October 9, 2025 • 32 mins
Todays Mystery: Friday and Romero are called in to investigate the kidnapping of a local businessman
Original Radio Broadcast Date:July 26, 1951
Originating from Hollywood
Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero, Barney Phillips
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Join us again on Monday for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
Original Radio Broadcast Date:July 26, 1951
Originating from Hollywood
Starred: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero, Barney Phillips
Support the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.net
Patreon Supporter of the Day: RealUdonNoodle, Patreon supporter since December 2024.
Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.
Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715
Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook.
Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives
Follow us on Twitter@radiodetectives
Join us again on Monday for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're
going to bring you this week's episode of Dragon It.
But first I do want to encourage you. If you're
enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
(00:49):
And today's program is brought to you in part by
the financial support of our listeners. You can support the
show on a one time basis by mailing a donation
to Adam Graham Pillbot one five nine one three that's
peelbox one five nine thirteen Boise, Aldaho eight three seven
one five, and you can also become one of our
(01:09):
ongoing Patreon supporters for his little last two dollars per
month at Patreon dot Great Detectives dot nem now. From
July twenty sixth, nineteen fifty one, here is the Big
Light script.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
The story you were about to hear is true, only
the names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're
a detective sergeant here assigned to homicide detail. A well
known business manager city disappears suddenly from his home. He's
(01:52):
seen driving away from the house and the company of
two unidentified men there's no explanation for it.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Your job find him.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
Drag Net the documented drama of an actual crime. Well
the next thirty minutes, in cooperation of 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 buyos, from beginning to end, from crime to punishment.
Dragnet is the story of your police force.
Speaker 5 (02:29):
In action.
Speaker 6 (02:33):
Was Wednesday, October tenth. That was mild in Los Angeles.
We were working the night Watch out of homicide detail.
My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Lrmon. My
name's Friday. I was on the way back from the
record Bureau and it was ten thirty eight pm when
I got to Room forty two Homicide.
Speaker 7 (02:52):
Hey, Ben Romero, that here Joe Captain's office.
Speaker 5 (02:55):
Oh yeah, come Joe, sit down, Thank you? I got
your call. What's it all about?
Speaker 7 (03:03):
Your clothes? A good Niam skipper. You want to breathe him.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
It's a man by the name of Tony Richmond.
Speaker 8 (03:07):
He disappeared from his house tonight show looks like it
might be foul play.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Tony Richmond name sounds off from internet.
Speaker 7 (03:13):
It runs a couple of garages around time promote the
sports events.
Speaker 9 (03:16):
On the side.
Speaker 5 (03:17):
Sure, what's the story on him?
Speaker 8 (03:19):
Here's the way we got it from Richmond's wife. He
was at home tonight. The whole family was sitting in
the back room looking at television. Richmond, his wife, two children,
and his father in law.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (03:28):
About nine o'clock the doorbell rang. Richmond went to answer it.
He hasn't been seen since. Yeah, that's right. Missus Richmond
said she thought she heard a little loud talking at
the front door and didn't pay any attention to it.
Her husband didn't come back. She went to have a look.
Front door was wide open, her husband was gone. No
explanation for it at all.
Speaker 7 (03:45):
One of the Richmond's neighbors were sitting by a front
wind at the time, and Missus Sandford, she said, she's
a mist Richmond come down the front steps about that time,
one man on either side of him. He got the
idea Richmond didn't want to go with him. Is there
any description on the two men, it's incomplete. The neighbors said.
Speaker 8 (04:00):
She wasn't sure, but it looked at her like the
two men pushed Richmond in a dark colored sedan and
drove off.
Speaker 7 (04:05):
Not much description on the car either, Joe, Oh, where's
that leave us?
Speaker 8 (04:09):
We're not positive there's anything wrong yet, there's a possibility
there's nothing more than a misunderstanding.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
How do you figure it? We got a couple of
men out at the Richmond's house.
Speaker 9 (04:16):
Now.
Speaker 8 (04:16):
The wife told him that mister Richmond had a business
appointment at ten o'clock tonight.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
She didn't know where with whom would have been with
those two men.
Speaker 6 (04:25):
Didn't sound quite right though, I mean walking out without
even telling his wife.
Speaker 8 (04:30):
Something else to consider. Wife said that when Richmond went
to answer the front door, he was in his shirt sleeves,
you know. When the neighbors saw him come down the
stairs with the two men. She said he had his
coat on. Those two guys were.
Speaker 5 (04:40):
Gonna grab him off. They wouldn't wait for him to
get his coat. Yeah, how's this stand out?
Speaker 7 (04:44):
He got out of broadcast on a description of the
two men in the car. Not an awful lot to
go on. No license number.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
Anybody in particular who might have had it in for Richmond.
Speaker 8 (04:52):
Is there anything like that? No, not that we know
of so far. Dressed pretty well, obviously had money, wore
quite a bit of.
Speaker 5 (04:58):
Jewelry, well, what have you got lined up for?
Speaker 8 (05:02):
I've got Barrett and Tommy Bryant standing by at the
Richmond's house now still checking her out with Richmond's friends,
some of his business associates.
Speaker 9 (05:09):
Nothing so far.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
Excuse me sure on a side Loman? Yeah, Tom.
Speaker 8 (05:17):
That when yeah, right away, you know what to do.
Keep in touch, right and it takes it out of
the guessing stage. That was Brian out at the Richmond house.
Missus Richmond just got a phone call a few minutes ago. Yeah,
Man's voice. He told her they were holding her husband. Well,
what's her pitch? She wants them back alive. It'll cost
twenty thousand dollars.
Speaker 6 (05:41):
As in all cases involving abduction to extort ransom, the
investigating police officers faced immediately with a dozen problems, but
first and foremost is the safe return of the victim.
When that's accomplished and the danger of death or bodily
harm to the victim is removed, the officers then have
the freedom to openly hunt down the abductor, but until
(06:02):
the time the victim is safely returned, apprehending the criminal
suspects remains a secondary consideration. Ten five pm, together with
Captain Lorman, Ben and I left the office and drove
out to the Richmond's home out in North Hollywood, the
scene of the abduction. We parked our car several blocks
away and entered the house from a back street. It
(06:24):
was a large, sprawling, ranch style home, richly landscaped. We
went inside and checked with the two men from homicide
on duty, Barrett and Bryan. They told us that there'd
been no more phone calls, anonymous or otherwise. They also
told us that so far the victim's wife, Adele Richmond,
had been hostile and uncooperative. The abductors had warned her
(06:44):
on the telephone about calling in the police. Now she
was all for paying the twenty thousand dollars ransom and
handling the case without the police. While Ben, Tommy Bryant,
and Barrett re checked the neighborhood for other possible witnesses
to the abduction, Captain Lormon and I went inside and
met the victim's wife and the victim's father in law,
Red Wellman. The wife was an attractive brunette in the
(07:06):
early thirties.
Speaker 10 (07:07):
I don't you understand, I just don't want the policemen here.
They can be watching the house right now. They'll kill
tonything or you're here.
Speaker 11 (07:14):
I know there's no use getting upset like this. It
hasn't been doing any good.
Speaker 8 (07:17):
Your father's right, ma'am. I know it's hard on you,
but getting all worked up isn't going to help much.
Speaker 10 (07:21):
I wish i'd never called you in the first place.
I can handle us. I'll pay them the money. I'll
pay them anything, as long as they bring my husband
back safe.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
Yes, ma'am, that's possible. What makes you think you can
trust those men?
Speaker 8 (07:31):
How do you know you'll get your husband back after
you pay the twenty thousand.
Speaker 10 (07:34):
That's what they told me. I talked to them on
the phone. That's what they promised me.
Speaker 6 (07:37):
Well they've promised other people too, ma'am. You give them
twenty thousand, they'll want forty. Give them just one opening.
You're going to run it into the ground. They'll take
everything they can get, and you still and have your
husband back.
Speaker 10 (07:46):
Well, there's no other way. I have to take the chance.
Speaker 5 (07:48):
I have to. There is another way, missus Richmond. That's
why we're here.
Speaker 10 (07:52):
What if it gets in the papers publicity, those men
are bound to hear about it.
Speaker 8 (07:56):
There won't be a line in the newspapers. I promise
you that as far as we're concerning the own, many
will know about it. It'll be the officers working the case.
Speaker 5 (08:02):
We'll do everything we can, ma'am, but we're gonna have
to have your cooperation.
Speaker 10 (08:05):
I don't know. If anything happens to Tom, I've got
to sit down. I can't even think. I'm so worried.
Speaker 11 (08:11):
That's it, honey, Here, you sit here. I'll get you
some coffee, good hot cup coffee.
Speaker 10 (08:15):
Would you see how the children are dead, see if
they're covered.
Speaker 11 (08:18):
Yeah, sure, honey, you just rest. You'd care for some coffee? Office?
Speaker 9 (08:22):
Thank you?
Speaker 11 (08:22):
All right?
Speaker 5 (08:24):
How about that phone call that you got, miss Richmond.
Speaker 10 (08:27):
They told me twenty thousand dollars, they get it, they'll
let Tony go.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
What else did they tell you?
Speaker 10 (08:32):
That's all they had Tony, And then if I wanted
to see the gun alive, we'd have to pay twenty
thousand dollars.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
What about the arrangements for delivering the money. Did you
discuss that at all?
Speaker 5 (08:42):
No?
Speaker 10 (08:42):
All he said was get twenty thousand dollars in small bills.
Said that too. He said he'd contact me later about
delivering the money. Officer I can't get that much money
together tonight.
Speaker 8 (08:53):
I don't think you'll have to, ma'am. I'm pretty sure
the abductors know that too.
Speaker 6 (08:57):
How about the voice on the phone, Miss Richmond, is
there any chances you might recognized it?
Speaker 10 (09:01):
No, I haven't any idea who it was.
Speaker 6 (09:03):
Or did he give you any hint at all as
to about how much time it should be allowed to
get the money together.
Speaker 10 (09:08):
He said he'd call later on. I got the idea
he meant later on tonight. He told me to have
more instructions for me.
Speaker 8 (09:15):
Then, I'd like to ask you once more, missus Richmond.
Can you think of anyone who might try something like
this and your husband? Maybe somebody who needed money he
will carry the grudge against.
Speaker 10 (09:23):
Mister Richard, No one at all. Tony always got along
very well in business. He works hard, He works awfully hard.
I'm sorry. I I can't help thinking I'd the whole
thing'd be better all around if I just paid the
money and make him let my husband go.
Speaker 6 (09:39):
No, No, it's just the point man. Like we said,
how do you know they're gonna let him go if
they can make twenty thousand dollars overnight? It's a good
bet they're not gonna let him go that easy. You
can't make those kind of deals with them. They'll believe us.
Speaker 10 (09:52):
What can I do with anything?
Speaker 11 (09:55):
I'm not your coffee down, good hot coffee. I looked
in on the children that were covered, and now you
trust some of his coffee?
Speaker 10 (10:01):
Now, thank you, Dad. Well, what are we going to do? Officers?
We can't just sit here and wait.
Speaker 8 (10:08):
There's a few things I'd like to brief you on.
The start with, Yes, it'll be a couple of our
men stationed here at all times. Another thing, do you
have more than one telephone in the house.
Speaker 9 (10:17):
Yes, we do.
Speaker 11 (10:17):
There's one here in the den, one in the kitchen.
Then we have a plug in extension for the living room.
Speaker 8 (10:21):
Fine, the next time the phone rings you answer at
missus Richmond, one of us will be listening in on
the extension.
Speaker 11 (10:26):
One in the kitchen. That'd be closest.
Speaker 8 (10:29):
Now, if it's one of your husband's abductors calling you,
tell them it's going to take your time to raise
the money.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
Tell him at least two days.
Speaker 10 (10:34):
I suppose they insist, but they say they want it sooner.
They could kill my husband tonight.
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Well they could, ma'am. But I don't think they will.
It's a pretty good bet that they've planned on some waiting.
Most people don't keep twenty thousand dollars around the house,
and they know as well as you do the banks
don't open till ten o'clock tomorrow morning.
Speaker 5 (10:48):
Something else, missus Richmond.
Speaker 8 (10:50):
Make it clear to them that you won't have any
direct hand in the transaction paying the ransom. Tell them
you're too sick, you're too upset, and that your brother
will take.
Speaker 5 (10:57):
Care of everything.
Speaker 8 (10:58):
You mean, one of your officers, Yeah, ma'am, Sergeant Friday
here can take care of that.
Speaker 10 (11:01):
In well, they believe me. Don't you think they'll get suspicious?
Speaker 6 (11:04):
Well maybe, but you have to remember, ma'am, suspicious or not,
they're only interested in getting the money and then getting away.
Our first problem is to get your husband home safe.
When we've got that done, we can worry about the abductors.
Speaker 10 (11:16):
I see all right off here, old are all I
can here?
Speaker 8 (11:21):
Fine, missus Richmond, I think you'll find it's the best way. Joe,
you and Romero be on duty here for the night.
Speaker 5 (11:26):
Right.
Speaker 8 (11:26):
You'll monitor all the incoming calls. We'll try and get
a trace around him. If you can keep the guy
talking on the line long enough, I'll make arrangements for
another phone line in here in the use of the
neighbors phone next door.
Speaker 5 (11:36):
Okay, fine, do you know if the people next door
are home now? Sir?
Speaker 11 (11:39):
Yes, sir, I think the name's Thompson. Almost positive their home?
Speaker 5 (11:42):
Yeah, fine, all.
Speaker 8 (11:43):
Right, missus Richmond, you want to take that, don't pick
it up till I tell you Joe over here at
this extension. Right, well, if you pick up your receivers
at the same time, you ready, Joe, right?
Speaker 5 (11:51):
This is Richmond now, Hello Richmond. Yes, that's a shame.
Speaker 9 (11:58):
This calls about your husband.
Speaker 6 (12:00):
Richmond.
Speaker 12 (12:00):
Here's your instructions about the money.
Speaker 9 (12:02):
Do you want your husband back alive? Following I want
to tell you something.
Speaker 5 (12:06):
I can't handle this alone.
Speaker 9 (12:08):
The lady. Just listen. Hear the instructions.
Speaker 13 (12:10):
I'm only going to sayhim once. Twenty thousands of small
bills by tomorrow, five tens and twenties. Bring the cops
in on this, and we'll kill your husband tonight and
I remember it. Get the rest of the instructions tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Please listen.
Speaker 10 (12:21):
Can I better help?
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Hello?
Speaker 5 (12:25):
A fast one wouldn't even give her a chance to talk.
Speaker 11 (12:27):
What you say, sergeant?
Speaker 5 (12:28):
What was it? Let's go back in there.
Speaker 10 (12:30):
Yeah, you're hearing Lobson. You wouldn't let me talk, just
like the last time. I couldn't even tell him.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
Yes, ma'am, we heard now. Why don't you sit down
right here?
Speaker 10 (12:40):
Said not to call the police, said they'd kill him tonight.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
They killed tone grabber. I got her all N't you
want to clear the sofa off?
Speaker 9 (12:48):
Yes, sir?
Speaker 5 (12:49):
Who was too much for all? Right?
Speaker 9 (12:52):
There we go.
Speaker 5 (12:52):
Yeah, I think you ought to call your family doctor.
Sir said that it might help her quite a bit,
get her a little rest anyway.
Speaker 11 (12:58):
I already did, sir, see this coming.
Speaker 9 (13:00):
I'll get a blanket, man, what do you think?
Speaker 5 (13:04):
I only want twenty thousand by tomorrow?
Speaker 6 (13:05):
Fives, tens, twenties, said more instructions coming, threatened to kill
Richmond if we moved.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
In m how any sound like he meant it.
Speaker 6 (13:18):
Twelve thirty five am, Captain Larrmon and I remained with
the phone. The family doctor arrived, gave missus Richmond a sedative,
and she lay down for a rest in her room. Barrett, Tom,
Bryan and Ben came back to the house just before
one am. They had a few more details on the
description of the car used by the abductors, which they'd
gotten from residence in the neighborhood. The information was relayed
(13:40):
to communications and the supplementary broadcast and an APB were
gotten out. Ben and I stood watch at the house
for the rest of the night, but there were no
more calls. In the early morning, stakeouts were set up
at the victim's place of business and also at the
banks where he maintained his accounts and safety deposit boxes.
That night, Ben and I still were at the Richmond place,
(14:01):
standing by at the phone. There'd been no contact from
the abductors during the day.
Speaker 5 (14:07):
We waited midnight, three am, six am, no word.
Speaker 6 (14:15):
Another day passed and then another still no contact, no
trace of mister Richmond or as abductors. Saturday, October thirteenth,
hope for the victim began to fade. Ben and I
stayed on at the Richmond house.
Speaker 9 (14:29):
Say could I get you off?
Speaker 11 (14:30):
Said something?
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Eat?
Speaker 11 (14:30):
Maybe a nice piece of cold beef in the ice box,
but make your sandwich?
Speaker 5 (14:34):
No?
Speaker 7 (14:34):
No thank how's missus Richmond?
Speaker 5 (14:36):
Tonight?
Speaker 7 (14:37):
Is she fitting any back?
Speaker 5 (14:38):
My daughter?
Speaker 9 (14:38):
No?
Speaker 5 (14:39):
No better?
Speaker 11 (14:39):
She took a couple of pills the doctor gave her
trying to get a few winks of sleep.
Speaker 14 (14:42):
Oh well, there's no issue sitting up with a surf.
You'd like to get a little sleep yourself? No, I'd
just soon sit up. Couldn't sleep anyway. Yeah, don't suppose
either You would care for a little nipping.
Speaker 7 (14:53):
Oh no, I ain't.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
No thanks.
Speaker 11 (14:54):
I guess you wouldn't mind if I had one myself.
Speaker 9 (14:57):
It seems lately i'ds.
Speaker 11 (14:58):
The only thing that relaxed.
Speaker 7 (14:59):
I didn't go out ahead.
Speaker 11 (15:00):
You get to be my age. A little bit of
help now and then. Oh, there's some new magazines on
the table there. I helped to pass the time for you.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Thank you, sir.
Speaker 11 (15:09):
Three days now, not even a word about Tony. What
do you really think? Officers?
Speaker 5 (15:13):
It's pretty hard to tell, mister Welman. We're doing everything
possible to find your son in law. There's not much
to go on so far.
Speaker 11 (15:19):
Funny thing about Tony young fellow, ambitious, Look what happens? Yes,
wouldn't mind if I turn on the radio? Here would
and I'll keep it low right. Yeah, it's a funny
thing about Tony. Day he married my daughter, I knew
he was gonna make it right, fello. Tony sure have
been good to me. That's a sure thing. Took me
(15:40):
in right after the wife died. I was out of
work at the time. Been with him ever since, attend
the garden, kind of clean up things. Tony's always been
real good to me. No in law of trouble, nothing
like that. Look what happens, young fellas starts with almost nothing,
builds a good business, family, nice home.
Speaker 9 (15:59):
Just look what happened.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
There was no need to give up yet, sir, there's
a good chance he's still all right. I don't know.
Speaker 11 (16:04):
I guess I just got a feeling about it about Tony.
He's a fine young man. Things like this always happened
to the fine young man. You take me for instance.
I wouldn't make money the way Tony does, build a
big business away he has. I guess that's why I've.
Speaker 5 (16:20):
Never been in the trouble he's in.
Speaker 11 (16:21):
And I don't think I follow you. I guess I
never wanted it, Sergeant, couldn't get interested in making money.
You break your back like Tony does. You work, and
you work, you get a big bank account, get the
home and the big car in the swimming pool. Worked
for it like Tony, did you work hard? You get
your big check book and everything you want? Just look
(16:42):
what happens. Poor Tony works night and day for the money.
Right now, he's no better off than the guy who's
only worth a dime. They don't hold beggars for ransom,
do they?
Speaker 5 (16:52):
Excuse me?
Speaker 9 (16:52):
Sir?
Speaker 5 (16:53):
I wonder if you have an extra book of matches around.
I believe I'm auth sure things.
Speaker 11 (16:56):
Sergeant got some in the kitchen. I'm sure you wouldn't
care for a little nibe. Those are those things I
think guy might if it helps now and.
Speaker 7 (17:04):
Then, then yeah, wonder what he means by every now
and then?
Speaker 5 (17:10):
If you want to grab the extension on the kitchen, right,
what'll I say?
Speaker 9 (17:13):
Huh?
Speaker 6 (17:15):
Now?
Speaker 9 (17:17):
Hello sunset?
Speaker 5 (17:21):
Yeah that's right.
Speaker 9 (17:22):
Where's missus Richmond?
Speaker 5 (17:24):
No?
Speaker 9 (17:24):
Not right now?
Speaker 5 (17:25):
This is her brother talking.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
Is there any message I want to talk to missus Richmond? Wellus,
he's not here. You got a message for? Well, it's
their brother talking. You'd like to leave a message for
missus Richmond?
Speaker 9 (17:36):
I said, this isn't their brother talking. I know his
voice always is.
Speaker 5 (17:40):
Well, maybe you can tell me who you are, Tony Richmond.
Speaker 9 (17:42):
Where's my way?
Speaker 5 (17:43):
Richmond?
Speaker 9 (17:43):
Where are you?
Speaker 5 (17:44):
Where are you?
Speaker 9 (17:46):
I got away from the way out in the vallere
Dary range. Your su pervid you cop?
Speaker 5 (17:50):
Where can we find you?
Speaker 9 (17:52):
About a mile telegraph road the middle of a dairy farm,
your cops. You drive out with the red light on
and ongo on.
Speaker 5 (17:59):
How soon can we meet?
Speaker 9 (18:00):
Half hour? Get out of your gun and stand right
in front of the headlights. I'll be watching. I want
to get a good luck at all?
Speaker 5 (18:06):
Right? Half an hour?
Speaker 9 (18:07):
Something else? I got hold of a gun and if
you're not cops, I'll know what to do.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
You are listening to Dragnet authentic cases from official police files.
Speaker 6 (18:26):
After we got the call from the man who identified
himself as the victim of the abduction, Tony Richmond, we
put in a call for Captain Warman. We told him
about the phone call from the victim, his request for
(18:47):
us to pick him up, and also about the conditions.
He stipulated that we follow. The Captain ordered three cruiser
cars and a car to pick up Ben and me
and take us to the location specified in the phone conversation.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Two a m. With the red light turned on.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
We pulled up at the approximate location indicated was a
lonely spot on a lonely road a little more than
a mile off the nearest highway.
Speaker 5 (19:10):
We waited. We didn't know what to expect.
Speaker 6 (19:13):
It could be that the phone call supposedly from Tony
Richmond had actually been made by one of the abductors.
Could be that it was nothing more than a diversionary
action intended to distract our attention while the abductors carried
out their plans to obtain the ransom money from the
victim's wife and make good their escape.
Speaker 5 (19:31):
We kept waiting. Ben sounded the horn at frequent intervals.
Speaker 6 (19:35):
Captain Lorman and myself stood up in front of the
car and the glare of the headlights. Ten minutes went by,
fifteen minutes. Finally, a half a dozen yards down the road,
we spotted a man climbing up the side of the
drainage ditch and onto the road. He walked slowly toward us,
into the glare of the headlights. In his right hand
he held a gun.
Speaker 5 (19:56):
You can put the gun down, mister, go the police.
Speaker 9 (19:59):
Show me.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
Here's our car, here's our identification. Here you are badge
ID card. Thank god, thank god, thank god.
Speaker 6 (20:14):
The first thing we did was to notify the victim's
wife and family that he'd been found and that he
was unharmed. Then we called the office and told them
what had happened. We offered to drive Richmond to his
home immediately, but he told us that he was all
right and insisted that he show us where the abductors had.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
Held him captive.
Speaker 6 (20:31):
We got in the car and started driving north along
a dirt road that led off Sepulvida. On the way,
Richmond briefed us on what had happened. He said that
he'd been taken at gunpoint at the front door of
his home four nights before, forced into a car by
two men that he'd failed to recognize, and then driven
to an abandoned shack in a deserted area in the
San Fernando Valley. The two men had tied him hand
(20:53):
and foot, partially stripped him, gagged him, and placed him
under a floor of the shack, and left him there.
One of the men returned each day to give him
something to eat. That night, Richmond told us that his
captor failed to retie his hands securely. When the man left,
Richmond succeeded in freeing himself from the ropes, made his
way to a phone and called his house outside a
(21:14):
shock and exposure.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
He seemed to be all right. After pointing out.
Speaker 6 (21:18):
The shack he'd been held captive in, and after we'd
checked through it, Richmond was taken home in one of
the cruiser cars. Ben and I remained on stakeout of
the shack.
Speaker 5 (21:30):
Pred he died.
Speaker 11 (21:31):
Can you see the shack all right from here?
Speaker 9 (21:33):
Just about?
Speaker 5 (21:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (21:34):
Keep an eye field on the road. Huh yeah, all smokeka.
We waited, nothing happened. Three am, three thirty no sign
(21:56):
of the suspects. Four thirty five am five twelve am.
Ben spotted the headlights of a car at least a
mile down the road. We watched them come toward us.
When it got close enough, we saw it was a
dark colored late model Sedan. It fitted the description of
(22:16):
the abductor's car perfectly. It swung off the dirt road
and pulled to a stop near the shack. One man
got out. All right, let's go, all.
Speaker 5 (22:37):
Right, mister police officers. Hold it right there down Joe
see him?
Speaker 9 (22:41):
Ben?
Speaker 5 (22:42):
Yeah, I dug behind his car.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
All right, throught your gun.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
I'll give him back.
Speaker 7 (22:48):
You got some good cover, Joe.
Speaker 5 (22:49):
Let's go, Come on, move in easy. There's my car
up from behind the car.
Speaker 7 (22:58):
Hands behind your head, government, Joe, I'll shake him off
right all right? Hold it right there, okay, Joe Eastling,
all right, has behind you.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
Sure like to play it safe, don't you.
Speaker 7 (23:13):
Handcuffs they work pretty good, mister, much better than rope.
Speaker 5 (23:21):
We called the office.
Speaker 6 (23:22):
A relief team came out to replace us on steakeout,
and we took the suspect downtown to the interrogation room.
He was checked through R and I and identified as
Gerald Adams, a one time loser. Together with Barrett and Bryan,
we questioned the suspect for three hours. He refused to
admit that he had any part in the abduction of
Tony Richmond.
Speaker 5 (23:42):
We gave up for the time being, took.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
Him to the main jail, where he was booked on
suspicion of kidnapping. A little after eleven am, Gerald adams
partner showed up out of the shack in the valley.
He was taken into custody, was brought downtown, confronted with
the evidence against him, and he gave us a statement
admitting his guilt. Late that afternoon, we went back to
the main jail, signed out Adams for investigation, brought him
(24:07):
back to the interrogation room.
Speaker 7 (24:11):
I have a seat, Adams.
Speaker 9 (24:15):
Okay, what is it this time?
Speaker 5 (24:16):
Same as before? Adams? What do you say you're gonna
tell us about it? I told you my story this morning.
Mister you got it off, but maybe you'd like to know.
We picked up your partner and he gave us a
science statement. Here's a copy of it.
Speaker 9 (24:27):
Have a lot.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
Donald black and white. If Pardner says you were in
it with him all the way, would say, Adam.
Speaker 15 (24:37):
Doesn't mean anything to me. He probably forced it at him. Well,
that's not what he says. He blames the whole thing
on you.
Speaker 6 (24:41):
Says you set up the deal, you gave the orders,
you made the phone calls for the ransom money.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Says that's the way he's gonna tell it in court.
He's gonna need a lot of proof, and gave it
to us.
Speaker 7 (24:50):
He showed us your apartment, a couple of ransom notes
you'd readen, showed us the typewriter you wrote him on,
showed us the clothes you wore the night you grabbed
mister Richmond.
Speaker 5 (24:57):
He's a liar, not according to Dark Crime reason.
Speaker 6 (25:01):
They checked over the clothes found particles of dirt and pollen,
and the trouser cuffs they match up with samples we
took from that field out to the shack.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Well, it ain't true, None of it's true. You guy's
a liar. Well, there's a statement at him. It's all aired.
You got any corrections in the story, Now is the
time to make them, Adam, There's only one thing I
want to know. Yeah, how did it happen? How'd you
get a line on us? Richmond got away from the shack.
We staked out them until you came along.
Speaker 7 (25:29):
Figure couldn't have gotten away.
Speaker 5 (25:31):
I had it all worked out.
Speaker 7 (25:32):
Your partner didn't.
Speaker 15 (25:33):
I showed him just what to do, how to handle
a thing. I showed him where to hide. Richmond couldn't
have goofed up. I showed him the whole routine. It
was one thing you didn't show him. Yeah, how to
tie on that?
Speaker 2 (25:50):
The story you have just heard was true, only the
names were changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 4 (25:56):
On December eighteenth, trial was held in Superior Court Department
that he said, City and County of Los Angeles, State
of California. In a moment, the results of that trial,
Gerald Adams and his accomplice in the abduction of Tony
(26:16):
Richmond were tried and convicted in Superior Court of kidnapping.
The state Penal Code stipulates that kidnapping for the purpose
of extorting money is punishable either by death or by
imprisonment in the state penitentiary. From twenty five years to lfe.
Both Adams and his partner are now serving life terms
in the state Penitentiary. Wholesome California Ladies and Gentlemen. One
(26:39):
of the first contributions to the special five million dollar
Red Cross flood relief appeal was two dollars and seven
cents pennies and nickels from two nine year old playmates
in Kansas City, Missouri. Stepping up to the reception desk
in the Kansas City Red Cross Chapter, the pair proudly
offered their earnings gained from touring neighborhood streets, recite and
(27:00):
singing nursery rhymes. The money the Red Cross provides for
rebuilding a house or refurnishing it, or for helping a
family find the means to help itself will be given outright,
not lent.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
These were the words of President Truman in asking the
American public to contribute at least five million dollars to
the Red Cross to aid the disaster stricken people of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma,
and Illinois. Won't you help through your local Red Cross chapter?
Speaker 4 (27:40):
You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases
from official files. Technical advice comes from the Office of
Chief of Police wh Parker, Los Angeles Police Department.
Speaker 9 (27:53):
Stay tuned for Counterspy next over NBC.
Speaker 1 (28:01):
Welcome Back. Sometimes you have to work to solve the mystery.
Sometimes it kind of solves itself, as the kidnapping plan
fell apart due to an incompetent accomplice and a resourceful victim.
I will admit to some ignorance about the origin of
this title, whether it was a fan title or whether
it was something official. If it's not a fan title,
(28:23):
it does suggest the script may have come in behind schedule,
leaving no time to think of an actual title. And
there's another episode with a similar title the big Almost
no script and no script would be a problem for
a detective program, particularly Dragnet. One does it improv Dragnet.
(28:43):
But I think we may never appreciate how hard it
was for radio writers to turn out scripts week after
week on programs that didn't take breaks, and then to
have those scripts be of as high quality as what
we enjoy on most of the programs. It's an incredible
amount of writing and rewriting, usually down to one or
(29:06):
two writers. All right, Well, listener comments and feedback. Now,
Harrison writes, I feel, and this is regarding the Big Setup.
I feel, if you're going to go through the trouble
of staking out places to rob, then you should probably
skip the ones with living maids. But who am I
to critique criminals supposedly at the top of their profession.
I hear you, Harrison, and I would tend to think
(29:29):
so as well, though I do hate to tell anyone
their business, and I think it is fair to say,
based on the number of burglaries that they pulled off,
with very high value items being stolen, they were probably
at the top of their profession. But sometimes there are
holes in your processes, and sometimes you have success and
(29:54):
that makes you cauky and you make mistakes as a
result of that. We can't really say for sure what
happened here, but I suspect one of those two. And
then we have a couple of comments on YouTube regarding
the Big Love Sarge seven to one four rights. Hello Adam,
thank you for bringing us this episode of Dragnet, and
Alfred writes thanks for the PSA at the beginning. Thanks Alfred.
(30:18):
As I said at the beginning, I don't want to
overuse trigger warnings or things of that sort, but when
this series itself, when it was originally broadcast, had a warning,
it's probably a good idea to pass that along. End
affirm that. All right, Well, now it is time to
thank our Patreon supporter of the day, and I want
(30:40):
to thank real udon Noodle Patreon supporter since December twenty
twenty four, currently supporting the podcast at the Shawmas level
of four dollars or more per month. Thanks so much
for your support and that will do it for today.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your
favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube,
(31:00):
be sure to lock the video subscriber to the channel
and mark the notification bell. We will be back next
Thursday with another episode of drag Nat. But join us
back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny dall or where
Johnny Dollar.
Speaker 12 (31:15):
This is Barry Winters, it Master's Insurance and trust.
Speaker 9 (31:17):
Oh Hi, Barry, it's been here, sure.
Speaker 12 (31:19):
Johnny, because we don't usually have trouble with our accounts.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
You mean you didn't, huh until now?
Speaker 12 (31:24):
Well, yeah, I'm afraid that's about the size of it,
and this time it's bad trouble me a simplex tackle company,
Johnny over in.
Speaker 9 (31:31):
Danbury fishing tackle that's right.
Speaker 7 (31:33):
Oh, how come I never heard of them?
Speaker 12 (31:35):
A little small outfit to kind of glorified partnership.
Speaker 9 (31:39):
What's that mean?
Speaker 12 (31:39):
What's owned by nine men? One of them Hanley Thomas's president.
The others are secretary treasurer and a flock of vice president.
Speaker 9 (31:47):
So what's happened?
Speaker 12 (31:48):
Well, the nine of them, plus the twenty or thirty
workers of the plant are all covered by a group
life insurance deal.
Speaker 9 (31:54):
And listen, yeah, we've.
Speaker 12 (31:56):
Just had to pay off on three policies in a row.
Speaker 7 (31:59):
Well that's too bad.
Speaker 5 (32:00):
Why calling me, because, Johnny.
Speaker 12 (32:01):
Why those three debts? We're all murdered.
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Hope you'll be with us then in the meantime. Send
your comments to Box thirteen at Greatdetectives dot net, follow
us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us out
on Instagram, Instagram, dot com, slash Great detectives from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham signing off.
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're
going to bring you this week's episode of Dragon It.
But first I do want to encourage you. If you're
enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software.
(00:49):
And today's program is brought to you in part by
the financial support of our listeners. You can support the
show on a one time basis by mailing a donation
to Adam Graham Pillbot one five nine one three that's
peelbox one five nine thirteen Boise, Aldaho eight three seven
one five, and you can also become one of our
(01:09):
ongoing Patreon supporters for his little last two dollars per
month at Patreon dot Great Detectives dot nem now. From
July twenty sixth, nineteen fifty one, here is the Big
Light script.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
The story you were about to hear is true, only
the names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're
a detective sergeant here assigned to homicide detail. A well
known business manager city disappears suddenly from his home. He's
(01:52):
seen driving away from the house and the company of
two unidentified men there's no explanation for it.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
Your job find him.
Speaker 4 (02:10):
Drag Net the documented drama of an actual crime. Well
the next thirty minutes, in cooperation of 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 buyos, from beginning to end, from crime to punishment.
Dragnet is the story of your police force.
Speaker 5 (02:29):
In action.
Speaker 6 (02:33):
Was Wednesday, October tenth. That was mild in Los Angeles.
We were working the night Watch out of homicide detail.
My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Lrmon. My
name's Friday. I was on the way back from the
record Bureau and it was ten thirty eight pm when
I got to Room forty two Homicide.
Speaker 7 (02:52):
Hey, Ben Romero, that here Joe Captain's office.
Speaker 5 (02:55):
Oh yeah, come Joe, sit down, Thank you? I got
your call. What's it all about?
Speaker 7 (03:03):
Your clothes? A good Niam skipper. You want to breathe him.
Speaker 5 (03:06):
It's a man by the name of Tony Richmond.
Speaker 8 (03:07):
He disappeared from his house tonight show looks like it
might be foul play.
Speaker 5 (03:11):
Tony Richmond name sounds off from internet.
Speaker 7 (03:13):
It runs a couple of garages around time promote the
sports events.
Speaker 9 (03:16):
On the side.
Speaker 5 (03:17):
Sure, what's the story on him?
Speaker 8 (03:19):
Here's the way we got it from Richmond's wife. He
was at home tonight. The whole family was sitting in
the back room looking at television. Richmond, his wife, two children,
and his father in law.
Speaker 5 (03:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 8 (03:28):
About nine o'clock the doorbell rang. Richmond went to answer it.
He hasn't been seen since. Yeah, that's right. Missus Richmond
said she thought she heard a little loud talking at
the front door and didn't pay any attention to it.
Her husband didn't come back. She went to have a look.
Front door was wide open, her husband was gone. No
explanation for it at all.
Speaker 7 (03:45):
One of the Richmond's neighbors were sitting by a front
wind at the time, and Missus Sandford, she said, she's
a mist Richmond come down the front steps about that time,
one man on either side of him. He got the
idea Richmond didn't want to go with him. Is there
any description on the two men, it's incomplete. The neighbors said.
Speaker 8 (04:00):
She wasn't sure, but it looked at her like the
two men pushed Richmond in a dark colored sedan and
drove off.
Speaker 7 (04:05):
Not much description on the car either, Joe, Oh, where's
that leave us?
Speaker 8 (04:09):
We're not positive there's anything wrong yet, there's a possibility
there's nothing more than a misunderstanding.
Speaker 5 (04:13):
How do you figure it? We got a couple of
men out at the Richmond's house.
Speaker 9 (04:16):
Now.
Speaker 8 (04:16):
The wife told him that mister Richmond had a business
appointment at ten o'clock tonight.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
She didn't know where with whom would have been with
those two men.
Speaker 6 (04:25):
Didn't sound quite right though, I mean walking out without
even telling his wife.
Speaker 8 (04:30):
Something else to consider. Wife said that when Richmond went
to answer the front door, he was in his shirt sleeves,
you know. When the neighbors saw him come down the
stairs with the two men. She said he had his
coat on. Those two guys were.
Speaker 5 (04:40):
Gonna grab him off. They wouldn't wait for him to
get his coat. Yeah, how's this stand out?
Speaker 7 (04:44):
He got out of broadcast on a description of the
two men in the car. Not an awful lot to
go on. No license number.
Speaker 5 (04:50):
Anybody in particular who might have had it in for Richmond.
Speaker 8 (04:52):
Is there anything like that? No, not that we know
of so far. Dressed pretty well, obviously had money, wore
quite a bit of.
Speaker 5 (04:58):
Jewelry, well, what have you got lined up for?
Speaker 8 (05:02):
I've got Barrett and Tommy Bryant standing by at the
Richmond's house now still checking her out with Richmond's friends,
some of his business associates.
Speaker 9 (05:09):
Nothing so far.
Speaker 5 (05:11):
Excuse me sure on a side Loman? Yeah, Tom.
Speaker 8 (05:17):
That when yeah, right away, you know what to do.
Keep in touch, right and it takes it out of
the guessing stage. That was Brian out at the Richmond house.
Missus Richmond just got a phone call a few minutes ago. Yeah,
Man's voice. He told her they were holding her husband. Well,
what's her pitch? She wants them back alive. It'll cost
twenty thousand dollars.
Speaker 6 (05:41):
As in all cases involving abduction to extort ransom, the
investigating police officers faced immediately with a dozen problems, but
first and foremost is the safe return of the victim.
When that's accomplished and the danger of death or bodily
harm to the victim is removed, the officers then have
the freedom to openly hunt down the abductor, but until
(06:02):
the time the victim is safely returned, apprehending the criminal
suspects remains a secondary consideration. Ten five pm, together with
Captain Lorman, Ben and I left the office and drove
out to the Richmond's home out in North Hollywood, the
scene of the abduction. We parked our car several blocks
away and entered the house from a back street. It
(06:24):
was a large, sprawling, ranch style home, richly landscaped. We
went inside and checked with the two men from homicide
on duty, Barrett and Bryan. They told us that there'd
been no more phone calls, anonymous or otherwise. They also
told us that so far the victim's wife, Adele Richmond,
had been hostile and uncooperative. The abductors had warned her
(06:44):
on the telephone about calling in the police. Now she
was all for paying the twenty thousand dollars ransom and
handling the case without the police. While Ben, Tommy Bryant,
and Barrett re checked the neighborhood for other possible witnesses
to the abduction, Captain Lormon and I went inside and
met the victim's wife and the victim's father in law,
Red Wellman. The wife was an attractive brunette in the
(07:06):
early thirties.
Speaker 10 (07:07):
I don't you understand, I just don't want the policemen here.
They can be watching the house right now. They'll kill
tonything or you're here.
Speaker 11 (07:14):
I know there's no use getting upset like this. It
hasn't been doing any good.
Speaker 8 (07:17):
Your father's right, ma'am. I know it's hard on you,
but getting all worked up isn't going to help much.
Speaker 10 (07:21):
I wish i'd never called you in the first place.
I can handle us. I'll pay them the money. I'll
pay them anything, as long as they bring my husband
back safe.
Speaker 5 (07:27):
Yes, ma'am, that's possible. What makes you think you can
trust those men?
Speaker 8 (07:31):
How do you know you'll get your husband back after
you pay the twenty thousand.
Speaker 10 (07:34):
That's what they told me. I talked to them on
the phone. That's what they promised me.
Speaker 6 (07:37):
Well they've promised other people too, ma'am. You give them
twenty thousand, they'll want forty. Give them just one opening.
You're going to run it into the ground. They'll take
everything they can get, and you still and have your
husband back.
Speaker 10 (07:46):
Well, there's no other way. I have to take the chance.
Speaker 5 (07:48):
I have to. There is another way, missus Richmond. That's
why we're here.
Speaker 10 (07:52):
What if it gets in the papers publicity, those men
are bound to hear about it.
Speaker 8 (07:56):
There won't be a line in the newspapers. I promise
you that as far as we're concerning the own, many
will know about it. It'll be the officers working the case.
Speaker 5 (08:02):
We'll do everything we can, ma'am, but we're gonna have
to have your cooperation.
Speaker 10 (08:05):
I don't know. If anything happens to Tom, I've got
to sit down. I can't even think. I'm so worried.
Speaker 11 (08:11):
That's it, honey, Here, you sit here. I'll get you
some coffee, good hot cup coffee.
Speaker 10 (08:15):
Would you see how the children are dead, see if
they're covered.
Speaker 11 (08:18):
Yeah, sure, honey, you just rest. You'd care for some coffee? Office?
Speaker 9 (08:22):
Thank you?
Speaker 11 (08:22):
All right?
Speaker 5 (08:24):
How about that phone call that you got, miss Richmond.
Speaker 10 (08:27):
They told me twenty thousand dollars, they get it, they'll
let Tony go.
Speaker 5 (08:31):
What else did they tell you?
Speaker 10 (08:32):
That's all they had Tony, And then if I wanted
to see the gun alive, we'd have to pay twenty
thousand dollars.
Speaker 6 (08:38):
What about the arrangements for delivering the money. Did you
discuss that at all?
Speaker 5 (08:42):
No?
Speaker 10 (08:42):
All he said was get twenty thousand dollars in small bills.
Said that too. He said he'd contact me later about
delivering the money. Officer I can't get that much money
together tonight.
Speaker 8 (08:53):
I don't think you'll have to, ma'am. I'm pretty sure
the abductors know that too.
Speaker 6 (08:57):
How about the voice on the phone, Miss Richmond, is
there any chances you might recognized it?
Speaker 10 (09:01):
No, I haven't any idea who it was.
Speaker 6 (09:03):
Or did he give you any hint at all as
to about how much time it should be allowed to
get the money together.
Speaker 10 (09:08):
He said he'd call later on. I got the idea
he meant later on tonight. He told me to have
more instructions for me.
Speaker 8 (09:15):
Then, I'd like to ask you once more, missus Richmond.
Can you think of anyone who might try something like
this and your husband? Maybe somebody who needed money he
will carry the grudge against.
Speaker 10 (09:23):
Mister Richard, No one at all. Tony always got along
very well in business. He works hard, He works awfully hard.
I'm sorry. I I can't help thinking I'd the whole
thing'd be better all around if I just paid the
money and make him let my husband go.
Speaker 6 (09:39):
No, No, it's just the point man. Like we said,
how do you know they're gonna let him go if
they can make twenty thousand dollars overnight? It's a good
bet they're not gonna let him go that easy. You
can't make those kind of deals with them. They'll believe us.
Speaker 10 (09:52):
What can I do with anything?
Speaker 11 (09:55):
I'm not your coffee down, good hot coffee. I looked
in on the children that were covered, and now you
trust some of his coffee?
Speaker 10 (10:01):
Now, thank you, Dad. Well, what are we going to do? Officers?
We can't just sit here and wait.
Speaker 8 (10:08):
There's a few things I'd like to brief you on.
The start with, Yes, it'll be a couple of our
men stationed here at all times. Another thing, do you
have more than one telephone in the house.
Speaker 9 (10:17):
Yes, we do.
Speaker 11 (10:17):
There's one here in the den, one in the kitchen.
Then we have a plug in extension for the living room.
Speaker 8 (10:21):
Fine, the next time the phone rings you answer at
missus Richmond, one of us will be listening in on
the extension.
Speaker 11 (10:26):
One in the kitchen. That'd be closest.
Speaker 8 (10:29):
Now, if it's one of your husband's abductors calling you,
tell them it's going to take your time to raise
the money.
Speaker 5 (10:33):
Tell him at least two days.
Speaker 10 (10:34):
I suppose they insist, but they say they want it sooner.
They could kill my husband tonight.
Speaker 6 (10:39):
Well they could, ma'am. But I don't think they will.
It's a pretty good bet that they've planned on some waiting.
Most people don't keep twenty thousand dollars around the house,
and they know as well as you do the banks
don't open till ten o'clock tomorrow morning.
Speaker 5 (10:48):
Something else, missus Richmond.
Speaker 8 (10:50):
Make it clear to them that you won't have any
direct hand in the transaction paying the ransom. Tell them
you're too sick, you're too upset, and that your brother
will take.
Speaker 5 (10:57):
Care of everything.
Speaker 8 (10:58):
You mean, one of your officers, Yeah, ma'am, Sergeant Friday
here can take care of that.
Speaker 10 (11:01):
In well, they believe me. Don't you think they'll get suspicious?
Speaker 6 (11:04):
Well maybe, but you have to remember, ma'am, suspicious or not,
they're only interested in getting the money and then getting away.
Our first problem is to get your husband home safe.
When we've got that done, we can worry about the abductors.
Speaker 10 (11:16):
I see all right off here, old are all I
can here?
Speaker 8 (11:21):
Fine, missus Richmond, I think you'll find it's the best way. Joe,
you and Romero be on duty here for the night.
Speaker 5 (11:26):
Right.
Speaker 8 (11:26):
You'll monitor all the incoming calls. We'll try and get
a trace around him. If you can keep the guy
talking on the line long enough, I'll make arrangements for
another phone line in here in the use of the
neighbors phone next door.
Speaker 5 (11:36):
Okay, fine, do you know if the people next door
are home now? Sir?
Speaker 11 (11:39):
Yes, sir, I think the name's Thompson. Almost positive their home?
Speaker 5 (11:42):
Yeah, fine, all.
Speaker 8 (11:43):
Right, missus Richmond, you want to take that, don't pick
it up till I tell you Joe over here at
this extension. Right, well, if you pick up your receivers
at the same time, you ready, Joe, right?
Speaker 5 (11:51):
This is Richmond now, Hello Richmond. Yes, that's a shame.
Speaker 9 (11:58):
This calls about your husband.
Speaker 6 (12:00):
Richmond.
Speaker 12 (12:00):
Here's your instructions about the money.
Speaker 9 (12:02):
Do you want your husband back alive? Following I want
to tell you something.
Speaker 5 (12:06):
I can't handle this alone.
Speaker 9 (12:08):
The lady. Just listen. Hear the instructions.
Speaker 13 (12:10):
I'm only going to sayhim once. Twenty thousands of small
bills by tomorrow, five tens and twenties. Bring the cops
in on this, and we'll kill your husband tonight and
I remember it. Get the rest of the instructions tomorrow.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Please listen.
Speaker 10 (12:21):
Can I better help?
Speaker 1 (12:23):
Hello?
Speaker 5 (12:25):
A fast one wouldn't even give her a chance to talk.
Speaker 11 (12:27):
What you say, sergeant?
Speaker 5 (12:28):
What was it? Let's go back in there.
Speaker 10 (12:30):
Yeah, you're hearing Lobson. You wouldn't let me talk, just
like the last time. I couldn't even tell him.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
Yes, ma'am, we heard now. Why don't you sit down
right here?
Speaker 10 (12:40):
Said not to call the police, said they'd kill him tonight.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
They killed tone grabber. I got her all N't you
want to clear the sofa off?
Speaker 9 (12:48):
Yes, sir?
Speaker 5 (12:49):
Who was too much for all? Right?
Speaker 9 (12:52):
There we go.
Speaker 5 (12:52):
Yeah, I think you ought to call your family doctor.
Sir said that it might help her quite a bit,
get her a little rest anyway.
Speaker 11 (12:58):
I already did, sir, see this coming.
Speaker 9 (13:00):
I'll get a blanket, man, what do you think?
Speaker 5 (13:04):
I only want twenty thousand by tomorrow?
Speaker 6 (13:05):
Fives, tens, twenties, said more instructions coming, threatened to kill
Richmond if we moved.
Speaker 5 (13:10):
In m how any sound like he meant it.
Speaker 6 (13:18):
Twelve thirty five am, Captain Larrmon and I remained with
the phone. The family doctor arrived, gave missus Richmond a sedative,
and she lay down for a rest in her room. Barrett, Tom,
Bryan and Ben came back to the house just before
one am. They had a few more details on the
description of the car used by the abductors, which they'd
gotten from residence in the neighborhood. The information was relayed
(13:40):
to communications and the supplementary broadcast and an APB were
gotten out. Ben and I stood watch at the house
for the rest of the night, but there were no
more calls. In the early morning, stakeouts were set up
at the victim's place of business and also at the
banks where he maintained his accounts and safety deposit boxes.
That night, Ben and I still were at the Richmond place,
(14:01):
standing by at the phone. There'd been no contact from
the abductors during the day.
Speaker 5 (14:07):
We waited midnight, three am, six am, no word.
Speaker 6 (14:15):
Another day passed and then another still no contact, no
trace of mister Richmond or as abductors. Saturday, October thirteenth,
hope for the victim began to fade. Ben and I
stayed on at the Richmond house.
Speaker 9 (14:29):
Say could I get you off?
Speaker 11 (14:30):
Said something?
Speaker 4 (14:30):
Eat?
Speaker 11 (14:30):
Maybe a nice piece of cold beef in the ice box,
but make your sandwich?
Speaker 5 (14:34):
No?
Speaker 7 (14:34):
No thank how's missus Richmond?
Speaker 5 (14:36):
Tonight?
Speaker 7 (14:37):
Is she fitting any back?
Speaker 5 (14:38):
My daughter?
Speaker 9 (14:38):
No?
Speaker 5 (14:39):
No better?
Speaker 11 (14:39):
She took a couple of pills the doctor gave her
trying to get a few winks of sleep.
Speaker 14 (14:42):
Oh well, there's no issue sitting up with a surf.
You'd like to get a little sleep yourself? No, I'd
just soon sit up. Couldn't sleep anyway. Yeah, don't suppose
either You would care for a little nipping.
Speaker 7 (14:53):
Oh no, I ain't.
Speaker 5 (14:54):
No thanks.
Speaker 11 (14:54):
I guess you wouldn't mind if I had one myself.
Speaker 9 (14:57):
It seems lately i'ds.
Speaker 11 (14:58):
The only thing that relaxed.
Speaker 7 (14:59):
I didn't go out ahead.
Speaker 11 (15:00):
You get to be my age. A little bit of
help now and then. Oh, there's some new magazines on
the table there. I helped to pass the time for you.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Thank you, sir.
Speaker 11 (15:09):
Three days now, not even a word about Tony. What
do you really think? Officers?
Speaker 5 (15:13):
It's pretty hard to tell, mister Welman. We're doing everything
possible to find your son in law. There's not much
to go on so far.
Speaker 11 (15:19):
Funny thing about Tony young fellow, ambitious, Look what happens? Yes,
wouldn't mind if I turn on the radio? Here would
and I'll keep it low right. Yeah, it's a funny
thing about Tony. Day he married my daughter, I knew
he was gonna make it right, fello. Tony sure have
been good to me. That's a sure thing. Took me
(15:40):
in right after the wife died. I was out of
work at the time. Been with him ever since, attend
the garden, kind of clean up things. Tony's always been
real good to me. No in law of trouble, nothing
like that. Look what happens, young fellas starts with almost nothing,
builds a good business, family, nice home.
Speaker 9 (15:59):
Just look what happened.
Speaker 5 (16:00):
There was no need to give up yet, sir, there's
a good chance he's still all right. I don't know.
Speaker 11 (16:04):
I guess I just got a feeling about it about Tony.
He's a fine young man. Things like this always happened
to the fine young man. You take me for instance.
I wouldn't make money the way Tony does, build a
big business away he has. I guess that's why I've.
Speaker 5 (16:20):
Never been in the trouble he's in.
Speaker 11 (16:21):
And I don't think I follow you. I guess I
never wanted it, Sergeant, couldn't get interested in making money.
You break your back like Tony does. You work, and
you work, you get a big bank account, get the
home and the big car in the swimming pool. Worked
for it like Tony, did you work hard? You get
your big check book and everything you want? Just look
(16:42):
what happens. Poor Tony works night and day for the money.
Right now, he's no better off than the guy who's
only worth a dime. They don't hold beggars for ransom,
do they?
Speaker 5 (16:52):
Excuse me?
Speaker 9 (16:52):
Sir?
Speaker 5 (16:53):
I wonder if you have an extra book of matches around.
I believe I'm auth sure things.
Speaker 11 (16:56):
Sergeant got some in the kitchen. I'm sure you wouldn't
care for a little nibe. Those are those things I
think guy might if it helps now and.
Speaker 7 (17:04):
Then, then yeah, wonder what he means by every now
and then?
Speaker 5 (17:10):
If you want to grab the extension on the kitchen, right,
what'll I say?
Speaker 9 (17:13):
Huh?
Speaker 6 (17:15):
Now?
Speaker 9 (17:17):
Hello sunset?
Speaker 5 (17:21):
Yeah that's right.
Speaker 9 (17:22):
Where's missus Richmond?
Speaker 5 (17:24):
No?
Speaker 9 (17:24):
Not right now?
Speaker 5 (17:25):
This is her brother talking.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
Is there any message I want to talk to missus Richmond? Wellus,
he's not here. You got a message for? Well, it's
their brother talking. You'd like to leave a message for
missus Richmond?
Speaker 9 (17:36):
I said, this isn't their brother talking. I know his
voice always is.
Speaker 5 (17:40):
Well, maybe you can tell me who you are, Tony Richmond.
Speaker 9 (17:42):
Where's my way?
Speaker 5 (17:43):
Richmond?
Speaker 9 (17:43):
Where are you?
Speaker 5 (17:44):
Where are you?
Speaker 9 (17:46):
I got away from the way out in the vallere
Dary range. Your su pervid you cop?
Speaker 5 (17:50):
Where can we find you?
Speaker 9 (17:52):
About a mile telegraph road the middle of a dairy farm,
your cops. You drive out with the red light on
and ongo on.
Speaker 5 (17:59):
How soon can we meet?
Speaker 9 (18:00):
Half hour? Get out of your gun and stand right
in front of the headlights. I'll be watching. I want
to get a good luck at all?
Speaker 5 (18:06):
Right? Half an hour?
Speaker 9 (18:07):
Something else? I got hold of a gun and if
you're not cops, I'll know what to do.
Speaker 4 (18:21):
You are listening to Dragnet authentic cases from official police files.
Speaker 6 (18:26):
After we got the call from the man who identified
himself as the victim of the abduction, Tony Richmond, we
put in a call for Captain Warman. We told him
about the phone call from the victim, his request for
(18:47):
us to pick him up, and also about the conditions.
He stipulated that we follow. The Captain ordered three cruiser
cars and a car to pick up Ben and me
and take us to the location specified in the phone conversation.
Speaker 5 (19:00):
Two a m. With the red light turned on.
Speaker 6 (19:02):
We pulled up at the approximate location indicated was a
lonely spot on a lonely road a little more than
a mile off the nearest highway.
Speaker 5 (19:10):
We waited. We didn't know what to expect.
Speaker 6 (19:13):
It could be that the phone call supposedly from Tony
Richmond had actually been made by one of the abductors.
Could be that it was nothing more than a diversionary
action intended to distract our attention while the abductors carried
out their plans to obtain the ransom money from the
victim's wife and make good their escape.
Speaker 5 (19:31):
We kept waiting. Ben sounded the horn at frequent intervals.
Speaker 6 (19:35):
Captain Lorman and myself stood up in front of the
car and the glare of the headlights. Ten minutes went by,
fifteen minutes. Finally, a half a dozen yards down the road,
we spotted a man climbing up the side of the
drainage ditch and onto the road. He walked slowly toward us,
into the glare of the headlights. In his right hand
he held a gun.
Speaker 5 (19:56):
You can put the gun down, mister, go the police.
Speaker 9 (19:59):
Show me.
Speaker 5 (20:00):
Here's our car, here's our identification. Here you are badge
ID card. Thank god, thank god, thank god.
Speaker 6 (20:14):
The first thing we did was to notify the victim's
wife and family that he'd been found and that he
was unharmed. Then we called the office and told them
what had happened. We offered to drive Richmond to his
home immediately, but he told us that he was all
right and insisted that he show us where the abductors had.
Speaker 5 (20:29):
Held him captive.
Speaker 6 (20:31):
We got in the car and started driving north along
a dirt road that led off Sepulvida. On the way,
Richmond briefed us on what had happened. He said that
he'd been taken at gunpoint at the front door of
his home four nights before, forced into a car by
two men that he'd failed to recognize, and then driven
to an abandoned shack in a deserted area in the
San Fernando Valley. The two men had tied him hand
(20:53):
and foot, partially stripped him, gagged him, and placed him
under a floor of the shack, and left him there.
One of the men returned each day to give him
something to eat. That night, Richmond told us that his
captor failed to retie his hands securely. When the man left,
Richmond succeeded in freeing himself from the ropes, made his
way to a phone and called his house outside a
(21:14):
shock and exposure.
Speaker 5 (21:15):
He seemed to be all right. After pointing out.
Speaker 6 (21:18):
The shack he'd been held captive in, and after we'd
checked through it, Richmond was taken home in one of
the cruiser cars. Ben and I remained on stakeout of
the shack.
Speaker 5 (21:30):
Pred he died.
Speaker 11 (21:31):
Can you see the shack all right from here?
Speaker 9 (21:33):
Just about?
Speaker 5 (21:33):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (21:34):
Keep an eye field on the road. Huh yeah, all smokeka.
We waited, nothing happened. Three am, three thirty no sign
(21:56):
of the suspects. Four thirty five am five twelve am.
Ben spotted the headlights of a car at least a
mile down the road. We watched them come toward us.
When it got close enough, we saw it was a
dark colored late model Sedan. It fitted the description of
(22:16):
the abductor's car perfectly. It swung off the dirt road
and pulled to a stop near the shack. One man
got out. All right, let's go, all.
Speaker 5 (22:37):
Right, mister police officers. Hold it right there down Joe
see him?
Speaker 9 (22:41):
Ben?
Speaker 5 (22:42):
Yeah, I dug behind his car.
Speaker 1 (22:43):
All right, throught your gun.
Speaker 5 (22:45):
I'll give him back.
Speaker 7 (22:48):
You got some good cover, Joe.
Speaker 5 (22:49):
Let's go, Come on, move in easy. There's my car
up from behind the car.
Speaker 7 (22:58):
Hands behind your head, government, Joe, I'll shake him off
right all right? Hold it right there, okay, Joe Eastling,
all right, has behind you.
Speaker 5 (23:12):
Sure like to play it safe, don't you.
Speaker 7 (23:13):
Handcuffs they work pretty good, mister, much better than rope.
Speaker 5 (23:21):
We called the office.
Speaker 6 (23:22):
A relief team came out to replace us on steakeout,
and we took the suspect downtown to the interrogation room.
He was checked through R and I and identified as
Gerald Adams, a one time loser. Together with Barrett and Bryan,
we questioned the suspect for three hours. He refused to
admit that he had any part in the abduction of
Tony Richmond.
Speaker 5 (23:42):
We gave up for the time being, took.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
Him to the main jail, where he was booked on
suspicion of kidnapping. A little after eleven am, Gerald adams
partner showed up out of the shack in the valley.
He was taken into custody, was brought downtown, confronted with
the evidence against him, and he gave us a statement
admitting his guilt. Late that afternoon, we went back to
the main jail, signed out Adams for investigation, brought him
(24:07):
back to the interrogation room.
Speaker 7 (24:11):
I have a seat, Adams.
Speaker 9 (24:15):
Okay, what is it this time?
Speaker 5 (24:16):
Same as before? Adams? What do you say you're gonna
tell us about it? I told you my story this morning.
Mister you got it off, but maybe you'd like to know.
We picked up your partner and he gave us a
science statement. Here's a copy of it.
Speaker 9 (24:27):
Have a lot.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
Donald black and white. If Pardner says you were in
it with him all the way, would say, Adam.
Speaker 15 (24:37):
Doesn't mean anything to me. He probably forced it at him. Well,
that's not what he says. He blames the whole thing
on you.
Speaker 6 (24:41):
Says you set up the deal, you gave the orders,
you made the phone calls for the ransom money.
Speaker 5 (24:46):
Says that's the way he's gonna tell it in court.
He's gonna need a lot of proof, and gave it
to us.
Speaker 7 (24:50):
He showed us your apartment, a couple of ransom notes
you'd readen, showed us the typewriter you wrote him on,
showed us the clothes you wore the night you grabbed
mister Richmond.
Speaker 5 (24:57):
He's a liar, not according to Dark Crime reason.
Speaker 6 (25:01):
They checked over the clothes found particles of dirt and pollen,
and the trouser cuffs they match up with samples we
took from that field out to the shack.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Well, it ain't true, None of it's true. You guy's
a liar. Well, there's a statement at him. It's all aired.
You got any corrections in the story, Now is the
time to make them, Adam, There's only one thing I
want to know. Yeah, how did it happen? How'd you
get a line on us? Richmond got away from the shack.
We staked out them until you came along.
Speaker 7 (25:29):
Figure couldn't have gotten away.
Speaker 5 (25:31):
I had it all worked out.
Speaker 7 (25:32):
Your partner didn't.
Speaker 15 (25:33):
I showed him just what to do, how to handle
a thing. I showed him where to hide. Richmond couldn't
have goofed up. I showed him the whole routine. It
was one thing you didn't show him. Yeah, how to
tie on that?
Speaker 2 (25:50):
The story you have just heard was true, only the
names were changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 4 (25:56):
On December eighteenth, trial was held in Superior Court Department
that he said, City and County of Los Angeles, State
of California. In a moment, the results of that trial,
Gerald Adams and his accomplice in the abduction of Tony
(26:16):
Richmond were tried and convicted in Superior Court of kidnapping.
The state Penal Code stipulates that kidnapping for the purpose
of extorting money is punishable either by death or by
imprisonment in the state penitentiary. From twenty five years to lfe.
Both Adams and his partner are now serving life terms
in the state Penitentiary. Wholesome California Ladies and Gentlemen. One
(26:39):
of the first contributions to the special five million dollar
Red Cross flood relief appeal was two dollars and seven
cents pennies and nickels from two nine year old playmates
in Kansas City, Missouri. Stepping up to the reception desk
in the Kansas City Red Cross Chapter, the pair proudly
offered their earnings gained from touring neighborhood streets, recite and
(27:00):
singing nursery rhymes. The money the Red Cross provides for
rebuilding a house or refurnishing it, or for helping a
family find the means to help itself will be given outright,
not lent.
Speaker 2 (27:14):
These were the words of President Truman in asking the
American public to contribute at least five million dollars to
the Red Cross to aid the disaster stricken people of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma,
and Illinois. Won't you help through your local Red Cross chapter?
Speaker 4 (27:40):
You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases
from official files. Technical advice comes from the Office of
Chief of Police wh Parker, Los Angeles Police Department.
Speaker 9 (27:53):
Stay tuned for Counterspy next over NBC.
Speaker 1 (28:01):
Welcome Back. Sometimes you have to work to solve the mystery.
Sometimes it kind of solves itself, as the kidnapping plan
fell apart due to an incompetent accomplice and a resourceful victim.
I will admit to some ignorance about the origin of
this title, whether it was a fan title or whether
it was something official. If it's not a fan title,
(28:23):
it does suggest the script may have come in behind schedule,
leaving no time to think of an actual title. And
there's another episode with a similar title the big Almost
no script and no script would be a problem for
a detective program, particularly Dragnet. One does it improv Dragnet.
(28:43):
But I think we may never appreciate how hard it
was for radio writers to turn out scripts week after
week on programs that didn't take breaks, and then to
have those scripts be of as high quality as what
we enjoy on most of the programs. It's an incredible
amount of writing and rewriting, usually down to one or
(29:06):
two writers. All right, Well, listener comments and feedback. Now,
Harrison writes, I feel, and this is regarding the Big Setup.
I feel, if you're going to go through the trouble
of staking out places to rob, then you should probably
skip the ones with living maids. But who am I
to critique criminals supposedly at the top of their profession.
I hear you, Harrison, and I would tend to think
(29:29):
so as well, though I do hate to tell anyone
their business, and I think it is fair to say,
based on the number of burglaries that they pulled off,
with very high value items being stolen, they were probably
at the top of their profession. But sometimes there are
holes in your processes, and sometimes you have success and
(29:54):
that makes you cauky and you make mistakes as a
result of that. We can't really say for sure what
happened here, but I suspect one of those two. And
then we have a couple of comments on YouTube regarding
the Big Love Sarge seven to one four rights. Hello Adam,
thank you for bringing us this episode of Dragnet, and
Alfred writes thanks for the PSA at the beginning. Thanks Alfred.
(30:18):
As I said at the beginning, I don't want to
overuse trigger warnings or things of that sort, but when
this series itself, when it was originally broadcast, had a warning,
it's probably a good idea to pass that along. End
affirm that. All right, Well, now it is time to
thank our Patreon supporter of the day, and I want
(30:40):
to thank real udon Noodle Patreon supporter since December twenty
twenty four, currently supporting the podcast at the Shawmas level
of four dollars or more per month. Thanks so much
for your support and that will do it for today.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your
favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube,
(31:00):
be sure to lock the video subscriber to the channel
and mark the notification bell. We will be back next
Thursday with another episode of drag Nat. But join us
back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny dall or where
Johnny Dollar.
Speaker 12 (31:15):
This is Barry Winters, it Master's Insurance and trust.
Speaker 9 (31:17):
Oh Hi, Barry, it's been here, sure.
Speaker 12 (31:19):
Johnny, because we don't usually have trouble with our accounts.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
You mean you didn't, huh until now?
Speaker 12 (31:24):
Well, yeah, I'm afraid that's about the size of it,
and this time it's bad trouble me a simplex tackle company,
Johnny over in.
Speaker 9 (31:31):
Danbury fishing tackle that's right.
Speaker 7 (31:33):
Oh, how come I never heard of them?
Speaker 12 (31:35):
A little small outfit to kind of glorified partnership.
Speaker 9 (31:39):
What's that mean?
Speaker 12 (31:39):
What's owned by nine men? One of them Hanley Thomas's president.
The others are secretary treasurer and a flock of vice president.
Speaker 9 (31:47):
So what's happened?
Speaker 12 (31:48):
Well, the nine of them, plus the twenty or thirty
workers of the plant are all covered by a group
life insurance deal.
Speaker 9 (31:54):
And listen, yeah, we've.
Speaker 12 (31:56):
Just had to pay off on three policies in a row.
Speaker 7 (31:59):
Well that's too bad.
Speaker 5 (32:00):
Why calling me, because, Johnny.
Speaker 12 (32:01):
Why those three debts? We're all murdered.
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Hope you'll be with us then in the meantime. Send
your comments to Box thirteen at Greatdetectives dot net, follow
us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us out
on Instagram, Instagram, dot com, slash Great detectives from Boise, Idaho.
This is your host, Adam Graham signing off.
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