December 22, 2025 • 25 mins
Step into the world of classic crime with "The Dragnet Collection." Featuring iconic radio episodes from the golden age of detective drama, this collection brings you the methodical investigations, sharp dialogue, and thrilling cases of Sergeant Joe Friday and his team. If you love true crime, classic noir, or vintage radio, this is a must-listen!
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Ladies and gentlemen. The story you're about to hear is true.
The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Drag Met.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You're a detective sergeant. You are assigned the burglary detail.
For the past several weeks, a gang has been breaking
into neighborhood stores. Routine investigation fails to turn up any
kind of elief. Your job find one.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Drag Met the documented drama of an actual crime. For
the next thirty minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles
Police Department, you will travel step by step on the
side of the law through an actual case. Transcribed from
official police fire, from beginning to end, from crime to punishment.
Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
It was Tuesday, March twentieth. It was cold in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch out a burgerary detail.
My partner's Frank Smith, the boss's captain Benard. My name
is Friday. Ran our way out from the office and
it was nine forty seven am when we got to
the third floor of the Bell al Arms Hotel, Room
three fourteen. Sure, dark, i'manna try it again. Yeah, sounds
(01:33):
like somebody's moving around. Yeah, who you're jet nagle. Eh,
why police officers would like to talk to you?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I ain't done nothing wrong. There's no reason to rouse me.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
A wan open the door, all right, come on in.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
I just got up.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Yeah you were alone.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yes, there's nobody else, Frank, Yeah that's the bathroom. My
cold is the wasn't anybody else here?
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Well? You don't mind if we look around? Do you?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
I do too mine? I don't like your cops coming around.
They gonna run my reputation. People who are building gonna
thank your friends.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
When I'll tell you, we won't tell 'em. If you
don't m what do you want? Anyway? We got a
report that you were down in East Fifth last night?
Is that right?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Oh? I don't know all last night's kind of foggy.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I don't remember where I was exactly. You remember being downtown?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I told you I didn't. Why what are you trying
to lay off on me? Now?
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Places clean? John?
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Well, I told you it was. Now you wanna fill
me in on what this is all about?
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I would like to know what you were doing downtown? Like?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, I know I had it rough last night.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Anybody else along with you? No? Aunt? As I remember
you remember being near the Palace liquor store.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Nod on right off, I might've checked you.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
No, I I throw.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
A lot of business there a way? Why all the questions?
Is there something wrong?
Speaker 1 (02:50):
We'd like to have you tell us.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
I like to help out, but there ain't nothing I
can do.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
We gotta field interrogation report that you were in the area.
Police cars stopped and shook you down, isn't it right?
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Ain't nothing new. I've always getten stopped.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
You have been arrested, couple or charge junk at all?
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Yes, Devon stood anything advocat and drunk ever do any
big time?
Speaker 1 (03:14):
No.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
A couple of months past day went.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Up to take the cure, didn't hold on? Did it?
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Well?
Speaker 1 (03:20):
No? Oh well.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
You uh you don't have to have an aspirin? Do
you know?
Speaker 1 (03:25):
We don't.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
How about your friend here?
Speaker 1 (03:28):
He said, we didn't.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Oh that's too bad. I sure could use one. Mind
if I take a look in the bathroom, there might
be something in there to take care of my head.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Sure, go ahead, but checked your record before we came
out here, that's right. Yeah, I ain't know anything enough
to know there's a want on you for what seems
you got two wives back in Texas. They're both looking
for you. Find I come on, get closing.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Yeah, you wanna tell me what this is really about?
What they didn't send two plain clothes cops down here
to take me in on the bigger may charge.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
What's a real pitch? It was a burglary last night.
I wondered if you had anything to do with it.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Burglar that's right, het me. I haven't got the guts
to get into something like that. That's what caused all
the trouble.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
No, woman, what's that?
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Oh? Them all the time telling me I should get
off the dime and do something morn and noon and night,
all the time running off of the mountain out of
high I was lazy. I can't expect the man to
take much of that. Get your clothes on and send
me back to Texas.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
We don't know what's gonna happen. We just have to
take you in. Yeah, I sure hope I don't go back.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Woman's nothing but trouble, missed to nothing else.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
You remember, it must not bother you much. Huh, You're
married to 'em. Jed Nagel was taken to the main
jail and held for the Texas authorities. A check of
his actions on the previous night showed that he couldn't
have committed the burglaries. Eleven thirty am, Frank and I
checked by the office and then we went over to
the crime lab. Ray Pinker would just finishing up his
(05:00):
investigation on in Joe, right, how's it going right? Yeah,
just wrapping it that if you got.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Any force, same as you had on the lancet three jobs. Yeah,
pictures are there to take a look. Ye, No, they're
still a little damp.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Yeah. This is the entrance.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Huh uh.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yeah, he went through the wall from the barber shop
into the bar.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
How'd they get in there? Barber shop?
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Yeah, he was the jimmy on the back window and
lined in went to work in the wall.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
I don't know why they didn't go right into the bar.
Places covered with an alarm system. Joe.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
Here, this is the box inside. Yeah, as they turned
it off after they got empty place. Do you get
any prints? Nope, went over all the windows, safe bar
it cell didn't turn up anything.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
He used. What about the men themselves? Can you give anything?
Speaker 4 (05:39):
I'm in must have been at least two of 'em,
might have been three.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
How'd you come up with that? Footprints?
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Oh, it kicked up a lot of plaster when they
went empto the place a lot of dust around one
of more size nine shoe and the other one had
a size seven and a half foot.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Where'd you get the third man?
Speaker 4 (05:52):
A lot more on the smaller impressions. Either the little
guy jumped around or else it was someone to help
make the prints. Anything else, right, We've got some good
pictures of Jimmy Mark's and the barbershop. If you come
up with a tool, we'll be able to match it
for you. What about to safe ry punch job?
Speaker 1 (06:06):
No class there anything on it? Mm hm? How much
they take this time?
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Owner guesses at about five thousand won the Frank, Yeah,
gives them.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
A total of what well colning the our figures a
little over twelve since they started working. It's going good,
better than they think.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
Huh.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
We've just about run out of leads, Frank, and I've
been all over time trying to scratch something up. Mit
'em work out gotta be one somepoints. Yeah. Skipper keeps
telling us that corner pockets on his back bound to bee. Yeah.
I guess so does make it any easier on us?
So you signed the implication? Yeah, well, thanks, Ray, anything
turns out to give us a call with you.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Sure, Joe, he isn't likely though you've had it. You're
going back to the office.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
Yeah. Stat's officerly have those cards for us by now.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Okay, hope they point somewhere.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Yeah, you better get in the line.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Then take it easy, Ray, Yeah, drop around sometime. I'll
pop for lunch and we get.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
This and cleaned up.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
We'll buy you got a deal. My wife will go
for that. Well, she's been asking me to lose some weight.
Uh huh, looks like it'll be a long diet.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Frank and I went back to the city hall and
checked where the stats office in the runs they'd made.
They came up with cards on seven men who were
known to have used the same method of operation in
committing burglaries. We checked the list through R and I.
Three of the possibles we're still serving sentences in San Quentin,
one of them had died and two were in Eastern jails.
The seventh, uh Norris Pauli, had a record listing four
arrests and one conviction. His address was given as forty
(07:24):
six twenty two fiftieth Street. We left the office and
went out to check on the registered listed to him
as living in an apartment twelve. We walked upstairs, should be
on the left. Huh yeah, yeah, here is I'm trying. Yeah,
that's a met up. Yeah, like to see Norris PAULI here?
(07:49):
Where is? He don't see where? That's any business of yours,
police officers. What do you want to see an eye about?
But if we talk to him about them? Ithul telf
manifence to me? Do you mind if we come in?
We can talk right out there in the hall, all right,
miss PAULI open hat, take a jump, Sadie. What's all
the noise? Lady that you old met door? We will
all right, I got away, lady, all right, Polly.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Hold it right there, You get out here.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
You got no right to break in here like this.
Oh well, just shut up, Sadie. Trying to do y'all
paper and look up. Thanks, I get well, who ask you?
I'll go on, get out of here. It's time I
try to do anything for you? What time? Yeah? Sure?
Why real harpy, always trying to take care of me.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Real harpy.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
All right, yeah no, she means good, but she does
not carry it off. Always trying to protect me. Yeah,
all you want to see me about. I want to
ask you a couple of questions. Sure, I'll go along
with you. No reason for me not to. What do
you want to know? I'll come here home. Where'd you
expect to find me? You're on parole, aren't you?
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Well you knew that before you asked the question. Supposed
to have a job, Yeah, I got one.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
I'll come. You're not working to day. I see what
you're getting at. I got a cold, kind of virus infection.
Figured I take the day off, get it all cleared up.
I was in bed when you got here. That's the
reason I had all the trouble. Your employer and know
where you are well? Sure, I called him and told him.
I'm not trying to pull any deals. I've been punching
the clock since I got out. I want to keep
it that way. Where do you work? Fucking lot downtown?
Not killing the world, But I'm paying the rent. I
got no beef. You're off t What do you mean
(09:01):
when you're not working? What do you do? Mostly? Sit
around the house, watch the TV? You go out lates? No,
not much. Maybe every couple of weeks Saty and me
go down to the Mexican place on the corner, have dinner,
taken a show. That's about it. If you've been out
this week?
Speaker 3 (09:11):
What night?
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Tell us about all of 'em? Will you no?
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Go?
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I've been home every night. Can you prove that? We'll do?
Speaker 4 (09:15):
I have to.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
It'll make you look better. Well, last, Sadie, She'll tell
you we've been home together every night, just sitting here
watching the TV. What time do you go to work?
I check in about seven when you call it four thirty.
Once in a while, if it's crowded, I stay over.
You work late this week? No, you can check that
with the boss. He'll tell you. All right, we will. Well,
what's this all about? Now? You guys are after something,
aren't you? That's right? Well, why don't you tell me
what it is? I hear stuff Once in a while
I might be able to help you out.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
You see the old crowd anymore? None?
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well, once in a while they walk down the street.
They not. I know nothing more. Now, what are you after?
Tunnel jobs? You figured I might have a piece of
that action. Huh matches the way you work? Nah, it
doesn't fit. I told you I've been with the buckets
since I got out, even with taxes. I make more.
You heard anything about who's working. Doesn't go out of
this room. We will take it. Okay, the boys found
out I was giving you information my insurance premia. Sure
(09:59):
go up fast, and don't you worry about it. Now?
What do you know?
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Our words around? There's two guys we had that going in.
They pulled three jobs on.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
They made it four. I don't know about the other one.
It'll be in the papers. Now you got a name? No,
just heard that they were working. Where'd you hear a
fella down on seventh? He sells papers down there. We
have a cup of coffee once in a while. He
told me. You know, we can get in touch with him. Yeah,
but it'd be better if you didn't though. It'll lead
right back to me.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Sadie.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Hey, wait a minute, how are you where you're going
with the suitcase? I'm leaving you?
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Oh, come on, isn't anything serious? You don't ever talk
to me? Sorry?
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Do yall favor and you take their side. I've had
it from you, bumb Oh come on, Sadie, don't be sorett.
Your hand off from me, baby, Please, don't be sold.
Can I tell you once more? Take your hand off
of me. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, say
what you go and hit me for because you're a
bumb don't go trying to get me to come back
to you.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
I'm through this time.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
It's too bad, PAULI, no, h I've been trying to
figure some way to get it or walk out since
I got out of jail. I've never been able to
do it. I sure ain't sorry. I'll buy you guys
a drink for taking care of it for me. You know,
only one thing that worries me is a big mouth.
She's always talking. She might have heard me say, ID
give you a hand? She blabs at around him in
real trouble. He didn't give us any name. That doesn't
make any difference.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
She gets to talk, and to have me telling you
the name every hoodleran in town where that gets around him.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
A gone duck. I got to get after her. Sadie
a big mouse. You're going to get me in trouble. Well, Michie,
even then, dun'm it, huh, yours kept you out of it.
Before we left the apartment, we checked Paulie's story and
verified the fact that he was not implicated in the burgeries.
We drove down to the corner of Seventh and Wild
We found a news man nor As Pauli had told
us about. We talked to him for about fifteen minutes
(11:32):
before we were able to convince him and he wouldn't
get into trouble by giving us the information that he had.
He told us what he knew about the tunnel burgeries.
He was unable to give us a name of the
suspect that he had in mind, but he did give
us a description and the nickname Kiko. With this information,
we returned to the city hall and checked the moniker file.
There were several Keikos listed, but only two that plants
the description. The first one checked got clean. The second
(11:52):
of Franklin James wig WMA, thirty three years old at
doune time in the state penitentiary as a cat burger.
We contacted the state authority and found this UIG was
on active parole. From then we got his address and
we went out to see him. It was a small,
one story modern house build in the early thirties. The
chrome railing up the front stairs was rusting in. The
paint on the front of the building was peeled with rang.
The bell and waited. Yep, your name's Wig. Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Police officers a society, Joe Friday, my name Smith.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
What do you want me to do? Why don't you
ask us in? It's all I was saying to you,
and I want to get the carpets story. Let's talk.
Come on, mister, get your coat. What for them to
talk to you about? What we'll tell you about it? Downtown?
Speaker 4 (12:25):
You make a charge or I ain't leaving the hot allright's.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Suspicion of burglery. You gotta drag that up again. We
don't make the rules. Good time once in your life
and the cops never get off your back. He should
have thought I had going in. What good would it do?
You cops never learned, Well, you're not much of an example,
are you? That? Sa that me? You're probably going back
for another course. Before we took the suspect downtown, we
made the thorough search of his home. We found nothing
(12:46):
to tie him in with the burglaries. He was taking
to the squad room in question for over an hour.
During that time, he'd say nothing. He was booked in
at the main jail, and Frank and I checked out
of the office the next day. Wednesday, March twenty. First,
we had him brought from the cell. We'll talk to
him in the interrogation room of the main JA.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
How long you guys think you're gonna be able to
hold me depends on when you decide to talk.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Tell you what, cop, I'll make a deal with you.
No deals. You may don't want you. We want the
guy who engineered the burglaries. Well, and why don't you
let me go? Now? I want to make sure the
story gets a play in the papers. Well, what's that
going to prove? Your friend will get worried? The figure
you're going to talk?
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Look if I was mixed up in anything, I'm not
one way or the other.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
But if I was, why should he get worried? Words
out that he's the brains and where is that from?
Speaker 2 (13:21):
All over town?
Speaker 1 (13:22):
It's not true the way we got our stories around
you and along with the ride other fellas that do
all the brain work. Who said that everybody would talk to? Well,
if everybody's talking about him, why and here instead of me?
Because he's a smart one of the pair. Somebody's got
a fall, might as well be you. People pick up
another partner. You tell me the real scam that's the
way we get it. Not true though, I only got
your word for that. All I know is if I
ever get in trouble, i'd want to make sure I
(13:43):
had a pigeon waiting to take the beef. You're here,
he's out. But you tell me who's smart. How'd you
get to me? It was in the books. I like this.
I fell for cat Burglary. Nothing to do with tunnel job.
Somebody had to blow the whistle. That's so sure. You
had no call to pick me up? Just right out
of left field you walk in. Who did it? Who
made the call? Somebody did? Somebody pointed me out. Come on,
(14:04):
I know who it was.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
You ain't gonna get him in trouble telling me somebody
told you, didn't he that's right? Oh, if it's real good, Well,
I tell you this cop, I ain't that dumb. A
lot of things I've done that I don't want anybody
to know about, But I never.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Blew the whistle on a friend. That's one thing I
didn't do. All that stuff about him being the brains,
that's a lot of coconuts. He can't get into a
phone booth without help. I figured the whole deal. It
was me who said we'd had it in ort to stop.
He wanted to keep going. That's why I left the
plane was this night before last.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
After we got through, he was sore because it was
only a little over four thousand dollars in the box.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
We heard there was around ten.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
He said he wanted to make a big score before
we quit, said to go together on one more.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Told me what he wanted to do. I wanted no
part of it.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
The guy's off his rocker.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
I left what he got in mind, you know, wants
a tunnel into a bank.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
You are listening to Dragnet the authentic story of your selection.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
We continued to talk to Franklin's leg. From him, we
got a complete description of the second suspect and the
name Lester Kroll. We checked the name through our and
I and we came up with a record for him.
Listed were several arrests for perse snatching and suspicion of assault.
In spite of the arrests, Kroll hadn't served any time
in jail. We showed the mud shot in the package
to his wig and we got a positive identification. We
asked the suspect in custody where Kroll lived. He gave
(15:33):
us an address on South figure of but when we
checked there we found that Kroll had left without giving
a forwarding address. We talked to all of the people
listed in this package as having known the suspect. None
of them could or would tell us where the man was.
We questioned Franklin's wig further, but he was unable to
tell us what bank Kroll had in mind. We contacted
Vernaum of the Bank of America, Frank Stump for the
security First National, and other special agents of Southern California Banks.
(15:54):
They in turn notified the branch managers to be on
the lookout for evidence of Kroll working in their neighborhoods.
Specially m old bullets were put out to all officers
in the city giving particulars on the methods of suspect
was known to use. In addition to these, local broadcasts
and apbs were gotten out on all suspects. For a week,
the search dragged on. During that time, there were no
further reports of attempted tunnelings and no sign of Lester Kroll. Friday,
(16:15):
much thirtieth eight or one AM, I checked into the office.
Frank was waiting for me. I want Old Boddy all right, Frank,
beautiful day. Huh. And it's a little cold out. Yeah,
but it doesn't make any difference to you. No, no, buddy, no, no,
it doesn't.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
It feelingly different.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Hmmm. It feeling different today than you did yesterday. But
you are right. Never felt better? How about you, old body? Yeah,
I'm fine.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Hat.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Just a minute, I know what's wrong you do? Huh? Yeah?
You didn't think i'd forget, did you listen? I don't
even know what you're talking. No, come on, old buddy,
just a minute, I'll get it. Got it right over here,
right up on the top of the shelf. Rot didn't myself? Hey,
I Joel wrapped it myself too. Looks pretty good. Yeah, yeah,
(17:00):
I guess it does.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
I didn't have nothing to put on the top, so
I found a couple of Christmas tree ornaments.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Put 'em on with a ribbon. That's nice. Come on,
go dig down in there. Well, what is it?
Speaker 4 (17:11):
Go ahead, open it up? Got him yesterday after lunch.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Thought I was never gonna get you out of the way.
Remember when I told you I was going out to
buy a new hat. Remember you know, Frank, I think
maybe you made a little mistake. Oh, just take the
top right off the box, Joe, open it right up,
all right there? What do you think were very nice? Frank? Hey,
(17:38):
you bet police line slippers. Gotta pair myself. Greatest thing
in the world, the cold morning. Keep your feet warm, Joe,
police is warm, you know. Yeah, I gotta pair myself
to see the card. His card there, open it up,
go on, read it, Go ahead, out loud. Sure, this
(18:00):
is the day that comes once a year, the day
your face does shine. A happy day for one and all.
Because today you're nine doesn't match too good. I guess
it's all I had at the shoe store. Happy birthday, Joe.
You know, I just don't know what to say. Frank, Well,
I know how you feel, old buddy, I understand you
(18:21):
all kind of choked up. Huh, yes, so I am.
This isn't my birthday. You know how you choked up?
Speaker 3 (18:27):
Huh?
Speaker 1 (18:28):
This is not my birthday. Frank. Well, that's a thirtieth,
isn't it. March thirtieth? Yeah, my birthday's August thirtieth. My
Wait a minute, buddy, it can't you. I gotta ride here.
I'm a little book. Wait a minute, see see you
right here? Uh, March thirtieth Joe's birthday, I wrote tap myself.
You know my handwriting March thirtieth. Yeah, you get the
(18:49):
date right, but it's not mine. You kidding me, Frank,
I know my own birthday. Huh. It's funny. Must be
somebody who do I know? Named Joe. Now, I got
a sure Burgury Friday. Yeah, sir, it's thirty. That's right.
(19:09):
Where is that? I see? All right, sir, We'll be
right out, yes, sir, right away. Come on, old buddy.
We got on to roll on August thirty. Huh, I say,
we got a roll. Let's go bury over at the
Street Department. And I got a call this morning. Yeah,
looks like somebody's trying to dig a tunnel on the
storm drain. Frank and I left the office and we
(19:30):
drove over to the corner of Silver Lake Boulevard and
McCallum Street. We met with Barry Falcon of the Street Department.
He led us to a manhole in the middle of
the intersection. He told us that there had been numerous
complaints from citizens in the area that the cover on
the outlet kept rattling. When the Street Department checked it,
they found that the cushiony material around the metal plate
had been removed. It was replaced, but the next day
there were several more calls. When the neighbors were questioned,
(19:51):
they told of a man who arrived in a pickup
truck about two thirty in the morning. He'd lift the
cover and entered the storm drain. Before the daylight hours,
he'd leave, and he'd drive away. From the description they gave,
it was possible if the repairman was from the street
maintenance department, but a check of their record showed that
no crews were working in that area. After talking with Falcon,
Frank and I climbed down the ladder into the drain.
We walked about twenty feet up the tunnel and we
(20:12):
found the reason that we'd been called Barry. Tell you
what's over us?
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Well there as we can figure, it's the vault in
the bank.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
And sure as a kid bollays over here. All equipment, lamps,
couple of drills. Yeah, he's not gonna be able to
use him unless he ties into an electric line. Sound
like we'll probably figure he'd go an into one. And
what's that over there in the car. We'll take a look.
(20:40):
I didn't see it. Better leave it alone. What do
you got. We've set it all figured. What do you
mean the bottle over there? Yeah, looks like Natri Glissers.
The people in the immediate vicinity were showing the mud
shots of Lester Crow. It was positively identified as the
man who had worked in the storm drain. He asked
about the truck, but none of the people could give
(21:01):
us a good description of it. The employees in the
bank were cautioned and Frank and Iren's for twenty four
hours surveillance to be set up on the storm drained outlet.
Two days passed without activity, and then on Monday, April third,
we waited in their car down the street from the
intersection two twenty am. I a cup of coffee? Joe, Yeah,
wouldn't be bad. Oh sure gets cold this time of
(21:24):
the morning. Say, I finally figured it out. What do
you mean? Who Joe was? What's that here? God's hot? Yeah?
Thank you Joe. You know the name in my book?
The birthday? Yeah, it's our mail man, it's our mail man.
It was his birthday. I got in one of those
cars that says we're sorry, we forgot, you know, the
(21:45):
kind They gave him the car and the cart and cigarettes,
old Joe sure got a kick out of it. Yeah, sure,
it gets cold this time in the morning. Take a look, Yeah,
I see it parking there. You see his face from here?
We like it's uh right, you even got a hook
(22:09):
for the man whole cover.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
How do you like that?
Speaker 1 (22:11):
Watch it? Now he's going under the light. That's him. Well, alright,
let's let him get down in the storm drain. That way,
we'll be able to get him while he's working. Fright,
let him get in there. Okay, okay, let's go. And
(22:31):
you wanna give me a hand on the cover yet, Look,
let's go alright, Okay, I hold it up. I'm gonna
give him a chance to get to work. Yeah, uh huh, okay,
(23:00):
let's go, come on, right, you sure not waste any time.
Probably figures I'm making a break this morning. Uh huh?
Was it easy? Now? Right? He seemed good? Now, I'm
sure going after it, like, come on, let's take him by, right,
(23:22):
come on, how about it? He's dead. Look at that
see up there, he ran into one of the power
lines into the bank. Yeah he almost made it, Joe.
A couple of more nches he'd had gotten in. Yeah,
he must have figured wrong. Someplace, made a mistake somewhere. Yeah,
(23:44):
when he bought that drill? Uh how long? By uh?
How long? The story you have just heard is true.
The names were changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
On August sixteenth, trial was held in Department ninety seven,
Superior Court of the State of California in and for
the County of Los Angeles. In a moment the results
of that trial, Franklin James Wig was tried and convicted
(24:19):
of burglary in the second degree three counts and received
sentence As prescribed by law. Burglary in the second degree
is punishable by imprisonment for a period of not less
than one nor more than fifteen years in the state penitentiary.
At a coroner's inquest, the death of Lester Bruce Crohle
was found to be accidental, occurring while in the commission
of a felony. You have just heard Dragnet a series
(24:49):
of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from
the Office of Chief of Police W. H. Parker, Los
Angeles Police Department.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
The play say they
Ladies and gentlemen. The story you're about to hear is true.
The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Drag Met.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
You're a detective sergeant. You are assigned the burglary detail.
For the past several weeks, a gang has been breaking
into neighborhood stores. Routine investigation fails to turn up any
kind of elief. Your job find one.
Speaker 2 (00:46):
Drag Met the documented drama of an actual crime. For
the next thirty minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles
Police Department, you will travel step by step on the
side of the law through an actual case. Transcribed from
official police fire, from beginning to end, from crime to punishment.
Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
It was Tuesday, March twentieth. It was cold in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch out a burgerary detail.
My partner's Frank Smith, the boss's captain Benard. My name
is Friday. Ran our way out from the office and
it was nine forty seven am when we got to
the third floor of the Bell al Arms Hotel, Room
three fourteen. Sure, dark, i'manna try it again. Yeah, sounds
(01:33):
like somebody's moving around. Yeah, who you're jet nagle. Eh,
why police officers would like to talk to you?
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I ain't done nothing wrong. There's no reason to rouse me.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
A wan open the door, all right, come on in.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
I just got up.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
Yeah you were alone.
Speaker 3 (01:54):
Yes, there's nobody else, Frank, Yeah that's the bathroom. My
cold is the wasn't anybody else here?
Speaker 1 (02:01):
Well? You don't mind if we look around? Do you?
Speaker 3 (02:02):
I do too mine? I don't like your cops coming around.
They gonna run my reputation. People who are building gonna
thank your friends.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
When I'll tell you, we won't tell 'em. If you
don't m what do you want? Anyway? We got a
report that you were down in East Fifth last night?
Is that right?
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Oh? I don't know all last night's kind of foggy.
Speaker 1 (02:19):
I don't remember where I was exactly. You remember being downtown?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
I told you I didn't. Why what are you trying
to lay off on me? Now?
Speaker 1 (02:27):
Places clean? John?
Speaker 3 (02:28):
Well, I told you it was. Now you wanna fill
me in on what this is all about?
Speaker 1 (02:32):
I would like to know what you were doing downtown? Like?
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Well, I know I had it rough last night.
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Anybody else along with you? No? Aunt? As I remember
you remember being near the Palace liquor store.
Speaker 3 (02:42):
Nod on right off, I might've checked you.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
No, I I throw.
Speaker 3 (02:46):
A lot of business there a way? Why all the questions?
Is there something wrong?
Speaker 1 (02:50):
We'd like to have you tell us.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
I like to help out, but there ain't nothing I
can do.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
We gotta field interrogation report that you were in the area.
Police cars stopped and shook you down, isn't it right?
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Ain't nothing new. I've always getten stopped.
Speaker 1 (03:03):
You have been arrested, couple or charge junk at all?
Speaker 3 (03:08):
Yes, Devon stood anything advocat and drunk ever do any
big time?
Speaker 1 (03:14):
No.
Speaker 3 (03:14):
A couple of months past day went.
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Up to take the cure, didn't hold on? Did it?
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Well?
Speaker 1 (03:20):
No? Oh well.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
You uh you don't have to have an aspirin? Do
you know?
Speaker 1 (03:25):
We don't.
Speaker 3 (03:27):
How about your friend here?
Speaker 1 (03:28):
He said, we didn't.
Speaker 3 (03:29):
Oh that's too bad. I sure could use one. Mind
if I take a look in the bathroom, there might
be something in there to take care of my head.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
Sure, go ahead, but checked your record before we came
out here, that's right. Yeah, I ain't know anything enough
to know there's a want on you for what seems
you got two wives back in Texas. They're both looking
for you. Find I come on, get closing.
Speaker 3 (03:56):
Yeah, you wanna tell me what this is really about?
What they didn't send two plain clothes cops down here
to take me in on the bigger may charge.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
What's a real pitch? It was a burglary last night.
I wondered if you had anything to do with it.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Burglar that's right, het me. I haven't got the guts
to get into something like that. That's what caused all
the trouble.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
No, woman, what's that?
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Oh? Them all the time telling me I should get
off the dime and do something morn and noon and night,
all the time running off of the mountain out of
high I was lazy. I can't expect the man to
take much of that. Get your clothes on and send
me back to Texas.
Speaker 1 (04:33):
We don't know what's gonna happen. We just have to
take you in. Yeah, I sure hope I don't go back.
Speaker 3 (04:38):
Woman's nothing but trouble, missed to nothing else.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
You remember, it must not bother you much. Huh, You're
married to 'em. Jed Nagel was taken to the main
jail and held for the Texas authorities. A check of
his actions on the previous night showed that he couldn't
have committed the burglaries. Eleven thirty am, Frank and I
checked by the office and then we went over to
the crime lab. Ray Pinker would just finishing up his
(05:00):
investigation on in Joe, right, how's it going right? Yeah,
just wrapping it that if you got.
Speaker 4 (05:06):
Any force, same as you had on the lancet three jobs. Yeah,
pictures are there to take a look. Ye, No, they're
still a little damp.
Speaker 1 (05:12):
Yeah. This is the entrance.
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Huh uh.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Yeah, he went through the wall from the barber shop
into the bar.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
How'd they get in there? Barber shop?
Speaker 4 (05:19):
Yeah, he was the jimmy on the back window and
lined in went to work in the wall.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
I don't know why they didn't go right into the bar.
Places covered with an alarm system. Joe.
Speaker 4 (05:27):
Here, this is the box inside. Yeah, as they turned
it off after they got empty place. Do you get
any prints? Nope, went over all the windows, safe bar
it cell didn't turn up anything.
Speaker 1 (05:36):
He used. What about the men themselves? Can you give anything?
Speaker 4 (05:39):
I'm in must have been at least two of 'em,
might have been three.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
How'd you come up with that? Footprints?
Speaker 4 (05:44):
Oh, it kicked up a lot of plaster when they
went empto the place a lot of dust around one
of more size nine shoe and the other one had
a size seven and a half foot.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Where'd you get the third man?
Speaker 4 (05:52):
A lot more on the smaller impressions. Either the little
guy jumped around or else it was someone to help
make the prints. Anything else, right, We've got some good
pictures of Jimmy Mark's and the barbershop. If you come
up with a tool, we'll be able to match it
for you. What about to safe ry punch job?
Speaker 1 (06:06):
No class there anything on it? Mm hm? How much
they take this time?
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Owner guesses at about five thousand won the Frank, Yeah,
gives them.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
A total of what well colning the our figures a
little over twelve since they started working. It's going good,
better than they think.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
Huh.
Speaker 1 (06:20):
We've just about run out of leads, Frank, and I've
been all over time trying to scratch something up. Mit
'em work out gotta be one somepoints. Yeah. Skipper keeps
telling us that corner pockets on his back bound to bee. Yeah.
I guess so does make it any easier on us?
So you signed the implication? Yeah, well, thanks, Ray, anything
turns out to give us a call with you.
Speaker 4 (06:37):
Sure, Joe, he isn't likely though you've had it. You're
going back to the office.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
Yeah. Stat's officerly have those cards for us by now.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
Okay, hope they point somewhere.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Yeah, you better get in the line.
Speaker 4 (06:46):
Then take it easy, Ray, Yeah, drop around sometime. I'll
pop for lunch and we get.
Speaker 1 (06:50):
This and cleaned up.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
We'll buy you got a deal. My wife will go
for that. Well, she's been asking me to lose some weight.
Uh huh, looks like it'll be a long diet.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Frank and I went back to the city hall and
checked where the stats office in the runs they'd made.
They came up with cards on seven men who were
known to have used the same method of operation in
committing burglaries. We checked the list through R and I.
Three of the possibles we're still serving sentences in San Quentin,
one of them had died and two were in Eastern jails.
The seventh, uh Norris Pauli, had a record listing four
arrests and one conviction. His address was given as forty
(07:24):
six twenty two fiftieth Street. We left the office and
went out to check on the registered listed to him
as living in an apartment twelve. We walked upstairs, should be
on the left. Huh yeah, yeah, here is I'm trying. Yeah,
that's a met up. Yeah, like to see Norris PAULI here?
(07:49):
Where is? He don't see where? That's any business of yours,
police officers. What do you want to see an eye about?
But if we talk to him about them? Ithul telf
manifence to me? Do you mind if we come in?
We can talk right out there in the hall, all right,
miss PAULI open hat, take a jump, Sadie. What's all
the noise? Lady that you old met door? We will
all right, I got away, lady, all right, Polly.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
Hold it right there, You get out here.
Speaker 1 (08:08):
You got no right to break in here like this.
Oh well, just shut up, Sadie. Trying to do y'all
paper and look up. Thanks, I get well, who ask you?
I'll go on, get out of here. It's time I
try to do anything for you? What time? Yeah? Sure?
Why real harpy, always trying to take care of me.
Speaker 3 (08:22):
Real harpy.
Speaker 1 (08:22):
All right, yeah no, she means good, but she does
not carry it off. Always trying to protect me. Yeah,
all you want to see me about. I want to
ask you a couple of questions. Sure, I'll go along
with you. No reason for me not to. What do
you want to know? I'll come here home. Where'd you
expect to find me? You're on parole, aren't you?
Speaker 4 (08:36):
Well you knew that before you asked the question. Supposed
to have a job, Yeah, I got one.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
I'll come. You're not working to day. I see what
you're getting at. I got a cold, kind of virus infection.
Figured I take the day off, get it all cleared up.
I was in bed when you got here. That's the
reason I had all the trouble. Your employer and know
where you are well? Sure, I called him and told him.
I'm not trying to pull any deals. I've been punching
the clock since I got out. I want to keep
it that way. Where do you work? Fucking lot downtown?
Not killing the world, But I'm paying the rent. I
got no beef. You're off t What do you mean
(09:01):
when you're not working? What do you do? Mostly? Sit
around the house, watch the TV? You go out lates? No,
not much. Maybe every couple of weeks Saty and me
go down to the Mexican place on the corner, have dinner,
taken a show. That's about it. If you've been out
this week?
Speaker 3 (09:11):
What night?
Speaker 1 (09:11):
Tell us about all of 'em? Will you no?
Speaker 3 (09:13):
Go?
Speaker 1 (09:13):
I've been home every night. Can you prove that? We'll do?
Speaker 4 (09:15):
I have to.
Speaker 1 (09:16):
It'll make you look better. Well, last, Sadie, She'll tell
you we've been home together every night, just sitting here
watching the TV. What time do you go to work?
I check in about seven when you call it four thirty.
Once in a while, if it's crowded, I stay over.
You work late this week? No, you can check that
with the boss. He'll tell you. All right, we will. Well,
what's this all about? Now? You guys are after something,
aren't you? That's right? Well, why don't you tell me
what it is? I hear stuff Once in a while
I might be able to help you out.
Speaker 3 (09:36):
You see the old crowd anymore? None?
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Well, once in a while they walk down the street.
They not. I know nothing more. Now, what are you after?
Tunnel jobs? You figured I might have a piece of
that action. Huh matches the way you work? Nah, it
doesn't fit. I told you I've been with the buckets
since I got out, even with taxes. I make more.
You heard anything about who's working. Doesn't go out of
this room. We will take it. Okay, the boys found
out I was giving you information my insurance premia. Sure
(09:59):
go up fast, and don't you worry about it. Now?
What do you know?
Speaker 4 (10:02):
Our words around? There's two guys we had that going in.
They pulled three jobs on.
Speaker 1 (10:05):
They made it four. I don't know about the other one.
It'll be in the papers. Now you got a name? No,
just heard that they were working. Where'd you hear a
fella down on seventh? He sells papers down there. We
have a cup of coffee once in a while. He
told me. You know, we can get in touch with him. Yeah,
but it'd be better if you didn't though. It'll lead
right back to me.
Speaker 3 (10:21):
Sadie.
Speaker 1 (10:22):
Hey, wait a minute, how are you where you're going
with the suitcase? I'm leaving you?
Speaker 3 (10:25):
Oh, come on, isn't anything serious? You don't ever talk
to me? Sorry?
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Do yall favor and you take their side. I've had
it from you, bumb Oh come on, Sadie, don't be sorett.
Your hand off from me, baby, Please, don't be sold.
Can I tell you once more? Take your hand off
of me. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, say
what you go and hit me for because you're a
bumb don't go trying to get me to come back
to you.
Speaker 3 (10:46):
I'm through this time.
Speaker 1 (10:49):
It's too bad, PAULI, no, h I've been trying to
figure some way to get it or walk out since
I got out of jail. I've never been able to
do it. I sure ain't sorry. I'll buy you guys
a drink for taking care of it for me. You know,
only one thing that worries me is a big mouth.
She's always talking. She might have heard me say, ID
give you a hand? She blabs at around him in
real trouble. He didn't give us any name. That doesn't
make any difference.
Speaker 4 (11:06):
She gets to talk, and to have me telling you
the name every hoodleran in town where that gets around him.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
A gone duck. I got to get after her. Sadie
a big mouse. You're going to get me in trouble. Well, Michie,
even then, dun'm it, huh, yours kept you out of it.
Before we left the apartment, we checked Paulie's story and
verified the fact that he was not implicated in the burgeries.
We drove down to the corner of Seventh and Wild
We found a news man nor As Pauli had told
us about. We talked to him for about fifteen minutes
(11:32):
before we were able to convince him and he wouldn't
get into trouble by giving us the information that he had.
He told us what he knew about the tunnel burgeries.
He was unable to give us a name of the
suspect that he had in mind, but he did give
us a description and the nickname Kiko. With this information,
we returned to the city hall and checked the moniker file.
There were several Keikos listed, but only two that plants
the description. The first one checked got clean. The second
(11:52):
of Franklin James wig WMA, thirty three years old at
doune time in the state penitentiary as a cat burger.
We contacted the state authority and found this UIG was
on active parole. From then we got his address and
we went out to see him. It was a small,
one story modern house build in the early thirties. The
chrome railing up the front stairs was rusting in. The
paint on the front of the building was peeled with rang.
The bell and waited. Yep, your name's Wig. Yeah, that's right.
Speaker 4 (12:13):
Police officers a society, Joe Friday, my name Smith.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
What do you want me to do? Why don't you
ask us in? It's all I was saying to you,
and I want to get the carpets story. Let's talk.
Come on, mister, get your coat. What for them to
talk to you about? What we'll tell you about it? Downtown?
Speaker 4 (12:25):
You make a charge or I ain't leaving the hot allright's.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
Suspicion of burglery. You gotta drag that up again. We
don't make the rules. Good time once in your life
and the cops never get off your back. He should
have thought I had going in. What good would it do?
You cops never learned, Well, you're not much of an example,
are you? That? Sa that me? You're probably going back
for another course. Before we took the suspect downtown, we
made the thorough search of his home. We found nothing
(12:46):
to tie him in with the burglaries. He was taking
to the squad room in question for over an hour.
During that time, he'd say nothing. He was booked in
at the main jail, and Frank and I checked out
of the office the next day. Wednesday, March twenty. First,
we had him brought from the cell. We'll talk to
him in the interrogation room of the main JA.
Speaker 4 (13:00):
How long you guys think you're gonna be able to
hold me depends on when you decide to talk.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Tell you what, cop, I'll make a deal with you.
No deals. You may don't want you. We want the
guy who engineered the burglaries. Well, and why don't you
let me go? Now? I want to make sure the
story gets a play in the papers. Well, what's that
going to prove? Your friend will get worried? The figure
you're going to talk?
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Look if I was mixed up in anything, I'm not
one way or the other.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
But if I was, why should he get worried? Words
out that he's the brains and where is that from?
Speaker 2 (13:21):
All over town?
Speaker 1 (13:22):
It's not true the way we got our stories around
you and along with the ride other fellas that do
all the brain work. Who said that everybody would talk to? Well,
if everybody's talking about him, why and here instead of me?
Because he's a smart one of the pair. Somebody's got
a fall, might as well be you. People pick up
another partner. You tell me the real scam that's the
way we get it. Not true though, I only got
your word for that. All I know is if I
ever get in trouble, i'd want to make sure I
(13:43):
had a pigeon waiting to take the beef. You're here,
he's out. But you tell me who's smart. How'd you
get to me? It was in the books. I like this.
I fell for cat Burglary. Nothing to do with tunnel job.
Somebody had to blow the whistle. That's so sure. You
had no call to pick me up? Just right out
of left field you walk in. Who did it? Who
made the call? Somebody did? Somebody pointed me out. Come on,
(14:04):
I know who it was.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
You ain't gonna get him in trouble telling me somebody
told you, didn't he that's right? Oh, if it's real good, Well,
I tell you this cop, I ain't that dumb. A
lot of things I've done that I don't want anybody
to know about, But I never.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Blew the whistle on a friend. That's one thing I
didn't do. All that stuff about him being the brains,
that's a lot of coconuts. He can't get into a
phone booth without help. I figured the whole deal. It
was me who said we'd had it in ort to stop.
He wanted to keep going. That's why I left the
plane was this night before last.
Speaker 4 (14:31):
After we got through, he was sore because it was
only a little over four thousand dollars in the box.
Speaker 1 (14:35):
We heard there was around ten.
Speaker 4 (14:36):
He said he wanted to make a big score before
we quit, said to go together on one more.
Speaker 1 (14:41):
Told me what he wanted to do. I wanted no
part of it.
Speaker 4 (14:43):
The guy's off his rocker.
Speaker 1 (14:44):
I left what he got in mind, you know, wants
a tunnel into a bank.
Speaker 2 (14:56):
You are listening to Dragnet the authentic story of your selection.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
We continued to talk to Franklin's leg. From him, we
got a complete description of the second suspect and the
name Lester Kroll. We checked the name through our and
I and we came up with a record for him.
Listed were several arrests for perse snatching and suspicion of assault.
In spite of the arrests, Kroll hadn't served any time
in jail. We showed the mud shot in the package
to his wig and we got a positive identification. We
asked the suspect in custody where Kroll lived. He gave
(15:33):
us an address on South figure of but when we
checked there we found that Kroll had left without giving
a forwarding address. We talked to all of the people
listed in this package as having known the suspect. None
of them could or would tell us where the man was.
We questioned Franklin's wig further, but he was unable to
tell us what bank Kroll had in mind. We contacted
Vernaum of the Bank of America, Frank Stump for the
security First National, and other special agents of Southern California Banks.
(15:54):
They in turn notified the branch managers to be on
the lookout for evidence of Kroll working in their neighborhoods.
Specially m old bullets were put out to all officers
in the city giving particulars on the methods of suspect
was known to use. In addition to these, local broadcasts
and apbs were gotten out on all suspects. For a week,
the search dragged on. During that time, there were no
further reports of attempted tunnelings and no sign of Lester Kroll. Friday,
(16:15):
much thirtieth eight or one AM, I checked into the office.
Frank was waiting for me. I want Old Boddy all right, Frank,
beautiful day. Huh. And it's a little cold out. Yeah,
but it doesn't make any difference to you. No, no, buddy, no, no,
it doesn't.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
It feelingly different.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Hmmm. It feeling different today than you did yesterday. But
you are right. Never felt better? How about you, old body? Yeah,
I'm fine.
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Hat.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
Just a minute, I know what's wrong you do? Huh? Yeah?
You didn't think i'd forget, did you listen? I don't
even know what you're talking. No, come on, old buddy,
just a minute, I'll get it. Got it right over here,
right up on the top of the shelf. Rot didn't myself? Hey,
I Joel wrapped it myself too. Looks pretty good. Yeah, yeah,
(17:00):
I guess it does.
Speaker 4 (17:01):
I didn't have nothing to put on the top, so
I found a couple of Christmas tree ornaments.
Speaker 1 (17:05):
Put 'em on with a ribbon. That's nice. Come on,
go dig down in there. Well, what is it?
Speaker 4 (17:11):
Go ahead, open it up? Got him yesterday after lunch.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Thought I was never gonna get you out of the way.
Remember when I told you I was going out to
buy a new hat. Remember you know, Frank, I think
maybe you made a little mistake. Oh, just take the
top right off the box, Joe, open it right up,
all right there? What do you think were very nice? Frank? Hey,
(17:38):
you bet police line slippers. Gotta pair myself. Greatest thing
in the world, the cold morning. Keep your feet warm, Joe,
police is warm, you know. Yeah, I gotta pair myself
to see the card. His card there, open it up,
go on, read it, Go ahead, out loud. Sure, this
(18:00):
is the day that comes once a year, the day
your face does shine. A happy day for one and all.
Because today you're nine doesn't match too good. I guess
it's all I had at the shoe store. Happy birthday, Joe.
You know, I just don't know what to say. Frank, Well,
I know how you feel, old buddy, I understand you
(18:21):
all kind of choked up. Huh, yes, so I am.
This isn't my birthday. You know how you choked up?
Speaker 3 (18:27):
Huh?
Speaker 1 (18:28):
This is not my birthday. Frank. Well, that's a thirtieth,
isn't it. March thirtieth? Yeah, my birthday's August thirtieth. My
Wait a minute, buddy, it can't you. I gotta ride here.
I'm a little book. Wait a minute, see see you
right here? Uh, March thirtieth Joe's birthday, I wrote tap myself.
You know my handwriting March thirtieth. Yeah, you get the
(18:49):
date right, but it's not mine. You kidding me, Frank,
I know my own birthday. Huh. It's funny. Must be
somebody who do I know? Named Joe. Now, I got
a sure Burgury Friday. Yeah, sir, it's thirty. That's right.
(19:09):
Where is that? I see? All right, sir, We'll be
right out, yes, sir, right away. Come on, old buddy.
We got on to roll on August thirty. Huh, I say,
we got a roll. Let's go bury over at the
Street Department. And I got a call this morning. Yeah,
looks like somebody's trying to dig a tunnel on the
storm drain. Frank and I left the office and we
(19:30):
drove over to the corner of Silver Lake Boulevard and
McCallum Street. We met with Barry Falcon of the Street Department.
He led us to a manhole in the middle of
the intersection. He told us that there had been numerous
complaints from citizens in the area that the cover on
the outlet kept rattling. When the Street Department checked it,
they found that the cushiony material around the metal plate
had been removed. It was replaced, but the next day
there were several more calls. When the neighbors were questioned,
(19:51):
they told of a man who arrived in a pickup
truck about two thirty in the morning. He'd lift the
cover and entered the storm drain. Before the daylight hours,
he'd leave, and he'd drive away. From the description they gave,
it was possible if the repairman was from the street
maintenance department, but a check of their record showed that
no crews were working in that area. After talking with Falcon,
Frank and I climbed down the ladder into the drain.
We walked about twenty feet up the tunnel and we
(20:12):
found the reason that we'd been called Barry. Tell you
what's over us?
Speaker 4 (20:17):
Well there as we can figure, it's the vault in
the bank.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
And sure as a kid bollays over here. All equipment, lamps,
couple of drills. Yeah, he's not gonna be able to
use him unless he ties into an electric line. Sound
like we'll probably figure he'd go an into one. And
what's that over there in the car. We'll take a look.
(20:40):
I didn't see it. Better leave it alone. What do
you got. We've set it all figured. What do you
mean the bottle over there? Yeah, looks like Natri Glissers.
The people in the immediate vicinity were showing the mud
shots of Lester Crow. It was positively identified as the
man who had worked in the storm drain. He asked
about the truck, but none of the people could give
(21:01):
us a good description of it. The employees in the
bank were cautioned and Frank and Iren's for twenty four
hours surveillance to be set up on the storm drained outlet.
Two days passed without activity, and then on Monday, April third,
we waited in their car down the street from the
intersection two twenty am. I a cup of coffee? Joe, Yeah,
wouldn't be bad. Oh sure gets cold this time of
(21:24):
the morning. Say, I finally figured it out. What do
you mean? Who Joe was? What's that here? God's hot? Yeah?
Thank you Joe. You know the name in my book?
The birthday? Yeah, it's our mail man, it's our mail man.
It was his birthday. I got in one of those
cars that says we're sorry, we forgot, you know, the
(21:45):
kind They gave him the car and the cart and cigarettes,
old Joe sure got a kick out of it. Yeah, sure,
it gets cold this time in the morning. Take a look, Yeah,
I see it parking there. You see his face from here?
We like it's uh right, you even got a hook
(22:09):
for the man whole cover.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
How do you like that?
Speaker 1 (22:11):
Watch it? Now he's going under the light. That's him. Well, alright,
let's let him get down in the storm drain. That way,
we'll be able to get him while he's working. Fright,
let him get in there. Okay, okay, let's go. And
(22:31):
you wanna give me a hand on the cover yet, Look,
let's go alright, Okay, I hold it up. I'm gonna
give him a chance to get to work. Yeah, uh huh, okay,
(23:00):
let's go, come on, right, you sure not waste any time.
Probably figures I'm making a break this morning. Uh huh?
Was it easy? Now? Right? He seemed good? Now, I'm
sure going after it, like, come on, let's take him by, right,
(23:22):
come on, how about it? He's dead. Look at that
see up there, he ran into one of the power
lines into the bank. Yeah he almost made it, Joe.
A couple of more nches he'd had gotten in. Yeah,
he must have figured wrong. Someplace, made a mistake somewhere. Yeah,
(23:44):
when he bought that drill? Uh how long? By uh?
How long? The story you have just heard is true.
The names were changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
On August sixteenth, trial was held in Department ninety seven,
Superior Court of the State of California in and for
the County of Los Angeles. In a moment the results
of that trial, Franklin James Wig was tried and convicted
(24:19):
of burglary in the second degree three counts and received
sentence As prescribed by law. Burglary in the second degree
is punishable by imprisonment for a period of not less
than one nor more than fifteen years in the state penitentiary.
At a coroner's inquest, the death of Lester Bruce Crohle
was found to be accidental, occurring while in the commission
of a felony. You have just heard Dragnet a series
(24:49):
of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from
the Office of Chief of Police W. H. Parker, Los
Angeles Police Department.
Speaker 1 (25:01):
The play say they
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