WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:10.860 The story you are about to hear is true. 00:10.860 --> 00:14.080 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:14.080 --> 00:15.940 Fatima cigarettes. 00:15.940 --> 00:26.840 Best of all long cigarettes brings you dragnet. 00:26.840 --> 00:28.500 You're a detective sergeant. 00:28.500 --> 00:30.200 You're assigned to bunko detail. 00:30.200 --> 00:34.680 A gang of petty swindlers has set up operations in your city. 00:34.680 --> 00:37.000 They're experienced, cunning. 00:37.000 --> 00:38.880 They work fast. 00:38.880 --> 00:40.160 Your job. 00:40.160 --> 00:44.280 Get them. 00:44.280 --> 00:48.440 You'll be amazed when you compare Fatima with other long cigarettes. 00:48.440 --> 00:51.080 You'll find they now cost the same. 00:51.080 --> 00:54.080 But in Fatima, the difference is quality. 00:54.080 --> 01:00.560 You see, Fatima is the quality king size cigarette because it contains the finest Turkish and 01:00.560 --> 01:03.440 domestic tobacco superbly blended. 01:03.440 --> 01:09.200 And Fatima is extra mild with a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other 01:09.200 --> 01:11.060 long cigarette. 01:11.060 --> 01:16.200 Because of its quality, its extra mildness, its better flavor and aroma, Fatima has more 01:16.200 --> 01:18.360 than doubled its smokers coast to coast. 01:18.360 --> 01:22.040 So try comparing Fatima yourself. 01:22.040 --> 01:27.840 Fatima's now cost the same as other long cigarettes, but your first puff will tell you. 01:27.840 --> 01:29.800 Ah, that's different. 01:29.800 --> 01:33.880 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 01:33.880 --> 01:36.300 Ask your dealer for Fatima. 01:36.300 --> 01:39.160 The quality king size cigarette. 01:39.160 --> 01:41.600 Best of all long cigarettes. 01:41.600 --> 01:45.040 Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow. 01:45.040 --> 01:52.600 Dragnet, the documentary drama of an actual crime. 01:52.600 --> 01:56.720 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 01:56.720 --> 02:01.120 travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official 02:01.120 --> 02:02.800 police files. 02:02.800 --> 02:07.960 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 02:07.960 --> 02:12.480 in action. 02:12.480 --> 02:15.280 It was Tuesday, December 14th, it was cold in Los Angeles. 02:15.280 --> 02:17.800 We were working the day watch out of Bunko Detail. 02:17.800 --> 02:22.000 My partner's Ben Romero, the boss is Captain McCauley, my name's Friday. 02:22.000 --> 02:26.000 It was 10.35 a.m. when I got to room 38, Bunko Detail. 02:26.000 --> 02:27.000 Joe? 02:27.000 --> 02:28.000 Yeah, Ben. 02:28.000 --> 02:31.280 Joe, this is Miss Bergstrom, you talked to her on the phone last night? 02:31.280 --> 02:32.280 Oh yeah, sure. 02:32.280 --> 02:33.560 This is my partner, Sergeant Friday. 02:33.560 --> 02:34.560 How do you do? 02:34.560 --> 02:35.560 Glad to know you. 02:35.560 --> 02:36.560 Would you care to sit down? 02:36.560 --> 02:37.560 Thank you. 02:37.560 --> 02:42.440 I was downtown so I thought it would be just as easy for me to come in and see you. 02:42.440 --> 02:44.360 Did you bring those things with you, Miss Bergstrom? 02:44.360 --> 02:46.360 Here they are. 02:46.360 --> 02:49.480 Wrist watch, pen and pencil set. 02:49.480 --> 02:52.360 Sure make them look nice, don't they? 02:52.360 --> 02:53.360 On the outside, yeah. 02:53.360 --> 02:56.440 Let me take the back off the watch for you. 02:56.440 --> 03:00.600 There, you can see for yourself, Sergeant. 03:00.600 --> 03:03.480 It's junk, not worth 15 cents. 03:03.480 --> 03:05.080 Charged me $48 for that watch. 03:05.080 --> 03:08.480 Said it was wholesale, he wasn't making any profit on it. 03:08.480 --> 03:11.480 Told me he was doing it because he'd known Harry so well. 03:11.480 --> 03:13.320 Which only ran for a day then it stopped. 03:13.320 --> 03:15.440 How about the pen and pencil set, Miss? 03:15.440 --> 03:16.440 This is bad. 03:16.440 --> 03:18.760 The pen's just a shell, won't even write. 03:18.760 --> 03:20.760 Same with the pencil. 03:20.760 --> 03:24.920 I paid him $30 for them. 03:24.920 --> 03:29.120 This engraving on the pen was love from Harry. 03:29.120 --> 03:30.880 That's Harry's boy has engaged to. 03:30.880 --> 03:33.360 That's how the man got me interested to start with. 03:33.360 --> 03:35.920 Came to my house and gave him to me. 03:35.920 --> 03:38.560 The watch and the pen and pencil. 03:38.560 --> 03:40.760 Harry ordered them as presents for me. 03:40.760 --> 03:43.760 I just had to cry when he brought them. 03:43.760 --> 03:44.760 Poor Harry. 03:44.760 --> 03:48.400 When did this man come to your home, Miss Berkscombe? 03:48.400 --> 03:49.400 Yesterday morning. 03:49.400 --> 03:54.560 Guess I should have been more careful, but I didn't think anybody would do a thing like 03:54.560 --> 03:55.560 that. 03:55.560 --> 03:57.560 What kind of a story did he give you? 03:57.560 --> 04:01.360 Well, he came to the door and told me his name was Spencer. 04:01.360 --> 04:05.400 He said Harry had ordered these things as presents for me. 04:05.400 --> 04:08.880 Harry told him to deliver them to my house. 04:08.880 --> 04:09.880 Watch looked beautiful in the case. 04:09.880 --> 04:11.360 I didn't know anything was wrong. 04:11.360 --> 04:12.360 I see. 04:12.360 --> 04:14.320 Would you go on, please? 04:14.320 --> 04:15.960 He told me it was a special order. 04:15.960 --> 04:19.720 Said Harry had written it from overseas a week before. 04:19.720 --> 04:22.600 Harry was in the Marine Corps, you know. 04:22.600 --> 04:26.000 Well, he said he hoped the engraving was all right. 04:26.000 --> 04:30.160 The way Harry wrote it, he wanted it in his letter. 04:30.160 --> 04:31.160 I just couldn't take it. 04:31.160 --> 04:32.160 I cried. 04:32.160 --> 04:36.200 This man, he pretended to be a close friend of Harry? 04:36.200 --> 04:37.200 Yeah. 04:37.200 --> 04:39.160 That's why I showed him the letter. 04:39.160 --> 04:42.760 It came from the Marine Corps, but Harry had been killed overseas. 04:42.760 --> 04:45.440 When did you receive that letter, Miss Bergstrom? 04:45.440 --> 04:48.440 Two days before, on Saturday. 04:48.440 --> 04:50.440 Harry's name was on the casualty list on Monday. 04:50.440 --> 04:51.440 Yes, I understand. 04:51.440 --> 04:55.560 What did the man do when he showed him the letter? 04:55.560 --> 04:57.240 He sympathized with me. 04:57.240 --> 05:00.120 He pretended to. 05:00.120 --> 05:01.320 I didn't think there was any trick. 05:01.320 --> 05:03.120 I didn't think anybody was that low. 05:03.120 --> 05:08.720 Pen and pencil set looked a little cheap, but I wanted them, no matter how cheap they 05:08.720 --> 05:09.720 were. 05:09.720 --> 05:12.800 Harry's last present to me, that's what I thought. 05:12.800 --> 05:14.960 How did he approach the idea of money? 05:14.960 --> 05:19.360 Well, when he was ready to leave, he told me Harry had ordered the things on credit. 05:19.360 --> 05:22.960 He said he didn't want to mention it, but he wondered how he could get payment for the 05:22.960 --> 05:24.360 watch and the pen and pencil. 05:24.360 --> 05:26.360 Well, he didn't show you a bill, did he? 05:26.360 --> 05:30.200 An invoice listing the price of the watch or the engraving that was done? 05:30.200 --> 05:31.200 No. 05:31.200 --> 05:36.080 I didn't want him bothering Harry's mother or father at a time like this. 05:36.080 --> 05:39.000 I borrowed some money from my dad and paid him. 05:39.000 --> 05:43.160 Let's see, it's $48 for the watch, 30 for the pen and pencil set. 05:43.160 --> 05:44.160 Yeah. 05:44.160 --> 05:46.840 He gave me a phone number to call if the watch needed adjustment. 05:46.840 --> 05:50.320 When I found the watch was a fake, I called the number. 05:50.320 --> 05:51.920 It was a Chinese laundry. 05:51.920 --> 05:53.360 They didn't know anything about it. 05:53.360 --> 05:56.560 You haven't seen or heard from this man since he left your house yesterday morning? 05:56.560 --> 05:57.560 No. 05:57.560 --> 05:59.280 Could you describe this man for us, Miss Bergstrom? 05:59.280 --> 06:01.840 What he looked like, clothes his way? 06:01.840 --> 06:02.840 What? 06:02.840 --> 06:03.840 It's right here. 06:03.840 --> 06:06.280 This is a paper, Sergeant. 06:06.280 --> 06:08.920 I wrote it all out for you. 06:08.920 --> 06:09.920 Thank you. 06:09.920 --> 06:12.520 Well, you're not alone, if that's any consolation. 06:12.520 --> 06:16.400 There's an army widow out in Hollywood who was cheated on the same kind of deal last Friday. 06:16.400 --> 06:19.760 So cruel, using a dead person's name to cheat you. 06:19.760 --> 06:20.760 Yes, ma'am. 06:20.760 --> 06:23.560 How could anybody get lower than that? 06:23.560 --> 06:24.560 They keep trying. 06:24.560 --> 06:31.240 Ben and I took Miss Bergstrom's crime report, the phony watch and pen and pencil set were 06:31.240 --> 06:32.240 booked as evidence. 06:32.240 --> 06:36.280 In the past two weeks, we received a half a dozen identical complaints from relatives 06:36.280 --> 06:38.320 or friends of lately deceased persons. 06:38.320 --> 06:42.360 The swindler or con man, as he likes to be called in his trade, gets the names of lately 06:42.360 --> 06:46.480 deceased persons from the obituary column or the military casualty list in the newspapers. 06:46.480 --> 06:51.280 Then he fixes up some cheap article of merchandise with appropriate engraving and calls on the 06:51.280 --> 06:53.400 friends and relatives of the deceased. 06:53.400 --> 06:56.720 He pretends to know nothing about the death of the person whom he claims placed the order 06:56.720 --> 06:57.720 for the merchandise. 06:57.720 --> 07:02.080 In almost every case, the friend or relative agrees to pay for the articles at some exorbitant 07:02.080 --> 07:03.080 price. 07:03.080 --> 07:05.200 For the con man, it's a lucrative racket. 07:05.200 --> 07:07.640 For the public, a vicious one. 07:07.640 --> 07:11.720 Wednesday, December 15th, Ben and I looked up an informant, a former con man. 07:11.720 --> 07:14.240 What do you think of it, fellas? 07:14.240 --> 07:16.640 Been in business for two months, doing fine. 07:16.640 --> 07:18.200 What do you think of it? 07:18.200 --> 07:19.200 Looks great, Judd. 07:19.200 --> 07:20.200 Nice setup. 07:20.200 --> 07:22.200 Finest baby laundry in South Los Angeles. 07:22.200 --> 07:23.200 That's why I advertise. 07:23.200 --> 07:26.200 Hey, you don't think that's too broad, do you? 07:26.200 --> 07:27.200 Oh, I don't think so, Judd. 07:27.200 --> 07:29.840 You got some nice equipment here. 07:29.840 --> 07:30.840 Baby laundry. 07:30.840 --> 07:31.840 How'd you ever get started? 07:31.840 --> 07:32.840 Well, the boss set me up with a loan. 07:32.840 --> 07:35.480 Says you got tired of me trying to sell them bum watches. 07:35.480 --> 07:37.120 Well, that's a good break for you, Judd. 07:37.120 --> 07:38.520 Say, you got a couple of minutes? 07:38.520 --> 07:39.520 We'd like to talk to you. 07:39.520 --> 07:40.520 Sure thing. 07:40.520 --> 07:41.520 Come on back here. 07:41.520 --> 07:42.520 Okay. 07:42.520 --> 07:43.520 Fine, thanks. 07:43.520 --> 07:44.520 Yeah, squared away. 07:44.520 --> 07:45.520 Living a solid life. 07:45.520 --> 07:46.520 Not bad at all, you know. 07:46.520 --> 07:47.520 Surprised me. 07:47.520 --> 07:50.520 You ever see any of the old gang, Judd? 07:50.520 --> 07:51.520 Not much, no. 07:51.520 --> 07:55.320 Some of the old grifters look me up now and then try to touch me. 07:55.320 --> 07:56.320 No gold. 07:56.320 --> 07:57.320 Here you are. 07:57.320 --> 08:02.000 Oh, one up. 08:02.000 --> 08:04.920 Yeah, thank you. 08:04.920 --> 08:08.680 You know, carefellas, what can I do for you? 08:08.680 --> 08:11.560 Well, we'd like to know how close you got your ear to the ground, Judd. 08:11.560 --> 08:12.960 There's a gang of bunks in town. 08:12.960 --> 08:13.960 They're working hard. 08:13.960 --> 08:14.960 What pitch they using? 08:14.960 --> 08:16.960 They're working the old bits, the casualty lists. 08:16.960 --> 08:18.360 Thought maybe you might be able to help us. 08:18.360 --> 08:19.360 I don't know. 08:19.360 --> 08:20.360 How long you been going? 08:20.360 --> 08:21.360 Last couple of weeks. 08:21.360 --> 08:23.480 I had half a dozen reports on them. 08:23.480 --> 08:25.320 That's one thing they never could tap me for. 08:25.320 --> 08:27.760 A bit of a record, lousiest record there is. 08:27.760 --> 08:29.240 Can you do anything for us? 08:29.240 --> 08:31.480 I heard one little rumble about it. 08:31.480 --> 08:33.960 Four or five guys in the con mob, that right? 08:33.960 --> 08:34.960 We know that, Judd. 08:34.960 --> 08:36.720 Where can we look for them? 08:36.720 --> 08:37.720 You know my position. 08:37.720 --> 08:38.720 I quit the game. 08:38.720 --> 08:39.720 I quit. 08:39.720 --> 08:42.280 The only contacts I make are when some of the old boys come around for a touch. 08:42.280 --> 08:44.200 Well, how much have you heard about the gang? 08:44.200 --> 08:47.560 What I said, there's four or five of them out of the Middle West, I think. 08:47.560 --> 08:49.240 You got any idea at all where we could start looking? 08:49.240 --> 08:51.200 Well, I can start checking for you. 08:51.200 --> 08:52.760 Have you nailed any of them yet? 08:52.760 --> 08:55.480 We've got to find them before we can arrest them, Judd. 08:55.480 --> 08:58.160 Yeah, well, as I say, when I quit the game, I quit. 08:58.160 --> 09:01.160 But maybe I can take a few soundings for you. 09:01.160 --> 09:02.160 Can't promise you anything. 09:02.160 --> 09:03.160 I'm strictly on helping out. 09:03.160 --> 09:04.160 Okay, Judd. 09:04.160 --> 09:06.400 You know where to get in touch with us. 09:06.400 --> 09:07.840 We'll appreciate anything you can do. 09:07.840 --> 09:09.840 Well, you helped me plenty of times, fellas. 09:09.840 --> 09:11.840 It wouldn't hurt a bit to tab that bunch. 09:11.840 --> 09:13.840 I'll walk out with you. 09:13.840 --> 09:14.840 All right. 09:14.840 --> 09:18.280 Well, see, you got all the machines going. 09:18.280 --> 09:20.400 Baby laundry business must be pretty good, huh? 09:20.400 --> 09:22.680 It's a staple commodity, fellas. 09:22.680 --> 09:24.520 Always need a fresh change. 09:24.520 --> 09:26.520 Just a minute. 09:26.520 --> 09:28.520 Yeah, look at this. 09:28.520 --> 09:29.960 Just look at the size of it. 09:29.960 --> 09:30.960 Yeah. 09:30.960 --> 09:32.960 You ever see anything so small in your life? 09:32.960 --> 09:33.960 It's cute, huh? 09:33.960 --> 09:34.960 Yeah, what is it? 09:34.960 --> 09:36.960 New kind of silkers, I think. 09:36.960 --> 09:38.960 Let's see the label here, right? 09:38.960 --> 09:41.960 Yeah, Mother Greg Super Silkers. 09:41.960 --> 09:44.960 Kids things, they sure give me a wallet, you know? 09:44.960 --> 09:46.960 You might as well check the office while we're here, Ben. 09:46.960 --> 09:47.960 Can I use your phone, Judd? 09:47.960 --> 09:48.960 Yeah, right over there on the wall. 09:48.960 --> 09:49.960 You got change? 09:49.960 --> 09:50.960 Yeah, thank you. 09:50.960 --> 09:51.960 I have. 09:51.960 --> 10:01.960 Let's see what you got. 10:01.960 --> 10:03.580 Okay. 10:03.580 --> 10:05.440 2572. 10:05.440 --> 10:07.160 2572. 10:07.160 --> 10:15.360 Bunko future, doob Bryant. 10:15.360 --> 10:16.800 Joe Friday, Tom, anything doing? 10:16.800 --> 10:17.800 Yeah, Joe. 10:17.800 --> 10:20.360 Think we might have a lead on those bunks working the obituary rack. 10:20.360 --> 10:21.840 What do you got? 10:21.840 --> 10:24.640 They reached a woman in Highland Park. Where are you? 10:24.640 --> 10:25.640 Baby laundry. 10:25.640 --> 10:29.640 Oh. Well, it's a Mrs. Westerly. Her daughter was killed in an auto accident. 10:29.640 --> 10:33.640 Last night they came around and sold the woman a watch her daughter was supposed to have ordered. 10:33.640 --> 10:38.140 Also a necklace and pen and pencil set. $250. Usual junk. 10:38.140 --> 10:39.640 You talked to this Mrs. Westerly? 10:39.640 --> 10:43.440 Yeah, we took the report. The man's description is M.O. The rest all match up. 10:43.440 --> 10:44.440 What's the lead? 10:44.440 --> 10:46.140 She watched the man when he left her house. 10:46.140 --> 10:46.640 Yeah? 10:46.640 --> 10:47.840 He got in a taxi cab. 10:47.840 --> 10:58.340 10.30 a.m. While Sergeant Bryant and Ullery got out of broadcast on the suspect, Ben and I drove to the offices of the cab company where we contacted the special agent. 10:58.340 --> 11:03.840 He helped us check the way bills for the preceding night. On the way bill for cab 213, we found the trip listed. 11:03.840 --> 11:09.840 Starting point, the intersection nearest the Westerly home. Destination, a hotel on South Flower Street. 11:09.840 --> 11:16.340 We went to the hotel and interviewed the desk clerk. From the description we gave him, he identified the man as Fred G. Norris from Minneapolis. 11:16.340 --> 11:22.840 At least that's the way he'd signed the hotel register. The clerk told us Norris wasn't in. We had him show us Norris' room. 11:22.840 --> 11:32.840 In his suitcases we found quantities of dime store costume jewelry, monogrammed, and two dozen cheap wristwatches and wallets and handbags done in poor quality imitation leather. 11:32.840 --> 11:39.840 Also a portable engraving set. The clerk told us that Norris was expected back shortly. We told him to say nothing to the suspect when he arrived. 11:39.840 --> 11:44.340 We called the office and arranged for a stakeout at the hotel and we drove back to the office. 11:44.340 --> 11:51.840 One p.m. They told us Norris had been recognized from his description and picked up by unit 17R on the way back to his hotel shortly before noon. 11:51.840 --> 11:56.840 Ben and I joined Sergeant Zollery and Bryant in the interrogation room where they were questioning the suspect. 11:56.840 --> 12:04.840 He looked about 40 years old, white, male American, about six feet tall, 170 pounds. He would admit nothing. Bryant kept questioning him. 12:04.840 --> 12:09.840 You're wasting our time on your own, Norris. Face it. You were playing a rough game and you lost. Now how about it? 12:09.840 --> 12:12.840 You're gonna feel pretty silly when you find out you got the wrong guy. 12:12.840 --> 12:16.840 I know who you work for, Fred. You can do what you want about investigating me. You're having a thing to hold me on. 12:16.840 --> 12:20.840 There's no use wasting any more time. You got that list of victims. Yeah. 12:20.840 --> 12:26.840 These are the ones that tab Norris. Thank you. Couple more here, Joe. Thanks, Ben. 12:26.840 --> 12:31.840 Hello? Miss Bergstrom there, please? Oh, this is Sergeant Friday, Miss Bergstrom. Bunko Detail? 12:31.840 --> 12:37.840 Yeah, we picked up a suspect. We'd like to see if you can identify him. Would it be all right if we sent a card for you right now? 12:37.840 --> 12:57.840 All right, fine. Thank you very much. Bye. 12:57.840 --> 13:09.840 Look, I can't see her all day. I have business to attend to. 13:09.840 --> 13:15.840 All right, Norris. He's on the phone. Hello? Miss Cronin there, please? This is Sergeant Friday calling, Miss Cronin. Bunko Detail? 13:15.840 --> 13:21.840 Yes, ma'am. That's right. I'm sorry to disturb you, but we have a suspect in custody down here. Yes, ma'am? 13:21.840 --> 13:26.840 Yes, Sergeant. Could you come down to City Hall right away? Sergeant. Would you hold on just a minute, please? Thank you. 13:26.840 --> 13:31.840 Yeah, Norris? You got me. 13:31.840 --> 13:38.840 At 2.58 p.m., we informed the victims that the special show-up had been canceled, and we called in a stenographer and had her take Fred Norris' statement. 13:38.840 --> 13:44.840 In addition to listing the crimes he committed, he also told us that there were six men in the Bunko gang besides himself. 13:44.840 --> 13:50.840 He gave us the names and descriptions of each one of them. He stated that they'd been operating in Los Angeles for the past four months. 13:50.840 --> 13:59.840 Norris said that none of them had ever met the leader of their Bunko gang. The only contact they had with the leader was through one of the older gang members, a man by the name of Wesley Fisher. 13:59.840 --> 14:04.840 Before Norris was taken to Central Jail for booking, he gave us the address of the house where he had been living with the other gang members. 14:04.840 --> 14:10.840 Norris' information on the suspects was checked through R&I. We got one mate, Wesley Fisher. 14:10.840 --> 14:16.840 He had one prior arrest two years before on a grand theft charge, but he'd been released for lack of evidence. 14:16.840 --> 14:23.840 At 3.15 p.m., together with Sergeants Ullery and Bryant and two men from Metro Squad, we drove out to the address given us by Fred Norris. 14:23.840 --> 14:26.840 Turned out to be a neat-looking bungalow in the West Hollywood area. 14:35.840 --> 14:37.840 Would you take the front door, Joe? 14:37.840 --> 14:38.840 Yeah. 14:38.840 --> 14:39.840 Say, Tom. 14:39.840 --> 14:40.840 Yeah? 14:40.840 --> 14:42.840 You want to have Johnson and Brewer cover the back of the place? 14:42.840 --> 14:44.840 Okay, Joe. Maury and I will cover the side. 14:44.840 --> 14:45.840 Thanks. 14:45.840 --> 14:46.840 Let's go, ma'am. 14:50.840 --> 14:52.840 Did you want to see the people who lived here? 14:52.840 --> 14:54.840 Yes, ma'am. 14:54.840 --> 14:58.840 Do you want to check for the termites now? I'm Mrs. Callahan, the owner. 14:58.840 --> 15:00.840 No, ma'am. We want to see the tenants. 15:00.840 --> 15:02.840 I'm afraid you're a little late. 15:02.840 --> 15:03.840 Was that Saul? 15:03.840 --> 15:16.840 They just moved out, bagging, bagging. 15:16.840 --> 15:21.840 You are listening to Dragnet, authentic stories of your police force in action. 15:21.840 --> 15:25.840 You'll be amazed when you compare Fatima with other long cigarettes. 15:25.840 --> 15:29.840 Buy a pack. You'll find Fatima's now cost the same. 15:29.840 --> 15:31.840 Light of Fatima. 15:31.840 --> 15:33.840 Ah, that's different. 15:33.840 --> 15:34.840 What a difference. 15:34.840 --> 15:38.840 Yes, friends, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 15:38.840 --> 15:45.840 Quality of tobaccos, the finest Turkish and domestic varieties, extra mild and superbly blended, 15:45.840 --> 15:51.840 to give you a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. 15:51.840 --> 15:57.840 Quality of manufacture, smooth plump cigarettes, rolled in the finest paper money can buy. 15:57.840 --> 16:01.840 Quality, even to the appearance of the bright, clean yellow package, 16:01.840 --> 16:07.840 carefully wrapped and sealed to bring you Fatima's rich, fresh, extra mild flavor. 16:07.840 --> 16:09.840 Try comparing Fatima yourself. 16:09.840 --> 16:15.840 Fatima's now cost the same as other long cigarettes, but your first puff will tell you. 16:15.840 --> 16:17.840 Ah, that's different. 16:17.840 --> 16:21.840 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 16:21.840 --> 16:26.840 Ask your dealer for Fatima, the quality king-size cigarette. 16:26.840 --> 16:29.840 Best of all, long cigarettes. 16:29.840 --> 16:31.840 Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow. 16:31.840 --> 16:39.840 ["The Star-Spangled Banner"] 16:39.840 --> 16:41.840 Wednesday, December 15th, 4 p.m. 16:41.840 --> 16:44.840 We made a thorough check of the house, which the six suspects had just vacated. 16:44.840 --> 16:46.840 We found nothing that would help us. 16:46.840 --> 16:48.840 We talked to the owner of the house where the suspects had been living. 16:48.840 --> 16:52.840 She told us that she'd rented the place, furnished to them about three months before. 16:52.840 --> 16:54.840 She identified Wesley Fischer's mug shot, 16:54.840 --> 16:57.840 but she told us that he'd used the name of Charles Wilder. 16:57.840 --> 17:01.840 She also recognized each of the other gang members from the descriptions that Fred Norris had given us. 17:01.840 --> 17:05.840 She told us that while they were living there, the men seemed to keep odd hours and that they had a car. 17:05.840 --> 17:09.840 She told us that she'd taken the license number of the car the day the men moved in. 17:09.840 --> 17:11.840 The number was checked with DMV. 17:11.840 --> 17:14.840 It was registered in the name of Wesley Fischer, 1008 California Street. 17:14.840 --> 17:16.840 It was a transient hotel. 17:16.840 --> 17:18.840 The manager told us Fischer had moved about nine months ago. 17:18.840 --> 17:20.840 There was no forwarding address. 17:20.840 --> 17:26.840 We got out an all-points bulletin on Wesley Fischer requesting that all occupants in his car be held for investigation of grand theft. 17:26.840 --> 17:28.840 Thursday, December 16th, 8 a.m. 17:28.840 --> 17:31.840 Alleray, Bryant, Ben, and I met with Captain McCauley. 17:31.840 --> 17:33.840 Where are they getting all this junk they're palming off? 17:33.840 --> 17:35.840 Where's their source of supply? 17:35.840 --> 17:39.840 The guy we picked up, Norris, told us he brought a good supply of it out with him from the Middle West. 17:39.840 --> 17:42.840 That hotel room Norris had downtown, they were using it for a warehouse. 17:42.840 --> 17:44.840 They didn't want to keep the stuff at the house they were living in. 17:44.840 --> 17:47.840 How are they hitting? Any possibility of stakeouts? 17:47.840 --> 17:50.840 No, not unless we cover every name in the columns. 17:50.840 --> 17:53.840 You might have to try it. Something's got to be done. 17:53.840 --> 17:55.840 Look at these. 17:55.840 --> 17:58.840 Two more this morning, straight out of the obituary column. 17:58.840 --> 18:02.840 Took one family for $90, another one for $60. 18:02.840 --> 18:05.840 How about that last run through the stats office? Help you any? 18:05.840 --> 18:07.840 He pulled some more mugs for us. 18:07.840 --> 18:09.840 We're going to show them to the victims this morning. 18:09.840 --> 18:12.840 How about this Norris? You think he's come up with everything? 18:12.840 --> 18:14.840 We were up talking to him again at county jail yesterday. 18:14.840 --> 18:16.840 He didn't have anything new, Skipper. 18:16.840 --> 18:20.840 We dropped in at the sheriff's bunko detail. They've got one new case, same M.O. 18:20.840 --> 18:22.840 Description comes close to one of the guys. 18:22.840 --> 18:25.840 The victim was the father of a Navy flier lost overseas. 18:25.840 --> 18:29.840 They sold him a gold watch chain that his son was supposed to have bought him for a present. 18:29.840 --> 18:30.840 Solid brass. 18:30.840 --> 18:32.840 The sheriff's men got anything new? 18:32.840 --> 18:34.840 We've been working pretty close with them. Nothing new. 18:34.840 --> 18:37.840 Excuse me. 18:37.840 --> 18:39.840 Bunko, Fugitive, Captain McCauley. 18:39.840 --> 18:40.840 Can I talk to Joe Friday? 18:40.840 --> 18:41.840 Yeah, hold on. 18:41.840 --> 18:42.840 You, Friday. 18:42.840 --> 18:46.840 Oh, thank you. 18:46.840 --> 18:47.840 Yeah? 18:47.840 --> 18:49.840 Joe, this is Judd. Can you meet me out of my place? 18:49.840 --> 18:50.840 What do you got? 18:50.840 --> 18:56.840 Name Wesley Fisher, mean anything to you? 18:56.840 --> 18:57.840 Eight thirty a.m. 18:57.840 --> 18:59.840 Ben and I drove out and met with Judd at his home. 18:59.840 --> 19:02.840 He was still in his bathrobe when he met us at the door. 19:02.840 --> 19:06.840 He told us he had an important appointment downtown at nine o'clock and he was in a hurry. 19:06.840 --> 19:08.840 We talked to him while he shaved. 19:08.840 --> 19:11.840 Hope you fellas don't mind. 19:11.840 --> 19:14.840 Can't miss this day, lining up some new business, you know. 19:14.840 --> 19:17.840 It's all right, Judd. Go right ahead. 19:17.840 --> 19:20.840 Yeah, I gotta move fast on these things before they cool, you know. 19:20.840 --> 19:22.840 We'll work this thing with us, Judd. 19:22.840 --> 19:24.840 What's the story? 19:24.840 --> 19:27.840 Well, I don't know what's worse. 19:27.840 --> 19:29.840 My brother Max called me this morning. 19:29.840 --> 19:31.840 You remember my brother Max, don't you? 19:31.840 --> 19:33.840 No, I don't think so. 19:33.840 --> 19:37.840 I works at the Pinkpad Bar in South Maine. 19:37.840 --> 19:40.840 When you were in to see me the other day about those grifters you want, 19:40.840 --> 19:42.840 I gave my brother a tumble on it. 19:42.840 --> 19:44.840 Told him keep an eye open. 19:44.840 --> 19:46.840 Hand me that towel. 19:46.840 --> 19:48.840 Oh, yeah. Here you go. 19:48.840 --> 19:50.840 Thanks. They're all steamed up. 19:50.840 --> 19:55.840 What'd Max come up with? 19:55.840 --> 19:59.840 Well, he's the night bartender at the parlor, you know. 19:59.840 --> 20:03.840 Now, last night he spotted a couple of guys at the bar. 20:03.840 --> 20:06.840 Had some day old newspapers. 20:06.840 --> 20:10.840 They were sitting there with the papers turned in the obituary column. 20:10.840 --> 20:14.840 Checking off names, writing down addresses. 20:14.840 --> 20:16.840 Max is pretty sharp that way. 20:16.840 --> 20:19.840 Spotted them right off. 20:19.840 --> 20:21.840 Lousy razor. 20:21.840 --> 20:23.840 Does Max know these two men he spotted? 20:23.840 --> 20:29.840 No, not by name, but he knew the one who lived in the hotel next door to the bar. 20:29.840 --> 20:33.840 The hotel night clerk came in for a beer and Max asked him about it. 20:33.840 --> 20:36.840 He said one of the guys is Wesley Fisher. 20:36.840 --> 20:39.840 Did he have anything on the other man? 20:39.840 --> 20:42.840 No, the clerk told Max he doesn't live at the hotel, but... 20:42.840 --> 20:44.840 He spends a lot of time there with Fisher. 20:44.840 --> 20:47.840 Well, had he seen Fisher and this other guy at the bar before? 20:47.840 --> 20:49.840 Yeah, Max says he's been there before. 20:49.840 --> 20:52.840 Got lashed up a couple of times. 20:52.840 --> 20:56.840 Say, would it be okay to contact your brother at his home, Judd? 20:56.840 --> 20:57.840 Sure. 20:57.840 --> 20:58.840 We don't want to contact him at the bar. 20:58.840 --> 21:00.840 Yeah, sure thing. 21:00.840 --> 21:03.840 Get you dressed as soon as I'm finished here. 21:03.840 --> 21:04.840 He just moved. 21:04.840 --> 21:08.840 I don't know. 21:08.840 --> 21:10.840 Hope I didn't get you guys out here for nothing. 21:10.840 --> 21:12.840 We appreciate it, Judd. Looks good. 21:12.840 --> 21:14.840 Seems to fit. 21:14.840 --> 21:16.840 That hotel down there, it's a hang-up con, man. 21:16.840 --> 21:18.840 The angles are all there. 21:18.840 --> 21:19.840 Let's hope Fisher is. 21:22.840 --> 21:26.840 8.53 a.m. We arrived at the hotel on South Main Street. 21:26.840 --> 21:29.840 We checked with the desk clerk who told us that Wesley Fisher had room 37. 21:29.840 --> 21:31.840 As far as he knew, Fisher was in his room. 21:31.840 --> 21:35.840 We got a passkey from the clerk and went up to room 37 where we found Fisher and another man. 21:35.840 --> 21:40.840 He identified himself as Raymond Breen, one of the gang members identified by Fred Norris. 21:40.840 --> 21:45.840 We also found a small supply of cheap watches and pen and pencil sets in Fisher's car. 21:45.840 --> 21:48.840 It was parked near the hotel. It was impounded. 21:48.840 --> 21:50.840 We took both suspects back to the city hall. 21:50.840 --> 21:52.840 We questioned them separately in the interrogation room. 21:52.840 --> 21:55.840 Breen was first, but he refused to answer our questions. 21:55.840 --> 21:59.840 He was taken back to the squad room when Wesley Fisher was brought in. 22:00.840 --> 22:01.840 Sit down, Fisher. 22:01.840 --> 22:03.840 Thank you. 22:03.840 --> 22:05.840 I guess you know why you're here. 22:05.840 --> 22:07.840 No, I haven't the least idea. 22:07.840 --> 22:10.840 All right, then we'll show you. Do you know Fred Norris? 22:10.840 --> 22:12.840 Fred Norris? 22:12.840 --> 22:15.840 Name sounds a little familiar. Can't quite place it. 22:15.840 --> 22:19.840 He places you pretty well. He says he worked with you and Breen up until a couple of days ago. 22:19.840 --> 22:20.840 That so? 22:20.840 --> 22:23.840 Yeah. Says he lived with you in that bungalow out in West Hollywood. 22:23.840 --> 22:25.840 That so? 22:25.840 --> 22:27.840 Norris, West Hollywood. 22:27.840 --> 22:28.840 When was that? 22:28.840 --> 22:31.840 Two days ago, Fisher. Your landlady identified your mug. 22:31.840 --> 22:33.840 She even had the license number of your car. 22:33.840 --> 22:35.840 What's it prove, gentlemen? 22:35.840 --> 22:36.840 Proves you're lying. 22:36.840 --> 22:38.840 You and Breen worked together. You did work with Norris. 22:38.840 --> 22:41.840 You're part of one of the filthiest rackets going. 22:41.840 --> 22:43.840 Gentlemen, you're making a bad mistake. 22:43.840 --> 22:46.840 No, there's no mistake, Fisher. Your picture's been identified by at least a half a dozen victims. 22:46.840 --> 22:48.840 Now, you can go on playing coy all you want, 22:48.840 --> 22:50.840 but we can prove that the pen and pencil sets that you sold some of the victims 22:50.840 --> 22:52.840 are identical to the ones we found in your car. 22:52.840 --> 22:54.840 I haven't any idea what you're talking about. 22:54.840 --> 22:56.840 Believe me, that's the truth. 22:56.840 --> 22:58.840 You wouldn't know the truth if it followed you, mister. 22:58.840 --> 23:00.840 Now, look, maybe you're great at conning old men and young girls, 23:00.840 --> 23:02.840 but don't try to pass any of it here. 23:02.840 --> 23:03.840 Now, just a moment. 23:03.840 --> 23:05.840 No, you listen, you two-bit thief. 23:05.840 --> 23:08.840 I couldn't begin to tell you all for the rotten things you've been pulling off in this town for the past three months. 23:08.840 --> 23:12.840 That young girl who lost her boyfriend overseas, that widow out in Hollywood, 23:12.840 --> 23:14.840 the old man in Highland Park whose wife passed away. 23:14.840 --> 23:17.840 You must have felt pretty sharp cheating them out of a few bucks. 23:17.840 --> 23:19.840 Maybe you don't remember, mister, but we do and they do. 23:19.840 --> 23:21.840 And you're gonna pay for them. 23:21.840 --> 23:22.840 You all through? 23:22.840 --> 23:24.840 I'm through, Fisher. You're just starting. 23:24.840 --> 23:26.840 I have nothing further to say, gentlemen. 23:26.840 --> 23:27.840 You can talk to my lawyer. 23:27.840 --> 23:28.840 We'll give him your new address. 23:28.840 --> 23:29.840 Yes. 23:29.840 --> 23:30.840 County jail. 23:30.840 --> 23:36.840 Suspects Wesley Fisher and Raymond Breen were booked and transported to the county jail. 23:36.840 --> 23:39.840 Both of them were positively identified by the victims. 23:39.840 --> 23:42.840 Warrants were obtained for the three suspects, Norris, Fisher, and Breen. 23:42.840 --> 23:47.840 They were arraigned and held to answer at a preliminary hearing on several counts of grand theft. 23:47.840 --> 23:50.840 During the next two weeks and through the Christmas holidays, 23:50.840 --> 23:53.840 identical complaints of bunko operations continued to come in. 23:53.840 --> 23:57.840 Friends and relatives of lately deceased persons were still being victimized. 23:57.840 --> 24:01.840 The gang's operations continued as usual. There was only one change. 24:01.840 --> 24:06.840 The crime report showed that a woman was now operating in the obituary racket along with the male suspects. 24:06.840 --> 24:08.840 Christmas came and went. 24:08.840 --> 24:11.840 On New Year's Eve, Ben and I were assigned to standby duty. 24:11.840 --> 24:16.840 A few minutes before 8 p.m., we got a call from the county jail that Wesley Fisher wanted to see us. 24:16.840 --> 24:18.840 Went to the 10th floor of the jail interview room. 24:18.840 --> 24:22.840 I'm not going to take all the heat. They're in just as deep as I am. 24:22.840 --> 24:26.840 If they can't do right by me, I'll square it up myself. I'll tell you everything I know. 24:26.840 --> 24:28.840 Go ahead, Fisher. What is it? 24:28.840 --> 24:31.840 Her name's Betty McGraw. She's the one you've been looking for. 24:31.840 --> 24:35.840 The whole idea was hers. She planned it out. She got everybody together. It was her show. 24:35.840 --> 24:36.840 Where can we find her? 24:36.840 --> 24:38.840 213 Foster, apartment 8. 24:38.840 --> 24:44.840 Wesley Fisher gave a complete statement of all his crimes and also implicated the other members. 24:44.840 --> 24:47.840 He told us Betty McGraw was his girlfriend. 24:47.840 --> 24:49.840 She'd come up with the idea for the obituary racket. 24:49.840 --> 24:54.840 She gathered the men together for the job and it had been planned that she was to stay in the background. 24:54.840 --> 24:59.840 In case of trouble, she would furnish aid to the gang members in the form of bail bond money and lawyers. 24:59.840 --> 25:02.840 She received a percentage of the take from each of the gang members. 25:02.840 --> 25:06.840 We checked her through R&I. She had a criminal history dating back 11 years. 25:06.840 --> 25:08.840 We obtained her mugshot. 25:08.840 --> 25:12.840 10.30 p.m. We went out to the address Fisher gave us. Some aid answered the door. 25:12.840 --> 25:17.840 She told us that the McGraw woman was not there, that she'd gone to a New Year's Eve celebration at a downtown hotel. 25:17.840 --> 25:19.840 It was 11.15 when we got there. 25:19.840 --> 25:24.840 We identified ourselves to the special officer at the hotel and showed him the mugshot of Betty McGraw. 25:24.840 --> 25:27.840 He thought he'd seen her at the main bar. We started looking. 25:27.840 --> 25:44.840 C gehen ere, 25:44.840 --> 25:53.840 and do not see a Affairs Eternal Me Jie haha 25:53.840 --> 25:54.840 Excuse me. 25:54.840 --> 25:56.840 Right behind you. 25:56.840 --> 25:58.840 Is your name Betty McGraw? 25:58.840 --> 26:00.840 Is your name Betty McGraw? 26:00.840 --> 26:02.840 Your name Betty McGraw? 26:02.840 --> 26:04.840 I don't know you. Who are you anyway? 26:04.840 --> 26:06.840 Police officer. 26:06.840 --> 26:08.840 We'd like to see you outside. 26:08.840 --> 26:10.840 Oh, good. I'm staying in here. 26:10.840 --> 26:12.840 This is where the party is. Right here. 26:12.840 --> 26:14.840 Let's go, lady. Outside. 26:14.840 --> 26:16.840 Is there a bar outside? 26:16.840 --> 26:18.840 I didn't know there was a bar outside. 26:18.840 --> 26:20.840 Okay, Ben. Come on, Lenny. 26:20.840 --> 26:24.840 I don't know you at all. I'm not going. I'm not going, do you? 26:27.840 --> 26:30.840 There it is. Happy New Year! 26:30.840 --> 26:32.840 Happy New Year! 26:32.840 --> 26:35.840 I know you're trying to get through this. We'll have to wait. 26:35.840 --> 26:38.840 Yeah. Well, Happy New Year, Joe. 26:38.840 --> 26:40.840 Yeah, same to you. 26:40.840 --> 26:42.840 Maybe next year we'll have it all. 26:44.840 --> 26:46.840 I don't know why. 26:46.840 --> 26:48.840 I don't know why. 26:48.840 --> 26:52.840 I always cry when I hear that song. 26:52.840 --> 26:54.840 No reason to just cry. 26:54.840 --> 26:56.840 Yeah? 26:56.840 --> 26:58.840 Every year, I play it and I cry. 26:58.840 --> 27:00.840 No reason at all. 27:00.840 --> 27:02.840 You got one this year, lady. Come on. 27:08.840 --> 27:10.840 The story you've just heard was true. 27:10.840 --> 27:14.840 Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:14.840 --> 27:21.840 On March 28th, trial was held in Superior Court, Department 93, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. 27:21.840 --> 27:23.840 In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:23.840 --> 27:25.840 Now, here is our star, Jack Webb. 27:25.840 --> 27:27.840 Thank you. 27:27.840 --> 27:32.840 In the past few weeks, I've asked you to send me the names of cigarette dealers who are out of Fatimas. 27:32.840 --> 27:37.840 You see, the demand for Fatimas is so great that I want to make sure that all of you can buy them. 27:37.840 --> 27:39.840 So keep your letters coming. 27:39.840 --> 27:43.840 If you find a dealer fresh out of Fatimas, let me know and we'll have something done about it. 27:43.840 --> 27:52.840 Write your dealer's name and address on a card and mail it to me, Jack Webb, Post Office Box 951, Hollywood 28. 27:52.840 --> 27:58.840 That's Jack Webb, Post Office Box 951, Hollywood 28. 27:58.840 --> 28:00.840 Now for you, Mr. Dealer. 28:00.840 --> 28:04.840 The coming holiday season will find new thousands insisting on Fatima quality. 28:04.840 --> 28:07.840 So step up your order for Fatimas tomorrow. 28:07.840 --> 28:13.840 Get in on the increasing demand for the quality long cigarettes. 28:13.840 --> 28:22.840 The remaining members of the Bunko Gang were apprehended and brought to trial. 28:22.840 --> 28:27.840 All of them, including the gang leader, Elizabeth McGraw, were tried and convicted of grand theft. 28:27.840 --> 28:36.840 They are now serving their terms in the state penitentiary. 28:36.840 --> 28:41.840 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 28:41.840 --> 28:51.840 Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department. 28:51.840 --> 29:02.840 Fatima cigarettes, the best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet, portions transcribed from Los Angeles. 29:02.840 --> 29:09.840 Coming up, We the People, then Screen Director's Playhouse on NBC.