The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
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Your detective sergeant, you're assigned to robbery detail. A middle-aged businessman in your city is robbed and beaten senseless.
The hold of men escape. The victim refuses to report the crime. Your job? Investigate.
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Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step-by-step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police fire.
From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.
It was Tuesday, October 8th. It was overcast in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of robbery detail.
My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Didion. My name's Friday.
It was 1123 a.m. when we got to 700 South Hill Boulevard, a Butler accordion studios.
What do you think?
Well, I don't know. It must be upstairs, I guess.
Oh, yeah. Yeah, there it is. Main office, second floor.
Yeah.
Who is that, Joe?
What?
That portrait up around the wall.
Oh, yeah, just a minute. Some printing underneath here.
Nice painting.
Yeah, it says Damien, the father of the accordion, Vienna, 1829.
What do you know about that?
Must be it down there, huh?
Yeah.
Want to try?
Yeah.
Yes, sir?
Are you Lewis Butler?
Yeah, that's right. And can I help you?
Police officers, Mr. Butler, like to talk to you for a minute.
Is your name Friday?
Yes, sir, that's right. This is my partner, Sergeant Romero.
How do you do?
I'm sorry, Sergeant. I told you on the phone I just don't want to talk about it.
We'd appreciate it if we could have your cooperation. It's a pretty important matter.
Well, I'm the only one concerned in it as far as I can see. I just assumed forget the whole thing.
Besides, I got a pretty busy day ahead of me.
Well, we'd like to straighten you out, Mr. Butler. It concerns a lot more people than just yourself.
Now, we're not going to take much of your time. Just a few questions, that's all.
I told you on the phone, Sergeant, I don't want to talk about it. Can't you just forget about the whole thing?
It's only going to take a few minutes, sir.
All right. Come in if you want.
Thank you.
This place is in kind of a mess. Wife's away, the mother's... You can sit down if you want.
Oh, thank you. Thank you very much.
All right, Pepper, I'll feed you. Just a minute.
It's a nice cat you got there. Siamese?
A little bit, yeah. It's my wife's. Don't care too much for cats myself.
All right, Pepper, now wait a minute.
Put your nose in it.
Here you go, Pepper. That ought to hold you for a while.
Look at that, Jill. Sure goes for that milk, huh?
Yeah, it sure does.
You're going to have to make it fast, Sergeant. I've got an appointment for lunch downtown.
All right, sir. I'd just like to have you elaborate on what Dr. Hart told us. Is he your family doctor, by the way?
Yeah, that's right. He had no business calling you in the first place. I told him I didn't want it to get out.
What'd he tell you?
He said you came to him for treatment the night before last. He told him you'd been beaten up and robbed.
He treated you for cuts and bruises about the face and head.
No, it was nothing. Didn't amount to anything.
Well, was there actually a robbery, Mr. Butler?
Believe me, Sergeant, it didn't amount to anything. I don't even want to go into it.
How much did the robbery involve? Money, I mean.
I'd rather not say. I don't want any fuss made about it. That's why I didn't report it. Just isn't worth it to me.
We understand the holdup men took more than $800 from you. Wouldn't you like to get that money back?
I don't want to be nasty about this thing, but I was the one who was held up.
Now, if I don't want to press the case, I don't see why anyone else should worry about it. It was my money.
How about the beating that the thieves gave you?
It's nothing serious. It's like I told you on the phone. I want to forget about the whole thing.
Well, it must have involved more than just a few scratches from the looks of you and the doctor had to treat you.
Take my word for it, please. I'm all right. I don't want to press charges.
Appreciate it if you'd give us some kind of an explanation, Mr. Butler.
Why, I don't want to bother. That's all. There's nothing to explain.
Well, you don't have to admit that this is a little unusual. Somebody beats you up, slugs you, takes $800 from you, and you don't want to do anything about it?
You're going to have to excuse me a minute. I have one of my accordion students down the hall in the practice room.
Almost time for him to go. I have to give him his lesson for next week.
All right. Sure, go right ahead.
It'll only be a minute.
How about that?
Yeah.
Acts like he's scared to death.
Well, wherever it was, they gave him a going over. Half of his head in bandages, face all swollen.
Sure is something, Phony.
Well, he's not going to be much help unless we can talk him into a crime report.
Somebody's got to him. I'll bet on it.
Hi there, Kitty.
Hi, Kitty.
I've been thinking it over, officers. Sorry you had to come out here, go to all this trouble, but I just assumed forget the whole thing.
I'd only want to talk about it if you don't mind.
We don't mean the high pressure, Mr. Butler, but we'd like some kind of an explanation.
Can't you understand? I just don't want to make a big fuss about it.
I'd like to have you go along with my feelings in the matter. It's my affair, isn't it?
No, sir. It's ours, too.
Half a dozen people like yourself have been beaten up and robbed in this neighborhood all in the last five weeks.
Now, if we can find the thieves, we can put a stop to it.
We can make sure the same thing doesn't happen to your neighbors.
Well, they're going to have to look out for themselves. I'm not getting tied up in a big investigation.
The neighbors don't worry about me.
Phony goes a little further than that.
What?
They've been beaten up and robbed once. How do you know it isn't going to happen again?
Well, it's not, that's all. I'll make sure it doesn't.
How? What's going to stop the same thieves from knocking you over again?
Look, if it's all the same to you, I want to forget about this.
I'm going to have to be running along. It's getting late.
No, there's just one more thing, Butler. When the doctor was treating you the other night, this Dr. Hart,
he says you told him that you knew who the holdup men were now. Is that right?
No, he got it all mixed up. I didn't mean it that way.
How did you mean it?
I'm in a funny position. I just can't explain that's all. I can't take the chance.
Did the holdup men threaten you?
I can't talk about it. Give me a break, please.
You're making a mistake, mister. Play ball with those thieves and they'll ruin you.
It's not only me, it's my family too. I'm not going to take the chance.
If they threatened you and your family, you're taking more of a chance keeping quiet about it.
They'll bleed you white, blackmail, robbery, anything you can think of. Now this has happened before.
Can't you see the spot I'm in? I know who they are, I know what they can do. I've got a wife to think about.
Would you put your family in that position?
You're buying protection from a couple of hoods. Now figure it out. How much is it worth? How far can you trust them?
If you pick them up, they'll know I told you. I don't want anything to happen. Can't you see that I haven't any choice? What else can I do?
Help us put the thieves where they belong. You'll have all the protection you need until they're locked up.
It's a big order. I don't know.
You and your wife will be under 24-hour guard. Now that's a promise.
How long would that have to go on?
Long enough to bring them to trial and convict them.
Now how about it?
They warned me about telling the police. They said they'd get both of us if I did. Me and my wife.
Now they meant it too. They'd get us. What can you do about it?
Get them first.
After another hour of talking, we finally persuaded the robbery victim, Louis Butler, to come downtown with us.
He dictated a full statement about the holdup and filed a crime report.
He told us he'd been robbed and slugged late at night a few blocks from his music studio.
Eight hundred and twenty dollars had been taken from him by two bandits, both of whom were armed, both of whom he recognized.
One of the men was a Marvin Carter, a former bartender at a neighborhood tavern.
The other was Ralph Quincy, a merchant seaman.
We went across the street and met with Deputy District Attorney Fred Henderson.
The next day the case was presented to the grand jury and a true bill was returned.
The two suspects, Marvin Carter and Ralph Quincy, were indicted on one count of armed robbery.
That afternoon, both of them were booked at the main jail and then released after posting a required bail of ten thousand dollars.
Four thirty p.m. Ben and I went back to the office and met with Captain Didion.
How are you making out on it?
Pretty fair shape, Skipper. The arraignment's set for two weeks from Thursday.
How about protection for the victim?
Well, it's all set up. Butler and his wife are under twenty-four hour guard, three teams of men on it.
Since two thieves are getting out on bail, it's not going to make it any easier.
Who are you working with from the DA's office?
Henderson.
Seems to think we've got enough to convict both men.
What makes him so sure?
Well, for one thing, we've got a line on a couple of good witnesses to the holdup.
Excuse me.
Robbery Didion.
Yeah, Mike.
No, I'll check it before I leave.
Right.
What was that about witnesses?
A man by the name of Bartlett runs a drug store.
He and his son were in the neighborhood when Lewis Butler was held up.
They're supposed to have spotted the two thieves running from the scene.
Have you talked to them yet?
Just over the phone.
We've got an appointment with them at six o'clock tonight to take their statement.
I guess I don't have to tell you to stay as close to the thing as you can.
If we miss this time, we may not get another chance.
You know as well as anyone how tough it's been reaching these things.
Yeah, well, we wouldn't be this far along if Butler didn't decide to cooperate and file charges.
I wish I knew how many victims there are in this thing just like Butler.
People we don't even know about, so scared they don't dare file charges.
I guess there's a dozen of them anyway.
I can't figure it.
People hire a police force on salary to protect them and their property,
then they turn around, try to make a deal with a bunch of hoods, buy them off.
How far have you gotten on the holdup gang?
What do you mean?
The two men you've got, Ted, Carter and Quincy.
Anyone else working with them?
Possible, not sure yet.
Both Carter and Quincy have juvenile records, that's about it.
We're still checking on them.
Robbery did him?
Yeah, Tom.
Uh-huh, that right.
No, I'll tell them they're here with me now.
Right, thank you.
It started already.
How's that?
The victim, Lewis Butler.
He got a phone call at his house a few minutes ago.
Figured it was one of the holdup gang, they gave Butler a choice.
What'd they say?
Either he drops the charges or they'll kill him.
Five thirty p.m.
Captain Didion issued orders that the two suspects in the case, Marvin Carter and Ralph Quincy,
be placed under twenty-four hour surveillance.
An additional team of men was assigned to guard Lewis Butler.
Each officer was carefully instructed to take all possible precautions
to prevent the robbery victim and his wife from being harmed in any way.
Six p.m.
Ben and I met with the two witnesses to the holdup.
A drug store proprietor, Sam Bartlett, and his teenage son, Harold.
They told us that they'd been in the immediate vicinity the night Butler was robbed
and that they'd gotten a good look at the two gunmen as they ran from the scene of the holdup.
Bartlett and his son, Harold, identified the suspects as Marvin Carter and Ralph Quincy.
Statements were taken and both witnesses were warned to maintain absolute secrecy
about their part in the case.
Next day we made arrangements to have the drugist and his son
subpoenaed for the Superior Court Arrangement.
Six days went by.
Thursday, October seventeenth, eight a.m.
We checked in the office and found the message waiting for us.
What is it, Joe?
The drugist's son, Harold Bartlett.
Where did he go?
Found him in an alley three o'clock this morning.
What?
Slugged and beaten.
He was on his way home from a neighborhood movie just before midnight
when two men jumped him from behind on a deserted street.
I don't know if I should tell you, but he was a good guy.
He was a good guy.
Why don't you go get genome
laboratories out of the old pack.
I asked them why and just kept slugging me. I see
At first I think they were hitting me with their fist
It felt like something a lot harder
piece of iron or metal or something
That's why I grabbed the cloth off of my face and I started to holler. Mm-hmm. What happened then?
Yes, nobody heard me nobody came anyway
One of the men swore at me and grabbed my arm. It was something
I was sure
They didn't say anything to you all this time? No, I told just before they pushed me out of the car
It seemed like I was at that car for hours when they started to talk to you Harry what'd they say?
I was about that robbery my father and me saw but when they talked to us about last week
Mm-hmm what'd they say about it? I said, maybe this will help you keep your mouth shut stay out of other people's business
I said that a couple of times. I said a lot more had happened to dead me if we went to the police
If we were witnesses at that trial you remember the men who called each other by name
I
Don't I?
Don't remember anyway
Well son, you remember when we talked to you and your father last week
We told you to say nothing about the case to anyone. I remember sergeant. This is my fault
Well, did you tell other people that you were a witness in the case? Did you mention it in public?
I guess I did. Yeah
I didn't think it was that important. Yes, I
Talked about it quite a bit. I'm sorry. It's my fault. That's all right
Harry if you remember it from now on it'll save a lot more trouble. I remember sergeant
Those two men last night scaring for a while
I guess most of us talk on how do you mean sir? They were warning me about staying away from the cops
They said they'd kill me and my dad if we were witnesses. Mm-hmm
They're probably just trying to scare us. They were fooling. Well, you had a sample last night, son. Yeah, were they fooling?
After we left Harry Bartlett
We went back to the office and arranged for a 24-hour guard to be assigned to the teenage boy and his father
A thorough investigation of the attack on the boy failed to turn up any leads
On the surface the two robbery suspects Carter and Quincy were not involved
During the week that followed we heard of no further threats or attacks either on the victim Louis Butler or the witnesses involved in the case
Ben and I worked with deputy district attorney Henderson preparing the case against the two suspects
Two days before the trial opened in Superior Court. We got an urgent call. Yeah, I know but how did it happen?
Mm-hmm. Yeah
You're right Tom. Thanks
What's the trouble couldn't be worse no victim
What do you mean? Mr. And Mrs. Butler and disappeared
You are listening to dragnet
From beginning to end dragnet is the authentic story of your police force in action now from beginning to end
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Tuesday, November 5th 9 a.m
The trial of robbery suspects Marvin Carter and Ralph Quincy opened in Superior Court Department 88
The complaining witness Lewis Butler failed to appear
For two solid days we'd been busy checking all of the butler's friends and relatives in the city
They couldn't help each time the butlers had left their residence. They'd been under surveillance
We'd had an understanding with them that in the event that they were in their automobile and for some reason the officers assigned to them
Lost them in traffic the butlers would immediately return to their home
On the night of November 3rd under the pretext of going to a neighborhood theater
The butlers made a right-hand turn from a left-hand lane of traffic
So it became obvious that they were trying to elude the officers following them a check was made at their home as pre-arranged
And they failed to return
When they failed to appear for the trial a bench warrant was issued by Superior Court for the missing couple
Deputy District Attorney Henderson asked the court to grant a delay in order to find the butlers. It was granted in the meantime
We'd gotten out of broadcast and an APB
Missing persons detail helped out in the search still no sign
Tuesday, November 12th 11 a.m. Deputy DA Henderson phoned us from the Hall of Justice. When was that Fred?
Yeah, that right
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Well, thanks a lot
What do you have to say the attorney for Carter and Quincy asked the court for dismissal no complaining witness
Well, the judge ruled on it yet. Yeah case dismissed
No matter how guilty the two men might have seemed there was nothing further anyone could do
Without a complaining witness our case was finished the two suspects Carter and Quincy were released from custody
In a few days Quincy left town for the East Carter remained in the city
The search for mr. And mrs. Butler went on no sign of either one of them
December came and the Christmas holidays New Year's
On January 16th Louis Butler suddenly reappeared back in town and surrendered on the bench warrant
They explained to the judge that because of the numerous threats on their lives just before the trial
They were afraid to appear and that they left the state without telling anyone
The judge gave them a lecture and a warning and dismissed charges
Another month passed February and then March on April 2nd
We got word from Denver, Colorado that one of our former robbery suspects
Ralph Quincy had shot and killed a 24 year old policeman while attempting a robbery in that city
Quincy was tried and convicted of murder and received a life term
In the meantime, we'd heard little or nothing about the other former robbery suspect Marvin Carter
Another two months passed spring months wore on into summer
Monday July 8 8 a.m
Friday Romero see you minute. Yes, Kipper
You want to sit down you got something for you
Hold up victim man, but the name is Sheridan came in late last night filed his crime report. Hey, have a look
Let's see Joe, you can notice there it happened in the same area where we had that rash of holdups last fall
I see victim robbed and beaten suspects use the same approach same MO followed it right down the line
Yeah, victim warned not to contact police bodily harm threatened if victim did so
How about the descriptions of the whole of men here the victim pretty sure about them Gaffney handled a report
The victim said he got a good look at one of the thieves Gaffney gave him a bunch of mugshots to look at
Yeah, here's the one he picked out of the lot. Thanks
Have a look Joe Marvin Carter
As soon as the robbery report had come in an immediate check had been made of Marvin Carter's last known address an apartment in the West
Pico district the landlord revealed the suspect had moved at least two months before
We got out of broadcast and an APB on him together with sergeants and officers
We got out of broadcast and an APB on him together with sergeants Gonzales and Henry Ben
And I started on the systematic check of all of Carter's known friends relatives and associates
After that we started on the places. He was known to frequent hotels bars restaurants. No luck two weeks went by
There were no further reports of robberies where the MO of the criminal matched that of Carter's
Tuesday July 26 2 p.m
We got a call from one of our informants of Bertie Simmons who told us that he might have some information for us
He said it concerned Marvin Carter. He told us he'd meet us at MacArthur Park on the 6th Street side at 2 30 p.m
250 p.m
You'll have to excuse me sergeant. Sorry. I'm late. I have to move from that other place
Things haven't been going too good for me. That's all right, buddy. What's the matter? No luck with the horses? Yeah a lot of luck
It's all bad if there's a pig in the race
I have to bet on him every time getting so I can't even pick him to show anymore
I don't know what else is new with you, buddy. No job yet
No, I'm still looking but down around some of the joints South Main and Alameda keeping an ear to the ground
What spoke? Yeah. Thanks. Don't mind if I do
White for you
What have you heard birdie anything else that Marvin Carter you're still looking for much
It's right any rumble I heard it last night having a beer downtown
I knew you fellas were in a little bind on the thing. I always like to help you when you're in a bind
Well, what'd you hear Burke Carter still in town hiding out?
Like I say always like to help you out when you need it. I know what it is to be in the bind
That's when you appreciate help most I'm kind of in a bind right now
little short, you know a
Couple of dollars Burke, that's all I have on me. Will I help you out any?
Save my life sergeant. Tell you the truth. I didn't know where dinner was coming from tonight
No need telling you I appreciate it. What was this you heard about Carter still in town
Is a place down by Venice near the beach. Mm-hmm. God has been seen there once twice lately
It's a little simple joint beer and clams down by the beach
Well, is that somebody's story or is it the real thing real thing sergeant? You know me better than that
No phony leads from me. Where's Carter supposed to be staying down there, you know, well, I don't I don't I guess
What do you mean this move to tell me about Tyler last night?
He didn't know the address, but he described the place Carter supposed to be hiding out in I know the joining me
But you don't know the address no, but I can point out the place
He means it's a shack right along the speedway down there down by the beach. Mm-hmm
You want to run down there with us now? Sure. I'll find it out for you. I'm not going near it though
Why do you say that don't want to mix with it? That's all I got the word. What do you mean Carter?
Won't be an easy one to take. How do you know? He's got a gun
255 p.m. Along with our informant Bertie Simmons Ben and I drove down to the beach town of Venice
Bertie pointed out a brown wooden frame cottage where Carter was supposed to be hiding out
While Bertie waited in the car Ben and I checked it out
It was nobody at home, but there was plenty of evidence inside the cottage that Carter was living there. I
Went back down the street to where we parked our car. I kept an eye on the cottage while Ben got to a phone to call
the office
Pretty down here. I saw you. Yeah, it's nice day. I don't get out in the air enough
I think that's my trouble some of this good ocean air makes you feel like a million. Yeah
Did you notice the place where your partner went to phone down the street there?
Yeah, what about it? You see the sign beer and clam right over the door
Beer and clams?
Yeah, mm-hmm. Best in the city. I know I've been there only great
Good beer for a dime fresh clams nothing better
You like clams? Yeah, they're all right once in a while
What am I going to do if you two have to wait here all night?
Well, we'll get you back to town bird figure out something for you. Hi Ben
Did you get a hold of captain? Yeah
Marvin Carter was picked up downtown 20 minutes ago. What?
Yeah, I was driving a rented car traffic unit picked him up. Well, they tab him on his description. No at first
Reason they noticed him was because he was double parked on a busy street and they pulled him over and got a better look at him
I did any trouble with him. No, no got him booked at the main jail
Say that sure too bad and what do you mean?
It's your case isn't it? How long you fellas been working on it?
Just about a year, huh Joe? Yeah, just about. Coming all this way for nothing
You're ready to make the pension somebody else does it for you must be kind of disappointing
All that time all that work. Well Carter's in jail. That's the main thing
I guess we better drive back in. Yeah, say just a minute sergeant
No use coming all this way for nothing
I wonder if you'd do me a favor. What's that bird? That sign down the street? What?
The blue and white sign bearing clam
I wonder if you could drop me off right in front
Bearing clam? Oh, yeah bird, huh? Sure nice of you. Just like I was saying. What's that?
No use coming all this way for nothing. The story you have just heard was true
Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. On October 29th trial was held in Superior Court
Department 86 city and county of Los Angeles state of California in a moment the results of that trial
And now here is our star Jack Webb. Thank you friends. Let me tell you how to size up king size cigarettes
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Marvin Lawrence Carter was tried and convicted on several counts of first degree robbery
And was sentenced to the state penitentiary where he is now serving his term
First degree robbery is punishable by imprisonment from five years to life
Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Lyle Rooks editor of radio television mirror
The readers of radio television mirror have chosen dragnet the favorite program of its type for 1950
I am privileged to present the citation to you on behalf of the editors and readers of radio television mirror throughout the nation
Thank you, Miss Rooks
You have just heard dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files
Technical advice comes from the office of chief of police w h parker los angeles police department
Fatima cigarettes best of all long cigarettes has brought you dragnet portions transcribed from los angeles
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