1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:11,680 The story you are about to hear is true. 2 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:22,280 Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 3 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:23,280 You're a detective sergeant. 4 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:25,480 You're assigned to burglary detail. 5 00:00:25,480 --> 00:00:30,720 For the past 18 weeks a gang of safe men have been breaking into large grocery stores all 6 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:31,720 over the city. 7 00:00:31,720 --> 00:00:32,720 They work fast. 8 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:35,680 You can't localize their operations. 9 00:00:35,680 --> 00:00:36,680 Your job? 10 00:00:36,680 --> 00:00:37,680 Get them. 11 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:46,560 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 12 00:00:46,560 --> 00:00:50,720 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 13 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:55,320 travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official 14 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:56,320 police files. 15 00:00:56,320 --> 00:01:01,800 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 16 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:06,800 in action. 17 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:08,760 Was Wednesday, September 16th. 18 00:01:08,760 --> 00:01:09,760 Was hot in Los Angeles. 19 00:01:09,760 --> 00:01:12,640 We were working the day watch out a burglary detail. 20 00:01:12,640 --> 00:01:14,080 My partner's Ben Romero. 21 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:15,080 The boss is Captain Wisdom. 22 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:16,080 My name's Friday. 23 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:20,240 It was 7.45 a.m. when I got to the service station on the corner. 24 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:35,140 I went through the balloon. 25 00:01:35,140 --> 00:01:25,380 With the founded the double half, sir, I can only help put back my 26 00:01:25,380 --> 00:01:32,380 2524 please. 27 00:01:32,380 --> 00:01:37,380 Hi, Dick. 28 00:01:37,380 --> 00:01:45,100 This is Friday. 29 00:01:45,100 --> 00:01:46,100 Romero there. 30 00:01:46,100 --> 00:01:47,100 Thank you. 31 00:01:47,100 --> 00:01:48,100 Hey, Romero, take two. 32 00:01:48,100 --> 00:01:49,100 I'm on it. 33 00:01:49,100 --> 00:01:50,100 I'm on it. 34 00:01:50,100 --> 00:01:51,100 I'm on it. 35 00:01:51,100 --> 00:01:52,100 I'm on it. 36 00:01:52,100 --> 00:01:53,100 I'm on it. 37 00:01:53,100 --> 00:01:54,100 I'm on it. 38 00:01:54,100 --> 00:01:55,100 I'm on it. 39 00:01:55,100 --> 00:01:56,100 Take two. 40 00:01:56,100 --> 00:01:57,100 Romero. 41 00:01:57,100 --> 00:01:58,100 This Friday, Ben? 42 00:01:58,100 --> 00:01:59,100 Yeah, where you been? 43 00:01:59,100 --> 00:02:00,100 Wow, my car again. 44 00:02:00,100 --> 00:02:01,100 Something's wrong with that distributor. 45 00:02:01,100 --> 00:02:02,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 46 00:02:02,100 --> 00:02:03,100 I'll grab a street car down. 47 00:02:03,100 --> 00:02:04,100 Hey, here again, Joe. 48 00:02:04,100 --> 00:02:05,100 This one makes 37 jobs. 49 00:02:05,100 --> 00:02:06,100 Where at this time? 50 00:02:06,100 --> 00:02:07,100 Wilson Brothers Market at Melrose and Green. 51 00:02:07,100 --> 00:02:08,100 Drilled it safe and walked out with 462 dollars. 52 00:02:08,100 --> 00:02:09,100 Well, our steakouts are doing a lot of good, aren't they? 53 00:02:09,100 --> 00:02:10,100 I'm worn out from last night. 54 00:02:10,100 --> 00:02:11,100 I didn't get any sleep either. 55 00:02:11,100 --> 00:02:12,100 I just had time to go home and brush my teeth when this thing broke. 56 00:02:12,100 --> 00:02:13,100 Okay. 57 00:02:13,100 --> 00:02:14,100 He said Melrose and Green and Melrose and Green. 58 00:02:14,100 --> 00:02:15,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 59 00:02:15,100 --> 00:02:16,100 I'll grab a street car down. 60 00:02:16,100 --> 00:02:17,100 Okay. 61 00:02:17,100 --> 00:02:26,100 Where at this time? 62 00:02:26,100 --> 00:02:48,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 63 00:02:48,100 --> 00:03:07,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 64 00:03:07,100 --> 00:03:22,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 65 00:03:22,100 --> 00:03:38,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 66 00:03:38,100 --> 00:03:53,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 67 00:03:53,100 --> 00:04:09,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 68 00:04:09,100 --> 00:04:21,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 69 00:04:21,100 --> 00:04:28,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 70 00:04:28,100 --> 00:04:39,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 71 00:04:39,100 --> 00:04:52,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 72 00:04:52,100 --> 00:05:07,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 73 00:05:07,100 --> 00:05:24,100 I'm going to leave it at the service station. 74 00:05:24,100 --> 00:05:34,100 Here's goose goose goose. 75 00:05:34,100 --> 00:05:36,060 Looks like they tried to get rid of him. 76 00:05:36,060 --> 00:05:39,340 Some of the checks torn up and his fishing license ripped in two. 77 00:05:39,340 --> 00:05:41,860 Where could I see those be? 78 00:05:41,860 --> 00:05:44,740 Charles W. Royal issued last month. 79 00:05:44,740 --> 00:05:48,100 Good chance he might have carried the license in his pocket and got it mixed up with the 80 00:05:48,100 --> 00:05:49,100 checks. 81 00:05:49,100 --> 00:05:52,020 First maybe he was going to take the checks but changed his mind and tore them up, the 82 00:05:52,020 --> 00:05:53,020 license with him. 83 00:05:53,020 --> 00:05:54,940 Let's hope you're right, Dick. 84 00:05:54,940 --> 00:05:56,980 But it might just belong to some employee here. 85 00:05:56,980 --> 00:06:00,020 Well, we've been kind of figuring these jobs might have an inside connection. 86 00:06:00,020 --> 00:06:01,020 Maybe this is it. 87 00:06:01,020 --> 00:06:02,020 Let's check it out. 88 00:06:02,020 --> 00:06:05,100 Maybe this is the break we've been looking for. 89 00:06:05,100 --> 00:06:11,100 We went back to the office and checked the name Charles W. Royal through R&I. 90 00:06:11,100 --> 00:06:12,100 No record. 91 00:06:12,100 --> 00:06:14,540 We contacted the management of the Wilson Markets. 92 00:06:14,540 --> 00:06:16,980 He had been an employee at the store which was just held up. 93 00:06:16,980 --> 00:06:21,260 He had been transferred six months prior to their Van Nuys branch. 94 00:06:21,260 --> 00:06:25,540 In checking back we found that the Van Nuys Market was one of the first stores to be burglarized. 95 00:06:25,540 --> 00:06:30,340 It was placed under surveillance for several days and during this period another Wilson 96 00:06:30,340 --> 00:06:31,340 Market was burglarized. 97 00:06:31,340 --> 00:06:36,100 The officers conducting the surveillance accounted for all of Royal's time during the burglary. 98 00:06:36,100 --> 00:06:40,900 He was brought in for questioning and cleared of any complicity in the burglaries. 99 00:06:40,900 --> 00:06:44,660 Monday September 28th 8 a.m. we met with Captain Wisdom. 100 00:06:44,660 --> 00:06:47,940 The reason for Royal's fishing license being in with those checks was because he left it 101 00:06:47,940 --> 00:06:49,660 behind at that store when he was transferred. 102 00:06:49,660 --> 00:06:50,660 That's right. 103 00:06:50,660 --> 00:06:51,660 Manager of the store confirmed it. 104 00:06:51,660 --> 00:06:54,180 Said he kept it in a safe form so it wouldn't get lost. 105 00:06:54,180 --> 00:06:55,420 Well, that lead went nowhere. 106 00:06:55,420 --> 00:06:56,820 None of them go anywhere. 107 00:06:56,820 --> 00:06:58,260 We don't get any leads. 108 00:06:58,260 --> 00:07:02,740 And no kickbacks on any of our teletypes, APBs, or radio, Glenn. 109 00:07:02,740 --> 00:07:06,140 Between Armstrong, Rubles, and Ben and I, the girls in the stats office think we're 110 00:07:06,140 --> 00:07:07,500 on the payroll down there. 111 00:07:07,500 --> 00:07:10,980 We're wearing out the cards having to make runs on the gang's MO for us. 112 00:07:10,980 --> 00:07:14,060 How about that last stuff Burton from the C.I.I. sent down? 113 00:07:14,060 --> 00:07:15,860 Well, we checked all three of them out. 114 00:07:15,860 --> 00:07:16,860 Nothing. 115 00:07:16,860 --> 00:07:19,820 The boys in the crime lab got a lot of physical evidence if they could make something out 116 00:07:19,820 --> 00:07:20,820 of it. 117 00:07:20,820 --> 00:07:21,820 That's just it. 118 00:07:21,820 --> 00:07:23,020 You can't make something out of nothing. 119 00:07:23,020 --> 00:07:24,420 They haven't got much up there. 120 00:07:24,420 --> 00:07:28,180 A few steel shavings off those safes, a couple of broken bits, a handful of cotton fuzzies 121 00:07:28,180 --> 00:07:29,660 I think is off the guy's gloves. 122 00:07:29,660 --> 00:07:30,660 Can't work miracles. 123 00:07:30,660 --> 00:07:31,660 Yeah, that's right. 124 00:07:31,660 --> 00:07:35,100 I don't think we've overlooked anything, Captain. 125 00:07:35,100 --> 00:07:38,700 Every neighborhood in the vicinity of every burglary has been checked and rechecked. 126 00:07:38,700 --> 00:07:40,700 And all you turned up was that one woman? 127 00:07:40,700 --> 00:07:44,740 Yeah, the one that saw the three men out in the back of the Wilson Market over on Vermont. 128 00:07:44,740 --> 00:07:45,740 She thought they worked there. 129 00:07:45,740 --> 00:07:49,020 Didn't know she'd witnessed a burglary when we told her. 130 00:07:49,020 --> 00:07:50,740 She couldn't identify any of them. 131 00:07:50,740 --> 00:07:52,180 No, she couldn't. 132 00:07:52,180 --> 00:07:53,740 I just checked with the sheriff's office. 133 00:07:53,740 --> 00:07:55,620 These burglaries are driving them crazy too. 134 00:07:55,620 --> 00:07:56,620 No leads. 135 00:07:56,620 --> 00:07:59,420 Of course, when the parole office has been trying to give us a hand, we've checked out 136 00:07:59,420 --> 00:08:02,420 everything they sent us on discharges and parolees. 137 00:08:02,420 --> 00:08:03,420 Nothing fit. 138 00:08:03,420 --> 00:08:06,660 Well, did the markets seem to be cooperating, holding up their end as they were instructed? 139 00:08:06,660 --> 00:08:09,340 Well, as far as we can tell, right to the letter, yeah. 140 00:08:09,340 --> 00:08:12,740 All the safes that were concealed in any way have been moved out in a more conspicuous 141 00:08:12,740 --> 00:08:13,740 spot, all well-illuminating. 142 00:08:13,740 --> 00:08:18,180 The Wilson Company has bought better-made safes to replace the ones that were broken 143 00:08:18,180 --> 00:08:19,180 into. 144 00:08:19,180 --> 00:08:21,180 They're replacing their old models as fast as they can. 145 00:08:21,180 --> 00:08:22,740 Doesn't seem to stop them. 146 00:08:22,740 --> 00:08:25,420 Yeah, all that's according to the book. 147 00:08:25,420 --> 00:08:28,580 I figure with all those precautions, they'd be foolish enough to tip off the fees. 148 00:08:28,580 --> 00:08:29,580 Behind me. 149 00:08:29,580 --> 00:08:30,580 Oh, yeah. 150 00:08:30,580 --> 00:08:32,580 Take a look at this. 151 00:08:32,580 --> 00:08:33,580 Yeah. 152 00:08:33,580 --> 00:08:37,940 Larsen and Gunn turned this up at that Venice Boulevard job night before last. 153 00:08:37,940 --> 00:08:40,260 Remember, you grabbed stakeout instructions. 154 00:08:40,260 --> 00:08:41,260 That's right. 155 00:08:41,260 --> 00:08:43,180 Put out by the management of the markets. 156 00:08:43,180 --> 00:08:47,860 Every time we informed them of a stakeout night, they put these interstore memos on. 157 00:08:47,860 --> 00:08:50,900 That was for the purpose of informing all the different store managers of the police 158 00:08:50,900 --> 00:08:55,180 department's plans so they'd be sure and comply with our instructions. 159 00:08:55,180 --> 00:08:58,420 That was okay, but the effects have been causing us more trouble than we know. 160 00:08:58,420 --> 00:09:01,580 Weren't these destroyed after the store managers read them? 161 00:09:01,580 --> 00:09:03,100 Apparently not. 162 00:09:03,100 --> 00:09:06,620 We notified the management of the stores to be staked out a week in advance so that they 163 00:09:06,620 --> 00:09:08,980 could quietly let the stores know about it. 164 00:09:08,980 --> 00:09:12,780 Whether we wanted the lights left on and turned off to move the safe out of hiding, all the 165 00:09:12,780 --> 00:09:13,780 various instructions. 166 00:09:13,780 --> 00:09:17,580 And the management of the market chain just took it on themselves to send out these memio 167 00:09:17,580 --> 00:09:18,580 sheets, huh? 168 00:09:18,580 --> 00:09:19,580 Not only that. 169 00:09:19,580 --> 00:09:23,340 In checking the last couple of jobs, either these sheets were in the manager's desk, so 170 00:09:23,340 --> 00:09:24,900 they were posted in the store someplace. 171 00:09:24,900 --> 00:09:28,420 All the thieves had to do was go through a desk and check a bulletin board and then they'd 172 00:09:28,420 --> 00:09:29,660 write where we'd be. 173 00:09:29,660 --> 00:09:32,660 Without this advance information, maybe it'll slow them down. 174 00:09:32,660 --> 00:09:34,820 Maybe we can write in on part of the work we do. 175 00:09:34,820 --> 00:09:35,820 Yeah. 176 00:09:35,820 --> 00:09:39,300 Come on over here to the pin map. 177 00:09:39,300 --> 00:09:42,140 Here you are, Friday. 178 00:09:42,140 --> 00:09:45,980 A red pen for you, one for you, Romero. 179 00:09:45,980 --> 00:09:46,980 You put them in. 180 00:09:46,980 --> 00:09:49,580 I got calluses on my thumb from trying to keep up with those thieves. 181 00:09:49,580 --> 00:09:50,580 Yeah. 182 00:09:50,580 --> 00:09:51,580 Yeah. 183 00:09:51,580 --> 00:09:54,580 Venice Boulevard and Rockwell. 184 00:09:54,580 --> 00:09:57,980 And from us, yes. 185 00:09:57,980 --> 00:09:58,980 Just look at them on there. 186 00:09:58,980 --> 00:10:01,780 I'm going to run us out of pins if we don't blow the whistle on them. 187 00:10:01,780 --> 00:10:05,620 I'm getting a little sick of it myself. 188 00:10:05,620 --> 00:10:07,820 Take a good look at the map here. 189 00:10:07,820 --> 00:10:15,860 All the red pins are these market jobs in and around here and through here. 190 00:10:15,860 --> 00:10:18,820 As you know, Wilson's got stores throughout most of Southern California. 191 00:10:18,820 --> 00:10:19,820 Yeah. 192 00:10:19,820 --> 00:10:23,340 They've hit in and around the metropolitan area, Pomona, Glendale a couple of times at 193 00:10:23,340 --> 00:10:25,020 the beach cities. 194 00:10:25,020 --> 00:10:26,020 Look over here. 195 00:10:26,020 --> 00:10:27,500 And then they go up. 196 00:10:27,500 --> 00:10:28,500 Yeah. 197 00:10:28,500 --> 00:10:31,540 Now, for some reason, they're leaving Eagle Rock alone. 198 00:10:31,540 --> 00:10:32,900 Seven Wilson markets out there. 199 00:10:32,900 --> 00:10:34,460 Not one of them have been touched. 200 00:10:34,460 --> 00:10:35,900 Maybe they'll hit their next time. 201 00:10:35,900 --> 00:10:38,980 We double checked all cruiser units out there, told them to be doubly alert. 202 00:10:38,980 --> 00:10:42,780 Also to report any suspicious moves around any of the stores. 203 00:10:42,780 --> 00:10:47,940 I want to report in any and all cars driving below normal speeds anywhere near those markets. 204 00:10:47,940 --> 00:10:49,620 Anything even remotely out of line. 205 00:10:49,620 --> 00:10:52,100 There's seven stores in and around that area. 206 00:10:52,100 --> 00:10:54,100 Excuse me. 207 00:10:54,100 --> 00:10:56,100 Burglary wisdom. 208 00:10:56,100 --> 00:10:58,620 The high ball. 209 00:10:58,620 --> 00:11:00,820 Who's that? 210 00:11:00,820 --> 00:11:02,940 They did. 211 00:11:02,940 --> 00:11:05,620 Colorado and Bryce. 212 00:11:05,620 --> 00:11:07,740 Yeah, right away. 213 00:11:07,740 --> 00:11:08,740 Yeah. 214 00:11:08,740 --> 00:11:10,900 That was Lieutenant Vaughan Highland Park. 215 00:11:10,900 --> 00:11:11,900 I was wrong. 216 00:11:11,900 --> 00:11:13,660 There's only six stores in Eagle Rock now. 217 00:11:13,660 --> 00:11:14,660 What do you mean? 218 00:11:14,660 --> 00:11:20,020 They knocked one over last night. 219 00:11:20,020 --> 00:11:23,940 The preliminary investigation of the Wilson Brothers Market in Eagle Rock yielded no additional 220 00:11:23,940 --> 00:11:27,660 physical evidence, but it definitely showed that we were dealing with the same gang of 221 00:11:27,660 --> 00:11:28,820 thieves. 222 00:11:28,820 --> 00:11:32,740 In this last burglary, they got away with eighteen hundred and fifty two dollars. 223 00:11:32,740 --> 00:11:34,620 One thirty four p.m. 224 00:11:34,620 --> 00:11:38,140 After five hours of continuous checking in the immediate neighborhood of the latest market 225 00:11:38,140 --> 00:11:42,340 to be burglarized, Ben and I located a Mrs. Olive Rebarred. 226 00:11:42,340 --> 00:11:45,100 We felt sure that we'd reached a turning point in the case. 227 00:11:45,100 --> 00:11:49,260 Mrs. Rebarred had seen two of the gang members at work in the Wilson Market at Colorado and 228 00:11:49,260 --> 00:11:50,460 Bryce in Eagle Rock. 229 00:11:50,460 --> 00:11:55,940 She agreed to come downtown and go through photographs of criminal suspects. 230 00:11:55,940 --> 00:11:57,940 No. 231 00:11:57,940 --> 00:11:59,940 No. 232 00:11:59,940 --> 00:12:04,300 Not any of these. 233 00:12:04,300 --> 00:12:06,300 Let's try the next two, please. 234 00:12:06,300 --> 00:12:08,860 There are a lot of them, aren't there? 235 00:12:08,860 --> 00:12:09,860 Yes, ma'am. 236 00:12:09,860 --> 00:12:10,860 There's still a lot more to go here. 237 00:12:10,860 --> 00:12:11,860 I see it. 238 00:12:11,860 --> 00:12:12,860 No. 239 00:12:12,860 --> 00:12:13,860 No, none of these. 240 00:12:13,860 --> 00:12:19,660 That finishes this book. 241 00:12:19,660 --> 00:12:23,660 How many does that make that we've been through? 242 00:12:23,660 --> 00:12:25,660 I believe this one makes fifteen. 243 00:12:25,660 --> 00:12:29,700 Just looking at all those faces makes you wonder, are there any honest people? 244 00:12:29,700 --> 00:12:32,980 Well, these books represent an accumulation of many years, you understand. 245 00:12:32,980 --> 00:12:33,980 You keep pictures of everybody? 246 00:12:33,980 --> 00:12:34,980 Everybody in prison? 247 00:12:34,980 --> 00:12:39,060 Well, within our jurisdiction, yes, and a great many more besides. 248 00:12:39,060 --> 00:12:40,060 I see. 249 00:12:40,060 --> 00:12:43,660 Ben, how about that Folsom book up there for forty five and forty six? 250 00:12:43,660 --> 00:12:44,660 Right. 251 00:12:44,660 --> 00:12:47,020 I'll put this one back. 252 00:12:47,020 --> 00:12:48,020 Fine. 253 00:12:48,020 --> 00:12:51,980 Forty six, yes, that's it. 254 00:12:51,980 --> 00:12:53,860 All right. 255 00:12:53,860 --> 00:12:56,580 Here we are. 256 00:12:56,580 --> 00:12:59,580 You ready, Mrs. Rebar? 257 00:12:59,580 --> 00:13:02,140 All right. 258 00:13:02,140 --> 00:13:03,540 No. 259 00:13:03,540 --> 00:13:04,820 No. 260 00:13:04,820 --> 00:13:09,340 I don't believe it's anything. 261 00:13:09,340 --> 00:13:10,340 All right. 262 00:13:10,340 --> 00:13:11,340 Turn the next page. 263 00:13:11,340 --> 00:13:18,020 How about these? 264 00:13:18,020 --> 00:13:26,980 This one, you know, that one fellow looked a little like one of them. 265 00:13:26,980 --> 00:13:27,980 I thought he did it first. 266 00:13:27,980 --> 00:13:28,980 Which one was that? 267 00:13:28,980 --> 00:13:29,980 This one. 268 00:13:29,980 --> 00:13:30,980 No, I was wrong. 269 00:13:30,980 --> 00:13:31,980 He looked familiar at first glance. 270 00:13:31,980 --> 00:13:37,660 Well, now we told you before, Mrs. Rebar, if any of these men, their ears, eyes, nose, 271 00:13:37,660 --> 00:13:41,460 chin, any part of them looks like any part of the men that you saw, we'd like to know 272 00:13:41,460 --> 00:13:42,460 that. 273 00:13:42,460 --> 00:13:45,340 We'll have our sergeant put off it up in our crime lab, drop a composite for you. 274 00:13:45,340 --> 00:13:47,780 You mean you put all the different features together? 275 00:13:47,780 --> 00:13:48,780 Yes, ma'am. 276 00:13:48,780 --> 00:13:49,780 You think it might help in any way? 277 00:13:49,780 --> 00:13:50,780 I mean, it'll certainly help us. 278 00:13:50,780 --> 00:13:53,780 I didn't realize that you were that thorough. 279 00:13:53,780 --> 00:13:55,780 Well, we have to be. 280 00:13:55,780 --> 00:13:59,540 Well, I'm just not that sure about any of their features. 281 00:13:59,540 --> 00:14:03,260 It was just like I told you, I didn't get too good a look at them, but I thought I might 282 00:14:03,260 --> 00:14:04,260 remember. 283 00:14:04,260 --> 00:14:05,260 There's so many pictures here. 284 00:14:05,260 --> 00:14:07,860 Would you like to rest a little while, Mrs. Rebar? 285 00:14:07,860 --> 00:14:09,860 We've been going at this thing for about two hours now. 286 00:14:09,860 --> 00:14:10,860 No, that's all right. 287 00:14:10,860 --> 00:14:11,860 No, I want to help if I can. 288 00:14:11,860 --> 00:14:12,860 I think I'll open this door a little, Joe. 289 00:14:12,860 --> 00:14:13,860 All right. 290 00:14:13,860 --> 00:14:14,860 I've got a little draft in from the hall. 291 00:14:14,860 --> 00:14:15,860 There. 292 00:14:15,860 --> 00:14:16,860 It gets a little stuff in here sometimes. 293 00:14:16,860 --> 00:14:17,860 Thank you. 294 00:14:17,860 --> 00:14:18,860 I wonder if you'd like a cold drink or some kind of coke, something like that. 295 00:14:18,860 --> 00:14:19,860 No, thank you. 296 00:14:19,860 --> 00:14:20,860 That's very kind. 297 00:14:20,860 --> 00:14:21,860 I don't care for one. 298 00:14:21,860 --> 00:14:22,860 All right. 299 00:14:22,860 --> 00:14:23,860 Would you like to go on? 300 00:14:23,860 --> 00:14:24,860 Yes, I guess. 301 00:14:24,860 --> 00:14:25,860 All right. 302 00:14:25,860 --> 00:14:26,860 No. 303 00:14:26,860 --> 00:14:41,460 You understand that when I saw these men in the store, I had to look through the front 304 00:14:41,460 --> 00:14:42,460 window. 305 00:14:42,460 --> 00:14:44,460 They must have been at least 40 feet away from me. 306 00:14:44,460 --> 00:14:45,900 I had a shout to be heard. 307 00:14:45,900 --> 00:14:46,900 Yes, ma'am, I understand. 308 00:14:46,900 --> 00:14:50,340 They didn't come over to me at all. 309 00:14:50,340 --> 00:14:53,060 I just can't believe that they were really those lightning burglars. 310 00:14:53,060 --> 00:14:56,060 Isn't that what the paper called them? 311 00:14:56,060 --> 00:14:59,220 They were just as big as life. 312 00:14:59,220 --> 00:15:00,220 They're standing behind a meat conner. 313 00:15:00,220 --> 00:15:03,220 They even had on butcher's aprons. 314 00:15:03,220 --> 00:15:07,140 Still hard to believe because they didn't act like burglars at all. 315 00:15:07,140 --> 00:15:08,140 Sometimes they don't. 316 00:15:08,140 --> 00:15:12,900 The only thing that struck me funny was that anybody be working there on a Sunday. 317 00:15:12,900 --> 00:15:14,620 I've seen men in there before. 318 00:15:14,620 --> 00:15:17,700 It just didn't seem right that they'd be working there. 319 00:15:17,700 --> 00:15:22,020 I wanted to get in to pick up a box of starch. 320 00:15:22,020 --> 00:15:24,300 They told me to come back Monday morning when they were open. 321 00:15:24,300 --> 00:15:27,940 If you could have seen over the counter from where you were standing, you would have seen 322 00:15:27,940 --> 00:15:29,860 the floor safe right there in the meat department. 323 00:15:29,860 --> 00:15:30,860 They were trying to open it. 324 00:15:30,860 --> 00:15:31,860 I never would have known it. 325 00:15:31,860 --> 00:15:35,860 You're sure you people couldn't have made a mistake? 326 00:15:35,860 --> 00:15:37,380 No, ma'am, I don't think so. 327 00:15:37,380 --> 00:15:42,020 We've checked there and there was no authorized employees in that store yesterday morning. 328 00:15:42,020 --> 00:15:43,020 That's so. 329 00:15:43,020 --> 00:15:45,780 Well, it must have been them then. 330 00:15:45,780 --> 00:15:48,940 Yeah, we're pretty sure it was. 331 00:15:48,940 --> 00:15:50,300 Let me help you there, Mrs. Rebry. 332 00:15:50,300 --> 00:15:51,300 These pages are stuck together. 333 00:15:51,300 --> 00:15:52,300 Thank you. 334 00:15:52,300 --> 00:15:59,780 There you are. 335 00:15:59,780 --> 00:16:00,780 I've seen so many photographs. 336 00:16:00,780 --> 00:16:02,780 They're all beginning to look alike to me. 337 00:16:02,780 --> 00:16:05,220 If you'd like to rest a while, that's fine. 338 00:16:05,220 --> 00:16:09,300 Maybe you'd like to go home and come back a little later. 339 00:16:09,300 --> 00:16:10,300 You know something? 340 00:16:10,300 --> 00:16:12,340 What's that, ma'am? 341 00:16:12,340 --> 00:16:13,700 I'm positive now. 342 00:16:13,700 --> 00:16:14,700 Yeah. 343 00:16:14,700 --> 00:16:29,180 I wouldn't know those men if I saw them. 344 00:16:29,180 --> 00:16:32,220 You are listening to Dragnet. 345 00:16:32,220 --> 00:16:38,620 From beginning to end, Dragnet is the authentic story of your police force in action. 346 00:16:38,620 --> 00:16:50,140 Once more, what appeared to first be a good lead dissolved into nothing. 347 00:16:50,140 --> 00:16:51,900 The stakeouts were continued. 348 00:16:51,900 --> 00:16:54,460 Everything possible was being done to apprehend them. 349 00:16:54,460 --> 00:16:56,980 The burglaries of the Wilson Markets continued. 350 00:16:56,980 --> 00:16:58,980 On the night of October 3rd, officers D.B. 351 00:16:58,980 --> 00:17:03,180 O'Connell and P.W. Murphy were working the stakeout on one of the Wilson Markets in Eagle 352 00:17:03,180 --> 00:17:04,180 Rock. 353 00:17:04,180 --> 00:17:11,100 At 2.33 a.m., they had observed a Gray Ford Coupe, California license 9-Robert, 9813, 354 00:17:11,100 --> 00:17:15,780 driving at normal speed until reaching the storefront and then slowing down perceptibly, 355 00:17:15,780 --> 00:17:18,060 showing unusual interest in the market. 356 00:17:18,060 --> 00:17:21,900 Lieutenant Armstrong and Sergeant Rubel checked the license number through DMV. 357 00:17:21,900 --> 00:17:27,380 The car was registered to a Clydar Bingham, 233 South Carmona Place in Eagle Rock. 358 00:17:27,380 --> 00:17:31,460 It was placed under surveillance while we made a thorough check into his background. 359 00:17:31,460 --> 00:17:34,380 We located him at the neighborhood bar on Colorado Boulevard. 360 00:17:34,380 --> 00:17:37,380 We talked to him for an hour. 361 00:17:37,380 --> 00:17:39,100 So that's it. 362 00:17:39,100 --> 00:17:40,100 I'm not your man. 363 00:17:40,100 --> 00:17:43,220 Are you sure you didn't drive past that Wilson Market on Bellevue Avenue? 364 00:17:43,220 --> 00:17:46,420 I didn't say I've never driven by it, but not on the night you said. 365 00:17:46,420 --> 00:17:48,540 Well, have you driven by it on other nights? 366 00:17:48,540 --> 00:17:49,540 I wouldn't remember that. 367 00:17:49,540 --> 00:17:53,060 I live out here and I drive down Bellevue a lot, but I don't know if I've ever been by 368 00:17:53,060 --> 00:17:54,060 that market. 369 00:17:54,060 --> 00:17:55,060 I suppose I have. 370 00:17:55,060 --> 00:17:57,940 We have your license number and the word of two officers who sell you. 371 00:17:57,940 --> 00:17:59,260 I'm afraid they must be mistaken. 372 00:17:59,260 --> 00:18:01,540 You have the word of Benny and Walt. 373 00:18:01,540 --> 00:18:02,540 You just talked to them. 374 00:18:02,540 --> 00:18:04,740 I told you I was here on the night of October 3rd. 375 00:18:04,740 --> 00:18:07,340 I stayed here until almost daylight talking to Walt. 376 00:18:07,340 --> 00:18:09,900 He closed up the two and we sat around and talked. 377 00:18:09,900 --> 00:18:12,020 What did you say your car was parked all this time? 378 00:18:12,020 --> 00:18:13,020 Right out in front. 379 00:18:13,020 --> 00:18:15,540 Ben Walt told you that too. 380 00:18:15,540 --> 00:18:18,220 I'm telling you, I never left this place the other night. 381 00:18:18,220 --> 00:18:20,300 Is it possible you could have forgotten? 382 00:18:20,300 --> 00:18:21,300 Not all three of us. 383 00:18:21,300 --> 00:18:22,740 And you didn't loan your car to anybody? 384 00:18:22,740 --> 00:18:23,740 No, sir. 385 00:18:23,740 --> 00:18:24,740 I never loaned my car. 386 00:18:24,740 --> 00:18:25,740 I stayed right out there in front. 387 00:18:25,740 --> 00:18:27,860 What did you say you did after this place closed? 388 00:18:27,860 --> 00:18:30,700 As I said, I sat around and talked to Walt. 389 00:18:30,700 --> 00:18:31,700 He owns the place. 390 00:18:31,700 --> 00:18:32,700 What did you talk about? 391 00:18:32,700 --> 00:18:34,700 Oh, I don't know, this and that. 392 00:18:34,700 --> 00:18:35,700 I don't recall exactly. 393 00:18:35,700 --> 00:18:37,660 Did you go to work the following day? 394 00:18:37,660 --> 00:18:38,660 Yes, sir, I did. 395 00:18:38,660 --> 00:18:42,020 It seems funny you'd sit up all night talking and go to work. 396 00:18:42,020 --> 00:18:43,660 I don't have to be to work until I please. 397 00:18:43,660 --> 00:18:45,260 You know, I'm my own boss. 398 00:18:45,260 --> 00:18:46,260 Yeah. 399 00:18:46,260 --> 00:18:47,900 Well, you run your business all by yourself, do you? 400 00:18:47,900 --> 00:18:49,380 No, I have two secretaries. 401 00:18:49,380 --> 00:18:51,660 They make out checks, keep the books. 402 00:18:51,660 --> 00:18:53,620 What kind of business did you say you were in? 403 00:18:53,620 --> 00:18:54,620 Business management. 404 00:18:54,620 --> 00:18:58,700 You know, the thing that bothers me is why you're asking me all these questions. 405 00:18:58,700 --> 00:18:59,700 Routine investigation. 406 00:18:59,700 --> 00:19:01,220 It doesn't sound very routine to me. 407 00:19:01,220 --> 00:19:02,220 I don't understand. 408 00:19:02,220 --> 00:19:03,220 We're on an assignment. 409 00:19:03,220 --> 00:19:06,700 During the course of that assignment, it became necessary to interrogate you. 410 00:19:06,700 --> 00:19:09,700 I still don't understand. 411 00:19:09,700 --> 00:19:10,700 Anything else you want to know? 412 00:19:10,700 --> 00:19:13,580 No, sir, I think that pretty well covers it. 413 00:19:13,580 --> 00:19:14,580 Something I'd like to know. 414 00:19:14,580 --> 00:19:15,580 Yeah. 415 00:19:15,580 --> 00:19:21,820 Is there a law against slowing down in front of a market? 416 00:19:21,820 --> 00:19:25,660 Ben and I felt that Bingham was lying for some reason that we were not aware of. 417 00:19:25,660 --> 00:19:27,620 All efforts were made to determine that reason. 418 00:19:27,620 --> 00:19:29,580 We made a complete search of his residence. 419 00:19:29,580 --> 00:19:32,700 His relatives, friends, and associates were interrogated. 420 00:19:32,700 --> 00:19:35,420 The two men who had alibied for him were checked out. 421 00:19:35,420 --> 00:19:39,420 No evidence was obtained to connect him in any way with the Wilson Market burglaries. 422 00:19:39,420 --> 00:19:42,140 The surveillance was continued on the three men. 423 00:19:42,140 --> 00:19:44,940 During the next two weeks, another market was burglarized. 424 00:19:44,940 --> 00:19:47,900 None of the three men could have been involved in any way. 425 00:19:47,900 --> 00:19:49,260 Another month went by. 426 00:19:49,260 --> 00:19:51,660 The burglaries continued unchecked. 427 00:19:51,660 --> 00:19:53,900 The newspapers had dubbed them the lightning bandits. 428 00:19:53,900 --> 00:19:56,020 There was only one exception to the title. 429 00:19:56,020 --> 00:19:59,900 By this time, they'd begun to repeat on markets to hit again where they had burglarized a 430 00:19:59,900 --> 00:20:01,940 safe previously. 431 00:20:01,940 --> 00:20:06,300 December 3rd, 4 a.m., Ben and I were cruising the central area, the section not covered 432 00:20:06,300 --> 00:20:07,300 by Stacom. 433 00:20:07,300 --> 00:20:12,060 I figured there's only one way to beat this thing. 434 00:20:12,060 --> 00:20:13,060 Yeah, what's that? 435 00:20:13,060 --> 00:20:15,300 Ask for a transfer before they offer us one. 436 00:20:15,300 --> 00:20:18,220 Wow, it seems like every way we turn, we're stopped. 437 00:20:18,220 --> 00:20:19,220 No leads, nothing. 438 00:20:19,220 --> 00:20:21,460 Here it is almost Christmas again. 439 00:20:21,460 --> 00:20:23,540 Those markets that you started last Easter. 440 00:20:23,540 --> 00:20:24,540 Yeah, I know. 441 00:20:24,540 --> 00:20:27,540 Well, we got everything covered again tonight as best we can. 442 00:20:27,540 --> 00:20:30,100 If we could just keep all the markets covered at one time. 443 00:20:30,100 --> 00:20:32,060 Well, that's been done a couple of times, you know that. 444 00:20:32,060 --> 00:20:35,140 Yeah, I know that, but keep them covered all the time till we get to them. 445 00:20:35,140 --> 00:20:37,380 If we had the manpower, we could do it. 446 00:20:37,380 --> 00:20:38,380 Yeah. 447 00:20:38,380 --> 00:20:42,100 You want to sway in close to the curb, here's another market. 448 00:20:42,100 --> 00:20:43,100 Yeah. 449 00:20:43,100 --> 00:20:44,100 See anything? 450 00:20:44,100 --> 00:20:47,100 No, nothing on this side. 451 00:20:47,100 --> 00:20:50,180 I can't see the safe in there, can you? 452 00:20:50,180 --> 00:20:51,180 No. 453 00:20:51,180 --> 00:20:54,900 Those vegetable counters are partially blocking it. 454 00:20:54,900 --> 00:20:57,900 Lights on though. 455 00:20:57,900 --> 00:21:02,420 Yeah, this side's clear too. 456 00:21:02,420 --> 00:21:05,260 Rear of the store backs up against that other building, doesn't it? 457 00:21:05,260 --> 00:21:07,540 Yeah, only a front and side entrance. 458 00:21:07,540 --> 00:21:09,980 You swing around again, will you make a U? 459 00:21:09,980 --> 00:21:10,980 You see something? 460 00:21:10,980 --> 00:21:12,780 No, I'm not sure. 461 00:21:12,780 --> 00:21:16,940 Just pull back up in front again. 462 00:21:16,940 --> 00:21:18,580 All right. 463 00:21:18,580 --> 00:21:21,140 OK, this is fine. 464 00:21:21,140 --> 00:21:25,500 I'll take care of your engine. 465 00:21:25,500 --> 00:21:27,260 You hear that? 466 00:21:27,260 --> 00:21:28,260 I'm not sure. 467 00:21:28,260 --> 00:21:29,260 Come on. 468 00:21:29,260 --> 00:21:32,260 You hear it now? 469 00:21:32,260 --> 00:21:36,660 No, it's stuck. 470 00:21:36,660 --> 00:21:39,660 Come on. 471 00:21:39,660 --> 00:21:43,900 They're throwing vegetables at that front window. 472 00:21:43,900 --> 00:21:45,100 We're trying to draw our attention here. 473 00:21:45,100 --> 00:21:46,940 Now you cover the side, I'll try to force them to U. 474 00:21:46,940 --> 00:21:47,940 Right, there's a new track. 475 00:21:47,940 --> 00:21:48,940 Right, I see it. 476 00:21:48,940 --> 00:21:52,580 All right, hold it right there. 477 00:21:52,580 --> 00:21:57,580 Get your hands in the air. 478 00:21:57,580 --> 00:22:06,380 I got them, Joe. 479 00:22:06,380 --> 00:22:07,380 You want to shake them down? 480 00:22:07,380 --> 00:22:08,380 Yeah, all right. 481 00:22:08,380 --> 00:22:09,380 All right, stand still. 482 00:22:09,380 --> 00:22:10,380 Go from Joe. 483 00:22:10,380 --> 00:22:13,180 I'll see if there's any more besides these two. 484 00:22:13,180 --> 00:22:14,180 Right. 485 00:22:14,180 --> 00:22:15,180 Who tipped you off? 486 00:22:15,180 --> 00:22:18,380 If we'd had a tip, we'd have gotten you a long time ago. 487 00:22:18,380 --> 00:22:20,380 I said just these two. 488 00:22:20,380 --> 00:22:22,060 Somebody must have tipped you off. 489 00:22:22,060 --> 00:22:23,060 You couldn't be this lucky. 490 00:22:23,060 --> 00:22:24,060 Why not? 491 00:22:24,060 --> 00:22:28,300 You've had your share. 492 00:22:28,300 --> 00:22:32,500 The two men were taken into custody and were identified as Wilford Lawson and Thomas Greenfield. 493 00:22:32,500 --> 00:22:37,260 A check with R&I showed no previous record on either man. 494 00:22:37,260 --> 00:22:40,740 After a short interrogation, Wilford Lawson admitted his part in all of the burglaries 495 00:22:40,740 --> 00:22:42,700 of the Wilson Brothers markets. 496 00:22:42,700 --> 00:22:46,860 He steadily refused to give us any information as to the other possible members of the burglary 497 00:22:46,860 --> 00:22:47,860 gang. 498 00:22:47,860 --> 00:22:51,500 When Thomas Greenfield was interrogated, he was the more timid of the two. 499 00:22:51,500 --> 00:22:55,460 He claimed that this was the first job he'd been on with Lawson, that he did not know 500 00:22:55,460 --> 00:23:00,260 of any other members of the gang, that he'd only served as lookout on this particular 501 00:23:00,260 --> 00:23:03,020 burglary, and that he was not deeply involved. 502 00:23:03,020 --> 00:23:06,780 In further investigation of the two suspects, Armstrong and Ruble found that they had been 503 00:23:06,780 --> 00:23:08,820 seen in the company of still another man. 504 00:23:08,820 --> 00:23:12,180 It was impossible to get any kind of lead on the remaining suspect. 505 00:23:12,180 --> 00:23:14,420 We took the matter up with Captain Wisdom. 506 00:23:14,420 --> 00:23:18,340 It was our combined belief that we should allow Thomas Greenfield to be released on 507 00:23:18,340 --> 00:23:21,860 the grounds that we believed his story about his slight part in the crimes. 508 00:23:21,860 --> 00:23:26,860 He was placed under close 24-hour surveillance, Thursday, December 6th. 509 00:23:26,860 --> 00:23:31,100 Two days after we'd released Thomas Greenfield, we were called in to Captain Wisdom's office. 510 00:23:31,100 --> 00:23:35,860 I guess we played it the right way on letting Thomas go. 511 00:23:35,860 --> 00:23:36,860 How do you mean? 512 00:23:36,860 --> 00:23:39,420 Well, first of all, we passed one up last October. 513 00:23:39,420 --> 00:23:43,020 You remember Bingham, the guy driving slow past the market in Eagle Rock? 514 00:23:43,020 --> 00:23:44,020 Yeah. 515 00:23:44,020 --> 00:23:45,020 That's the one we want. 516 00:23:45,020 --> 00:23:49,820 And these two letters, both postmarked today, we picked them up on that mail stop on Lawson. 517 00:23:49,820 --> 00:23:51,420 Were they from Thomas? 518 00:23:51,420 --> 00:23:52,420 Yeah. 519 00:23:52,420 --> 00:23:53,420 A couple of choice parts. 520 00:23:53,420 --> 00:23:54,420 Listen to this. 521 00:23:54,420 --> 00:23:59,380 Client says to tell you he's not sore anymore. 522 00:23:59,380 --> 00:24:04,700 Ever since that mix up him and Walt and Benny decided this was the best way to play it. 523 00:24:04,700 --> 00:24:07,980 He says he don't want no part of what's yours. 524 00:24:07,980 --> 00:24:08,980 And then there's a lot more here. 525 00:24:08,980 --> 00:24:14,540 He says he'll get an attorney for Lawson and he thinks he really put one over on us. 526 00:24:14,540 --> 00:24:16,420 Anyway, all three of them are in it all the way. 527 00:24:16,420 --> 00:24:18,100 Well, how does Bingham figure in it? 528 00:24:18,100 --> 00:24:19,620 We had him under surveillance, didn't we? 529 00:24:19,620 --> 00:24:21,860 You know, listen to this from this other letter. 530 00:24:21,860 --> 00:24:26,700 Oh, yeah, here it is. 531 00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:29,460 I've been talking with CB. 532 00:24:29,460 --> 00:24:31,820 Clyde Bingham getting real clever now using initials. 533 00:24:31,820 --> 00:24:32,820 Yeah. 534 00:24:32,820 --> 00:24:35,820 I've been talking with CB several times only on the phone. 535 00:24:35,820 --> 00:24:36,860 He's really not sore. 536 00:24:36,860 --> 00:24:38,540 He only laid out since that time. 537 00:24:38,540 --> 00:24:39,940 He figured he might be hard. 538 00:24:39,940 --> 00:24:41,740 That's enough, isn't it? 539 00:24:41,740 --> 00:24:42,740 It's all there. 540 00:24:42,740 --> 00:24:45,020 And then OK, you got one to roll on. 541 00:24:45,020 --> 00:24:46,620 Yeah, go out and pick him up. 542 00:24:46,620 --> 00:24:51,620 This time we'll keep him. 543 00:24:51,620 --> 00:24:57,500 The story you just heard was true. 544 00:24:57,500 --> 00:25:01,580 One of the names were changed to protect the innocent on March 22nd. 545 00:25:01,580 --> 00:25:05,740 Trial was held in Superior Court, Department 88 City and County of Los Angeles, state of 546 00:25:05,740 --> 00:25:06,740 California. 547 00:25:06,740 --> 00:25:17,500 Here are the moment the results of that trial. 548 00:25:17,500 --> 00:25:21,260 All three suspects, Wilford George Lawson, Clyde Robert Bingham and Thomas Llewellyn 549 00:25:21,260 --> 00:25:24,700 Greenfield were filed on for burglary in the second degree. 550 00:25:24,700 --> 00:25:28,980 Wilford G. Lawson was filed on for 12 counts, Clyde R. Bingham for six counts, Thomas L. 551 00:25:28,980 --> 00:25:32,860 Greenfield for three counts, sentences to run consecutively. 552 00:25:32,860 --> 00:25:35,780 They are now serving their time in the state penitentiary. 553 00:25:35,780 --> 00:25:39,100 In view of the fact that the authorities were unable to prove the defendants were armed 554 00:25:39,100 --> 00:25:43,460 at the time of the burglaries and the stores were not inhabited, they could only be filed 555 00:25:43,460 --> 00:25:45,980 on for burglary in the second degree. 556 00:25:45,980 --> 00:25:50,700 Second degree burglary is punishable by a term of not less than one, nor more than 15 557 00:25:50,700 --> 00:25:51,700 years. 558 00:25:51,700 --> 00:25:56,020 Ladies and gentlemen, we wish to gratefully acknowledge the Michael Award presented by 559 00:25:56,020 --> 00:25:59,460 the Academy of Radio and Television Arts and Sciences. 560 00:25:59,460 --> 00:26:02,820 The Academy voted Dragnet the finest program of its kind. 561 00:26:02,820 --> 00:26:07,820 It is with deep humility that Dragnet accepts this citation, the highest award bestowed 562 00:26:07,820 --> 00:26:15,300 by the radio and television industries. 563 00:26:15,300 --> 00:26:19,860 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 564 00:26:19,860 --> 00:26:22,740 Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. 565 00:26:22,740 --> 00:26:24,740 Parker, Los Angeles Police Department. 566 00:26:24,740 --> 00:26:29,820 Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet portions transcribed 567 00:26:29,820 --> 00:26:30,820 from Los Angeles. 568 00:26:30,820 --> 00:26:33,860 Stay tuned for Counterspire next over most NBC stations.