.280 --> 04:07.280 Everything. 04:07.280 --> 04:11.280 We came back this morning on the train and when we got home we found everything was stolen. 04:11.280 --> 04:12.280 It's terrible. 04:12.280 --> 04:14.240 What do you mean by everything? 04:14.240 --> 04:16.240 I walked all the way over here to tell you. 04:16.240 --> 04:17.240 I'm thirsty, sir. 04:17.240 --> 04:18.240 Drinking fontanel. 04:18.240 --> 04:20.160 We've got a cooler over here. 04:20.160 --> 04:23.160 Let me get you a cup. 04:23.160 --> 04:26.160 Thank you. 04:26.160 --> 04:32.160 Would you like a drink, Ben? 04:32.160 --> 04:36.200 Oh, no thanks. 04:36.200 --> 04:37.200 Here you are. 04:37.200 --> 04:38.200 Thank you very much. 04:38.200 --> 04:43.200 Now, would you like to tell us what it's all about? 04:43.200 --> 04:47.200 Grandpa and I got back to Los Angeles on the train this morning. 04:47.200 --> 04:49.200 We've been on a trip back to Indiana. 04:49.200 --> 04:52.200 We took a taxi cab home from the station. 04:52.200 --> 04:54.200 When we got there everything was gone. 04:54.200 --> 04:56.200 Everything but the rug and the dining room. 04:56.200 --> 04:58.200 All the furniture, every single bit. 04:58.200 --> 05:01.200 Sofa, the chairs, my desk upstairs, the stone. 05:01.200 --> 05:02.200 Everything's been stolen. 05:02.200 --> 05:03.200 I want you to find it. 05:03.200 --> 05:06.200 It means someone broke in while you were gone and took all your furniture. 05:06.200 --> 05:07.200 Is that what you think? 05:07.200 --> 05:08.200 You know they did. 05:08.200 --> 05:10.200 The lock on the back door, it was broken. 05:10.200 --> 05:13.200 They took everything but the dining room rug. 05:13.200 --> 05:15.200 That's why Grandpa's home now. 05:15.200 --> 05:17.200 He thinks the crooks will be back. 05:17.200 --> 05:19.200 He's sitting on the rug because he says if they take that, 05:19.200 --> 05:21.200 they'll have to take him too. 05:21.200 --> 05:22.200 We better hurry. 05:22.200 --> 05:23.200 Yeah. 05:23.200 --> 05:29.200 Grandpa's not very big. 05:29.200 --> 05:30.200 Nine forty-five a.m. 05:30.200 --> 05:33.200 Ben and I drove little Ruthann Snyder back to her home on College Avenue. 05:33.200 --> 05:35.200 It was an old-fashioned wooden frame structure. 05:35.200 --> 05:38.200 A few doors up from College Avenue and Everett Way. 05:38.200 --> 05:41.200 Ruthann showed us inside and introduced us to her grandfather, 05:41.200 --> 05:44.200 Mr. John H. Snyder, age 78. 05:44.200 --> 05:47.200 He told us that a year ago he and his wife, Ruthann's grandmother, 05:47.200 --> 05:52.200 had come to California from Indiana and rented the house on College Avenue. 05:52.200 --> 05:55.200 The grandmother had fallen ill and passed away suddenly three weeks ago. 05:55.200 --> 05:59.200 He and Ruthann closed the house and took the body back to Indiana on the train 05:59.200 --> 06:00.200 for burial. 06:00.200 --> 06:05.200 On their return that morning, they found the house stripped of every piece of furniture. 06:05.200 --> 06:08.200 We checked room by room and listed the missing articles. 06:08.200 --> 06:10.200 We put in a call to latent fingerprints. 06:10.200 --> 06:14.200 Do you happen to know the serial numbers of your home appliances, Mr. Snyder? 06:14.200 --> 06:15.200 No, sir. 06:15.200 --> 06:19.200 I've lived with most of the furniture for forty years. 06:19.200 --> 06:21.200 You get to know the things you own in forty years. 06:21.200 --> 06:23.200 I know what was in my room, Sergeant. 06:23.200 --> 06:25.200 My desk, my table, and chair, the bed, the curtains. 06:25.200 --> 06:26.200 They took everything. 06:26.200 --> 06:29.200 How about the estimated value of the furniture, sir? 06:29.200 --> 06:30.200 What would you say it was worth? 06:30.200 --> 06:32.200 Dollars and cents? 06:32.200 --> 06:34.200 I don't know. 06:34.200 --> 06:37.200 What's a house full of furniture worth to anyone? 06:37.200 --> 06:39.200 I guess everybody puts their own value on their things. 06:39.200 --> 06:40.200 Yes, sir, they do. 06:40.200 --> 06:48.200 Solid walnut dining set, wedding presents, mahogany front room table, a solid two. 06:48.200 --> 06:51.200 It cost money in their day, all gone. 06:51.200 --> 06:54.200 Were there any liens against the furniture, sir? 06:54.200 --> 06:55.200 How's that? 06:55.200 --> 06:57.200 Did you owe anything on the furniture? 06:57.200 --> 07:00.200 I mean, there was no trouble with the finance company or anything like that. 07:00.200 --> 07:05.200 We didn't even know what a finance company was when the wife and I was married. 07:05.200 --> 07:08.200 It was sad enough, trippers, it was. 07:08.200 --> 07:12.200 And Ruthie and me get here this morning and everything's gone. 07:12.200 --> 07:14.200 All we own. 07:14.200 --> 07:15.200 Ruthie. 07:15.200 --> 07:16.200 Yes, Grandpa? 07:16.200 --> 07:19.200 Where the thieves broke in, would you show the officers, please? 07:19.200 --> 07:20.200 It's back this way. 07:20.200 --> 07:22.200 Okay. 07:22.200 --> 07:26.200 How are you and your grandfather going to make out here, Ruth? 07:26.200 --> 07:30.200 Grandpa says we'll buy two cots for tonight, Army surplus. 07:30.200 --> 07:31.200 There's no stove to cook on. 07:31.200 --> 07:33.200 We'll have to eat out. 07:33.200 --> 07:36.200 Maybe we'll have to go back to Indiana. 07:36.200 --> 07:37.200 Grandpa doesn't have much money. 07:37.200 --> 07:39.200 He's on a pension. 07:39.200 --> 07:41.200 Where's the back door? 07:41.200 --> 07:43.200 We'll see what they did to get in. 07:43.200 --> 07:45.200 Uh-huh. 07:45.200 --> 07:49.200 Must have used a hammer and a crowbar to smash the clean through. 07:49.200 --> 07:51.200 You'll find the crooks, won't you, Sergeant? 07:51.200 --> 07:52.200 We're going to try, Ruth. 07:52.200 --> 07:54.200 Better have the crime lab check this, huh? 07:54.200 --> 07:56.200 Yeah, how about your neighbors, Ruth? 07:56.200 --> 07:57.200 You know any of them well? 07:57.200 --> 07:58.200 I know who they are. 07:58.200 --> 08:00.200 I don't know any of them good. 08:00.200 --> 08:01.200 They're not very friendly. 08:01.200 --> 08:04.200 We'd like to ask you and your grandfather a few more questions, Ruth. 08:04.200 --> 08:07.200 All right. 08:07.200 --> 08:09.200 I don't know what I'm going to do when school starts. 08:09.200 --> 08:12.200 They stole all my stuff, even my composition tablets. 08:12.200 --> 08:14.200 I'm going to have to take those. 08:14.200 --> 08:16.200 Which grade are you in, Ruthie? 08:16.200 --> 08:19.200 I was in A7, I'll be in the B8. 08:19.200 --> 08:21.200 Why would they take my school things? 08:21.200 --> 08:22.200 I don't know. 08:22.200 --> 08:24.200 You see how they got in back there? 08:24.200 --> 08:25.200 Yes, sir, we did. 08:25.200 --> 08:29.200 By any chance, did any of your neighbors know that you and Ruth here were going away? 08:29.200 --> 08:31.200 Well, I didn't mention it, no. 08:31.200 --> 08:34.200 Then no one kept an eye on your house while you were gone? 08:34.200 --> 08:37.200 No, I didn't think it was necessary. 08:37.200 --> 08:38.200 Might have helped. 08:38.200 --> 08:39.200 I just remembered, Grandpa. 08:39.200 --> 08:42.200 Mrs. Merton, I told her we were going away. 08:42.200 --> 08:43.200 Who's that, Ruth? 08:43.200 --> 08:45.200 She runs the store down at the corner, the bird store. 08:45.200 --> 08:48.200 She sells canaries, other kinds of birds, too. 08:48.200 --> 08:50.200 Mrs. Merton's her name, store's right down the corner. 08:50.200 --> 08:54.200 You figure she's the only one who knew you'd been gone from the house for some time. 08:54.200 --> 08:56.200 Must have been the only one. 08:56.200 --> 08:59.200 All right, Mr. Snyder, we'll be back to see you later on. 08:59.200 --> 09:00.200 Here's our card. 09:00.200 --> 09:03.200 We'll see if we can't do something to help you out here. 09:03.200 --> 09:05.200 Let's see here. 09:10.200 --> 09:15.200 Friday, Romero, burglary detail. 09:15.200 --> 09:18.200 All right, thank you, boy. 09:18.200 --> 09:19.200 Ruth, he'll show you to the door. 09:19.200 --> 09:20.200 Yes, Grandpa. 09:20.200 --> 09:21.200 Bye, Mrs. Merton. 09:21.200 --> 09:22.200 Bye, sir. 09:22.200 --> 09:24.200 Oh, oh, say there. 09:24.200 --> 09:25.200 Yes, sir. 09:25.200 --> 09:28.200 I guess you understand, but I'd like to apologize anyway. 09:28.200 --> 09:30.200 I just couldn't do it. 09:30.200 --> 09:31.200 What's that, sir? 09:31.200 --> 09:33.200 Offer your chair. 09:37.200 --> 09:42.200 Ten-thirty A.M. Ben and I called the Salvation Army and told them the Snyder situation. 09:42.200 --> 09:46.200 Then we went down the street to the store at the corner of Coolidge Avenue and Everett Way. 09:46.200 --> 09:51.200 The sign on the window said Mrs. Merton's Birdland, manager Agnes Merton. 09:51.200 --> 09:53.200 We tried the door. It was locked. 09:53.200 --> 09:57.200 A cardboard clock hanging on the glass door read, be back at 1 P.M. 09:57.200 --> 10:01.200 So we went back up to Colley Avenue and we started ringing doorbells. 10:01.200 --> 10:04.200 Some of the residents on the block didn't even know the Snyders. 10:04.200 --> 10:10.200 Of those that did, only two had noticed any activity at the house during the three weeks Mr. Snyder and his granddaughter had been away. 10:10.200 --> 10:14.200 They told us that they'd seen a moving van parked in front of the house about a week before. 10:14.200 --> 10:17.200 They also saw men moving furniture from the house into the van. 10:17.200 --> 10:21.200 Neither of the two could describe the vehicle or remember its license number. 10:21.200 --> 10:26.200 Twelve forty-five P.M. We had a cup of coffee and a hamburger and then we headed back for Mrs. Merton's Bird store. 10:34.200 --> 10:36.200 Can I help you, gentlemen? 10:36.200 --> 10:38.200 Yes, ma'am. Police officers. You have a few questions for you. 10:38.200 --> 10:40.200 Certainly. Something about birds? 10:40.200 --> 10:42.200 No, ma'am. About one of your neighbors. 10:42.200 --> 10:43.200 Oh. 10:43.200 --> 10:45.200 The Snyders? They live just out the street from here. 10:45.200 --> 10:49.200 Oh, yes, old couple. Poor Mr. Snyder passed away, you know, a few weeks ago. 10:49.200 --> 10:50.200 Yes, ma'am. We know. 10:50.200 --> 10:54.200 They have a wonderful granddaughter, Ruthie. She and I are getting to be great friends. 10:54.200 --> 10:56.200 The Snyders having some kind of trouble? 10:56.200 --> 10:58.200 We're investigating a burglary at their house. 10:58.200 --> 11:04.200 Oh, is that so? Now, you be quiet, Mary. You heard what I told Blackie. Just eat your food and be quiet. 11:04.200 --> 11:07.200 I guess you knew the Snyders had been away for the last few weeks. 11:07.200 --> 11:10.200 Yes, I did. But they're back. I saw Ruthie pass the window this morning. 11:10.200 --> 11:13.200 You noticed any activity around the Snyders' house since they've been gone? 11:13.200 --> 11:14.200 Yes, I did. 11:14.200 --> 11:16.200 And just what did you notice, Miss Merton? 11:16.200 --> 11:25.200 Well, it was seven or eight days ago, I think, some white moving truck stopped in front of their place and the two men started moving up Snyder's furniture. 11:25.200 --> 11:26.200 Uh-huh. 11:26.200 --> 11:30.200 I thought it was a little strange because Ruthie hadn't told me anything about moving. 11:30.200 --> 11:36.200 In fact, she said definitely she and her grandpa were coming back after poor Mrs. Snyder's funeral in Indiana. 11:36.200 --> 11:38.200 Did you investigate at all, ma'am? 11:38.200 --> 11:45.200 Excuse me. Who is that? You? Fred? Yes? You ought to be ashamed. You can see I'm busy. 11:45.200 --> 11:51.200 Never out this like that. And all three of you, Fred, Blackie, Mary, I'll take care of you. 11:51.200 --> 11:53.200 Oh, where was I? 11:53.200 --> 11:55.200 You saw the moving van in front of the Snyders. 11:55.200 --> 12:02.200 Oh, yes. And I went up to the moving men and asked them if the Snyders were going back to Indiana. Well, of course, they didn't know anything about it. 12:02.200 --> 12:04.200 Did you inquire at the Snyders' house? 12:04.200 --> 12:09.200 Well, no, it so happened I didn't. I was on my way to one of the big aviaries in the valley and I just didn't have time to stop. 12:09.200 --> 12:12.200 How about the moving van? Did you happen to notice the license? 12:12.200 --> 12:14.200 I don't remember the numbers. 12:14.200 --> 12:18.200 Any identifying marks about the truck you might remember? Maybe a sign on the side? 12:18.200 --> 12:24.200 Yes, the side of the truck was painted white and there was large blue lettering on it. Van and storage. It said I remember that much. 12:24.200 --> 12:25.200 Was that all? 12:25.200 --> 12:30.200 Well, yes. As I said, I was in a hurry. I had to pick up three sick canaries out in the valley. 12:30.200 --> 12:34.200 Is there anything else about the incident you can remember? Anything at all? 12:34.200 --> 12:37.200 No, I'm afraid not. 12:37.200 --> 12:42.200 Well, thank you very much, Mrs. Burton. Here's our card if you happen to come across any further information. 12:42.200 --> 12:46.200 Yes, all right. I'll have to go see the Snyders. Maybe I can help. 12:46.200 --> 12:48.200 Fine. Goodbye, ma'am. Thank you very much. 12:48.200 --> 12:49.200 Yes, goodbye. 12:49.200 --> 12:50.200 Goodbye. 12:50.200 --> 12:53.200 Fred, now you stop up this minute. Fred? 12:56.200 --> 12:58.200 Yeah, not much help there. 12:58.200 --> 13:00.200 Not much. Give me an idea, though. 13:00.200 --> 13:01.200 Hmm? 13:01.200 --> 13:02.200 Wedding present for the Austen's. 13:02.200 --> 13:03.200 Yeah? 13:03.200 --> 13:07.200 Maybe a couple of canaries in a nice cage? 13:11.200 --> 13:16.200 Five p.m. We went back to the office. Reports had come in from two more victims. 13:16.200 --> 13:23.200 That night, Ben and I drove out to interview them. The circumstances of the theft and the ammo of the criminals matched identically with the Snyder case. 13:23.200 --> 13:30.200 Both of the families victimized had gone off on vacations and neglected to notify either the neighbors or the patrolmen in their area. 13:30.200 --> 13:37.200 Both had allowed daily newspapers to collect on their doorsteps in their absence and otherwise left signs that their homes were vacant. 13:37.200 --> 13:41.200 In both cases, the thieves had forced an entrance through a back door or window, 13:41.200 --> 13:46.200 stripped the house of every last piece of furniture, and either hauled it away themselves or hired somebody to do it for them. 13:46.200 --> 13:49.200 We started canvassing the two areas where the crimes had been reported. 13:49.200 --> 13:55.200 Again, the neighbors saw the moving vans, but none were able to definitely identify their vehicles or their license numbers. 13:55.200 --> 13:57.200 Captain Fulton called us into his office. 13:57.200 --> 14:01.200 You're going to have to try harder. I know they're hard to get, but get them. Get them fast. 14:01.200 --> 14:03.200 We've done about everything we can so far, Skipper. 14:03.200 --> 14:09.200 With only one small lead, the thieves seemed to be using a different moving van on each job. 14:09.200 --> 14:12.200 We started to check the movers around town, the transfer companies. 14:12.200 --> 14:14.200 Did Clayton Prince come up with anything yet? 14:14.200 --> 14:15.200 No. No luck there. 14:15.200 --> 14:21.200 One of the loudest rackets we've had since I came on this detail. Whole house full of furniture. Everything a family owns. 14:21.200 --> 14:24.200 Well, we'll stay on top of it. The stats office may come up with something. 14:24.200 --> 14:28.200 How about an outlet for all that stuff that's been stolen? The thieves can't be sitting on it. 14:28.200 --> 14:30.200 Phone shop and secondhand details have been alerted. 14:30.200 --> 14:34.200 They're checking regular outlets, auction houses, secondhand places. Nothing yet. 14:34.200 --> 14:37.200 What about some kind of preventive idea? At least slow them down. 14:37.200 --> 14:39.200 Good dose of publicity on the whole thing would help. 14:39.200 --> 14:42.200 If only people wouldn't give it a secret when they're going away. 14:42.200 --> 14:47.200 Neighbors aren't alerted. That's why a lot of them didn't think much of it when they saw the moving vans parked at those houses. 14:47.200 --> 14:52.200 And drawing blinds and the newspapers on the doorsteps didn't help much either. It's an open invitation. 14:52.200 --> 14:55.200 Well, I'll see what we can do on the publicity end. We've had one campaign on this already. 14:55.200 --> 14:57.200 No, excuse me. 14:58.200 --> 15:00.200 Regular A, Captain Fulton. 15:03.200 --> 15:05.200 What's the address? 15:06.200 --> 15:08.200 Okay, I got it. Thank you. 15:08.200 --> 15:11.200 Here you go, another one. 15:11.200 --> 15:14.200 63R just called it in. Family back from vacation, furniture all gone. 15:14.200 --> 15:16.200 Here's your address, sir. Thank you. 15:16.200 --> 15:18.200 Better get on it right away. Let's go. 15:18.200 --> 15:22.200 I'll have a little more help for you on this tomorrow. Crowley and Barnes will be free. They can work with you. 15:22.200 --> 15:24.200 Okay, Skipper. Check you later. 15:24.200 --> 15:26.200 Right. 15:30.200 --> 15:33.200 Sergeant Friday? Yes, ma'am. You remember me, don't you, Mrs. Merton? 15:33.200 --> 15:35.200 Oh, sure. The Bird Store. Yes, ma'am. How are you? 15:35.200 --> 15:38.200 Well, they told me to wait here. I guess everything will be all right now. 15:38.200 --> 15:41.200 Yeah? I saw it today on Olive Street. Here. 15:41.200 --> 15:45.200 Hmm? The truck that came to Snyder's house. That's the license number. 15:55.200 --> 16:02.200 You are listening to Dragnet, the case history of a police investigation presented in the public interest by Fatima Cigarettes. 16:02.200 --> 16:07.200 It's amazing how many long cigarette smokers are changing to extra-mild Fatima. 16:07.200 --> 16:09.200 Here is the actual report. 16:09.200 --> 16:13.200 From coast to coast, Fatima has more than doubled its smokers. 16:13.200 --> 16:21.200 Here is the reason why. When you compare Fatima with other long cigarettes, the difference is quality. 16:21.200 --> 16:24.200 Yes, in Fatima the difference is quality. 16:24.200 --> 16:31.200 Fatima is the quality king-size cigarette because it contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos, 16:31.200 --> 16:40.200 superbly blended, and Fatima is extra-mild with a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. 16:40.200 --> 16:51.200 And because of its quality, its extra-mildness, its better flavor and aroma, more and more smokers say it's wise to smoke extra-mild Fatima. 16:51.200 --> 16:54.200 I agree, says Dick Hyland, sports columnist. 16:54.200 --> 16:58.200 I agree, says Mrs. Deems Taylor, painter and theatrical designer. 16:58.200 --> 17:01.200 I agree, says Frank Fenton, author. 17:01.200 --> 17:07.200 Yes, all agree. It's wise to smoke extra-mild Fatima. Best of all, long cigarettes. 17:07.200 --> 17:11.200 Because in Fatima, the difference is quality. 17:11.200 --> 17:14.200 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 17:14.200 --> 17:18.200 Smoke Fatima, the quality king-size cigarette. 17:18.200 --> 17:30.200 Tuesday, August 11th, 6 p.m. The license number which Mrs. Merton had given us was checked through DMV. 17:30.200 --> 17:35.200 We found that the truck was registered in the name of a local secondhand furniture dealer by the name of Ralph Grismore. 17:35.200 --> 17:38.200 We checked his name through the police commission and then the Eye Bureau. 17:38.200 --> 17:41.200 He had a good reputation, no criminal record. 17:41.200 --> 17:46.200 Early the next morning we picked up Mr. Snyder and his granddaughter Ruth, and we drove to Grismore's secondhand furniture store. 17:46.200 --> 17:49.200 We identified ourselves and asked to look at his buy book. 17:49.200 --> 17:56.200 Under the date of July 27th, Grismore had recorded the purchase of more than three dozen articles of furniture from a house on College Avenue. 17:56.200 --> 17:58.200 The address was that of the Snyders. 17:58.200 --> 18:01.200 A man and a woman, Sergeant, they said they'd sold their house and they were going east. 18:01.200 --> 18:04.200 The man said the company he worked for had transferred them to Boston. 18:04.200 --> 18:06.200 Told them he had to get back to take over his new job. 18:06.200 --> 18:09.200 Would you recognize the people if you saw them again, Grismore? 18:09.200 --> 18:12.200 Sure, I think so. The woman was a great talker. 18:12.200 --> 18:20.200 She said they figured on selling the stuff piece by piece, they'd get more, but since they had to leave town the next day, she decided to sell the whole lot to a dealer. 18:20.200 --> 18:22.200 You got the furniture for a pretty low price, didn't you? 18:22.200 --> 18:25.200 Pretty good price, yeah. That's why I went along in the fast deal. 18:25.200 --> 18:29.200 I wasn't going to talk myself out of a bargain. They wanted to sell fast, so I wanted to buy. 18:29.200 --> 18:31.200 I don't think anything was wrong. 18:31.200 --> 18:32.200 Sergeant. 18:32.200 --> 18:33.200 Yeah, Mrs. Snyder? 18:33.200 --> 18:36.200 Our walnut dining room, sir. That's it right over there. 18:36.200 --> 18:37.200 You sure, Mr. Snyder? 18:37.200 --> 18:41.200 Cigar burn on top, just above one of the legs. No, it anywhere. 18:41.200 --> 18:44.200 It seems to me that's on the agony table. I'll look. 18:44.200 --> 18:48.200 Sergeant, the table in my desk, here they are right here. My school stuff, too. 18:48.200 --> 18:49.200 All right, Ruthie. 18:49.200 --> 18:53.200 Yeah, they sure stuck me all right. That's the last fast deal I ever made. 18:53.200 --> 18:56.200 How did they contact you, Grismore? What kind of approach did they use? 18:56.200 --> 19:02.200 They called me on the phone, and I came out and gave them an appraisal on the stuff. Nothing suspicious about either the man or the woman. 19:02.200 --> 19:03.200 And that's all? 19:03.200 --> 19:08.200 She was in a house dress, bandana around her head. The guy was in old clothes, just as homey as you please. 19:08.200 --> 19:11.200 Looked like he was doing a little repair work around the house, you know. 19:11.200 --> 19:13.200 Mm-hmm. You noticed that they had a car parked by the house? 19:13.200 --> 19:17.200 No. Matter of fact, I didn't. There wasn't any in the driveway. 19:17.200 --> 19:20.200 Mm-hmm. No argument over the price you offered them for the furniture? 19:20.200 --> 19:26.200 No. They seemed to hesitate a little, but they took my first offer. I thought I had a good deal. I don't know. 19:26.200 --> 19:29.200 How'd they react after you agreed on a price in a hurry? 19:29.200 --> 19:34.200 Said they had to board a train that night for Boston. They asked me to get the furniture out right away. 19:34.200 --> 19:35.200 Mm-hmm. 19:35.200 --> 19:43.200 The woman said they had other business to wind up, so if they weren't at the house when I came back with the van, why should you leave the back door open for me? 19:43.200 --> 19:46.200 I guess you realized you were going to have to place a hold on this furniture that you bought. 19:46.200 --> 19:49.200 Yeah, I know. I had nobody blame but myself. 19:49.200 --> 19:53.200 You gave this man and woman a check for the full amount of the sale. Is that right, Grisma? 19:53.200 --> 19:55.200 $550 down the drain. 19:55.200 --> 19:57.200 Do you have the canceled check? 19:57.200 --> 20:03.200 No, not yet. If you like, you can probably get it from the bank. Don't imagine those crooks would waste any time cashing it. 20:03.200 --> 20:05.200 We'd appreciate it if you'd run down the bank with us now. 20:05.200 --> 20:07.200 Okay, sir. 20:07.200 --> 20:10.200 Sergeant, could I speak with Mr. Grismore? 20:10.200 --> 20:12.200 Sure, Mr. Snyder. 20:12.200 --> 20:13.200 And Mr. Grismore? 20:13.200 --> 20:17.200 Yes, sir. I'm sorry about all this. I didn't know. 20:17.200 --> 20:20.200 Oh, I understand, sir. You buy furniture, don't you? 20:20.200 --> 20:21.200 Yes, sir. 20:21.200 --> 20:25.200 What could you give me for two Army surplus cuts? 20:25.200 --> 20:33.200 Grismore made arrangements to round up Mr. Snyder's furniture and ship it back to his home. 20:33.200 --> 20:37.200 Then we took him down to his bank where he recovered the canceled check for $550. 20:37.200 --> 20:40.200 The endorsement read, Mr. Thomas Butterworth. 20:40.200 --> 20:45.200 According to the bank teller who waited on them, the suspects had cashed the check shortly after the sale of the Snyder's furniture. 20:45.200 --> 20:51.200 From the second-hand dealer and the clerk at the bank, we got a complete description of the man and woman known as Mr. and Mrs. Butterworth. 20:51.200 --> 20:56.200 We also had photostatic copies made of the check and specimens of the handwriting from the endorsement. 20:56.200 --> 21:00.200 From the descriptions, we checked the suspects through the stats office. We got nowhere. 21:00.200 --> 21:06.200 During the next two weeks, we found six more second-hand dealers who had been taken in on the same furniture deal. 21:06.200 --> 21:10.200 The description of the man and woman matched, and so did the handwriting and the endorsements on each check. 21:10.200 --> 21:14.200 There was only one variation. The couple went under a different name on each occasion. 21:14.200 --> 21:17.200 Wednesday, August 26th, 9 a.m. 21:17.200 --> 21:19.200 Twelve cases like this today, is that right? 21:19.200 --> 21:23.200 Yes, Captain. Got the description, M.O. handwriting. Still can't reach him. 21:23.200 --> 21:26.200 Well, Steve's been freewheeling for a month now. What's going to take a stoppin'? 21:26.200 --> 21:29.200 Well, Ben came up with a pretty good idea this morning. We'd like to talk it over with you. 21:29.200 --> 21:30.200 Oh, what's that? 21:30.200 --> 21:32.200 Kind of a system of decoys, Skipper. 21:32.200 --> 21:39.200 We were thinking it might be a good idea to contact all the division captains and have them ask their men if they have any neighbors going on vacation. 21:39.200 --> 21:40.200 Yeah, go ahead. 21:40.200 --> 21:47.200 Well, if we got a few dozen houses spotted around the city, we could plant a few things. Make them look obviously vacant. 21:47.200 --> 21:50.200 Keep the houses covered at all times. They ought to make pretty good bait for those thieves. 21:50.200 --> 21:52.200 Uh-huh. How would you set it up? 21:52.200 --> 21:59.200 We could make arrangements to get a key to each home, keep the milk and paper deliveries coming, let them pile up on the doorstep. 21:59.200 --> 22:01.200 We could reimburse the people for whatever it cost. 22:01.200 --> 22:06.200 We're not making any headway. We could run this for a couple of weeks, see what happens. 22:06.200 --> 22:07.200 What do you think? 22:07.200 --> 22:08.200 Try it. 22:08.200 --> 22:20.200 At 9.30 a.m., we contacted all division commanders requesting them to ask their men to contact burglary detail if they knew of any of their neighbors about to leave on a vacation. 22:20.200 --> 22:24.200 During the next two days, the response came in and the plan went into effect. 22:24.200 --> 22:29.200 Forty homes throughout the city were spotted as decoys. They were kept under surveillance at all times. 22:29.200 --> 22:36.200 In the week that followed, two more burglaries of the same type were reported, but the suspects failed to try any of the decoy homes. 22:36.200 --> 22:40.200 The men in the pawn shop and secondhand details continued to work right along with us. 22:40.200 --> 22:43.200 The stolen furniture kept turning up, but not the thieves. 22:43.200 --> 22:48.200 Again, the homes that had been broken into displayed all the usual signs that the occupants were away. 22:48.200 --> 22:54.200 Old circulars and newspapers scattered on the lawn. Milk bottles lined up at the door, all the blinds drawn. 22:54.200 --> 22:57.200 The decoy plan continued. No results. 22:57.200 --> 23:00.200 August 31st, we had a report of another burglary involving the theft of furniture. 23:00.200 --> 23:05.200 We made our investigation. 2 p.m. We went back to the office to get out a list of stolen articles. 23:05.200 --> 23:09.200 Hi, Ben. Joe. 23:09.200 --> 23:11.200 Hi, Austin. When did you get back from your honeymoon? 23:11.200 --> 23:13.200 Late last night. 23:13.200 --> 23:17.200 I'd sure like to thank all you fellas for that wedding present you sent us. 23:17.200 --> 23:18.200 Darn nice of you. 23:18.200 --> 23:20.200 Well, we're glad you liked it, Austin. 23:20.200 --> 23:22.200 Sure a beauty. 23:22.200 --> 23:25.200 I'd like to ask you a question about it, though. I hope you won't take it wrong. 23:25.200 --> 23:27.200 No, go ahead. 23:27.200 --> 23:29.200 Well, what is it? 23:29.200 --> 23:32.200 You've got an early American house, haven't you? 23:32.200 --> 23:33.200 Yeah, that's right. 23:33.200 --> 23:34.200 It's an antique. 23:34.200 --> 23:35.200 Yeah? 23:35.200 --> 23:37.200 It's an apple theater. One of the first ever built. 23:37.200 --> 23:40.200 Oh, sure. Thanks a lot. 23:40.200 --> 23:43.200 I get it. 23:43.200 --> 23:47.200 Burgery Friday. Yeah? Where? 23:47.200 --> 23:49.200 Right away. Thanks. 23:49.200 --> 23:52.200 One of the decoy houses. We got a bite. 23:55.200 --> 23:58.200 Together with Sergeants Crowley and Austin, we drove out to the decoy house 23:58.200 --> 24:02.200 where an unidentified man and a woman had been seen forcing entry through a back door. 24:02.200 --> 24:06.200 They'd been spotted by a police officer's wife who lived next door and who had called in the report. 24:06.200 --> 24:09.200 We parked down the street from the decoy home and waited. 24:09.200 --> 24:10.200 Five minutes passed. 24:10.200 --> 24:13.200 We saw a woman dressed in a house coat come out onto the porch of the house, 24:13.200 --> 24:16.200 look up and down the street, and then go back inside. 24:16.200 --> 24:19.200 A few minutes after that, a gray Chevrolet sedan pulled up in front of the house. 24:19.200 --> 24:22.200 A man in a dark suit got out and entered through the front door. 24:22.200 --> 24:25.200 Ben called communications for a make on the car. 24:25.200 --> 24:30.200 80K to Control 4. 8 OK to Control 4. 24:35.200 --> 24:38.200 Request DMV on 6 Mary, 6 7 7 8. 24:38.200 --> 24:42.200 Repeat, 6 M, 6 7 7 8. Information urgent. 24:42.200 --> 24:46.200 Roger 80K, AMA 6 6 7 8. 24:46.200 --> 24:50.200 We waited. There were no signs of activity from the decoy house. 24:50.200 --> 24:54.200 Two minutes after Ben put in the call, we got our make on the gray sedan. 24:54.200 --> 24:57.200 Control 4 to 80K. 24:57.200 --> 24:59.200 80K, go ahead. 25:00.200 --> 25:03.200 6 Mary, 6 7 7 8. 25:03.200 --> 25:06.200 6 M, 6 7 7 8. 25:06.200 --> 25:08.200 Is registered to the Donohoe Furniture Company. 25:08.200 --> 25:10.200 Legal the same. 25:10.200 --> 25:13.200 7 8 1 1, Harvard Boulevard. 25:13.200 --> 25:16.200 It is a Chevrolet Deluxe two-door sedan, 1941 model. 25:16.200 --> 25:21.200 Engine number, C6VA4414. 25:21.200 --> 25:25.200 80K, Roger. AMA 3 6 7. 25:25.200 --> 25:31.200 A few minutes after the call back, a moving van drove down the street and backed into the driveway of the decoy house. 25:31.200 --> 25:34.200 The sign on the side of the van read Donohoe Furniture Company. 25:34.200 --> 25:37.200 Two men got out, went up to the front door and were let in. 25:37.200 --> 25:41.200 They came out in a couple of minutes and loaded a sofa into the moving van. 25:41.200 --> 25:42.200 OK Joe. 25:42.200 --> 25:44.200 Crowley and Austin get the sign. 25:44.200 --> 25:46.200 Here they come. 25:46.200 --> 25:48.200 Hey, you and Crowley want to cover the back, Austin. 25:48.200 --> 25:50.200 Right. Let's go Crowley. 25:50.200 --> 25:52.200 Come on Ben. 26:02.200 --> 26:04.200 Yes, sir, you want something? 26:04.200 --> 26:05.200 Police officers like you. 26:05.200 --> 26:06.200 Cut in the cops, run him! 26:06.200 --> 26:07.200 Stand still, you. 26:09.200 --> 26:10.200 Austin and Crowley got her. 26:10.200 --> 26:11.200 All right, hold still mister. 26:11.200 --> 26:13.200 Oh, that's a good one. 26:13.200 --> 26:16.200 What's this all about, you cops? 26:16.200 --> 26:17.200 That's right, you. 26:17.200 --> 26:19.200 Thanks Donohoe, I'm buying this lot of furniture. 26:19.200 --> 26:20.200 Something the matter? 26:20.200 --> 26:22.200 You're buying from the wrong people, they're not the owners. 26:22.200 --> 26:24.200 You better have your men move that stuff back in the house. 26:24.200 --> 26:26.200 OK, if you say so. 26:26.200 --> 26:28.200 All right, baby, relax. 26:28.200 --> 26:31.200 Take it easy, Helen, there's no use fighting, they got us. 26:31.200 --> 26:34.200 Whose fault is it? I told you luck doesn't last forever. 26:34.200 --> 26:36.200 OK, all right, don't make it worse. 26:36.200 --> 26:37.200 All right, let's go. 26:37.200 --> 26:38.200 I'll take her, Austin. 26:38.200 --> 26:40.200 You better fix yourself. 26:40.200 --> 26:43.200 Yeah. 26:43.200 --> 26:44.200 Come on, baby. 26:44.200 --> 26:45.200 Put your hands in. 26:45.200 --> 26:48.200 Hey, what's the matter with your shirt, Austin? 26:48.200 --> 26:51.200 Look, it used to happen when she tried to get away. 26:51.200 --> 26:53.200 Yeah, lipstick all over the collar there. 26:53.200 --> 26:54.200 Doesn't look very good. 26:54.200 --> 26:56.200 No, it doesn't. 26:56.200 --> 26:58.200 What are you going to tell your new bride? 26:58.200 --> 27:00.200 I got nothing to hide, I'll tell her the truth. 27:00.200 --> 27:01.200 Yeah? 27:01.200 --> 27:10.200 She'll believe me, won't she? 27:10.200 --> 27:13.200 The story you just heard was true. 27:13.200 --> 27:16.200 Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:16.200 --> 27:19.200 On November 25th, trial was held in Superior Court, 27:19.200 --> 27:22.200 Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. 27:22.200 --> 27:24.200 In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:24.200 --> 27:26.200 And now, here is our star, Jack Webb. 27:26.200 --> 27:27.200 Thank you. 27:27.200 --> 27:31.200 Under our system of law, the jury selected to hear a case is accorded complete freedom. 27:31.200 --> 27:37.200 The jury's decision is the final result of the testimony and evidence presented in the course of the trial. 27:37.200 --> 27:45.200 So, with Fatima, they are the final result of carefully selecting and blending only the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos to make Fatima extra mild. 27:45.200 --> 27:51.200 If you're a long cigarette smoker like I am, buy a pack of Fatimas and compare them with other long cigarettes, 27:51.200 --> 27:54.200 and you'll see the difference is quality. 27:54.200 --> 27:57.200 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 27:57.200 --> 28:07.200 So, smoke Fatima. 28:07.200 --> 28:11.200 The suspects were identified as Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Dunbar. 28:11.200 --> 28:16.200 They were arraigned on 15 counts of burglary and tried and found guilty on all counts. 28:16.200 --> 28:23.200 They are now serving their terms in the State Penitentiary. 28:23.200 --> 28:29.200 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 28:29.200 --> 28:41.200 Technical advice came from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department. 28:41.200 --> 28:56.200 Fatima cigarettes, the best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet from Los Angeles. 28:56.200 --> 29:10.200 Coming up Duffy's Tavern, Bob Hope returns October 3rd on NBC. 29:10.200 --> 29:14.200 Thank you.