WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:03.000 The story you are about to hear is true. 00:03.000 --> 00:06.000 DRAGNET is brought to you by Chesterfield, 00:06.000 --> 00:08.000 made by Liggett and Myers. 00:08.000 --> 00:10.000 First major tobacco company 00:10.000 --> 00:13.000 to give you a complete line of quality cigarettes. 00:21.000 --> 00:23.000 You're a detective sergeant. 00:23.000 --> 00:25.000 You're a detective sergeant. 00:25.000 --> 00:27.000 You're a detective sergeant. 00:27.000 --> 00:30.000 You're a detective sergeant. 00:30.000 --> 00:32.000 You're assigned to burglary division. 00:32.000 --> 00:35.000 You get a call that an important piece of religious art 00:35.000 --> 00:38.000 has been stolen from the oldest church in Los Angeles. 00:38.000 --> 00:40.000 There's no lead to its whereabouts. 00:40.000 --> 00:43.000 Your job, find it. 00:47.000 --> 00:51.000 To sell a product, you have to make it good and keep it good. 00:51.000 --> 00:54.000 What do the latest reports show about Chesterfield? 00:54.000 --> 00:57.000 Well, our research laboratory has compared it 00:57.000 --> 00:59.000 with the leading cigarettes in the country. 00:59.000 --> 01:04.000 Chesterfield is highest in quality, low in nicotine. 01:04.000 --> 01:07.000 Another good reason why thousands of people 01:07.000 --> 01:09.000 are changing to Chesterfield every day. 01:09.000 --> 01:13.000 Smoke America's most popular two-way cigarette, 01:13.000 --> 01:15.000 regular or king size. 01:15.000 --> 01:20.000 You'll find Chesterfield really mild, really satisfying. 01:20.000 --> 01:24.000 Best for you. 01:28.000 --> 01:31.000 Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime. 01:31.000 --> 01:33.000 For the next 30 minutes in cooperation 01:33.000 --> 01:35.000 with the Los Angeles Police Department, 01:35.000 --> 01:37.000 you will travel step by step on the side of the law 01:37.000 --> 01:40.000 through an actual case from official police files. 01:40.000 --> 01:43.000 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, 01:43.000 --> 01:47.000 Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. 01:47.000 --> 01:50.000 It was Wednesday, December 24th. It was cold in Los Angeles. 01:50.000 --> 01:52.000 We were working the day watch out of Burglary Division. 01:52.000 --> 01:55.000 My partner is Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Bernard. 01:55.000 --> 01:56.000 My name is Friday. 01:56.000 --> 01:58.000 I'd gone across the street to buy stamps 01:58.000 --> 02:00.000 for some Christmas cards I was sending out. 02:00.000 --> 02:05.000 It was 9.15 a.m. when I got back to room 45, Burglary. 02:05.000 --> 02:07.000 I sat down at a table in the squad room 02:07.000 --> 02:10.000 and I started to address the cards when Frank walked in 02:10.000 --> 02:13.000 carrying a stack of Christmas boxes. 02:13.000 --> 02:14.000 Hi, Joe. 02:14.000 --> 02:16.000 Hi. 02:16.000 --> 02:18.000 Christmas cards, huh? Little late, aren't you? 02:18.000 --> 02:20.000 Well, I was going to send them out Monday, 02:20.000 --> 02:21.000 but we had that stake out. 02:21.000 --> 02:23.000 You ought to get married, Joe. 02:23.000 --> 02:24.000 Yeah? 02:24.000 --> 02:26.000 It's the only system. 02:26.000 --> 02:27.000 Faye does all that stuff for me. 02:27.000 --> 02:29.000 Laundry, mails cards, only system. 02:29.000 --> 02:31.000 Might help. 02:31.000 --> 02:33.000 You got a big stack there. 02:33.000 --> 02:35.000 I ought to cut down the list. 02:35.000 --> 02:37.000 Look at this here, upholstery shop. 02:37.000 --> 02:38.000 Yeah. 02:38.000 --> 02:39.000 They send me a card every year. 02:39.000 --> 02:40.000 I never get anything in return. 02:40.000 --> 02:43.000 Faye and I ought to go over our list, cut off a few names. 02:43.000 --> 02:45.000 I brought in your present. 02:45.000 --> 02:47.000 Want to open it now? 02:47.000 --> 02:48.000 No, I'll wait. 02:48.000 --> 02:50.000 I always open a couple a day before. 02:50.000 --> 02:51.000 Why? 02:51.000 --> 02:53.000 Well, it puts you in the spirit ahead of time. 02:53.000 --> 02:54.000 I opened Phil's this morning. 02:54.000 --> 02:55.000 Who's he? 02:55.000 --> 02:57.000 Faye's brother in Denver. 02:57.000 --> 02:59.000 Gave me a magazine, one of those funny ones. 02:59.000 --> 03:01.000 What do you mean, a comic book? 03:01.000 --> 03:03.000 No, one of those funny ones, you know. 03:03.000 --> 03:04.000 No, I don't, Frank. 03:04.000 --> 03:06.000 Well, some of the pages have holes in them. 03:06.000 --> 03:08.000 I don't know what they are. 03:08.000 --> 03:10.000 Well, some of the pages have holes in them. 03:10.000 --> 03:13.000 You look through and there's a picture on the next page. 03:13.000 --> 03:15.000 Oh, yeah, I've seen those on the newsstand. 03:15.000 --> 03:17.000 They have cloth pasted in. 03:17.000 --> 03:18.000 Cloth? 03:18.000 --> 03:19.000 In the ads. 03:19.000 --> 03:21.000 If you want to buy a suit, they have a sample right there. 03:21.000 --> 03:22.000 You mean you can feel it? 03:22.000 --> 03:23.000 Reach right out and feel it. 03:23.000 --> 03:25.000 It was one for $200. 03:25.000 --> 03:26.000 A suit? 03:26.000 --> 03:27.000 Sure. 03:27.000 --> 03:28.000 Cloth comes from Scotland. 03:28.000 --> 03:29.000 What's it made out of? Solid gold? 03:29.000 --> 03:31.000 No, they've got a special kind of goat over there. 03:31.000 --> 03:32.000 It's real smooth. 03:32.000 --> 03:34.000 Not a goat, Frank, a sheep. 03:34.000 --> 03:35.000 Well, it's a special kind of sheep then, 03:35.000 --> 03:37.000 because a suit costs $200. 03:37.000 --> 03:38.000 You going to get one? 03:38.000 --> 03:39.000 I told Fay. 03:39.000 --> 03:41.000 She said, wear the sample. 03:41.000 --> 03:42.000 Anything doing? 03:42.000 --> 03:44.000 Fanning and Pryor were in on that market holdup. 03:44.000 --> 03:45.000 Did they come up with anything? 03:45.000 --> 03:47.000 Pound of air, nothing else. 03:47.000 --> 03:48.000 I hope it stays quiet. 03:48.000 --> 03:50.000 I've got more shopping to do. 03:50.000 --> 03:51.000 I finished. 03:51.000 --> 03:52.000 What did you get Ann? 03:52.000 --> 03:55.000 Stationary set, some paper and envelopes, leather binding. 03:55.000 --> 03:57.000 Joe, you'll never learn. 03:57.000 --> 03:58.000 What's the matter? 03:58.000 --> 04:00.000 No woman wants a stationary set. 04:00.000 --> 04:01.000 Get her something personal. 04:01.000 --> 04:03.000 Well, it's got her initials on it. 04:03.000 --> 04:06.000 No, no, you want something more sentimental, romantic. 04:06.000 --> 04:08.000 What did you get Fay? 04:08.000 --> 04:10.000 It's different in her case. 04:10.000 --> 04:12.000 What did you get Fay? 04:12.000 --> 04:14.000 Sewing machine. 04:14.000 --> 04:15.000 That's romantic. 04:15.000 --> 04:16.000 Well, there's no way. 04:16.000 --> 04:18.000 Why don't you buy her a catcher's mitt? 04:22.000 --> 04:23.000 Burgory Friday. 04:23.000 --> 04:24.000 Yes, that's right. 04:24.000 --> 04:26.000 You have the right department. 04:27.000 --> 04:29.000 All right, Father, we'll be right down. 04:29.000 --> 04:31.000 No, you can tell us about it there. 04:31.000 --> 04:32.000 Goodbye. 04:32.000 --> 04:34.000 The old Mission Church, they've had a theft. 04:34.000 --> 04:36.000 Collection money? 04:36.000 --> 04:38.000 Statue of the Child Jesus. 04:41.000 --> 04:43.000 Frank and I checked out of the office and rode over to the church 04:43.000 --> 04:45.000 at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Main. 04:49.000 --> 04:53.000 The old Mission Plaza Church founded 1781, 04:53.000 --> 04:55.000 the year Los Angeles became a Pueblo. 04:55.000 --> 04:59.000 The outside was typical early Spanish design, complete with mission arches. 04:59.000 --> 05:01.000 It was made of adobe and painted white. 05:01.000 --> 05:04.000 They called it the Queen of the Angels. 05:04.000 --> 05:06.000 The Padres from down in Mexico built it. 05:06.000 --> 05:09.000 The devout Mexicans in town still attended services there. 05:09.000 --> 05:11.000 10.05 a.m. 05:11.000 --> 05:13.000 Frank and I crossed through the courtyard. 05:13.000 --> 05:16.000 It used to be the old stable, but the Spanish priest changed all that 05:16.000 --> 05:17.000 when it became a mission. 05:17.000 --> 05:20.000 Stone masons paved the stable floor and made it a courtyard. 05:20.000 --> 05:23.000 They planted grape vines, trees, and flowers. 05:23.000 --> 05:25.000 A young priest crossed the courtyard to meet us. 05:25.000 --> 05:28.000 He'd been sitting on a stone bench reading his morning prayers 05:28.000 --> 05:30.000 as priests had done here for 172 years. 05:30.000 --> 05:33.000 We asked for Father Xavier Rojas, who'd communicated with us. 05:33.000 --> 05:35.000 We were told he was inside. 05:36.000 --> 05:38.000 We entered a side door. 05:38.000 --> 05:41.000 The church seemed to glow with hundreds of votive candles flickering 05:41.000 --> 05:44.000 on both sides of the altar and at the shrines throughout the church. 05:44.000 --> 05:47.000 It was empty except for a few people praying. 05:47.000 --> 05:51.000 Surrounding the main altar were several old oil paintings and gold frames. 05:51.000 --> 05:54.000 The air was heavy with a scent of advent flowers. 05:54.000 --> 06:00.000 We found Father Rojas up near the sanctuary looking at the nativity scene. 06:00.000 --> 06:02.000 He told us about the crib. 06:02.000 --> 06:05.000 It was a $70 duplication of the scene at Bethlehem. 06:05.000 --> 06:08.000 The parishioners had taken up a collection for it 31 years ago. 06:08.000 --> 06:12.000 It was put up every year on December 22 and taken down after the holy season. 06:12.000 --> 06:16.000 It was beautiful, except that one of the shepherds had lost an arm, 06:16.000 --> 06:19.000 the sheep was old and cracked, and the infant Jesus was missing. 06:19.000 --> 06:24.000 Father Rojas led us back into the sacristy. 06:26.000 --> 06:28.000 I'm sorry to bother you, man. 06:28.000 --> 06:29.000 It's all right, Father. 06:29.000 --> 06:31.000 Especially now, the holiday season. 06:31.000 --> 06:33.000 We cash our checks, Father. You want to tell us what happened? 06:33.000 --> 06:34.000 Or what you think happened? 06:34.000 --> 06:37.000 I discovered the statue was missing right after the six o'clock mass. 06:37.000 --> 06:38.000 You saved the six? 06:38.000 --> 06:42.000 Yes. I started over to the rectory and stopped by the crib. 06:42.000 --> 06:43.000 Was the statue there before mass? 06:43.000 --> 06:46.000 I don't know, but it was there last night. 06:46.000 --> 06:47.000 How late is the church open? 06:47.000 --> 06:49.000 All night. 06:49.000 --> 06:51.000 You leave it wide open so any thief can walk in? 06:51.000 --> 06:53.000 Particularly thieves, Sergeant. 06:53.000 --> 06:55.000 You say it was there last night, Father. How late? 06:55.000 --> 06:57.000 Ten or eleven o'clock. We had confessions. 06:57.000 --> 06:58.000 No one saw it after that? 06:58.000 --> 07:01.000 One of the altar boys. He says it may have been there. He thinks it was. 07:01.000 --> 07:02.000 Did he see it? 07:02.000 --> 07:03.000 He's not sure. 07:03.000 --> 07:04.000 What's his name? 07:04.000 --> 07:06.000 Pardon me. 07:11.000 --> 07:13.000 Here's the schedule. You'll find the names for every mass there. 07:13.000 --> 07:16.000 Was there a big crowd at the six o'clock mass, Father? 07:16.000 --> 07:19.000 Not too many. Seven's the big one. People on their way to work. 07:19.000 --> 07:21.000 Did anyone stay after mass, did you notice? 07:21.000 --> 07:24.000 Not especially. I came back here, took off the vestments. 07:24.000 --> 07:27.000 I suppose it was ten or fifteen minutes before I went back in the church. 07:27.000 --> 07:28.000 It was empty then? 07:28.000 --> 07:30.000 No. People were coming in for the seven o'clock. 07:30.000 --> 07:33.000 Are these the altar boys, James Corneen and Joseph Heffernan? 07:33.000 --> 07:35.000 That's right. Joe's the one who mentioned it might have been there. 07:35.000 --> 07:37.000 Did you check with the other priests, Father? 07:37.000 --> 07:40.000 Before I called you. None of them knows anything about it. 07:40.000 --> 07:43.000 Just for a check on the pawn shops, how much the statue worth? 07:43.000 --> 07:44.000 In money. 07:44.000 --> 07:46.000 What's the point in pawn shops, Father? 07:46.000 --> 07:48.000 Only a few dollars. 07:48.000 --> 07:51.000 We could get a new one, but it wouldn't be the same. 07:51.000 --> 07:54.000 We've had children in the parish. They've grown up and married. 07:54.000 --> 07:56.000 It's the only Jesus they know. 07:56.000 --> 07:57.000 We understand. 07:57.000 --> 08:01.000 And we've had children who died. It was the only Jesus they knew. 08:01.000 --> 08:04.000 So many of the people who come here are simple people. 08:04.000 --> 08:06.000 They wouldn't understand, Sergeant. 08:06.000 --> 08:08.000 It would be like changing the evening star. 08:08.000 --> 08:09.000 We'll do our best, Father. 08:09.000 --> 08:13.000 That's why it would mean so much to have it back for the first mass on Christmas. 08:13.000 --> 08:15.000 It's not very long, Father. 08:15.000 --> 08:17.000 Less than 24 hours. 08:17.000 --> 08:19.000 If anything turns up here, you know where to get in touch with us. 08:19.000 --> 08:21.000 Yes. 08:21.000 --> 08:22.000 Sad, isn't it? 08:22.000 --> 08:23.000 How's that? 08:23.000 --> 08:26.000 In so short a time, men learn to steal. 08:26.000 --> 08:28.000 Yes, but consider us, Father. 08:28.000 --> 08:29.000 Us? 08:29.000 --> 08:31.000 If some of them didn't, you and I'd be out of work. 08:33.000 --> 08:36.000 10.50 a.m. We notified pawn shop detail. 08:36.000 --> 08:38.000 Frank and I checked out the two altar boys. 08:38.000 --> 08:42.000 The first one, James Corneen, said he knew nothing about the missing statue. 08:42.000 --> 08:46.000 The second one, Joseph Heffernan, was not at home. 08:46.000 --> 08:50.000 His father said he had a part-time job, but he'd have him get in touch with us right after lunch. 08:52.000 --> 08:55.000 By 11.30 a.m., we'd run out of book procedure. 08:55.000 --> 08:56.000 We had a man to find. 08:56.000 --> 08:57.000 Our only clue? 08:57.000 --> 08:58.000 He'd been to church. 08:58.000 --> 09:00.000 11.33 a.m. 09:03.000 --> 09:06.000 We checked the phone books for the names of religious stores in the area. 09:06.000 --> 09:08.000 Two of them were closed. 09:08.000 --> 09:09.000 We tried the third. 09:09.000 --> 09:13.000 When we got there, the only person in the store was an elderly man sitting by a table. 09:13.000 --> 09:16.000 In front of him was a large, beautifully carved chess set. 09:22.000 --> 09:24.000 We're police officers. 09:26.000 --> 09:28.000 My name's Friday. This is my partner, Frank Smith. 09:28.000 --> 09:31.000 Pleased to see you. Caught me in the middle of a big chess match. 09:31.000 --> 09:32.000 Where's your partner? 09:32.000 --> 09:34.000 Up in San Jose. We've been playing for years. 09:34.000 --> 09:35.000 Same match? 09:35.000 --> 09:37.000 No, just two or three months on this one. 09:37.000 --> 09:40.000 What I meant was we've been playing different matches for years. 09:40.000 --> 09:41.000 I see. 09:41.000 --> 09:44.000 You know, we do it through the mail. I send him a move, he sends me one. 09:44.000 --> 09:46.000 Must keep you on your toes. 09:46.000 --> 09:49.000 Except during the holidays, the mail gets all fiddled up. That's no good. 09:49.000 --> 09:50.000 Guess not. 09:50.000 --> 09:53.000 Slows things down. That's no good. I like to catch him off guard. 09:53.000 --> 09:54.000 You Mr. Flavin? 09:54.000 --> 09:55.000 How'd you know? We never met. 09:55.000 --> 09:57.000 Your name's on the window out front. 09:57.000 --> 10:01.000 Mr. Flavin, we checked the other two religious stores in this neighborhood. They're closed. 10:01.000 --> 10:04.000 It's the best one anyway. 50% European items. 10:04.000 --> 10:06.000 We're checking the stores around the Mission Church. 10:06.000 --> 10:07.000 For what? 10:07.000 --> 10:10.000 Statue of the Child Jesus. Do you have one we could look at? 10:10.000 --> 10:11.000 Sure. 10:11.000 --> 10:13.000 No, sir. A larger one. 10:13.000 --> 10:16.000 You don't want a larger one. Unless it's for a church. That's why you want a larger one. 10:16.000 --> 10:18.000 Could we see it, please? 10:25.000 --> 10:27.000 It's not my due to butt in. 10:27.000 --> 10:30.000 But unless you live in a big place, this'll make your living room all the kilter. 10:30.000 --> 10:33.000 Yes, sir. Do most of the people who go to the Mission Church trade here? 10:33.000 --> 10:35.000 Good many of them. Special to kids. 10:35.000 --> 10:36.000 Why kids? 10:36.000 --> 10:39.000 More religious. Check on yourself. See if kids aren't more religious than you. 10:39.000 --> 10:40.000 Might be so. 10:40.000 --> 10:44.000 That's what's wrong with the world. Oh, I don't mean you're wrong with it. Everybody. 10:44.000 --> 10:46.000 Yes, sir. What if we could stick to the point, Mr. Flavin? 10:46.000 --> 10:48.000 Sure. A lot of people from the Mission Church come in here. 10:48.000 --> 10:51.000 Do people ever come in and sell back a religious article? 10:51.000 --> 10:53.000 Like a prayer book or rosaries? 10:53.000 --> 10:54.000 Yes, sir. 10:54.000 --> 10:55.000 Secondhand, you mean? 10:55.000 --> 10:56.000 Yes, sir. 10:56.000 --> 10:57.000 Not since I ever been around. It's silly. 10:57.000 --> 10:58.000 Why? 10:58.000 --> 11:01.000 People don't have religious articles so they can get rid of them. They have them so they can have them. 11:01.000 --> 11:04.000 But if a man had a statue and wanted to sell it, he'd come to a place like this. 11:04.000 --> 11:06.000 Sure, but he wouldn't want to sell it. 11:06.000 --> 11:07.000 He would if it was stolen. 11:07.000 --> 11:11.000 No, sir. If a man wants to steal a statue, he'd be crazy or something like that. 11:11.000 --> 11:13.000 The only place he'd want to go is where crazy people are. 11:13.000 --> 11:15.000 You may be right, Mr. Flavin. 11:15.000 --> 11:19.000 I don't know what you fellas are looking for, but if it's somebody who stole a statue, he's crazy and you won't find him. 11:19.000 --> 11:22.000 You won't find him as long as you live. Or in a million years. 11:22.000 --> 11:24.000 That should cover it. 11:27.000 --> 11:31.000 We checked religious stores out as far as Van Ness. We asked the same questions. 11:31.000 --> 11:35.000 The owners gave us the same answers, but none of them were as encouraging as Mr. Flavin. 11:37.000 --> 11:39.000 Frank and I had lunch and reported back to the office. 11:39.000 --> 11:44.000 It was 1.30 p.m. when we started into the squad room. The captain was just coming out. 11:44.000 --> 11:46.000 I just checked for you in the lunch room. 11:46.000 --> 11:47.000 We've been out on that theft of the mission. 11:47.000 --> 11:49.000 We may get some action on the Patterson case. 11:49.000 --> 11:50.000 Did they locate him? 11:50.000 --> 11:51.000 I think he's on the bus from Sacramento. 11:51.000 --> 11:52.000 Well, that means the Bakersfield police. 11:52.000 --> 12:02.000 We'll wait and see. 12:02.000 --> 12:05.000 Are one of you fellas Sergeant Freddie? 12:05.000 --> 12:06.000 He is. 12:06.000 --> 12:09.000 I'm Joe Heffnin. My father said you wanted to see me. 12:09.000 --> 12:12.000 Well, sit down, son. You didn't have to come in. A phone call would have worked. 12:12.000 --> 12:17.000 My father said to get on over. He says that any kid that uses phones is lazy. 12:17.000 --> 12:20.000 We want to ask you about this morning. You serve six o'clock mass? 12:20.000 --> 12:23.000 Yes, sir. I'm senior boy. So I get the sixth. 12:23.000 --> 12:25.000 You're senior and you take the early trick? 12:25.000 --> 12:29.000 Yes, sir. That way if you receive communion, you get to have breakfast sooner. 12:29.000 --> 12:32.000 Father Rojas says you think the statue was there before mass. 12:32.000 --> 12:35.000 I didn't look, but I have a feeling it was there. 12:35.000 --> 12:36.000 A feeling? 12:36.000 --> 12:40.000 You know, how you have a feeling about something, but you're not sure. 12:40.000 --> 12:42.000 Did you stay around long after mass? 12:42.000 --> 12:44.000 I put out the candles and hung up my surplus. 12:44.000 --> 12:46.000 How long would that take? 12:46.000 --> 12:47.000 About five minutes, maybe. 12:47.000 --> 12:49.000 Did any of the people at mass stay on? 12:49.000 --> 12:52.000 Some always do, especially ladies. 12:52.000 --> 12:53.000 Oh? 12:53.000 --> 12:57.000 Maybe they don't finish any time. Where else they start new prayers? I don't know. 12:57.000 --> 12:59.000 So when you left, there were still some women there? 12:59.000 --> 13:05.000 No, sir. That was at first. After I went back to the sacristy, there was only this one man. 13:05.000 --> 13:06.000 What man? 13:06.000 --> 13:08.000 He comes at six o'clock all the time. 13:08.000 --> 13:09.000 Do you know his name? 13:09.000 --> 13:14.000 No, sir, but he works down in Olive. You know, paint shop. Where the paint signs. 13:14.000 --> 13:15.000 Could you describe him? 13:15.000 --> 13:19.000 Sort of medium. He was wearing a suit that didn't match. 13:19.000 --> 13:20.000 Didn't match? 13:20.000 --> 13:22.000 You know, different pants than coat. 13:22.000 --> 13:23.000 How about his age? 13:23.000 --> 13:24.000 Always pretty old. 13:24.000 --> 13:25.000 Take a guess. 13:25.000 --> 13:29.000 About forty maybe. There's nothing particular about him. 13:29.000 --> 13:30.000 Then why did you notice him? 13:30.000 --> 13:33.000 I've seen him before. In the bundle, I guess. 13:33.000 --> 13:34.000 The bundle? 13:34.000 --> 13:39.000 Out in front. I saw him when he was coming out. He had this bundle, and he almost dropped it. 13:39.000 --> 13:40.000 How large a bundle? 13:40.000 --> 13:41.000 It's hard to say. 13:41.000 --> 13:44.000 Come on, son. Was it large or small, the size of the statue? 13:44.000 --> 13:46.000 Not that big. Yes, sir. 13:58.000 --> 14:01.000 We located the sign shop. The suspect didn't work there anymore, 14:01.000 --> 14:05.000 but we discovered his name was Claude Stroop. We found out where he lived. 14:07.000 --> 14:09.000 Two twenty-five p.m. We arrived there. 14:09.000 --> 14:13.000 It was a hotel for men, mostly old men, mostly down in outers. 14:13.000 --> 14:15.000 It was called the Golden Dream. 14:18.000 --> 14:21.000 Police officers. We're looking for Claude Stroop. 14:21.000 --> 14:22.000 Hope Claude didn't get in any trouble. 14:22.000 --> 14:23.000 So do we. Is he in? 14:23.000 --> 14:26.000 No. He's got room 307. You can check if you like. 14:26.000 --> 14:27.000 He'll take your word. 14:27.000 --> 14:28.000 Were you on this morning? 14:28.000 --> 14:29.000 Huh? 14:29.000 --> 14:30.000 You had the early shift. 14:30.000 --> 14:33.000 Well, we don't have shifts. My uncle owns the place. I'm the shift. 14:33.000 --> 14:35.000 Did Stroop spend last night here? 14:35.000 --> 14:36.000 Came in about eleven. 14:36.000 --> 14:37.000 When did he leave this morning? 14:37.000 --> 14:38.000 Around six, maybe before. 14:38.000 --> 14:39.000 Did he come back after? 14:39.000 --> 14:42.000 Eight o'clock or so. Then left. Supposed to be back at ten. 14:42.000 --> 14:43.000 Then pulls this trick. 14:43.000 --> 14:44.000 What trick? 14:44.000 --> 14:46.000 Our program. He knows the other fellas need him. 14:46.000 --> 14:47.000 Program? 14:47.000 --> 14:50.000 They're here at the hotel. Every Christmas we have a program. 14:50.000 --> 14:53.000 Put up a tree and sing. They're mostly old fellas. 14:53.000 --> 14:56.000 Singing like that makes them remember back when they were kids. 14:56.000 --> 14:57.000 Then Jimmy Finn comes on. 14:57.000 --> 14:58.000 Jimmy Finn? 14:58.000 --> 15:00.000 He shares number 409. 15:00.000 --> 15:04.000 His family once had a lot of money, so he tells the fellas about it. 15:04.000 --> 15:05.000 Stories about Christmas. 15:05.000 --> 15:09.000 How they had this big log and his grandfather used to start it up. 15:09.000 --> 15:13.000 After dinner, everybody turned over his plate and there underneath was a $20 gold piece. 15:13.000 --> 15:15.000 Brand new one. 15:15.000 --> 15:17.000 When Stroop came in this morning, did he have a bundle? 15:17.000 --> 15:18.000 I didn't see him come in. 15:18.000 --> 15:19.000 You said you saw him. 15:19.000 --> 15:21.000 I saw him go out after, but not come in. 15:21.000 --> 15:22.000 When was that? 15:22.000 --> 15:25.000 Eight. If you want to look for a bundle, I could give you his key. 15:25.000 --> 15:26.000 We don't have a warrant. 15:26.000 --> 15:28.000 It's all right. I know about police. It's all right with me. 15:28.000 --> 15:29.000 It's not with us. 15:29.000 --> 15:31.000 I didn't mean that. I just meant it was all right with me. 15:31.000 --> 15:40.000 Good King Wester's lost look down on the feast of Stephen. 15:40.000 --> 15:42.000 When the snow went round the house... 15:42.000 --> 15:43.000 They were three old men. 15:43.000 --> 15:46.000 You couldn't tell how much better they would have been with Stroop singing the fourth part, 15:46.000 --> 15:48.000 but somehow you didn't care. 15:48.000 --> 15:51.000 This was Christmas at the Golden Dream and it sounded fine. 15:51.000 --> 15:52.000 ...that night. 15:52.000 --> 16:00.000 Though the frost was cruel, when the poor man came in sight, 16:00.000 --> 16:06.000 gathering winter fuel. 16:06.000 --> 16:09.000 This is the last rehearsal. They got most of the songs down pat. 16:09.000 --> 16:10.000 Sounds pretty good. 16:10.000 --> 16:13.000 That's why it's a shame Claude isn't here. 16:13.000 --> 16:15.000 He's tenor and they need him to make it sound just right. 16:15.000 --> 16:16.000 Does Stroop have a job? 16:16.000 --> 16:19.000 No, sir. He used to have jobs. Not much lately, though. 16:19.000 --> 16:20.000 Did he say where he was going? 16:20.000 --> 16:22.000 No, he should have. The fellas need him. 16:22.000 --> 16:23.000 When he comes in, will you call us? 16:23.000 --> 16:25.000 Sure, and not say anything to him. 16:25.000 --> 16:26.000 That's right. 16:26.000 --> 16:28.000 I hope it's nothing serious for Claude. 16:28.000 --> 16:30.000 The fellas' troubles ought to be over. 16:30.000 --> 16:31.000 Troubles? 16:31.000 --> 16:32.000 Way back, it wouldn't count now. 16:32.000 --> 16:33.000 Tell us anyway. 16:33.000 --> 16:35.000 I don't know much about it. 16:35.000 --> 16:36.000 As much as you know. Now come on. 16:36.000 --> 16:38.000 It was something back where he used to live. 16:38.000 --> 16:40.000 He robbed somebody or something. 16:40.000 --> 16:41.000 What else? 16:41.000 --> 16:42.000 That's all. 16:42.000 --> 16:44.000 It was a long time ago, way far back. 16:44.000 --> 16:47.000 But he forgot it all, the robin and everything? 16:47.000 --> 16:48.000 No, not quite. 16:48.000 --> 16:50.000 He remembered it this morning. 16:50.000 --> 16:58.000 God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing you dismay. 16:58.000 --> 17:06.000 For Jesus Christ our Savior was born upon this day. 17:06.000 --> 17:09.000 To save the world. 17:09.000 --> 17:13.000 We went back to the office and ran Stroop's name through R&I. 17:13.000 --> 17:15.000 If he'd been booked anywhere, we had no record of it. 17:15.000 --> 17:17.000 At least not under that name. 17:17.000 --> 17:20.000 4.15 p.m. Pawn shop detail reported back. 17:20.000 --> 17:23.000 No object resembling the statue of the child Jesus had been turned in. 17:23.000 --> 17:26.000 4.18 p.m. I hung up the phone. 17:26.000 --> 17:28.000 Patterson's on that Sacramento bus. 17:28.000 --> 17:29.000 I thought Bakersfield had it. 17:29.000 --> 17:31.000 They were supposed to confirm, they did. 17:31.000 --> 17:34.000 I'm afraid they're going to have to wait until the next morning. 17:34.000 --> 17:36.000 I'm afraid they're going to have to wait until the next morning. 17:36.000 --> 17:39.000 I thought Bakersfield had it. They were supposed to confirm, they did. 17:39.000 --> 17:40.000 Upward station. 17:40.000 --> 17:41.000 What about Fanning and Pryor? 17:41.000 --> 17:42.000 They're still out. 17:42.000 --> 17:44.000 They'll be back soon. When's the bus arrive? 17:44.000 --> 17:45.000 Six o'clock. 17:45.000 --> 17:46.000 There's plenty of time for them to make it. 17:46.000 --> 17:47.000 There's more time for you. 17:47.000 --> 17:48.000 We're still in that theft. 17:48.000 --> 17:49.000 Can it wait? 17:49.000 --> 17:50.000 No. 17:50.000 --> 17:52.000 What is it? Ten, fifteen dollar statue? 17:52.000 --> 17:54.000 When's the price determine a case? 17:54.000 --> 17:56.000 I realize it's a church statue, but that doesn't give it priority. 17:56.000 --> 17:59.000 It's important to them, Captain. Joe and I promised to get it back. 17:59.000 --> 18:00.000 What do you got on it? 18:00.000 --> 18:01.000 Nothing much. 18:01.000 --> 18:03.000 And why are you so big hearted? 18:03.000 --> 18:05.000 Burgory Friday. 18:05.000 --> 18:07.000 When? 18:07.000 --> 18:09.000 No, don't say anything. 18:09.000 --> 18:11.000 No, right. 18:11.000 --> 18:13.000 It's Claude Stroop. He just walked into the hotel. 18:13.000 --> 18:14.000 He's our suspect. 18:14.000 --> 18:15.000 Nobody's leaked to him? 18:15.000 --> 18:16.000 No. 18:16.000 --> 18:17.000 You'll keep. You can run him down tomorrow. 18:17.000 --> 18:18.000 It'll be too late then. 18:18.000 --> 18:20.000 They need it for the first mass in the morning, Skipper. 18:20.000 --> 18:21.000 It's kind of a big thing for them. 18:21.000 --> 18:25.000 I'm sorry. I can't juggle details around so you can get a statue back. 18:25.000 --> 18:27.000 If there's time later on, we'll do our best. 18:27.000 --> 18:28.000 Yes, sir. 18:28.000 --> 18:29.000 You better get over to the station. 18:29.000 --> 18:30.000 Yes, sir. 18:30.000 --> 18:32.000 Will you call Father Rojas over at the mission? 18:32.000 --> 18:33.000 Why? 18:33.000 --> 18:34.000 Tell him we're too busy to work on that statue. 18:34.000 --> 18:36.000 But we'll do it later. Tomorrow or when we get a chance. 18:36.000 --> 18:37.000 Why can't you call him? 18:37.000 --> 18:38.000 Well, we better get over to the station. 18:38.000 --> 18:40.000 If Patterson's on that bus, we don't want to miss him. 18:41.000 --> 18:42.000 All right, I'll call him. 18:44.000 --> 18:45.000 Friday. 18:45.000 --> 18:46.000 Yeah. 18:50.000 --> 18:51.000 I can send Fending and Prior. 18:51.000 --> 18:52.000 He might as well stay on that other thing. 18:52.000 --> 19:05.000 Whatever you say, Cap'n. 19:05.000 --> 19:07.000 You are listening to Dragnet, 19:07.000 --> 19:09.000 the authentic story of your police force in action. 19:09.000 --> 19:14.000 There are good reasons why thousands of people are changing to Chesterfield every day. 19:14.000 --> 19:18.000 Why Chesterfield is the largest selling two-way cigarette in America. 19:18.000 --> 19:22.000 Why Chesterfield is best for me and best for you. 19:22.000 --> 19:24.000 People these days want facts. 19:24.000 --> 19:26.000 When you want people to use your product, 19:26.000 --> 19:30.000 you have to tell them what effect it has on people who do use it regularly. 19:30.000 --> 19:33.000 That's why a doctor has examined for almost two years 19:33.000 --> 19:35.000 a large group of Chesterfield smokers. 19:35.000 --> 19:38.000 Forty-five percent of them have, on the average, 19:38.000 --> 19:41.000 been smoking Chesterfields for well over ten years. 19:41.000 --> 19:45.000 What is the effect on these people from smoking Chesterfield? 19:45.000 --> 19:51.000 No adverse effects to the nose, throat, and sinuses, says the doctor. 19:51.000 --> 19:54.000 Consider Chesterfield's record with these smokers, 19:54.000 --> 19:57.000 with millions of other smokers throughout America. 19:57.000 --> 20:01.000 Another good reason for you to change to Chesterfield. 20:01.000 --> 20:16.000 Regular or king-size, Chesterfield is best for me, best for you. 20:16.000 --> 20:19.000 Four forty-three p.m. We arrived at the Golden Dream Hotel. 20:19.000 --> 20:21.000 The desk clerk was right. 20:21.000 --> 20:24.000 Claude Stroop looked like a man who had his troubles at bargain rates. 20:24.000 --> 20:26.000 Your name Claude Stroop? 20:26.000 --> 20:27.000 Yes, sir. 20:27.000 --> 20:29.000 Police officers. We'd like to talk to you. 20:29.000 --> 20:32.000 I didn't do anything against the law. Honest, I didn't do anything against it. 20:32.000 --> 20:33.000 You haven't been accused. 20:33.000 --> 20:34.000 I want to take you downtown. 20:34.000 --> 20:35.000 We'd like to talk to you. 20:35.000 --> 20:36.000 No, sir, I'm not going. 20:36.000 --> 20:39.000 I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to talk to anybody. 20:39.000 --> 20:41.000 You're half wrong already. 20:51.000 --> 20:54.000 Five fifteen p.m. We returned Stroop for interrogation. 20:54.000 --> 20:59.000 He kept his word. He refused to talk. 20:59.000 --> 21:02.000 Six oh five p.m. Frank called Fay, told her he'd be a little late. 21:02.000 --> 21:09.000 Stroop didn't move for a whole hour. He sat and stared, but he didn't talk. 21:09.000 --> 21:12.000 Six forty p.m. We got a final report from pawn shop detail. 21:12.000 --> 21:15.000 The shops were closed. There was no statue. 21:15.000 --> 21:17.000 Stroop still hadn't talked. 21:17.000 --> 21:19.000 Don't you ever want to go home, Stroop? 21:19.000 --> 21:21.000 If I was to talk, he wouldn't let me go. 21:21.000 --> 21:22.000 Depends on what you'd say. 21:22.000 --> 21:24.000 I'd say it wrong and I wouldn't get home. 21:24.000 --> 21:25.000 You won't this way either. 21:25.000 --> 21:27.000 I'd like to go. You can bet on that. 21:27.000 --> 21:31.000 This is the seventh year we had the program and I never missed a one. 21:31.000 --> 21:33.000 And a single one. 21:33.000 --> 21:34.000 Why don't you tell us what happened, Stroop? 21:34.000 --> 21:36.000 How would I know you'd let me go? 21:36.000 --> 21:37.000 You wouldn't. 21:37.000 --> 21:38.000 I might as well anyway. 21:38.000 --> 21:40.000 All right, what happened from Mass on? 21:40.000 --> 21:43.000 Well, there was Mass. I came out and started down toward the hotel. 21:43.000 --> 21:44.000 Back up. 21:44.000 --> 21:49.000 I left my stuff at the hotel and then I picked up George's car. I didn't steal it. 21:49.000 --> 21:51.000 He said I could have it any time I wanted. 21:51.000 --> 21:53.000 Only this time I didn't ask him. 21:53.000 --> 21:55.000 I took it and started out. 21:55.000 --> 21:56.000 Well... 21:56.000 --> 21:58.000 I should have asked, but I just didn't. 21:58.000 --> 22:03.000 I went over to Grand Avenue for the Christmas bulbs for this fellow Selzen secondhand. 22:03.000 --> 22:06.000 It was coming out of the lot, but I did it. 22:06.000 --> 22:08.000 The bumper must have caught the other car. 22:08.000 --> 22:11.000 Didn't leave too big a dent, but there was this long scratch. 22:11.000 --> 22:14.000 I got out and tried to wipe it off with my handkerchief. 22:14.000 --> 22:16.000 You know, spit on it like. 22:16.000 --> 22:18.000 Only didn't do no good. 22:18.000 --> 22:21.000 I didn't think anybody saw. 22:21.000 --> 22:24.000 I don't know how you fellas found out about it. 22:24.000 --> 22:26.000 I'll check all the records. 22:26.000 --> 22:28.000 Right. 22:28.000 --> 22:30.000 Stroop, we didn't bring you down here to talk about that. 22:30.000 --> 22:31.000 You didn't? 22:31.000 --> 22:33.000 No. There's a statue missing from the church. 22:33.000 --> 22:35.000 The statue of the child Jesus. 22:35.000 --> 22:36.000 You mean I took it? 22:36.000 --> 22:38.000 You took a bundle out of church. 22:38.000 --> 22:39.000 Yes, sir. 22:39.000 --> 22:41.000 That was my other pants for the program tonight. 22:41.000 --> 22:44.000 I had a place sewed up and there was a button on it. 22:44.000 --> 22:46.000 You can check. 22:46.000 --> 22:48.000 But I wouldn't take a statue. 22:50.000 --> 22:52.000 I don't think you would either. 22:52.000 --> 22:54.000 He's clear at auto records. 22:54.000 --> 22:55.000 Go on home. 22:55.000 --> 22:56.000 For the program? 22:56.000 --> 22:57.000 You mean it's all right? 22:57.000 --> 22:59.000 Good night, Stroop. 23:01.000 --> 23:03.000 Good night. 23:03.000 --> 23:08.000 Merry Christmas. 23:15.000 --> 23:17.000 Where to? 23:17.000 --> 23:18.000 I don't know. 23:18.000 --> 23:20.000 We could stay and work on it tonight. 23:20.000 --> 23:21.000 Wouldn't do any good. 23:21.000 --> 23:23.000 We won't find it. 23:23.000 --> 23:25.000 I don't think so. 23:25.000 --> 23:27.000 I'll go and get it. 23:27.000 --> 23:29.000 I'll go and get it. 23:29.000 --> 23:31.000 I'll go and get it. 23:31.000 --> 23:33.000 I don't think so. 23:33.000 --> 23:35.000 Tell you kid and the priest. 23:35.000 --> 23:37.000 Build his hopes up. 23:39.000 --> 23:41.000 I'll go tell him now. 23:46.000 --> 23:48.000 Merry Christmas. 23:54.000 --> 23:56.000 7.27 p.m. 23:56.000 --> 23:58.000 We found Father Rojas. 23:58.000 --> 24:00.000 Frank told him how it was 24:00.000 --> 24:02.000 to get the statue back by morning, 24:02.000 --> 24:04.000 but that we'd keep trying during the week. 24:04.000 --> 24:05.000 He said he understood. 24:05.000 --> 24:07.000 We told him we had to get on. 24:07.000 --> 24:09.000 As Frank and I started to leave, 24:09.000 --> 24:12.000 the doors at the main entrance to the church opened. 24:18.000 --> 24:20.000 It was a good 200 feet away. 24:20.000 --> 24:22.000 It was hard to be sure, 24:22.000 --> 24:26.000 but it looked like a small boy drawing a bright red wagon behind him. 24:26.000 --> 24:30.000 When he got closer, you could see he was no bigger than a pint of milk. 24:30.000 --> 24:32.000 He was a luminous-eyed little Mexican boy 24:32.000 --> 24:34.000 with a face as young as yesterday. 24:37.000 --> 24:39.000 The priest seemed to know him. 24:43.000 --> 24:45.000 Paquito? 24:45.000 --> 24:48.000 In the back of the wagon was the missing statue of the child Jesus. 24:48.000 --> 24:51.000 He picked it up gently and walked up to the priest. 24:51.000 --> 24:53.000 Father Rojas? 24:53.000 --> 24:56.000 He just stood there looking up at Father Rojas. 24:57.000 --> 24:59.000 It's Paco Mendoza, the boy from Paris. 24:59.000 --> 25:01.000 Ask him where he found it. 25:01.000 --> 25:03.000 Where did you find it? 25:03.000 --> 25:06.000 I didn't find it. I picked it up this morning. 25:06.000 --> 25:08.000 He didn't find it. He took it. 25:08.000 --> 25:10.000 Why? 25:10.000 --> 25:11.000 Why? 25:11.000 --> 25:15.000 Every year Paquito prayed for a red wagon. 25:15.000 --> 25:19.000 This year Paquito prayed for the child Jesus. 25:19.000 --> 25:23.000 This year Paquito prayed for the child Jesus. 25:25.000 --> 25:31.000 I promised the child Jesus the first trip in my little car. 25:32.000 --> 25:35.000 He says all through the years he's prayed for a red wagon. 25:35.000 --> 25:38.000 This year he prayed to the child Jesus. 25:38.000 --> 25:42.000 He promised that if he got the wagon, the child Jesus would have the first ride in it. 25:42.000 --> 25:47.000 Will the devil come to take Paquito? 25:47.000 --> 25:50.000 He wants to know if the devil will come and take him to hell. 25:50.000 --> 25:53.000 That's your department, Father. 25:54.000 --> 25:56.000 He's not the devil. 25:56.000 --> 25:59.000 He loves Paquito very much. 26:01.000 --> 26:03.000 We crossed over to the sanctuary. 26:03.000 --> 26:08.000 With the help of Father Rojas, the young boy replaced the infant Jesus in its rightful place, 26:08.000 --> 26:10.000 the crib in the nativity scene. 26:10.000 --> 26:15.000 Frank and I could have been wrong, but the small plaster statues seem to approve. 26:16.000 --> 26:25.000 Mary, Joseph, the wise men, Gaspar, Melchior, Baldazar, the old shepherd, 26:25.000 --> 26:28.000 the young shepherd, the peasant. 26:28.000 --> 26:31.000 They all seem to approve. 26:31.000 --> 26:35.000 They all seem to approve. 26:38.000 --> 26:41.000 Vuelve a tu casa, Paquito. 26:42.000 --> 26:45.000 The priest told the boy to go home. 26:45.000 --> 27:02.000 He took hold of his wagon and started the long walk out of the church. 27:02.000 --> 27:04.000 There wasn't much we could say. 27:04.000 --> 27:06.000 There wasn't much to say. 27:06.000 --> 27:08.000 We just stood there and watched him go. 27:08.000 --> 27:11.000 Halfway up he turned to look back. 27:11.000 --> 27:15.000 And he went on out. 27:23.000 --> 27:26.000 I don't understand how he got that wagon today. 27:26.000 --> 27:28.000 Don't kids wait for Santa Claus anymore? 27:28.000 --> 27:30.000 It isn't from Santa Claus. 27:30.000 --> 27:33.000 The firemen fix old toys and give them to new children. 27:33.000 --> 27:41.000 Paquito's family, they're poor. 27:41.000 --> 28:04.000 Aren't they, Father? 28:11.000 --> 28:40.000 The story you have just heard is true. 28:40.000 --> 28:43.000 The names and locations were changed. 28:43.000 --> 28:46.000 Ladies and gentlemen, here is our star, Jack Webb. 28:46.000 --> 28:48.000 Thank you, George Fenomen. 28:48.000 --> 28:51.000 Friends, remember your cigarette dealer will be open right up to Christmas Eve. 28:51.000 --> 28:55.000 And he can take care of your last minute shopping problems with Chesterfields. 28:55.000 --> 28:59.000 Chesterfields and the special Christmas carton featuring the covered bridge. 28:59.000 --> 29:03.000 And now, on behalf of the makers of Chesterfield, Liggett and Myers Tobacco Company, 29:03.000 --> 29:09.000 there are over 6,000 wholesale distributors and 1,300,000 retail dealers. 29:09.000 --> 29:11.000 And of course, all of us on Dragnet. 29:11.000 --> 29:40.000 We'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas.