1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:13,060 The story you are about to hear is true. 2 00:00:13,060 --> 00:00:15,880 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 3 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:21,360 Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, brings you Dragnet. 4 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:31,920 You're a detective sergeant. 5 00:00:31,920 --> 00:00:34,480 You're assigned to forgery detail. 6 00:00:34,480 --> 00:00:38,320 An accomplished check forger resumes operations in your city. 7 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:41,400 The suspect is described as a middle-aged woman. 8 00:00:41,400 --> 00:00:45,080 She's written more than $20,000 in bad checks. 9 00:00:45,080 --> 00:00:50,880 Your job, get her. 10 00:00:50,880 --> 00:00:53,920 In a moment, an authentic case from official files. 11 00:00:53,920 --> 00:00:57,640 Oh no. 12 00:00:57,640 --> 00:01:01,280 Ah, that's different. 13 00:01:01,280 --> 00:01:03,200 Yes, what a difference. 14 00:01:03,200 --> 00:01:05,720 In Fatima, the difference is quality. 15 00:01:05,720 --> 00:01:11,240 You see, Fatima is the quality king-size cigarette because it contains the finest Turkish and 16 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:14,080 domestic tobacco superbly blended. 17 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:19,640 And Fatima is extra mild with a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other 18 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:21,400 long cigarette. 19 00:01:21,400 --> 00:01:26,900 Because of its quality, its extra mildness, its better flavor and aroma, Fatima has more 20 00:01:26,900 --> 00:01:29,240 than doubled its smokers coast to coast. 21 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:34,800 Fatima's cost the same as other long cigarettes, but your first puff will tell you. 22 00:01:34,800 --> 00:01:36,680 Ah, that's different. 23 00:01:36,680 --> 00:01:42,760 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 24 00:01:42,760 --> 00:01:47,640 Ask your dealer for Fatima, the quality king-size cigarette. 25 00:01:47,640 --> 00:01:50,120 Best of all, long cigarettes. 26 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:54,320 Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow. 27 00:01:54,320 --> 00:02:00,880 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 28 00:02:00,880 --> 00:02:05,440 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 29 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:09,480 travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case from official police 30 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:10,760 files. 31 00:02:10,760 --> 00:02:15,820 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 32 00:02:15,820 --> 00:02:18,520 in action. 33 00:02:18,520 --> 00:02:21,840 Was Monday, April 17th, was warm in Los Angeles. 34 00:02:21,840 --> 00:02:23,960 We were working a day watch out of forgery detail. 35 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:26,720 My partner's Ben Romero, the boss is Captain Elliott. 36 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:27,720 My name's Friday. 37 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:33,240 I was on the way back into work and it was 7.53 a.m. when I got to room 29. 38 00:02:33,240 --> 00:02:34,240 Forgery detail. 39 00:02:34,240 --> 00:02:35,240 Morning, Joe. 40 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:38,240 Hi, how'd the weekend go? 41 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:39,240 Oh, pretty slow. 42 00:02:39,240 --> 00:02:40,240 Stayed home, did some gardening. 43 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:42,240 How about that new lawn you put in? 44 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:43,240 How's it doing? 45 00:02:43,240 --> 00:02:45,560 If we want a lawn, we're going to have to move. 46 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:46,560 What's the matter now? 47 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:47,560 Same old thing. 48 00:02:47,560 --> 00:02:48,560 Gophers? 49 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:49,560 Must be hundreds of them. 50 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:51,560 So many holes at the top of the lawn, looks like an old punch board. 51 00:02:51,560 --> 00:02:53,040 No, that's too bad. 52 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:55,560 Can't you try some kind of poison on them? 53 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:57,560 How about those new things they got out? 54 00:02:57,560 --> 00:02:58,560 What do they call them? 55 00:02:58,560 --> 00:02:59,560 Gopher bombs? 56 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:00,560 I use them with a dozen. 57 00:03:00,560 --> 00:03:01,560 They eat anything. 58 00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:02,560 Joe, Ben? 59 00:03:02,560 --> 00:03:03,560 Yeah, Ferguson. 60 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:04,560 Good morning, Captain. 61 00:03:04,560 --> 00:03:05,560 Let's see you. 62 00:03:05,560 --> 00:03:06,560 Okay. 63 00:03:06,560 --> 00:03:07,560 What's up, Fergie? 64 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:10,560 You ain't going to like it. 65 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:13,560 Skipper will brief you. 66 00:03:13,560 --> 00:03:15,560 Morning, Skipper. 67 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:17,560 Hi, have a seat. 68 00:03:17,560 --> 00:03:18,560 Yeah, thanks. 69 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,560 You two finished up with the Benson case yesterday, that right? 70 00:03:21,560 --> 00:03:22,560 Yeah, it's all washed up. 71 00:03:22,560 --> 00:03:23,560 We're clear. 72 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:24,560 Good. 73 00:03:24,560 --> 00:03:25,560 Then you can start on this one right away. 74 00:03:25,560 --> 00:03:27,560 You'll work with Frank Besser and Ferguson here. 75 00:03:27,560 --> 00:03:28,560 What is it? 76 00:03:28,560 --> 00:03:29,560 Grandma. 77 00:03:29,560 --> 00:03:30,560 I had a hunch, Joe. 78 00:03:30,560 --> 00:03:32,560 What have we done to deserve this? 79 00:03:32,560 --> 00:03:33,560 It's nothing any of us have done. 80 00:03:33,560 --> 00:03:34,560 It's what we haven't done. 81 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:36,560 Now, we're stopped once and for all. 82 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:38,560 Are we any closer to her than we have been, Fergie? 83 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:39,560 Just about the same, Joe. 84 00:03:39,560 --> 00:03:41,560 That's why I'm putting two more of you on it. 85 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:43,560 How well do you know the case? 86 00:03:43,560 --> 00:03:45,560 Just what we've heard around the office. 87 00:03:45,560 --> 00:03:46,560 Same here. 88 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:47,560 I could stand some briefing. 89 00:03:47,560 --> 00:03:48,560 Ferguson? 90 00:03:48,560 --> 00:03:49,560 Well, you must have heard how she operates. 91 00:03:49,560 --> 00:03:52,560 Three months out of the year, April, October, and December, that's all. 92 00:03:52,560 --> 00:03:54,560 She never been known to change that schedule? 93 00:03:54,560 --> 00:03:56,560 Not as far as I know. 94 00:03:56,560 --> 00:03:58,560 She's been doing it the same for nine years. 95 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:00,560 All the phony checks she cashes are personal checks. 96 00:04:00,560 --> 00:04:01,560 That's right. 97 00:04:01,560 --> 00:04:04,560 She never writes in less than $2 and never more than $100. 98 00:04:04,560 --> 00:04:05,560 Nine years. 99 00:04:05,560 --> 00:04:06,560 She been going that long? 100 00:04:06,560 --> 00:04:07,560 Nine and a half. 101 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:09,560 It'll be an even 10 this October. 102 00:04:09,560 --> 00:04:11,560 You want to check them out on the totals, Ferguson? 103 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:12,560 Mm-hmm. 104 00:04:12,560 --> 00:04:17,560 Up to and including the first of this month, she's cashed 1,273 checks. 105 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,560 The total's a little over $22,000. 106 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,560 Anything special about the way she writes the checks? 107 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:24,560 Nothing but the signatures. 108 00:04:24,560 --> 00:04:28,560 There's an alias list on her that'll knock your eye out more than 200 different names. 109 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:32,560 Her description's still the same, about 50 years old, kind of plump, nice face. 110 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:34,560 A few minor changes. 111 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:37,560 Last year she had gray hair, dressed very plain. 112 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:40,560 This year she dyed her hair black, dressed a little more expensively. 113 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:42,560 Nine years. 114 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:44,560 That's a long streak of luck for any paper hanger. 115 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:45,560 That's just it. 116 00:04:45,560 --> 00:04:47,560 This old gal's not just an ordinary paper hanger. 117 00:04:47,560 --> 00:04:49,560 She's no amateur, don't get me wrong, 118 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:52,560 but she doesn't operate like any check forger I've ever known. 119 00:04:52,560 --> 00:04:55,560 She contradicts part of her M.O., part of it she doesn't. 120 00:04:55,560 --> 00:04:59,560 She takes chances an ordinary paper hanger would never take, and she gets away with them. 121 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:01,560 Take a look at just one of these exhibits. 122 00:05:01,560 --> 00:05:02,560 Yeah? 123 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:03,560 This one here. 124 00:05:03,560 --> 00:05:07,560 28 checks passed on the same chain of grocery stores, same company. 125 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:09,560 She passed them all in one month? 126 00:05:09,560 --> 00:05:10,560 No, that's just the point. 127 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:14,560 Two years ago she passed 14 of them, spread them out over a period of a month. 128 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:18,560 Last year she passed another batch of 14 all within three days. 129 00:05:18,560 --> 00:05:20,560 One year she used a different name on each check. 130 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:22,560 On this batch she used the same name. 131 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:25,560 Well, does she have any identification when she passes these checks? 132 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:26,560 Always. 133 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:29,560 Phony driver's license, Social Security cards, it works. 134 00:05:29,560 --> 00:05:32,560 And she's got that sweet grandmother smile to hers. 135 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:34,560 Clerks rarely turn her down when she shows up with a check. 136 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:37,560 You can get used to different descriptions of her too. 137 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:38,560 Give the file a look. 138 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:42,560 Hardly three of the check victims can get together on what she looks like exactly. 139 00:05:42,560 --> 00:05:45,560 Well, where are they getting stung most, downtown or out in the neighborhoods? 140 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:48,560 The neighborhoods, anywhere from the beach area to the valley. 141 00:05:48,560 --> 00:05:51,560 This whole file skipper, that's not just her work, is it? 142 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:52,560 Every last bit of it. 143 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:54,560 We can't fit it in a six-foot shelf. 144 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,560 In nine years I've had five teams of men work this thing. 145 00:05:57,560 --> 00:05:58,560 None of them reached her. 146 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:00,560 You and Friday make the sixth. 147 00:06:00,560 --> 00:06:03,560 It's April 17th. How's she doing so far this month, Freddie? 148 00:06:03,560 --> 00:06:08,560 Cash $624 in checks we know of since the first of the month. 149 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:10,560 Same general description, same general MO. 150 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:11,560 No fresh leads? 151 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:13,560 She's been operating nine years, Joe. 152 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:15,560 Just as good as ever. 153 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:25,560 To the working detective, there's no tougher job than tracking a lawbreaker who's half professional and half amateur. 154 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:31,560 You can expect a criminal who's entirely professional to react generally the same in a given set of circumstances. 155 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:33,560 The same with the amateur. 156 00:06:33,560 --> 00:06:38,560 But take the two, the professional and the amateur, and intermingle their possible and probable reactions. 157 00:06:38,560 --> 00:06:47,560 You'll likely have a sound reason why and how an elderly woman could victimize merchants with $20,000 in bad checks over a period of nine years without being caught. 158 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:54,560 Grandma, as she'd come to be known, worked only three months out of each year, April, October, and December. 159 00:06:54,560 --> 00:07:00,560 Her apparent fine sense of timing and her knowledge of psychology was far and away superior to that of the ordinary paper hanger. 160 00:07:00,560 --> 00:07:05,560 If the file on Grandma was any indication, she apparently had been born to be a successful check forger. 161 00:07:05,560 --> 00:07:12,560 After Ben and I spent three days on the case with Sergeant Ferguson and Besser, we were almost convinced that there was only one way we could reach the suspect. 162 00:07:12,560 --> 00:07:14,560 She had to make a mistake. 163 00:07:14,560 --> 00:07:16,560 Bergen, how'd you do? 164 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:20,560 Pretty sour. Four checks in two days. What'd you fellas get? 165 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:23,560 Two. Don Meyer checked the signatures. They're all hers. 166 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:25,560 Here's our list if you're interested. 167 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:32,560 Meet market out in Pico, $25. Grocery in West Hollywood, $48. Two department stores downtown, $100 apiece. 168 00:07:32,560 --> 00:07:34,560 How do they describe the woman? 169 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:42,560 Same old yarn. She was a nice, charming little lady, about 55 or 60, small, dark hair, graying, dark eyes, nice smile. 170 00:07:42,560 --> 00:07:45,560 Clerk told me she reminded him of his mother. 171 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:46,560 Yeah. 172 00:07:46,560 --> 00:07:48,560 Now how'd you make out on those two of yours? 173 00:07:48,560 --> 00:07:51,560 All about the same, even the story about her looking like somebody's mother. 174 00:07:51,560 --> 00:07:54,560 One thing's sure. Her timing's just as good as it was nine years ago. 175 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:57,560 Downtown Merchants Association screaming again. They're looking for action. 176 00:07:57,560 --> 00:07:58,560 So are we. 177 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:00,560 Did you talk to the captain today? 178 00:08:00,560 --> 00:08:05,560 Yeah, he's looking for action too. I don't know what we can do unless we get some kind of cooperation from the merchants. 179 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:11,560 Every time the old gal pushes a bum check, it's three or four days before it gets to the bank and we hear about it. 180 00:08:11,560 --> 00:08:13,560 The trail's pretty cold by then. 181 00:08:13,560 --> 00:08:17,560 Joe and I were talking just before you came in, Fergie. We can't expect too much to happen the way we're going. 182 00:08:17,560 --> 00:08:18,560 Any ideas? 183 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:22,560 More men and more stakeouts. The captain says he'll buy that. That's about all we can do. 184 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:27,560 Another ten days in April will be over. Grandma'll be through pushing checks till October again. 185 00:08:27,560 --> 00:08:33,560 I don't know, Joe. Her formula's too perfect for me. There's gotta be a flaw in it someplace. 186 00:08:33,560 --> 00:08:37,560 Yeah. You got out a bulletin of that revised description of her, Fergie? 187 00:08:37,560 --> 00:08:41,560 Yeah, it's all taken care of. Special notices were mailed out to the merchants too. Again? 188 00:08:41,560 --> 00:08:42,560 Yeah. 189 00:08:42,560 --> 00:08:46,560 Forge River Mail. Yes, sir. 190 00:08:46,560 --> 00:08:48,560 Is that... That's it. 191 00:08:48,560 --> 00:08:50,560 Yeah, right away. Thank you. 192 00:08:52,560 --> 00:08:56,560 Supermarket on Temple Street. Grandma. Hit him with two checks. 193 00:08:56,560 --> 00:08:57,560 Any lead? 194 00:08:57,560 --> 00:08:59,560 Clerk says she'd remind him of his money. 195 00:09:04,560 --> 00:09:08,560 A week passed. The number of stakeouts on business places throughout the city was doubled. 196 00:09:08,560 --> 00:09:14,560 The M.O. and description of the suspect was circulated among the merchants in the downtown and suburban shopping centers. 197 00:09:14,560 --> 00:09:17,560 Clerks were especially warned to be on the lookout for. 198 00:09:17,560 --> 00:09:22,560 The precautions went for nothing. Grandma's checks kept showing up at the rate of two and three a day. 199 00:09:22,560 --> 00:09:27,560 On April 27th, she passed a check for $50 at the Delicatessen on Hollywood Boulevard. 200 00:09:27,560 --> 00:09:30,560 We drove out to interview the owner, Mr. Hemerson. 201 00:09:30,560 --> 00:09:33,560 Do you have one of those circulars we send out on this woman? 202 00:09:33,560 --> 00:09:38,560 Well, I'm ashamed to say it, Sergeant, but I have, hanging right back there in the store room. 203 00:09:38,560 --> 00:09:42,560 The thing of it is, I never connected the two, the woman and the notice. 204 00:09:42,560 --> 00:09:47,560 It's the way she looks at you, you know? Like it'd be a heel to even question her. 205 00:09:47,560 --> 00:09:50,560 How was she dressed the last time she was in? Do you remember that? 206 00:09:50,560 --> 00:09:53,560 Well, she had kind of a plain black coat on. 207 00:09:54,560 --> 00:09:58,560 Say, would you excuse me a minute? I don't like to keep customers waiting. 208 00:09:58,560 --> 00:10:00,560 Oh, sure. Go ahead. Yes, sir. 209 00:10:00,560 --> 00:10:02,560 How are you, Mrs. Lyons? 210 00:10:02,560 --> 00:10:06,560 I need some cold meat for kids' lunches. What have you got nice and fresh? 211 00:10:06,560 --> 00:10:11,560 You see right there in the case, head cheese is very fresh. Good for the kidneys. 212 00:10:11,560 --> 00:10:13,560 Pimento loaf's nice, too. 213 00:10:13,560 --> 00:10:16,560 Oh, kids don't like either one, Bussy. 214 00:10:16,560 --> 00:10:19,560 You better give me 35 cents of that small baloney, would you? 215 00:10:19,560 --> 00:10:31,560 Yes, ma'am. 216 00:10:36,560 --> 00:10:38,560 Kids are so fussy nowadays. 217 00:10:39,560 --> 00:10:42,560 They ought to be in Europe, that's what I tell them. 218 00:10:42,560 --> 00:10:44,560 I know what it is to go hungry. 219 00:10:44,560 --> 00:10:48,560 Oh, you better give me a couple of those large kosher pickles, too. 220 00:10:48,560 --> 00:10:50,560 Husband's crazy for them. 221 00:10:50,560 --> 00:10:52,560 Yes, ma'am. 222 00:10:53,560 --> 00:10:56,560 And a loaf of the rye, too. Would you know, see? 223 00:10:56,560 --> 00:10:58,560 Yes, ma'am. 224 00:10:58,560 --> 00:11:01,560 How are the kiddies doing in school, Mrs. Lyons? 225 00:11:01,560 --> 00:11:03,560 Oh, just fine, fine. 226 00:11:05,560 --> 00:11:08,560 Marilyn's in the school pageant next month. She's going to be the queen. 227 00:11:08,560 --> 00:11:10,560 Oh, that's nice. 228 00:11:10,560 --> 00:11:15,560 Well, I don't know how nice it is. More work, that's all. 229 00:11:15,560 --> 00:11:18,560 I have to make her costume. 230 00:11:19,560 --> 00:11:22,560 There you are, Mrs. Lyons. Put it on the bill? 231 00:11:22,560 --> 00:11:25,560 Yeah, would you do that? I'll see you the 15th of the month. 232 00:11:25,560 --> 00:11:26,560 Yes, ma'am. Good-bye. 233 00:11:26,560 --> 00:11:28,560 Uh-huh, good-bye. 234 00:11:31,560 --> 00:11:33,560 Sorry to keep you waiting, officer. 235 00:11:33,560 --> 00:11:34,560 Not at all. 236 00:11:34,560 --> 00:11:36,560 I see now. Where was I? 237 00:11:36,560 --> 00:11:38,560 Well, we asked you how the woman was doing. 238 00:11:38,560 --> 00:11:40,560 Oh, yeah, had a black coat on, I told you that. 239 00:11:40,560 --> 00:11:41,560 Yes, sir. 240 00:11:41,560 --> 00:11:44,560 Very plain-looking clothes, like any other housewife, 241 00:11:44,560 --> 00:11:48,560 print dress, some kind of a scarf around the neck. 242 00:11:48,560 --> 00:11:50,560 That's about all I noticed. 243 00:11:50,560 --> 00:11:52,560 How about that description of her in the bulletin we sent you? 244 00:11:52,560 --> 00:11:53,560 That fit her pretty well? 245 00:11:53,560 --> 00:11:57,560 Yeah, I guess so. She didn't exactly seem plump to me, though. 246 00:11:57,560 --> 00:12:00,560 Kind of a nice figure for a woman of her age. 247 00:12:00,560 --> 00:12:03,560 Do you know if any of your customers were acquainted with her? 248 00:12:03,560 --> 00:12:07,560 I wouldn't know that. She acted as though she was a woman of her age. 249 00:12:07,560 --> 00:12:10,560 She acted as though she knew some of them, 250 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:14,560 but now that this has happened, I can see she was just putting on. 251 00:12:14,560 --> 00:12:15,560 She was a great disappointment to me. 252 00:12:15,560 --> 00:12:17,560 Yes, yes, she is to a lot of people. 253 00:12:17,560 --> 00:12:19,560 I used to josh with her all the time. 254 00:12:19,560 --> 00:12:21,560 I'm a widower, you know. 255 00:12:21,560 --> 00:12:23,560 Thought once or twice I might even date her up. 256 00:12:23,560 --> 00:12:24,560 Is that so? 257 00:12:24,560 --> 00:12:27,560 Yeah, she seemed like a real good sport, joshing all the time, 258 00:12:27,560 --> 00:12:29,560 fine personality, just as homey as you please. 259 00:12:29,560 --> 00:12:31,560 That fits in with the other descriptions. 260 00:12:31,560 --> 00:12:37,560 How are you ever going to catch somebody like that? 261 00:12:37,560 --> 00:12:40,560 Two days later, on April 30th, right on schedule, 262 00:12:40,560 --> 00:12:43,560 the flow of bogus checks and grandma's handwriting suddenly stopped. 263 00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:47,560 If she continued to work by the same timetable she'd been using for the last nine years, 264 00:12:47,560 --> 00:12:50,560 she wouldn't start operations again until the 1st of October. 265 00:12:50,560 --> 00:12:54,560 During the next five months that followed, from May to the end of September, 266 00:12:54,560 --> 00:12:57,560 Besser, Ferguson, Ben, and I handled the usual run of check cases. 267 00:12:57,560 --> 00:13:00,560 At the same time, we used up every spare hour we had 268 00:13:00,560 --> 00:13:03,560 making preparations for the suspect's next appearance. 269 00:13:03,560 --> 00:13:07,560 Every businessman throughout the city who might be a possible victim was alerted. 270 00:13:07,560 --> 00:13:09,560 A revised description of the suspect, together with her MO, 271 00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:11,560 was printed up and given wide distribution. 272 00:13:11,560 --> 00:13:14,560 Every possible precaution was taken. 273 00:13:14,560 --> 00:13:15,560 October came. 274 00:13:15,560 --> 00:13:19,560 Grandma started on the 10th year of her forgery career without a hitch. 275 00:13:19,560 --> 00:13:24,560 On October 1st, she casted a check for $75 at a large downtown women's shop. 276 00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:27,560 As soon as we got the report, we went to the department where the check had been received. 277 00:13:27,560 --> 00:13:30,560 A fashion show was in progress. 278 00:13:30,560 --> 00:13:33,560 ...ladice wood. She's wearing an even wide velvet dinner suit. 279 00:13:33,560 --> 00:13:36,560 The newest shades are easy to wear. 280 00:13:36,560 --> 00:13:40,560 You will notice the pencil-thin skirt and the doll with three-quarters sleeves. 281 00:13:42,560 --> 00:13:44,560 Excuse me. Are you Mr. Montrose? 282 00:13:44,560 --> 00:13:46,560 Yes. What is it? 283 00:13:46,560 --> 00:13:48,560 Police officers, sir. Forgery detail. 284 00:13:48,560 --> 00:13:52,560 Oh, yes, that check. I wonder if you could hold on for just a moment. 285 00:13:52,560 --> 00:13:53,560 Yes, sir. 286 00:13:53,560 --> 00:13:59,560 Mrs. Janice Morgan next. She wears a gown of striking originality with rich but simple lines. 287 00:13:59,560 --> 00:14:04,560 A black dress with satin skirt with handmade points. 288 00:14:04,560 --> 00:14:10,560 A sculptured silk and latex sweater top with an oval neckline punctuated with ball fringes. 289 00:14:10,560 --> 00:14:14,560 Hey, Joe. What kind of outfit is that that the model's wearing? 290 00:14:14,560 --> 00:14:15,560 I don't know. 291 00:14:15,560 --> 00:14:17,560 How much do it? 292 00:14:18,560 --> 00:14:21,560 All right, officers. Would you like to step this way, please? 293 00:14:21,560 --> 00:14:23,560 Okay. 294 00:14:26,560 --> 00:14:28,560 This is my office here. 295 00:14:31,560 --> 00:14:33,560 Well, I don't know what I can do for you, gentlemen. 296 00:14:33,560 --> 00:14:36,560 The check was passed. Very unfortunate occurrence. 297 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:38,560 You okayed the check for cash, is that correct? 298 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:40,560 Yes. The sales girl handled the transaction. 299 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,560 She showed me the check. I knew the signature, so I okayed it. 300 00:14:43,560 --> 00:14:44,560 Mary Walker? 301 00:14:44,560 --> 00:14:46,560 Yes. That's how this check was signed. 302 00:14:46,560 --> 00:14:48,560 What kind of identification did the woman have? 303 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:52,560 Her charge account plate. You know, the small metal card charge plates we call them. 304 00:14:52,560 --> 00:14:54,560 I recognized that and the signature immediately. 305 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:56,560 You know this Mary Walker pretty well. 306 00:14:56,560 --> 00:14:58,560 She's one of our best customers. 307 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:12,560 You are listening to Dragnet. Authentic stories of your police force in action. 308 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:15,560 Oh, no! 309 00:15:17,560 --> 00:15:19,560 Ah, that's different. 310 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:21,560 Yes, what a difference. 311 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:27,560 There's a difference you can hear, there's a difference you can see, but the difference in Fatima is quality. 312 00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:33,560 Yes, friends, when you compare long cigarettes, you'll find that in Fatima the difference is quality. 313 00:15:33,560 --> 00:15:35,560 Quality of tobaccos. 314 00:15:35,560 --> 00:15:46,560 The finest Turkish and domestic varieties, extra mild and superbly blended, to give you a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. 315 00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:53,560 Quality of manufacture. Smooth, plump cigarettes, rolled in the finest paper money can buy. 316 00:15:53,560 --> 00:15:57,560 Quality even to the appearance of the bright, clean yellow package. 317 00:15:57,560 --> 00:16:03,560 Carefully wrapped and sealed to bring you Fatima's rich, fresh, extra mild flavor. 318 00:16:03,560 --> 00:16:08,560 Fatima's cost the same as other long cigarettes, but your first puff will tell you... 319 00:16:08,560 --> 00:16:11,560 Ah, that's different. 320 00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:15,560 Yes, in Fatima the difference is quality. 321 00:16:17,560 --> 00:16:24,560 Ask your dealer for Fatima, the quality king-size cigarette. Best of all, long cigarettes. 322 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:33,560 Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow. 323 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:35,560 Friday, October 4th, 2 p.m. 324 00:16:35,560 --> 00:16:43,560 Before we left the store, we found that another worthless check bearing the signature Mary Walker had been cashed in a different department of the store the same day. 325 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:49,560 The woman had used the same means of identification, a metal charge account plate stamped with the name Mary Walker. 326 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:53,560 We took the two checks back to the office and had Don Meyer and handwriting compare the signatures. 327 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:57,560 There wasn't any doubt in his mind. The writing on both checks was Grandma's. 328 00:16:57,560 --> 00:17:03,560 Well, it was only a hunch, but it was beginning to look as though the suspect had finally done what we'd been waiting nine years for her to do. 329 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:08,560 She'd made a mistake. Ben and I drove out to an address in the Wilshire District to interview Mrs. Mary Walker. 330 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:14,560 She fit the same general description of the suspect, but she denied writing either one of the checks which bore her signature. 331 00:17:14,560 --> 00:17:21,560 It's out of the question, Sergeant. I couldn't have written the checks. I haven't even been in the city for the past five days. 332 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:24,560 Then the signatures on these two checks here, Mrs. Walker, they're not yours. 333 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:30,560 It looks like my handwriting, but it's not. I didn't write those checks. They're forgeries. 334 00:17:30,560 --> 00:17:33,560 Yes, ma'am. You do have a charge account at the store, don't you, ma'am? 335 00:17:33,560 --> 00:17:39,560 Oh, yes. I've had an account there for years. Nothing like this has ever happened, though. 336 00:17:39,560 --> 00:17:41,560 You have one of those charge account plates? 337 00:17:41,560 --> 00:17:43,560 Well, yes. I did have one. 338 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:45,560 You lent it to someone in your family? 339 00:17:45,560 --> 00:17:51,560 No. As a matter of fact, I lost it. I meant to report it to the store, but it slipped my mind. 340 00:17:51,560 --> 00:17:54,560 Do you have any idea of where and when you might have lost it? 341 00:17:54,560 --> 00:18:02,560 Well, I think it was last Sunday night. I'm not sure. Oh, well, just a minute. I know who would remember. 342 00:18:02,560 --> 00:18:05,560 I nestled in, but she was there. I'm sure she'll remember. 343 00:18:05,560 --> 00:18:06,560 Who's she, ma'am? 344 00:18:06,560 --> 00:18:16,560 Girlfriend's mind. She lives in the neighborhood. 345 00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:25,560 Hello, Inez. Mary Walker, Inez. Oh, just fine. And you? Oh, good. 346 00:18:25,560 --> 00:18:31,560 Say, Inez, which night was it we went to the Boosters Club meeting Sunday? 347 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:39,560 Yes, I thought that it was. Oh, nothing. Just some silly misunderstanding. 348 00:18:39,560 --> 00:18:46,560 Well, all right, Inez. Thanks for remembering for me. Yes, goodbye. 349 00:18:46,560 --> 00:18:51,560 It was Sunday night, Sergeant. Inez Lambert and I went to the neighborhood Boosters Club meeting. 350 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:53,560 I'm sure that's where I must have lost it. 351 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:56,560 Well, you think the charge account plate fell out of your purse, is that it? 352 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:59,560 Well, either that or it was taken. 353 00:18:59,560 --> 00:19:04,560 Why do you say that, ma'am? Well, it's a serious thing. I didn't want to mention it. 354 00:19:04,560 --> 00:19:05,560 What's that? 355 00:19:05,560 --> 00:19:09,560 I left my purse on the chair next to me a part of the evening. 356 00:19:09,560 --> 00:19:13,560 When I got home, I thought I was missing a five dollar bill for my change purse. 357 00:19:13,560 --> 00:19:17,560 I didn't notice at the time my charge plate was gone. 358 00:19:17,560 --> 00:19:19,560 Do you remember who was at that meeting, Miss Walker? 359 00:19:19,560 --> 00:19:22,560 Oh, 40 or 50 people at least. 360 00:19:22,560 --> 00:19:24,560 How many women would you say? 361 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:30,560 Hmm, a dozen or so, I suppose. I'm not accusing anybody of robbery, Sergeant. 362 00:19:30,560 --> 00:19:33,560 I know it's a serious charge to make. 363 00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:36,560 Do you know if one of the club officers might have taken a list of those present? 364 00:19:36,560 --> 00:19:40,560 Oh, they didn't have to. We do the same thing at every meeting. 365 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:41,560 What's that mean? 366 00:19:41,560 --> 00:19:44,560 We all sign the attendance book when we leave. 367 00:19:44,560 --> 00:19:51,560 Three p.m. Ben and I contacted the secretary of the neighborhood Boosters Club. 368 00:19:51,560 --> 00:19:54,560 He gave us a list of those present at the Sunday night meeting of the club. 369 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:59,560 As Mary Walker had told us, each person present had signed his or her name and address in the attendance book. 370 00:19:59,560 --> 00:20:05,560 We took the record downtown with us and had Don Meyer compare each signature on the list with samples of Grandma's handwriting. 371 00:20:05,560 --> 00:20:08,560 Number 32 on the list, fellas. That's it. 372 00:20:08,560 --> 00:20:09,560 Positive, Mike? 373 00:20:09,560 --> 00:20:11,560 No doubt in my mind. That's Grandma's handwriting. 374 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:12,560 How'd she sign it? 375 00:20:12,560 --> 00:20:14,560 Mrs. Inez Lambert. 376 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:22,560 We went down the hall to R&I and had them check the name Inez Lambert through the files. 377 00:20:22,560 --> 00:20:29,560 She had no criminal record. Together with Besser and Ferguson, Ben and I spent the next day and a half trailing Inez Lambert wherever she went. 378 00:20:29,560 --> 00:20:33,560 She fitted the description of the suspect perfectly. We questioned her friends and her neighbors. 379 00:20:33,560 --> 00:20:37,560 We dug back into every corner of her life for the past ten years. 380 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:41,560 The results were pretty amazing. We found that she was highly respected by everybody she knew. 381 00:20:41,560 --> 00:20:46,560 She was active in a dozen civic and church organizations. Her reputation was spotless. 382 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:50,560 It was only one hitch. Mrs. Lambert's hobby was charities. 383 00:20:50,560 --> 00:20:57,560 By checking back, we found that during the past ten years, she donated an average of $3,000 annually to various charitable organizations. 384 00:20:57,560 --> 00:21:01,560 Her husband's total annual income was $7,000. 385 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:04,560 From her bank, we obtained specimens of Inez Lambert's handwriting. 386 00:21:04,560 --> 00:21:07,560 It matched almost perfectly with every signature in the Grandma file. 387 00:21:07,560 --> 00:21:11,560 Monday, October 7th, Ben and I called on Mrs. Lambert. 388 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:16,560 Oh yes, officers, won't you come in? Mary Walker was telling me about you. Come in, please. 389 00:21:16,560 --> 00:21:17,560 Thank you, ma'am. 390 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:18,560 Thank you. 391 00:21:18,560 --> 00:21:23,560 Mary told me about the things missing from her purse at the meeting. Is that what you're inquiring about? 392 00:21:23,560 --> 00:21:26,560 Yes, ma'am. We've got a few other questions to ask you besides that. 393 00:21:26,560 --> 00:21:32,560 Well, you sort of caught me at a bad time. Just getting ready to put some baking in the oven for dinner tonight. 394 00:21:32,560 --> 00:21:36,560 Would you mind very much if we talked back in the kitchen? I've got to get this done. 395 00:21:36,560 --> 00:21:37,560 No, not at all, ma'am. 396 00:21:37,560 --> 00:21:39,560 It's back this way. 397 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:46,560 Oh, there goes my cream sauce again, boiled over. 398 00:21:46,560 --> 00:21:49,560 Just take a chair there, officers. I'll be right with you. 399 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:50,560 Thank you. Thanks. 400 00:21:52,560 --> 00:21:56,560 This cream sauce is so temperamental, can't take your eye off it for a minute. 401 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:00,560 There, shouldn't boil over now. 402 00:22:01,560 --> 00:22:05,560 Would either of you officers care for a cup of cocoa? Chilly out today. 403 00:22:05,560 --> 00:22:08,560 No, thank you, ma'am. We only have a few questions for you. It won't take long. 404 00:22:08,560 --> 00:22:12,560 Yes, all right. Would you mind holding this bowl just a minute, sergeant? 405 00:22:12,560 --> 00:22:14,560 Oh, oh, yes. 406 00:22:14,560 --> 00:22:19,560 I just have to get this in the oven for dinner. My husband's favorite dessert. It's called pinch pie. 407 00:22:19,560 --> 00:22:21,560 It's kind of a meringue tart. 408 00:22:21,560 --> 00:22:24,560 Let me see. Take two eggs, I guess. 409 00:22:27,560 --> 00:22:32,560 There we are. Get these egg whites beaten up nice and light. 410 00:22:32,560 --> 00:22:36,560 That cup of sugar on the sink, sergeant, would you be so kind? 411 00:22:36,560 --> 00:22:37,560 Yeah, all right. 412 00:22:40,560 --> 00:22:41,560 Here's your sugar, ma'am. 413 00:22:41,560 --> 00:22:44,560 Thank you. Now, what is it you wanted to know? 414 00:22:44,560 --> 00:22:49,560 Mrs. Walker had her charge account plate stolen that night at the booster club meeting. 415 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:52,560 Somebody's been using it to cash bad checks in her name. 416 00:22:52,560 --> 00:22:55,560 Is that so? Mary didn't tell me that. 417 00:22:55,560 --> 00:22:59,560 The same person who's using that charge account plate has been cashing bad checks all over the city. 418 00:22:59,560 --> 00:23:01,560 He's been doing it for some time. 419 00:23:01,560 --> 00:23:06,560 Oh, my. Well, I don't think I can help you, sergeant. I went to that meeting with Mary. 420 00:23:06,560 --> 00:23:10,560 She says somebody must have been in her purse, but I didn't see them. 421 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:13,560 Do you have that charge account plate, Mrs. Lambert? 422 00:23:13,560 --> 00:23:15,560 Me? Oh, no, I have my own. 423 00:23:15,560 --> 00:23:21,560 Now, let me see. Teaspoon vanilla, teaspoon vinegar, teaspoon water. 424 00:23:21,560 --> 00:23:23,560 Combine in a small pitcher or cup. 425 00:23:23,560 --> 00:23:27,560 We've got good reason to believe you have that charge account plate, ma'am. 426 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:29,560 Did you take it from Mrs. Walker? 427 00:23:29,560 --> 00:23:33,560 That's a silly thing for you to say, sergeant. I told you I have my own charge plate. 428 00:23:33,560 --> 00:23:36,560 I never borrow anyone else's. No reason to. 429 00:23:36,560 --> 00:23:41,560 Add a few drops of combined liquids. Be constantly. 430 00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:45,560 Did you cash two checks last week and sign them with Mrs. Walker's name? 431 00:23:45,560 --> 00:23:47,560 Of course not. Why should I do such a thing? 432 00:23:47,560 --> 00:23:52,560 Mary Walker's one of my best friends. I wouldn't do that to her, even as a joke. 433 00:23:52,560 --> 00:23:55,560 Well, our handwriting man compared the signatures on those two checks, Mrs. Lambert. 434 00:23:55,560 --> 00:23:58,560 Both of them match your handwriting. 435 00:23:58,560 --> 00:24:01,560 And all the ingredients have been added. 436 00:24:01,560 --> 00:24:05,560 Continue to beat the meringue for several minutes. 437 00:24:05,560 --> 00:24:09,560 Oh, I'm sorry. What was that you said, sergeant? 438 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:12,560 I said that the signatures on those two forged checks, 439 00:24:12,560 --> 00:24:16,560 our handwriting man compared them with specimens of your signature. They both match. 440 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:20,560 Well, then your handwriting man certainly made a mistake. 441 00:24:20,560 --> 00:24:24,560 There's a large white platter up in that cupboard there. Would you reach it for me, please? 442 00:24:24,560 --> 00:24:31,560 All right. 443 00:24:31,560 --> 00:24:34,560 There you are, ma'am. Thank you. 444 00:24:34,560 --> 00:24:37,560 Now, you deny that you wrote those two forged checks last week. 445 00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:41,560 You deny that you've written and cashed about 1,500 worthless checks in the last nine years. 446 00:24:41,560 --> 00:24:47,560 Of course I deny it. You're sure you haven't made a mistake? 447 00:24:47,560 --> 00:24:50,560 We're sure, ma'am. I'm sorry. You'll have to come downtown with us for questioning. 448 00:24:50,560 --> 00:25:02,560 What's that? Oh, my. It's the cream sauce again. 449 00:25:02,560 --> 00:25:06,560 Sergeant, I can't leave the house now. Right in the middle of getting dinner ready. 450 00:25:06,560 --> 00:25:10,560 My husband will be furious. If you want to talk, couldn't we do it later on? 451 00:25:10,560 --> 00:25:12,560 I'm sorry, ma'am. Afraid not. 452 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:15,560 But you certainly can't accuse me of doing anything wrong. 453 00:25:15,560 --> 00:25:17,560 The folks at the church will vouch for me. 454 00:25:17,560 --> 00:25:22,560 We've got just as many people who say you've cheated them, and people who cash those checks for you. 455 00:25:22,560 --> 00:25:25,560 Quite a few of them, ma'am. Nine years' worth. 456 00:25:25,560 --> 00:25:30,560 But that silly nine years cashing checks, I'm sure you must mean somebody else, Sergeant. 457 00:25:30,560 --> 00:25:32,560 I've got to get this platter green. 458 00:25:32,560 --> 00:25:45,560 Let's see. Heat meringue upon lightly greased platter here. 459 00:25:45,560 --> 00:25:50,560 Look, we have a record downtown on every single check that you passed since you started, ma'am. 460 00:25:50,560 --> 00:25:53,560 We've got specimens of your handwriting and people to identify you. 461 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:56,560 We know what your income is. We know how much that you've given to charities. 462 00:25:56,560 --> 00:26:01,560 Money's got to come from someplace. Is that what the checks were for? 463 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:04,560 Excuse me. I've got to get this meringue in the oven. 464 00:26:04,560 --> 00:26:10,560 Let me see. 465 00:26:10,560 --> 00:26:22,560 275 degrees. 466 00:26:22,560 --> 00:26:27,560 I hope I put in enough vanilla. 467 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:30,560 You want to tell us about it? 468 00:26:30,560 --> 00:26:34,560 I never thought about anyone finding out. 469 00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:36,560 I guess I should have expected it, shouldn't I? 470 00:26:36,560 --> 00:26:38,560 Yes, ma'am. 471 00:26:38,560 --> 00:26:41,560 I mean, it was all for charity. 472 00:26:41,560 --> 00:26:48,560 There were so many of them. Orphanages, old people's home, Christmas poor fund, 473 00:26:48,560 --> 00:26:52,560 and then the overseas relief charities. They all need money. 474 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:54,560 Somebody has to take care of them. 475 00:26:54,560 --> 00:26:57,560 Your husband knew nothing about this for ten years? 476 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:01,560 Nothing at all. They were my charities. 477 00:27:01,560 --> 00:27:04,560 I had to have money for them. 478 00:27:04,560 --> 00:27:09,560 I took money from people who had it and gave it to those who didn't. 479 00:27:09,560 --> 00:27:12,560 What do you think, Sergeant? 480 00:27:12,560 --> 00:27:16,560 Was I wrong? Do you think the good Lord will say I was wrong? 481 00:27:16,560 --> 00:27:18,560 I wouldn't know, ma'am. 482 00:27:18,560 --> 00:27:23,560 I only wanted to help the poor like he did. I came to help the poor. 483 00:27:23,560 --> 00:27:24,560 Well, there's a big difference, ma'am. 484 00:27:24,560 --> 00:27:25,560 Yes? 485 00:27:25,560 --> 00:27:33,560 He didn't use a checkbook. 486 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:36,560 The story you have just heard was true. 487 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:39,560 Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 488 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:43,560 On December 18th, trial was held in Superior Court, Department 91, 489 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:45,560 City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. 490 00:27:45,560 --> 00:27:47,560 In a moment, the results of that trial. 491 00:27:47,560 --> 00:27:50,560 Now, here is our star, Jack Webb. 492 00:27:50,560 --> 00:27:51,560 Thank you. 493 00:27:51,560 --> 00:27:55,560 The efficiency of any local police department depends on the quality of its personnel. 494 00:27:55,560 --> 00:27:59,560 Each and every man is carefully selected and thoroughly trained. 495 00:27:59,560 --> 00:28:03,560 Whether in uniform or plain clothes, your police officer knows his job. 496 00:28:03,560 --> 00:28:05,560 And so with a cigarette. 497 00:28:05,560 --> 00:28:07,560 The men who make Fatima cigarettes know their job. 498 00:28:07,560 --> 00:28:13,560 They carefully select and blend the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos to make Fatima extra mild, 499 00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:15,560 different from other long cigarettes. 500 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:19,560 They cost the same, but in Fatima, the difference is quality. 501 00:28:19,560 --> 00:28:24,560 If you're a long cigarette smoker like I am, I'm sure you'll like Fatima best. 502 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:26,560 Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow. 503 00:28:26,560 --> 00:28:34,560 Music 504 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:38,560 Inez Lorraine Lambert entered a plea of guilty to two counts of forgery, 505 00:28:38,560 --> 00:28:40,560 and the remaining charges were set off calendar. 506 00:28:40,560 --> 00:28:43,560 She was sentenced by the court for the term prescribed by law. 507 00:28:43,560 --> 00:28:47,560 Music 508 00:28:47,560 --> 00:28:51,560 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 509 00:28:51,560 --> 00:28:56,560 Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department. 510 00:28:56,560 --> 00:29:03,560 Fatima cigarettes, the best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet, portions transcribed from Los Angeles. 511 00:29:03,560 --> 00:29:08,560 This is Robert Young. Here, We the People, next on NBC. 512 00:29:08,560 --> 00:29:21,560 Music