WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:13.000 The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:13.000 --> 00:18.000 Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, long cigarettes brings you dragnet. 00:18.000 --> 00:29.000 You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a forgery detail. 00:29.000 --> 00:35.000 A United States Postal Inspector comes to your office. You've received the same complaints he has. 00:35.000 --> 00:40.000 Somebody is stealing mail in your city. Your job, help get him. 00:40.000 --> 00:51.000 Friends, compare Fatima with any other king size cigarette. You'll find a world of difference. 00:51.000 --> 00:55.000 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 00:55.000 --> 01:03.000 Quality of tobaccos. The finest domestic and Turkish varieties. Extra mild, superbly blended. 01:03.000 --> 01:06.000 To give you a much different, much better flavor and aroma. 01:06.000 --> 01:14.000 Quality of manufacture. Smooth, round, perfect cigarettes. Rolled in the finest paper money can buy. 01:14.000 --> 01:19.000 Manufactured in the newest and most modern of all cigarette factories. 01:19.000 --> 01:24.000 Quality. Even to the appearance of the bright, clean, golden yellow package. 01:24.000 --> 01:30.000 Carefully wrapped and sealed. To bring you Fatima's rich, fresh, extra mild flavor. 01:30.000 --> 01:38.000 So compare Fatima yourself. Today. You'll find Fatima's now cost the same as other long cigarettes. 01:38.000 --> 01:43.000 But your first puff will tell you. Ah, that's different. 01:43.000 --> 01:49.000 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. Bye Fatima. 01:49.000 --> 01:58.000 Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime. 01:58.000 --> 02:02.000 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, 02:02.000 --> 02:08.000 you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. 02:08.000 --> 02:14.000 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. 02:14.000 --> 02:18.000 It was Monday, March 3rd. It was raining in Los Angeles. 02:18.000 --> 02:23.000 We were working the day watch out of forgery detail. My partner is Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Harry Elliot. 02:23.000 --> 02:29.000 My name is Friday. It was 7.45 a.m. when I got to room 29. Forgery detail. 02:29.000 --> 02:33.000 Morning, Joe. Hi, Ben. Is your coming down out there? 02:33.000 --> 02:37.000 Yeah. Look at this coat. It's soaking wet. 02:37.000 --> 02:40.000 Is that the same trench coat, that English one? Yeah. 02:40.000 --> 02:44.000 Ever since I had it cleaned, it seems to soak up the water a little more. 02:44.000 --> 02:47.000 Does it leak? Oh, no. It just seems to take on a little more water. 02:47.000 --> 02:51.000 Keeps me dry. Got something to show you, Joe. Yeah? 02:51.000 --> 02:54.000 Remember that old raincoat of mine used to leak up through the seams over the shoulder? 02:54.000 --> 02:57.000 Oh, yeah. Sure. Take a look at this. What do you got there? 02:57.000 --> 02:59.000 Pretty neat, huh? Yeah. What is it? 02:59.000 --> 03:02.000 My new raincoat. Never know, would you? Small, compact. 03:02.000 --> 03:06.000 The whole thing's hardly any bigger than a pack of cigarettes. Not bad, huh? Yeah. 03:06.000 --> 03:11.000 What you got? Wife bought it for me. Amy says it's a regular full-size raincoat, size 40 long. 03:11.000 --> 03:15.000 Amy says? So didn't you try it on? Oh, no. You know how they make something like this. 03:15.000 --> 03:18.000 It's made out of plastic. Size isn't too important. Just plain coat. 03:18.000 --> 03:22.000 Slips right on over your suit, just like any other raincoat. I know it'll fit. 03:22.000 --> 03:25.000 You haven't worn it yet? No. It hadn't started raining the left on. 03:25.000 --> 03:29.000 Could I see that? Sure. Real compact, isn't it? 03:29.000 --> 03:32.000 Now, something like this is really practical. Yeah. 03:32.000 --> 03:36.000 A little package like that, you carry it around with you all the time. 03:36.000 --> 03:39.000 Never take up any room at all. Yeah. What's it look like? 03:39.000 --> 03:41.000 Just like that little box there. Same stuff. 03:41.000 --> 03:43.000 Transparent, you know. Regular plastic. 03:43.000 --> 03:46.000 Could we look at it inside? Okay, let's see. 03:46.000 --> 03:48.000 Well, here. You better do it. Yeah, okay. 03:48.000 --> 03:54.000 Well, just unzip it here. Sure is compact, isn't it? Yeah. 03:54.000 --> 03:59.000 There we go. Look here, Joe. All folded up nice and neat. 03:59.000 --> 04:02.000 Sure is lightweight, too. Plastic's great, isn't it? 04:02.000 --> 04:07.000 Fine, yeah. There we go. Full-size raincoat. 04:07.000 --> 04:10.000 See there? Fits fine. 04:10.000 --> 04:14.000 Never know a full-size coat would go in a thing like that little pouch there, would you? 04:14.000 --> 04:16.000 It's no bigger than a tobacco pot. Yeah, that's pretty good. 04:16.000 --> 04:19.000 You ought to try it on, Joe. Never know you had anything on. 04:19.000 --> 04:22.000 Sure is light and nice. Yeah, I can see. 04:22.000 --> 04:26.000 Now, we just put it back in the pouch. 04:26.000 --> 04:29.000 Till I'm ready for it. 04:29.000 --> 04:34.000 That's say now. Collar goes up. Front folds in like this. 04:34.000 --> 04:39.000 No. No, that isn't right. Goes this way. 04:39.000 --> 04:44.000 Let's put it down on the table. That'll be better. Yeah. 04:44.000 --> 04:48.000 Yeah, that's better. Now, here we go. 04:48.000 --> 04:53.000 Now, we fold the arms in here. Now, the bottom part comes up this way. 04:53.000 --> 04:58.000 Now, we fold it over and again. Easy, isn't it? 04:58.000 --> 05:01.000 Just follow the crease marks in your home, Joe. Yeah. 05:01.000 --> 05:04.000 Now, if you'll hand me that little pouch, Joe. Oh, yeah. 05:04.000 --> 05:06.000 There you go. Oh, thank you. 05:06.000 --> 05:12.000 Now, no, I guess that's too big. Well, we'll make one more fold, you guys. 05:12.000 --> 05:16.000 Yeah. Well, it's small enough this way, but it's too fat, isn't it? 05:16.000 --> 05:19.000 You better watch it there. You're going to tear that little sack. 05:19.000 --> 05:23.000 That's funny. I folded right over the old creases there. Too fat, isn't it? 05:23.000 --> 05:27.000 Yeah. Well, couldn't you just carry it in your pocket like that without the pouch? 05:27.000 --> 05:30.000 Sure, I'd say. I'll slip it in my coat pocket. 05:30.000 --> 05:34.000 No, no, that won't do, Joe. It bulges right out. It's kind of springy. 05:34.000 --> 05:38.000 It jumps out. It's like a piece of bond G-cell. Yeah, it seems to. 05:38.000 --> 05:41.000 Well, it's still lightweight and easy to handle. Sure. 05:41.000 --> 05:43.000 Well, easy to carry just like that anyway. Yeah. 05:43.000 --> 05:47.000 Well-made little pouch there. It seems a shame not to be able to use it. 05:47.000 --> 05:50.000 You smoke a pipe? No, you know that. Just cigarette. 05:50.000 --> 05:52.000 Yeah, I'll find some use for it. 05:52.000 --> 05:55.000 Probably a hundred things a fella could use a little pouch like this for, 05:55.000 --> 05:58.000 if you could just think of them right on. Yeah, that's right. 05:58.000 --> 06:01.000 Blighty, Romero, you want to step in here for a minute? 06:01.000 --> 06:03.000 Right, Kim. 06:03.000 --> 06:06.000 You fellas know Inspector Smith, Post Office Department? 06:06.000 --> 06:08.000 Sure, how are you? Romero? Good to see you, Leo. 06:08.000 --> 06:10.000 How you doing, Joe? Sit down, won't you? 06:10.000 --> 06:11.000 Thank you. Thanks very much. 06:11.000 --> 06:14.000 Inspector Smith's over here on that mail-tip case that we've been working on. 06:14.000 --> 06:17.000 Oh, yeah. Did you receive those reports we sent over to you yesterday? 06:17.000 --> 06:20.000 No, I haven't been to the office yet. Came straight over here. 06:20.000 --> 06:23.000 Burglar returned it over to us yesterday afternoon. Ben and I ran it down. 06:23.000 --> 06:25.000 Seems to us like it might fit in somewhere here. 06:25.000 --> 06:28.000 Miller and Ashton have probably got your reports now. 06:28.000 --> 06:30.000 I was just going to call in. You mind filling me in on it? 06:30.000 --> 06:32.000 The apartment house over on Alvarado. 06:32.000 --> 06:35.000 Landlady reported a theft of part of a mailbox out there. 06:35.000 --> 06:38.000 Yeah, somebody stole a master panel off the front of the community mailbox 06:38.000 --> 06:40.000 at the apartment house. 06:40.000 --> 06:42.000 I figure it must have happened sometime during the night. 06:42.000 --> 06:44.000 Oh, yeah, I believe we got something on that too. 06:44.000 --> 06:46.000 A postman on the route reported it. 06:46.000 --> 06:48.000 That's how he's getting into the mailbox. 06:48.000 --> 06:52.000 Steals the front panel, makes a key for himself from the lot, and he's in business. 06:52.000 --> 06:55.000 Smart guy like we're after could put a key like that to good use 06:55.000 --> 06:58.000 for the great many different mailboxes around town. 06:58.000 --> 07:00.000 Yeah, it's the same M.O. 07:00.000 --> 07:03.000 We've been on this guy for a long time. He pulled the same thing down in San Diego. 07:03.000 --> 07:05.000 It was knocking down about $2,000 a month. 07:05.000 --> 07:08.000 Then he laid out. Now he's at it again up here in L.A. 07:08.000 --> 07:13.000 Well, as you know, we've been getting reports of the thefts and the passing of the checks about 10 days ago. 07:13.000 --> 07:14.000 Yeah, I know. 07:14.000 --> 07:18.000 We've got five checks passed by this same thief according to handwriting analysis. 07:18.000 --> 07:19.000 We know it's the same guy. 07:19.000 --> 07:21.000 Talk to the victims and the bank tellers. 07:21.000 --> 07:24.000 Description of the guy seems to tally with what you people have on him. 07:24.000 --> 07:25.000 Yeah. 07:25.000 --> 07:27.000 There's just one thing we haven't been able to piece out yet. 07:27.000 --> 07:28.000 What's that, Joe? 07:28.000 --> 07:31.000 When he steals a check, how does he know what bank to pass it on? 07:31.000 --> 07:33.000 I think we got the answer to that one. 07:33.000 --> 07:35.000 Well, let's say that he steals a letter, 07:35.000 --> 07:37.000 and we know he doesn't only hit the community mailboxes. 07:37.000 --> 07:39.000 Sometimes he goes to a private residence, 07:39.000 --> 07:41.000 fishes the letters right out of the mail slots in that case. 07:41.000 --> 07:44.000 Yeah, he's got some kind of a gimmick he gets down in those slots with. 07:44.000 --> 07:45.000 That's what we figure, Leo. 07:45.000 --> 07:48.000 But we'll say after he's got a letter with a check in it, 07:48.000 --> 07:51.000 now it's easy enough for a good forger to put an endorsement on it, 07:51.000 --> 07:54.000 but how does he know what branch of the bank to pass it on? 07:54.000 --> 07:56.000 Well, at some time or other he's stealing bank statements as well. 07:56.000 --> 07:57.000 Mm-hmm. 07:57.000 --> 07:58.000 Maybe he's just lucky. 07:58.000 --> 08:01.000 At the time he steals a check, there's other mail in the box too, 08:01.000 --> 08:02.000 the victim's bank statements. 08:02.000 --> 08:06.000 Well, as far as that goes, I suppose he's stolen more than once from the same party. 08:06.000 --> 08:08.000 He could probably get away with bank statements easy. 08:08.000 --> 08:09.000 Well, that's it. 08:09.000 --> 08:11.000 People never seem to report anything missing in the mails 08:11.000 --> 08:13.000 until weeks after it's happened. 08:13.000 --> 08:14.000 It's easy to see why. 08:14.000 --> 08:17.000 They're not sure anything's wrong until they wait several days. 08:17.000 --> 08:19.000 They don't want to bother us in the case of anything routine 08:19.000 --> 08:21.000 like monthly bank statements. 08:21.000 --> 08:24.000 And in the case of a check, well, sometimes it's from a relative 08:24.000 --> 08:25.000 or someone who owes them money, 08:25.000 --> 08:29.000 and they don't want to embarrass them by writing or calling to find out about it. 08:29.000 --> 08:31.000 Well, I suppose in the case of anything like a dividend check, 08:31.000 --> 08:32.000 we got a couple of those, Leo. 08:32.000 --> 08:33.000 Mm-hmm. 08:33.000 --> 08:35.000 The people who lose them just don't think it's time for them to arrive yet, 08:35.000 --> 08:36.000 so they just wait, huh? 08:36.000 --> 08:37.000 That's it. 08:37.000 --> 08:39.000 And that's why it's been so successful. 08:39.000 --> 08:42.000 Plus the fact that it takes about a week for any kind of check 08:42.000 --> 08:44.000 to be processed through central clearing at any bank, 08:44.000 --> 08:48.000 and then, two, the bank wouldn't necessarily know that anything was wrong at that time. 08:48.000 --> 08:51.000 Until the bank receives a complaint from the party who missed the check, 08:51.000 --> 08:54.000 they couldn't have any way of knowing that anything was wrong. 08:54.000 --> 08:55.000 That's right. 08:55.000 --> 08:57.000 Tell them what you were telling me this morning, Leo. 08:57.000 --> 09:00.000 Well, you people aren't in it deep enough to know this yet, 09:00.000 --> 09:03.000 but this guy's been hitting the same branch bank maybe two, three times in a row. 09:03.000 --> 09:05.000 Not here in L.A., had he? 09:05.000 --> 09:06.000 No, not yet. 09:06.000 --> 09:09.000 It looks to us like he's just started up his operations here in town. 09:09.000 --> 09:11.000 That's the way he worked it down in San Diego. 09:11.000 --> 09:12.000 Well, it's easy enough to figure. 09:12.000 --> 09:14.000 If he got a teller in some bank to go along with him, 09:14.000 --> 09:18.000 someone who didn't suspect him, and since the victims reported so late, 09:18.000 --> 09:21.000 he could get away with it at least that many times at the same bank, couldn't he? 09:21.000 --> 09:22.000 Yeah. 09:22.000 --> 09:24.000 If people report missing mail immediately, 09:24.000 --> 09:26.000 they make it a lot tougher for the thief. 09:26.000 --> 09:29.000 And the last name on him still good, Harvey Fletcher? 09:29.000 --> 09:30.000 That's what we're going on, yeah. 09:30.000 --> 09:34.000 We've got bulletins out to all the banks carrying that description on them, 09:34.000 --> 09:35.000 and they changed earlier. 09:35.000 --> 09:42.000 WMA average bill, 250, 160 pounds, gray eyes, about 32 to 35, 09:42.000 --> 09:45.000 well-dressed, carries a briefcase, likeable personality. 09:45.000 --> 09:47.000 That's what we got on him. 09:47.000 --> 09:50.000 Oh, there's a little something we picked up yesterday from a bank teller. 09:50.000 --> 09:53.000 She told us the man had long sideburns, for what it's worth. 09:53.000 --> 09:54.000 You might add that. 09:54.000 --> 09:55.000 Okay. 09:55.000 --> 09:57.000 Don Myers and handwriting is checked through his files, Leo. 09:57.000 --> 09:59.000 They haven't got anything on him. 09:59.000 --> 10:01.000 The stats office hasn't been able to make him on his M.O. 10:01.000 --> 10:03.000 We know you people are doing everything you can for us. 10:03.000 --> 10:04.000 We appreciate it. 10:04.000 --> 10:06.000 Yeah, I wish we could do more. 10:06.000 --> 10:08.000 That name, Harvey Fletcher, 10:08.000 --> 10:10.000 of the five checks that we've got on the guy, 10:10.000 --> 10:12.000 according to handwriting analysis on him, 10:12.000 --> 10:14.000 he's only used that name once. 10:14.000 --> 10:17.000 The rest of the time, he signs the same last name as the payee's name 10:17.000 --> 10:18.000 on the face of the check. 10:18.000 --> 10:21.000 He passes himself off as a brother, husband, 10:21.000 --> 10:23.000 or some relation to the rightful payee. 10:23.000 --> 10:25.000 That's what's taking in all those bank tellers, 10:25.000 --> 10:27.000 plus a smooth personality. 10:27.000 --> 10:29.000 He's cool, collected all the confidence in the world. 10:29.000 --> 10:30.000 Yeah, that thing is. 10:30.000 --> 10:33.000 Yeah, we got one day before yesterday with a little different twist. 10:33.000 --> 10:34.000 It isn't going to help us any, 10:34.000 --> 10:37.000 but here's the way he's working it in some cases. 10:37.000 --> 10:39.000 He deposits a large check to the victim's account, 10:39.000 --> 10:42.000 and then he only takes out a small portion in cash. 10:42.000 --> 10:44.000 He throws the tellers off even more. 10:44.000 --> 10:46.000 Here's those photo stats, Leo. 10:46.000 --> 10:47.000 What's this? 10:47.000 --> 10:49.000 Copies of the last five checks that we got on the guy. 10:49.000 --> 10:51.000 Oh, yeah, thanks, Harry. 10:51.000 --> 10:54.000 Myers says they're all in the same handwriting. 10:54.000 --> 10:56.000 Is there anything else we can do for you, Leo? 10:56.000 --> 11:00.000 We've got all the banks in the area covered, got bulletins out on them. 11:00.000 --> 11:01.000 That's fine. 11:01.000 --> 11:02.000 Don't think we've overlooked anything. 11:02.000 --> 11:04.000 Patrol units have been alerted. 11:04.000 --> 11:06.000 Well, this latest theft of that mailbox panel, 11:06.000 --> 11:09.000 it's too bad we can't localize his operations a little. 11:09.000 --> 11:11.000 Leo, didn't you say that if he makes a key, 11:11.000 --> 11:13.000 that key would fit any number of boxes in the city? 11:13.000 --> 11:16.000 We couldn't pin him down to one neighborhood, could we? 11:16.000 --> 11:17.000 That's right. 11:17.000 --> 11:19.000 That key will work on different mail rods. 11:19.000 --> 11:21.000 He probably knows the neighborhood around Alvarado is hot now. 11:21.000 --> 11:23.000 He'll leave it alone anyway. 11:23.000 --> 11:26.000 It's impossible to stake him out on the actual thefts of the mail. 11:26.000 --> 11:29.000 It's too bad we can't get to him through one of the banks when he cashes them. 11:29.000 --> 11:33.000 Well, your man, Par and ours, put together couldn't cover all the banks in L.A. at one time, 11:33.000 --> 11:35.000 but we've been spot-checking throughout the city, 11:35.000 --> 11:37.000 hoping maybe to tab him just by luck. 11:37.000 --> 11:39.000 We might get a break from one of our bulletins. 11:39.000 --> 11:41.000 Maybe some teller will spy on him. 11:41.000 --> 11:42.000 I'm not sure yet. 11:42.000 --> 11:44.000 That's one of the reasons I came over here this morning, 11:44.000 --> 11:46.000 but maybe we've got a little something. 11:46.000 --> 11:47.000 What's that? 11:47.000 --> 11:49.000 A bank out in Westwood phoned us yesterday. 11:49.000 --> 11:51.000 A teller thought she recognized the guy from his description. 11:51.000 --> 11:53.000 Didn't dawn on her till after the guy left her window. 11:53.000 --> 11:56.000 She rushed out in time to get the license number of his car. 11:56.000 --> 11:57.000 Maybe it's a break, huh? 11:57.000 --> 11:58.000 Yeah, looks pretty good. 11:58.000 --> 12:01.000 The check was drawn on the account of a William E. Scott, 12:01.000 --> 12:03.000 and that's the number two victim here in L.A. 12:03.000 --> 12:06.000 That's right. You've got the photostat of his check right there. 12:06.000 --> 12:07.000 Yeah, I know. 12:07.000 --> 12:09.000 Well, everything seems to fit. 12:09.000 --> 12:12.000 This check he passed yesterday out in Westwood was probably stolen 12:12.000 --> 12:14.000 at the same time as the first one, 12:14.000 --> 12:16.000 or at least it came from this Scott's mailbox. That we know. 12:16.000 --> 12:19.000 Well, didn't this William Scott report the theft of two checks? 12:19.000 --> 12:21.000 I know he didn't to us. Maybe he did to you. 12:21.000 --> 12:22.000 No, he didn't. 12:22.000 --> 12:25.000 Said he couldn't be sure he gets quite a few checks through the mail. 12:25.000 --> 12:27.000 Owns a lot of stock, gets dividends. 12:27.000 --> 12:29.000 Yeah, probably doesn't know when they come each month. 12:29.000 --> 12:30.000 That's right. 12:30.000 --> 12:32.000 He didn't miss the first one till it was way overdue. 12:32.000 --> 12:34.000 Might even be others missing. He doesn't know for sure yet. 12:34.000 --> 12:37.000 Well, anyway, he's positive on this latest one out in Westwood 12:37.000 --> 12:38.000 that the bank teller caught, huh? 12:38.000 --> 12:39.000 Sure. 12:39.000 --> 12:40.000 As soon as the bank manager called him, 12:40.000 --> 12:43.000 he knew he hadn't authorized anybody to cash any of his checks. 12:43.000 --> 12:45.000 Does the MO seem to match? 12:45.000 --> 12:46.000 Well, that's what's got us going on it. 12:46.000 --> 12:48.000 Looks real good. 12:48.000 --> 12:51.000 He's a smooth operator. Deposited part of the money. 12:51.000 --> 12:53.000 Took the balance in cash. 12:53.000 --> 12:56.000 The major switch in his operation was the fact that he didn't go to the victim's regular bank 12:56.000 --> 12:58.000 as he did on that first check. 12:58.000 --> 12:59.000 Sounds good, doesn't it? 12:59.000 --> 13:02.000 We kind of think so. That's the reason I came over here this morning. 13:02.000 --> 13:05.000 Conway, our handwriting man, thinks it's the same as the guy we're after. 13:05.000 --> 13:08.000 He asked me to check it through Don Myers, to be sure. 13:08.000 --> 13:10.000 What signature did he use on this last one? 13:10.000 --> 13:12.000 Now, that's another part of the MO that checks out. 13:12.000 --> 13:16.000 You remember on the first check he forged the victim's name, William Scott? 13:16.000 --> 13:20.000 And he made it a second-party check by signing the phony name George Scott, 13:20.000 --> 13:22.000 passing himself off as the nephew of the victim. 13:22.000 --> 13:23.000 Pretty smart. 13:23.000 --> 13:25.000 He goes to this victim's regular bank, 13:25.000 --> 13:28.000 and he doesn't take the chance of being tabbed as the payee. 13:28.000 --> 13:30.000 He covers by using that nephew gimmick. 13:30.000 --> 13:32.000 Yeah. This time he goes to a different branch, 13:32.000 --> 13:35.000 not the regular branch the victim deals with as in the first case. 13:35.000 --> 13:38.000 He simply forges the victim's name and lets it go at that. 13:38.000 --> 13:40.000 You doing anything on that license number? 13:40.000 --> 13:43.000 Ashton and Miller checked it out late yesterday afternoon. They're on it now. 13:43.000 --> 13:44.000 Need any help? 13:44.000 --> 13:45.000 Not so far. 13:45.000 --> 13:48.000 I'm interested in what Don Myers has to say about the handwriting. 13:48.000 --> 13:50.000 He ought to be through about now, huh? 13:50.000 --> 13:51.000 I'll give him a call. 13:51.000 --> 13:52.000 Thanks, Harry. 13:59.000 --> 14:01.000 Hello, Don. Who's this? 14:01.000 --> 14:02.000 This is Elliot. 14:02.000 --> 14:06.000 You know if Don's checked that stuff through for Inspector Smith yet? 14:07.000 --> 14:08.000 Okay, thanks, Sloan. 14:08.000 --> 14:11.000 No, that's all right. We'll get to him. 14:11.000 --> 14:14.000 Don was called out of the office for a minute. 14:14.000 --> 14:17.000 That was Sloan. He says he's sure Don's finished with it. 14:17.000 --> 14:19.000 Fine. You say when he'll be back? 14:19.000 --> 14:21.000 He just dug down at that Brown's office for a minute. 14:21.000 --> 14:22.000 I'll call down there for you. 14:22.000 --> 14:25.000 That's all right. I'll walk down there myself. I need the exercise. 14:25.000 --> 14:26.000 Okay. 14:25.000 --> 14:27.000 Go on. I'll walk on down with you. 14:27.000 --> 14:28.000 Let's go. 14:27.000 --> 14:28.000 All right. 14:28.000 --> 14:30.000 You fellas will be back here once. 14:30.000 --> 14:32.000 I'm sure as soon as I check with Myers. All right? 14:38.000 --> 14:40.000 Which way is it from here? 14:40.000 --> 14:42.000 This hall looks the same from one end to the other to me. 14:42.000 --> 14:43.000 What's this way, Leo? 14:43.000 --> 14:44.000 Okay. 14:44.000 --> 14:46.000 This affects you like the federal building does me. 14:46.000 --> 14:48.000 I get all turned around up there. 14:48.000 --> 14:49.000 Yeah. 14:49.000 --> 14:52.000 Those fellas down in San Diego had a rough go on this thing. 14:52.000 --> 14:55.000 Yeah, I was talking to McGuire and Ormsby down there just the other day. 14:55.000 --> 14:57.000 They said they were going around in circles on it. 14:57.000 --> 14:58.000 They broke a lot of ground for us. 14:58.000 --> 15:00.000 Checked out a lot of suspects, cleared them. 15:00.000 --> 15:03.000 Checked out all that stuff that Barrett and from C.I.I. sent down. 15:03.000 --> 15:04.000 Yeah. 15:04.000 --> 15:06.000 You know how thorough that guy is. 15:06.000 --> 15:08.000 Figures they've done a lot of leg work. 15:08.000 --> 15:11.000 Friday, you say you just talked to him down there? 15:11.000 --> 15:12.000 Yeah, that's right, Leo. 15:12.000 --> 15:14.000 Well, then you know about all those bulletins they got on the guy. 15:14.000 --> 15:17.000 Description, exemplars of his handwriting. 15:17.000 --> 15:19.000 Sent them to every police department in the United States. 15:19.000 --> 15:21.000 It's a big job. 15:21.000 --> 15:22.000 I'll go get Don. It's right in here. 15:22.000 --> 15:23.000 Thanks, Joe. 15:23.000 --> 15:24.000 Right. 15:24.000 --> 15:25.000 Don? 15:25.000 --> 15:26.000 Yeah, Joe. 15:26.000 --> 15:28.000 Leo Smith from the post office department is waiting to see you. 15:28.000 --> 15:29.000 Right, Joe. It's on my way back to the office. 15:29.000 --> 15:30.000 Fine. 15:32.000 --> 15:33.000 Hello, Don. 15:33.000 --> 15:34.000 Sorry, Leo. I had to duck out for a minute. 15:34.000 --> 15:35.000 Oh, that's all right. 15:35.000 --> 15:37.000 Say, did you get a chance to look that sky check over? 15:37.000 --> 15:40.000 Yeah, I did. Got a couple of things to show you back in the office. 15:40.000 --> 15:42.000 Okay, fine. 15:42.000 --> 15:44.000 Was Conway positive on this one? 15:44.000 --> 15:46.000 Well, he said he felt we had the right man, 15:46.000 --> 15:48.000 but he wanted your opinion to be absolutely sure. 15:48.000 --> 15:51.000 I couldn't be positive, but I think maybe he's your man. 15:51.000 --> 15:54.000 There's a great similarity, but too much pressure on the down strokes. 15:54.000 --> 15:56.000 And ye's, the oh's. 15:56.000 --> 15:58.000 Just not too sure. 15:58.000 --> 16:00.000 They're a little different than some of the previous samples of the guy's handwriting. 16:00.000 --> 16:01.000 Uh-huh. 16:01.000 --> 16:03.000 I can show you better back at the office. 16:03.000 --> 16:04.000 Got a few things for you. 16:04.000 --> 16:06.000 Think there's a possibility, Don? 16:06.000 --> 16:07.000 Let me put it this way. 16:07.000 --> 16:09.000 I won't say it is, and I won't say it isn't. 16:09.000 --> 16:11.000 Let's pick him up and find out for sure. 16:11.000 --> 16:13.000 Here we are. Go ahead, fellas. 16:13.000 --> 16:15.000 Thank you. 16:15.000 --> 16:17.000 I've blown those things up here. 16:17.000 --> 16:19.000 Uh-huh. Call for you, Leo. I'm three. 16:19.000 --> 16:21.000 Oh, thanks, Harry. Excuse me. 16:26.000 --> 16:28.000 Is Smith talking? 16:28.000 --> 16:30.000 You did? 16:30.000 --> 16:32.000 Uh-huh. 16:32.000 --> 16:33.000 We did. 16:33.000 --> 16:37.000 All right, look, why don't you bring him down to forgery detail here at the city hall? 16:37.000 --> 16:39.000 We'll talk to him here. 16:39.000 --> 16:41.000 Write it. 16:41.000 --> 16:43.000 Right, thanks. 16:43.000 --> 16:46.000 Well, looks like the end of the trail. That was Ashton. 16:46.000 --> 16:48.000 He and Miller picked him up. He's our man. 16:48.000 --> 16:50.000 Admitted the forgery. 16:50.000 --> 16:52.000 Looks like San Diego did all the work, and we get all the luck. 16:52.000 --> 16:54.000 Anyway, we got him. 16:54.000 --> 16:58.000 You are in the scientific investigation division of a metropolitan police department. 16:58.000 --> 17:00.000 The ballistics room. 17:08.000 --> 17:13.000 You have just heard a test bullet fired from a.38 caliber revolver found in the possession of a suspect. 17:13.000 --> 17:17.000 The test bullet was fired from a.38 caliber revolver. 17:17.000 --> 17:21.000 The test bullet was fired from a.38 caliber revolver. 17:21.000 --> 17:24.000 The test bullet was fired from a.38 caliber revolver found in the possession of a suspect. 17:24.000 --> 17:29.000 The test slug is removed from the ballistics box and compared with the slug found at the scene of the crime. 17:29.000 --> 17:31.000 There they are. 17:31.000 --> 17:33.000 Side by side, they look alike. 17:33.000 --> 17:36.000 But examination will prove a world of difference. 17:36.000 --> 17:39.000 Now, examine a Fatima. 17:39.000 --> 17:42.000 Compare it with any other king-size cigarette. 17:42.000 --> 17:45.000 Side by side, they'll look alike. 17:45.000 --> 17:49.000 But right away, you'll find there's a world of difference. 17:49.000 --> 17:53.000 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 17:53.000 --> 17:57.000 You see, Fatima is the quality king-size cigarette 17:57.000 --> 18:02.000 because it contains the finest domestic and Turkish tobacco superbly blended. 18:02.000 --> 18:10.000 And Fatima is extra mild, with a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. 18:10.000 --> 18:13.000 So compare Fatima yourself. 18:13.000 --> 18:17.000 Fatimas now cost the same as other long cigarettes, 18:17.000 --> 18:19.000 but your first puff will tell you. 18:19.000 --> 18:22.000 Ah, that's different. 18:22.000 --> 18:26.000 Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. 18:26.000 --> 18:31.000 Ask your dealer for Fatima, the quality king-size cigarette. 18:31.000 --> 18:34.000 Best of all, long cigarettes. 18:34.000 --> 18:37.000 Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow. 18:37.000 --> 18:49.000 In the routine solution of a case, the police officer is always benefited by the legwork of his fellow officers. 18:49.000 --> 18:54.000 In this case, the men of the San Diego Police Department, in conjunction with the Post Office Department, 18:54.000 --> 19:00.000 had done most of the spade work and the actual apprehension of the suspect appeared to be almost too easy on our end. 19:00.000 --> 19:04.000 Even though Ben and I hadn't participated in the physical arrest of the suspect, 19:04.000 --> 19:09.000 we felt the same gratification for the speedy solution of the case as did the postal authorities. 19:09.000 --> 19:16.000 Monday, March 3rd, 327 p.m., Miller and Ashton of the Post Office Department brought the suspect in for questioning. 19:16.000 --> 19:21.000 The prisoner was turned over to Inspector Leo Smith. Ben and I sat in on the interrogation. 19:21.000 --> 19:23.000 Carver Gleason, that's your true name? 19:23.000 --> 19:24.000 Yes, sir, it is. 19:24.000 --> 19:26.000 You say you've never been arrested before? 19:26.000 --> 19:28.000 No, sir, I never have. 19:28.000 --> 19:29.000 You know we're going to check that out. 19:29.000 --> 19:31.000 Yes, sir. 19:31.000 --> 19:33.000 All right, now let's go over it again. 19:33.000 --> 19:34.000 The same way? 19:34.000 --> 19:36.000 That's up to you. We want the truth. 19:36.000 --> 19:41.000 I've told you the truth. You asked me questions about stealing mail, about forging checks. 19:41.000 --> 19:45.000 You said I was down in San Diego. Well, that's not true. None of it's true. 19:45.000 --> 19:47.000 Have you ever stolen from the mails? 19:47.000 --> 19:50.000 No, sir, I never have. I know that's a pretty serious offense. 19:50.000 --> 19:53.000 What makes you think forging isn't? Is that what you're trying to say? 19:53.000 --> 19:59.000 No, I'm not. I didn't say that, but this was the first time I've ever done anything like this. 19:59.000 --> 20:01.000 I didn't even think about the consequences. 20:01.000 --> 20:05.000 You should have thought about them. When's the last time you were in San Diego? 20:05.000 --> 20:09.000 I've never been there. I don't even know for sure where it is. 20:09.000 --> 20:11.000 How long have you been in Los Angeles? 20:11.000 --> 20:12.000 About three months now. 20:12.000 --> 20:13.000 Where's your home? 20:13.000 --> 20:15.000 Akron, Ohio. 20:15.000 --> 20:17.000 How old did you say you were? 20:17.000 --> 20:18.000 Twenty-five. 20:18.000 --> 20:20.000 What have you been doing since you got out here? 20:20.000 --> 20:23.000 It's just it. Nothing. Can't find a job. 20:23.000 --> 20:25.000 Well, how have you been getting by? How have you been living? 20:25.000 --> 20:29.000 I've been staying down at the YMCA. Hope Street, I guess it is. 20:29.000 --> 20:31.000 What have you been doing for money? 20:31.000 --> 20:34.000 Well, my folks gave me a little when I left Akron. 20:34.000 --> 20:37.000 I thought I'd have a job by now. I didn't want to write home for any more, 20:37.000 --> 20:41.000 so when I found that check, I figured I could get away with it. 20:41.000 --> 20:43.000 I needed money, and I cashed it. 20:43.000 --> 20:45.000 And where did you say you found it? 20:45.000 --> 20:51.000 Over on, um, let's street out that way, Los Siganega. Is that how you say it? 20:51.000 --> 20:54.000 Los Siganega, yeah. What were you doing out there? 20:54.000 --> 20:58.000 Well, I was answering an ad in the classifieds, trying to find a job. 20:58.000 --> 21:01.000 I had to park the car down the street from the place, 21:01.000 --> 21:05.000 and on my way back, I found this check on a sidewalk right near the bank on the corner. 21:05.000 --> 21:07.000 Where'd you get the car? 21:07.000 --> 21:08.000 It's my father's. 21:08.000 --> 21:12.000 The car is registered in your name with California plates. How do you explain that? 21:12.000 --> 21:16.000 Well, the folks told me when I got to California to go right to the authorities 21:16.000 --> 21:20.000 and register the car if I was going to stay so I wouldn't get in any trouble. 21:20.000 --> 21:22.000 That's where part of my money went. 21:22.000 --> 21:24.000 You got anything else you want to tell us? 21:24.000 --> 21:27.000 Well, I did it. I admit that. 21:27.000 --> 21:29.000 I want to make it up somehow. 21:29.000 --> 21:35.000 The check was for $57. I gave the men that arrested me 50 of it, and I spent $7. 21:35.000 --> 21:37.000 Yeah, that's all on the record. 21:37.000 --> 21:40.000 I did wrong. I'll pay the $7 back. 21:40.000 --> 21:42.000 You can take that up with the judge, Gleason. 21:42.000 --> 21:45.000 Friday, Romero, you want to step outside with me a minute? 21:45.000 --> 21:47.000 Yeah, right. 21:47.000 --> 21:49.000 Gleason, you wait here with that officer. 21:49.000 --> 21:51.000 Yes, sir. 21:53.000 --> 21:54.000 What do you think? 21:54.000 --> 21:57.000 He's telling the truth. He's not the one we want. 21:57.000 --> 21:58.000 How about you, Joe? 21:58.000 --> 22:00.000 Yeah, I'll go along with Ben. 22:00.000 --> 22:02.000 That makes three of us. 22:05.000 --> 22:07.000 Monday, March 3rd, 5 p.m. 22:07.000 --> 22:09.000 We went in and checked with Don Myers. 22:09.000 --> 22:12.000 In carefully going over exemplars of Carver Gleason's handwriting, 22:12.000 --> 22:15.000 he had definitely eliminated him as our suspect. 22:15.000 --> 22:18.000 Carver Gleason remained in custody awaiting trial. 22:18.000 --> 22:22.000 Three months went by. During this time, the burglaries and forgeries continued. 22:22.000 --> 22:25.000 Suspects were picked up, checked out, and released. 22:25.000 --> 22:26.000 We got nowhere. 22:26.000 --> 22:30.000 Tuesday, July 12th, we received a communication from Chief Adam Jensen 22:30.000 --> 22:32.000 of the San Diego Police Department 22:32.000 --> 22:36.000 who stated he was forwarding a radiogram from Chief John W. Polcine 22:36.000 --> 22:38.000 of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin Police Department. 22:38.000 --> 22:43.000 The radiogram from Chief Polcine stated that his handwriting man in Milwaukee 22:43.000 --> 22:47.000 had identified the suspect's handwriting as listed in one of the San Diego bulletins 22:47.000 --> 22:49.000 as belonging to Philip E. Holloway. 22:49.000 --> 22:53.000 Holloway was arrested two years previous on a reckless driving charge. 22:53.000 --> 22:56.000 The physical description of the man matched closely with the one that we'd received 22:56.000 --> 22:59.000 on the suspect known to us as Harvey Fletcher. 22:59.000 --> 23:03.000 They further stated that although he was at one time a resident of Milwaukee, 23:03.000 --> 23:05.000 they had nothing further on him. 23:05.000 --> 23:08.000 It was just an outside chance, but we decided that in all probability 23:08.000 --> 23:11.000 this could be the suspect's true name, Philip E. Holloway. 23:11.000 --> 23:14.000 This information was forwarded to the postal authorities. 23:14.000 --> 23:17.000 Ben and I started to check through our channels to determine the whereabouts 23:17.000 --> 23:21.000 of the suspect, Philip E. Holloway, with a possible alias of Harvey Fletcher. 23:21.000 --> 23:24.000 Well, that's it, Joe. Nothing in any of the phone books. 23:24.000 --> 23:25.000 Yeah. 23:25.000 --> 23:27.000 Covered everything I can think of. 23:27.000 --> 23:31.000 Our records, sheriff's records, nothing from CII, utility companies. 23:31.000 --> 23:34.000 Yeah, well, maybe Smith found something on him. We haven't got anything here. 23:34.000 --> 23:36.000 Think I'll give him a call, huh, Joe? 23:36.000 --> 23:38.000 Yeah, I'd like to know. 23:41.000 --> 23:43.000 That's the extension of 664. 23:43.000 --> 23:45.000 Yeah, I know. 23:45.000 --> 23:47.000 Yeah, 664. 23:47.000 --> 23:50.000 Hello, Inspector Smith, please. 23:50.000 --> 23:52.000 How's that? 23:52.000 --> 23:55.000 Oh, I see. No, that's all right, thank you. 23:55.000 --> 23:58.000 On his way over here, he left five minutes ago. 23:58.000 --> 24:00.000 I sure hope he's got something. 24:00.000 --> 24:02.000 Joe, Ben, hi, Leo. 24:02.000 --> 24:03.000 I think maybe we ran it down. 24:03.000 --> 24:05.000 Good. How'd you do it, through the postal service? 24:05.000 --> 24:07.000 Yeah, didn't figure, did it? 24:07.000 --> 24:09.000 Well, we didn't think he'd stay put long enough to have a permanent address. 24:09.000 --> 24:12.000 Well, he's been on the move, but we got the last known address on him. 24:12.000 --> 24:14.000 Received mail there two days ago. 24:14.000 --> 24:18.000 You want to check with Don Myers? He's been working over those exemplars at Milwaukee, San Diego. 24:18.000 --> 24:20.000 Just did. Called him about 15 minutes ago. 24:20.000 --> 24:22.000 Oh, we just got back from R&I. 24:22.000 --> 24:23.000 What do you have to say this time? 24:23.000 --> 24:25.000 He and Conway agree all the way this trip. 24:25.000 --> 24:27.000 Holloway's our man. 24:30.000 --> 24:35.000 Together with the postal authorities, Ben and I helped in the 24-hour surveillance placed on the suspect, Phillip E. Holloway. 24:35.000 --> 24:38.000 Our findings disclosed that he was living in a modest apartment house, 24:38.000 --> 24:42.000 and he was employed by a local vacuum cleaner company as a door-to-door salesman. 24:42.000 --> 24:48.000 This type of occupation would enable anyone to have suspicion-free access to any and all types of home mailboxes. 24:48.000 --> 24:53.000 The first three days of the surveillance failed to disclose any further incriminating evidence. 24:53.000 --> 24:58.000 Thursday, July 17th, fifth day of the 24-hour surveillance, 2.30 p.m. 24:58.000 --> 25:05.000 Holloway came out of his apartment building, got into his car, and drove approximately four miles to the Echo Park residential district. 25:05.000 --> 25:09.000 He parked his car, got out, and went up the steps of a small apartment house. 25:09.000 --> 25:12.000 Together with Inspector Leo Smith, Ben and I followed him. 25:15.000 --> 25:17.000 You want to pull up here, Ben? This is good. 25:17.000 --> 25:18.000 Yeah, all right. 25:21.000 --> 25:23.000 He's going for that mailbox, isn't he? 25:23.000 --> 25:24.000 Yeah. 25:25.000 --> 25:27.000 He's got the key. He's opening the panel. 25:28.000 --> 25:30.000 Not a worry in the world. Broad daylight. 25:31.000 --> 25:32.000 Look at that. 25:32.000 --> 25:39.000 He's got all the letters out of the box, got them in his pocket, on his way back to his car. 25:39.000 --> 25:41.000 Leo, there's a bank right up there in Sunset, see? 25:41.000 --> 25:43.000 Okay, let's stay with him. 25:43.000 --> 25:46.000 How's it look, Joe? You can see up ahead there. Is he pulling up? 25:46.000 --> 25:49.000 Wait a minute. All right, let's go. 25:56.000 --> 25:58.000 Better pull up here, huh? 25:58.000 --> 25:59.000 Uh-huh. 26:01.000 --> 26:05.000 Now look at that. Just like it was blueprinted. Going right in the bank. 26:05.000 --> 26:06.000 Come on. 26:06.000 --> 26:07.000 Yeah. 26:16.000 --> 26:17.000 Joe, you see him? 26:17.000 --> 26:19.000 There he is. Second window. 26:19.000 --> 26:21.000 Let's get in line right behind him, Larry. 26:23.000 --> 26:25.000 Yes, sir, may I help you? 26:25.000 --> 26:27.000 Yes, I wonder if you can pass the check for me? 26:27.000 --> 26:29.000 Yes, sir. Would you endorse it for me? 26:29.000 --> 26:30.000 Sure, may I? 26:33.000 --> 26:37.000 There you are. As you can see, this is one of my mother's checks. I guess I can cash it all right for her. 26:37.000 --> 26:39.000 Do you have any identification? 26:39.000 --> 26:43.000 I'm sorry, I don't. I'll say I have this envelope, the check was mailed in a little after. 26:43.000 --> 26:45.000 Yes, I think that's all right. How would you like this, sir? 26:45.000 --> 26:49.000 If he doesn't want it anyway, miss, just hold that check for us, please. Post to the inspector. 26:49.000 --> 26:50.000 Yes, sir. 26:50.000 --> 26:52.000 I beg your pardon. I believe you're making a mistake here. 26:52.000 --> 26:55.000 No, there's no mistake. Come on, step over here. Shake him down. 26:55.000 --> 26:57.000 I don't understand all this. 26:57.000 --> 27:03.000 That key you used over there on Baxter Street, that the one you made from that panel you stole over on Alvarado about four months ago? 27:04.000 --> 27:05.000 You know about that, huh? 27:05.000 --> 27:07.000 Yeah, we do. 27:08.000 --> 27:10.000 I did all right for a while, didn't I? 27:11.000 --> 27:13.000 That key angle's a pretty good one, isn't it? 27:14.000 --> 27:16.000 There's no lock in the world I can't make a key for. 27:16.000 --> 27:25.000 Well, we got one in mind you might have trouble with. 27:26.000 --> 27:31.000 The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. 27:31.000 --> 27:38.000 On October 15th, trial was held in the United States District Court, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. 27:38.000 --> 27:40.000 And now here is our star, Jack Webb. 27:40.000 --> 27:46.000 Thank you. Friends, all of us on Dragnet are convinced that Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. 27:46.000 --> 27:48.000 We think you'll like them as much as we do. 27:48.000 --> 27:54.000 But the only way you can tell is to buy a pack of Fatimas and compare them with any other king-size cigarette. 27:54.000 --> 27:59.000 Now, side by side, they'll look alike. But in Fatima, the difference is quality. 27:59.000 --> 28:03.000 Quality that gives you extra mildness, a much better flavor and aroma. 28:03.000 --> 28:10.000 Compare Fatima. You'll agree Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. 28:17.000 --> 28:21.000 The suspect, Philip L. Wood Holloway, was found guilty on all counts. 28:21.000 --> 28:24.000 He was sentenced to 10 years in the federal penitentiary. 28:24.000 --> 28:27.000 Five years of his sentence was suspended and he was placed on probation. 28:27.000 --> 28:31.000 One of the conditions being that he make restitution of the stolen money. 28:31.000 --> 28:39.000 Ladies and gentlemen, accidents of all types kill more persons from one to 35 years of age than does any single disease. 28:39.000 --> 28:49.000 America's homes and children can best be kept safe if every father, mother and child develops the personal responsibility to know and observe home safety rules. 28:49.000 --> 29:02.000 Make home safety a family affair. Be careful. The life you save may be your own. 29:02.000 --> 29:07.000 You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files. 29:07.000 --> 29:12.000 Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department. 29:12.000 --> 29:19.000 Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, is brought to you by Dragnet, portions transcribed from Los Angeles. 29:19.000 --> 29:42.000 Stay tuned for Counterspire next over most NBC stations.