Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Ladies and gentlemen. The story you are about to hear
is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a burglary detail. A
woman posing as a housemaid has been stealing cash and
(00:28):
other valuables from homes in your city. Your job stopper.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Drag meant 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 piles.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
From beginning to end, from crime to punishment.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
That is the story of your police force and action.
It was Tuesday, October eleventh, was cloudey in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch out of burglery detail.
My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Bernard. My
name is Frank R. On our way back from lunch
and it was one seventeen PM when we got the
room forty five Burglary.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
Hey Smith, huh.
Speaker 6 (01:22):
Your wife called while you're I'll want you to call
her back.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Oh thanks, that's funny. I'm like say to call in
the middle of day. Well, kids are all right when
I left this morning? When what she wants?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Why don't you call her and find out.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
You're not married?
Speaker 5 (01:36):
Joe?
Speaker 4 (01:37):
You don't understand. Sometimes a guy wants a minute to
think things over, try to prepare himself. If he's done
something you shouldn't, well have you, no matter what, done
something you shouldn't.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Of course not, then be my guest.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
Okay, thanks?
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Well down name for you too.
Speaker 6 (01:57):
That's mighty nice funny.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
I know the kids are all right? Oh smart, Hi honey. Yeah,
and I just told me or after line twice or
something wrong? Oh, I want to happen. And I see
if you know who.
Speaker 7 (02:26):
She reported?
Speaker 5 (02:28):
Why not? Al right? Well what did you tell her?
I guess we could.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Yeah, sure, that's the afternoon, I guess, yeah, Joseph, I'll
be about seven thirty. I guess alright, any thanks.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
For telling me. If anything comes up, I'll cally got
by Hm.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Nice old lady like that?
Speaker 5 (02:54):
What's that?
Speaker 4 (02:55):
I don't think you ever met at Joe and names
mus vesper No, it doesn't sound the manor he used
to live next order us when I was a kid,
known me since.
Speaker 5 (03:03):
Ever since I can remember her.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Now she's alone now they calls her up every once
in a while, and see she's all right. Called her
this morning, as Vesper says, she had some money still
and some Julie happened yesterday, didn't she report it? Pate
doesn't seem to think so wants me to talk to
her alight, must go. Well, Joe, you got to promise
me something. You got to give me your word right here.
(03:27):
I don't want you to kid me afterwards about the
way she treats me.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Miss Desper.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Yeah, I told you she's known me all my life. Well,
sometimes she acts like I'm still a little boy, you
know how it is.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
Sure, so you won't rid me about.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Anything, anything at all.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
But what do you get me?
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Well, she doesn't think I ought to be on the
force for one thing, I might as well tell you
about it. If I don't, she will. She always claims
I should have taken up.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
Something else, like what, oh.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
You know the crazy ideas people, especially about kids. Well,
miss Vesper thinks I I'll see. When I was a
lot younger, really young, old turner twelve, I used to
sort of memorize things, little pieces and poems. What memorize things?
Poems and little pieces? And I'd go next door and
recite them for.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Yeah, you say she's known you all my life? Yeah, practically, Yeah,
A lit'll be true. We don't get out there.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
Mmm. So you got a real kick out of them poems.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
And I wasn't much good, But she was prejudiced because
she liked me.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
You know what else?
Speaker 3 (04:23):
I want to go?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Yeah, but I just want to explain this that she
thinks I should have kept at It made it my
career reciting poems. No, not exactly reciting Joe. I didn't
just recite him. You wrote them too, Yeah, Frank. When
I left the office and drove out to the home
of missus Sarah Vesper, she lived in a small bungalow
(04:46):
and Lost Palmer Street in the Miracle Mile district.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
It was two o seven pm when we got there.
Speaker 7 (04:52):
Why it's for goodness sake, Frank's nith. Where on earth
did you come from?
Speaker 5 (04:56):
Afternoons? Vesper?
Speaker 7 (04:58):
Missus Vesper? What's God means you? Frank? You've never called
me that before in your whole life?
Speaker 4 (05:04):
Ah man, Sarah.
Speaker 7 (05:06):
Well now that's more like you. Who's this you got
here with you?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
I'm sir, that's my partner.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Sorry, Friday. Oh please to meet you?
Speaker 7 (05:14):
You work for Frank do your young men?
Speaker 5 (05:16):
And Sarah?
Speaker 3 (05:18):
We work together.
Speaker 7 (05:19):
Oh you don't see well. I expect that keeps you
from getting lonesome, don't it.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
Yes?
Speaker 7 (05:25):
Man, My goodness. Now, don't just stand there, Come on inside,
both of you.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 7 (05:31):
Well, sir, this isn't the dunes coincidence? Ma'am you're coming
to visit me today? Oh, sit right down, Sit right
down after you, Boston, Thanks, believe it or not. I
was talking to your wife only this morning. Then the
next thing I know, here you are.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Faith's only Oh my stars, what's the matter.
Speaker 7 (05:53):
I just remember that's why you're here, Ain't it on
account of what I said to Faith? Yes, sir, I
should never have mentioned it to her. I don't know
what's the matter with me. I must be losing my
mind or something. I just keep forgetting that you're a policeman.
Oh well, you oughtn't to have been one in the
first place. Now, if you're just taken my advice, I'm
(06:15):
sor Oh now, don't misunderstand me, please, I'm not criticizing
the police. We certainly couldn't get along without him, and
I'd be the first to say so. But some people
have a talent for one thing, and some people are
talented in a different direction. Isn't that right, mister Friday?
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 7 (06:33):
You take Frank here. He had a real talent for
making up verses, even when he was just a little tight.
I'll bet you didn't know that, did you.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Well?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I heard little something about him.
Speaker 7 (06:45):
A real talent, That's what it was. Why I remember
some of his poems to my dying day, the rhynd
and everything?
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Is that right?
Speaker 7 (06:56):
You tell me one about the rainbow? That was one
of his very best. Did he ever do it for you,
mister Friday?
Speaker 6 (07:04):
No?
Speaker 3 (07:05):
No, I don't think he did.
Speaker 7 (07:06):
Oh it gave you such a beautiful picture, just like
an artist had painted it, only with words, you know
what I mean?
Speaker 3 (07:16):
Well, I'm not sure.
Speaker 7 (07:16):
I go ahead, Frank say it for mister Friday.
Speaker 5 (07:20):
Please answer now.
Speaker 7 (07:21):
I know he'd like to hear it, wouldn't you, mister Friday?
Speaker 3 (07:25):
I sure would, all right, Frank, the.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
One about the rainbow, I don't remember it?
Speaker 5 (07:29):
Answer?
Speaker 7 (07:30):
Oh, now you're just being bodies?
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Yes, yes you are, Frank, Joe. Oh really, I don't answer.
I don't remember, not.
Speaker 7 (07:38):
A word, honest, seems funny. I'd forget a thing like that,
I mean, when you made it up yourself.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Well, it's been a long time.
Speaker 7 (07:46):
It hasn't been any longer for you than it has
for me. And I can still remember it just as
clear as the first time I heard it. What rainbow,
rainbow up so high? That's how begun, mister Friday, love
to hear, Frank, rainbow rainbow up so high, blue and
(08:07):
red and yellow and brown like an arch across the sky.
Won't you ever tumble down? Where did it go from there? Frank?
The next verse?
Speaker 3 (08:24):
What was it?
Speaker 4 (08:26):
I'm sorry, Sara, but we haven't got much time.
Speaker 7 (08:29):
Oh well, anyway, that gives you an idea of Frank's talent.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Yes, ma'am, it sure does.
Speaker 7 (08:35):
Come on.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
And Sarah, would you just tell us about the.
Speaker 5 (08:38):
Things that were stolen from me? Miss Vesper?
Speaker 7 (08:41):
Oh, well, I suppose I should have gotten in touch
with the police.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Yes, man, we should have.
Speaker 7 (08:46):
Well, I didn't see where that would help matters none,
just like closing the barn door after the horse had
been stolen. And besides, he didn't want to hurt Barbara's feelings.
Barbara my knees, You remember, Barbara, Oh, sure, you played
out in the backyard with her the whole summer. She
was this in me kind of a scrawny girl. Of
(09:07):
course she's filled out now, you just wouldn't recognize her.
Has two children of her own, nice home out in Westwood.
Speaker 5 (09:14):
That's fair.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
What's your niece got to do with all this, Miss Vesper.
Speaker 7 (09:19):
Oh, she's the one who sent her the Keenan woman.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Well, did you know your niece was sending this woman over?
Speaker 4 (09:25):
No?
Speaker 7 (09:26):
No, I guess it was supposed to be kind of
a surprise.
Speaker 5 (09:29):
Oh.
Speaker 7 (09:30):
Anyway, she just come up to the door yesterday morning,
all along about nine point thirty now, said she was
ready to go to work first and didn't know what
she was getting at. And then she explained about Barbara
hiring her to give me a hand. Of course, I
don't need nobody little place like this, no trouble at all. Yes,
(09:51):
but I didn't want to hurt Barbara's feeling, so I
told her to come on in. Figured maybe she could
help out some of the heavy work, you know, turning
the mattress, moving furniture.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Sure, what was the woman's name, Aunt Stair, Margaret, that's
what she told me, Margaret.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Do you know her last name.
Speaker 7 (10:07):
No, no, don't think she even mentioned it.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
All right, what happened next?
Speaker 7 (10:11):
Well, we did the cleaning, not that she was much
of a housekeeper, practically had to go over the whole
place after she left.
Speaker 5 (10:18):
How long she stayed?
Speaker 7 (10:19):
He remember the tsday, that's what she said. Barbara hired
her for. Must have been about oh ten after one
when she went, didn't even give me a full four hours.
Insisted on my fixing her some lunch too. I tell
you that woman sure had her share of goal eating
my sandwiches at the same time she was robbing me.
(10:40):
Wonder she didn't ask for coffair?
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Well, just what was it?
Speaker 7 (10:43):
She stole my cash money, cleaned out every pocketbook in
the dresser, found the bills. I had to hit under
the dresser's scarf too.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yes, ma'am, how soon did you find out that these
things were.
Speaker 7 (10:54):
Going a little while after she left when I went
to straighten up the mess she'd made.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
And you still haven't talked to your niece about all that.
Speaker 7 (11:00):
I told you I didn't want to get her all upset.
I suppose she will think it's funny I have him
called a thinker.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
What if you'd mind calling her.
Speaker 7 (11:08):
No, you mean right now, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
And do I have to well, we'd like to get
this clean woman's name in address.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
You don't have to say why you're calling Aunt Sarah.
Speaker 7 (11:17):
She's bound to know something's wrong. Bob is no fool.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Most you won't talk to her, we will. We can
find out where she lives.
Speaker 7 (11:26):
Guess I was wrong about you, Frank Smith, ma'am. I
guess you're turned into a policeman after all. Like looking
to get tossing the teeth, that's what it is.
Speaker 8 (11:37):
Bob is going to think you don't appreciate all she's
done about me.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
You wait there, I'll be right back, all right, go
ahead and say it. Hmm, go on and get it
over with riding me about the poem, I say, you're smirking.
I'd rather you did that and just sit there with
that silly smirk on your face. I suppose you never
made up any poems when you were a kid. Huh oh,
I'm beat blue and red and brown like an ar
(12:05):
chip in the sky. When will you tumble down?
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Is that it?
Speaker 5 (12:10):
Course? I wasn't a real talented poet. Yeah, what are
you staring at?
Speaker 6 (12:15):
That?
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Nothing?
Speaker 6 (12:16):
You know? Well?
Speaker 5 (12:17):
And stop it was you.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
No, I was just noticing you need a haircut, don't you.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Well I'm gonna get one this week.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
You're not letting it grow along?
Speaker 7 (12:24):
Man?
Speaker 8 (12:24):
Why would I?
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Jouse will help me if we ever get out of here.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
Just slipped out.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
I won't say another word, I promised, or look either.
Speaker 5 (12:32):
Huh, I don't even look.
Speaker 7 (12:35):
Yeah, that isn't the strangest thing.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Did you get a hold of your niece, Miss Vesper?
Speaker 7 (12:40):
Oh, yes, yes, I talked to her. But I don't
understand it. Simply don't understand it.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
What about her?
Speaker 7 (12:49):
Bob didn't have anything to do with it. Boh, she's
never even heard of her.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Frank and I can see we needed to talk to
the victim. Missus Vesper told us that the suspect was
WFA about forty years old, five feet three or four.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
Weighing approximately one hundred and forty pounds.
Speaker 4 (13:08):
Said she was wearing a house dress and a light
gray coat. She also gave us a detailed description of
the jewelry that had been stolen. Frank telephoned missus Vesper's niece,
and she said she was not acquainted with anyone who
answered the suspect's description. Five to seventeen pm, the crime
lab reported they had found no physical evidence at the
Vesper residence.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Three days later, October.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Fourteenth, we received a seft report from a woman living
near Wiltshire in Western The suspect had gained entrance by
saying that a neighbor had centered to clean. The description
tallied with what we already had. During the next two weeks,
nine more steps were reported. In each case, the suspect
had used the same mo and the description indicated that
the crimes had all been the work of the same woman.
Each of the thefts took place within a few blocks
(13:46):
of Wilshire Boulevard, in the area between ver modern Fairfax.
In one instance, the suspect had been seen departing on
the Wiltshire Bus. Police officers stakedout buses and bus stops.
Lists of the stolen property were sent to all pawn
shops in the city. Two women were brought in for
questioning that the victims were unable to give positive identification.
Employment agencies for domestic workers were contacted. Newspaper want ads
(14:08):
were checked.
Speaker 5 (14:09):
No leads developed.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Saturday, October twenty ninth, two to seventeen pm.
Speaker 5 (14:14):
I Get It.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
Burgery Friday who oh, yeah, yeah, Corky, what's that? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (14:24):
Thanks if you can, okay, Kirky Levitt. Yea woman's in
his pawn shop trying to unload a diamond clip. Kirky says,
it's on our list. We left the office and drove
(14:52):
down to Quirky Levitt's pawn shop on South Maine. Over
the phone, Kirky had said he would stall a woman
as long as he could. It was two twenty eight
pm when we got to this place. The woman was
still there.
Speaker 7 (15:03):
You make up your mind, suster, give me some doll
on the thing and hand it back. I'll take it
someplace else.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Let's have a look at it.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Carky Sure, Hey, what is it? Police officers?
Speaker 7 (15:11):
Huh file, let's go take your hands off me? Or all?
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Let's go?
Speaker 5 (15:15):
Thanks, Parkie, Sure you bet?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Yeah, thanks a lot.
Speaker 7 (15:18):
I suppose you let me in on it. What's the beef?
Speaker 3 (15:20):
We're talking over at the officer.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
About what this clip?
Speaker 7 (15:23):
You mean it's hot? Is that what you're getting at?
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Why don't you tell us?
Speaker 7 (15:27):
Well, wouldn't you know it? Lucky Rita sure walked into
it this time, didn't It looks like it? New CON's
got your minds all made us. You think I stole
that thing, don't you?
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Somebody did.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
Two forty two pm we contacted Control one and notified
then we were bringing in a female suspect. They took
down our mileage in location and made.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
A note of the time.
Speaker 4 (15:49):
Eight minutes later we pulled into the city hall and
we again checked with Control one. File suspect was being
searched by a policewoman.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
We talked to one of the victims. The victim positively.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
Identified the diamond clipper is belonging to her. Three forty
one pm we interrogated the suspect in the squad room.
Speaker 5 (16:04):
All right, said all that.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
You want a cigarette? Yeah, all right, I suppose you
tell us about it. Come on, Rita, let's get.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
It over with.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
I was there to tell you.
Speaker 7 (16:20):
Guys know all the answers.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
We know some of them.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
Your name's Rita Baines. You fall him three times forgery,
grand theft, burglary. He made two trips to the Hatchet,
being one to Corona.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
So you looked up my record.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Big deal.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
Let's talk about this diamond cliff.
Speaker 7 (16:32):
Huh okay, pretty ain't it?
Speaker 3 (16:34):
Where'd you get it?
Speaker 5 (16:34):
Rita?
Speaker 7 (16:35):
Didn't I steal It isn't that why you brought me
up here.
Speaker 6 (16:40):
It's a difference.
Speaker 9 (16:41):
You wouldn't believe me no matter what I told you.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Once you try the truth.
Speaker 7 (16:44):
Okay. It was a gift. Yeah, yeah, lady gave it me.
Speaker 6 (16:48):
Was she?
Speaker 7 (16:49):
I don't know? Never saw her before in my life. Sure,
I was riding the bus yesterday afternoon. She was sitting
next to had that pen on, asking if I liked it?
You bet, I said sure, She said it up that
I could have it.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
She just handed it right over, just like that.
Speaker 7 (17:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
What'd she look like? Reader?
Speaker 9 (17:04):
I don't know, forty and be forty five along the
happy side.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
And you've never seen her before first time?
Speaker 6 (17:11):
You know.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
When I was a little girl, my folks always told
me not to take things from strange.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Sure they did.
Speaker 9 (17:15):
Yeah, I guess they were right, all right?
Speaker 5 (17:19):
readA What do you do for a living?
Speaker 7 (17:21):
Wait? Table?
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Where borrowed on peakle?
Speaker 3 (17:23):
You work days or nights.
Speaker 7 (17:25):
Nights mostly don't open at four.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
O'clock every morning's freezing, huh, law against it? Ever do
any housework?
Speaker 7 (17:30):
Straighten up my room once in a while.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
You ever do housework for somebody else, like a cleaning woman?
Speaker 7 (17:36):
I ain't that hard up for a job, even with
a record.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
All right, let's talk about this pen some more.
Speaker 7 (17:41):
You didn't believe me, did you?
Speaker 4 (17:42):
Pretty hard to swallowing that? Yeah, lady at belongs who
says worth over one hundred dollars?
Speaker 7 (17:46):
Palmbroker didn't think so.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
People don't go around giving one hundred dollar clips, now
do they? What'd you get it?
Speaker 9 (17:53):
Stame on the bus asked me if I liked it?
Speaker 2 (17:54):
I said yes, she gave it to me.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (17:56):
You guys don't mind if I stick to that story.
Do you're seeing us?
Speaker 6 (17:59):
Howe?
Speaker 5 (18:00):
Which bus were you riding?
Speaker 7 (18:01):
Well?
Speaker 3 (18:02):
Where'd your friend get off?
Speaker 4 (18:03):
She wasn't.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Where'd she get off?
Speaker 7 (18:04):
I don't know? I got off first. You know, if
it was somebody else telling you this, she might go
along with her.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Yeah, sure we wouldn't.
Speaker 7 (18:13):
But not me, Not Rita Banes. You cops give a
gall of record. From then on, she might as well
be dead. Sure, anytime there's trouble pick her up. She
probably did it. She tells you didn't. She's probably long.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
You know, you got one thing wrong?
Speaker 9 (18:24):
Rider, I oh don't know. It's happened to me often enough.
I'm the gal with a record.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
Yeah, but we didn't give it to you.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Frank and I continued to question the suspect, but she
refused to change her story.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Eight forty two pm a.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Special show off was held for several of the burglary victims,
none of them identified Rita Baines.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
Nine oh six pm. She was released in custody and
we went back to the office.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Well, she didn't take Dax clips.
Speaker 5 (18:49):
She knows what did.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
Maybe that's the reason, Joe. Nobody's gonna go to all
the trouble of stealing this stuff and then.
Speaker 5 (18:55):
Give it away.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
Burgary Friday. Yes, ma'am, what's that I see? Mm hm, yes,
we would.
Speaker 5 (19:08):
What's your address?
Speaker 4 (19:12):
All right, thank you very much, just a few minutes, goodbye. Well,
here we go again, another burglary, another piece of free jewelry.
Frank and I'd rolled out to one address on South
Ridgley Drive. Nine thirty two pm. We talked to missus
(19:32):
Lucy Heflin. She showed us a pearl choker that had
been given to her by a woman she met at
a bus stop earlier in the evening.
Speaker 7 (19:37):
I didn't want to take it. I told her so,
but she wouldn't listen.
Speaker 8 (19:40):
And then afterwards, when I got home and thought about it.
Speaker 7 (19:42):
Well, I started wondering.
Speaker 8 (19:43):
If maybe there was some reason why she was so
anxious to get rid of those pearls. So I called you.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Just where was it you saw this woman?
Speaker 5 (19:48):
As Hefflyn corner of.
Speaker 7 (19:49):
Wheelshare and Barstow.
Speaker 8 (19:50):
That's where I was waiting for my bus.
Speaker 7 (19:52):
I take the Wheelshair Express.
Speaker 5 (19:53):
Huh uh.
Speaker 7 (19:54):
She was on a low cao, I see, and when
it pulled up she got out.
Speaker 9 (19:57):
I guess she must have turned her ankle or something.
Speaker 8 (19:58):
Anyway, she dropped her pocket book.
Speaker 7 (20:01):
Well, I helped her pick up her things, and that's
when she gave me this joker I see.
Speaker 9 (20:04):
Said she didn't have any.
Speaker 7 (20:05):
Use for herself and for me to keep it. Try
to give it back that you wouldn't wait. I tried
to follow her, but just then my bus came along,
and I knew there wouldn't be another one for maybe
an hour.
Speaker 8 (20:14):
They don't run very regular after eight o'clock. Anyway, I
figured I could always return the choker if that seemed
like the best thing.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Oh were you going to do that, Miss Heaflin? Do
you know the woman? Oh?
Speaker 7 (20:23):
No, no, But I watched her from the bus.
Speaker 9 (20:25):
We had to wait for the light to change.
Speaker 8 (20:27):
No, ta go into a building, apartment house. I suppose
that's where she lives.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
Miss Heflin told us that the woman had entered an
apartment house on Barstow Street, two doors from the Wiltshire Corner.
We asked her to describe the suspect, and her description
taled with what we already had. Ten fifteen pm, we
drove over to the Barstow Avenue address and talked to
the manager of the apartment. He told us that a
woman answering the suspect's description lived on the second floor
Apartment seven.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
He said that her name was Edna Landy. Frank and
I went upstairs to talk to her.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Well, let's be a bar.
Speaker 4 (21:10):
Somebody's coming, yeah, Miss Landy, Yes, sir police officers. Oh
like it to come downtown with Miss Landy.
Speaker 7 (21:20):
All right, I'll get my coat.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Never mind, I got it for you.
Speaker 9 (21:22):
It's in the closet over there.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
Okay, I'll look around while I'm at at Joe.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
Yeah, he won't find anything, that's all.
Speaker 9 (21:30):
I gave the last of it away just to seven
lady I met at the bus stop. Gave the last
piece to her nicely. She's very kind. To me, help
me when I drop my purse. I'm glad I had
something nice for.
Speaker 7 (21:45):
Girl Choker.
Speaker 6 (21:46):
That's what it was.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
Yeah, clean Joe, all right.
Speaker 9 (21:49):
I said you wouldn't find anything.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
Why'd you do it? Miss Landy? Why'd you steal those things?
Speaker 7 (21:56):
Oh? I wasn't stealing.
Speaker 5 (21:58):
Oh you weren't.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
I'm just teaching them a lesson.
Speaker 9 (22:02):
Yeah, they needed it, needed it bad. I never trust anybody.
Always say you're stealing from them.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
But who are you talking about, miss Landy.
Speaker 7 (22:10):
People that hired me to work for him do their cleaning.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
These people didn't hire you. They're all the.
Speaker 9 (22:16):
Same folks out here, back east and all the same.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Where's back east?
Speaker 9 (22:20):
Ch Cargo, ch Cargo, Illinois. Doesn't matter how much you do,
how hard you try, man, sooner or later something's missing.
Speaker 7 (22:28):
They say you took it.
Speaker 9 (22:31):
Well for him, ten years, doesn't matter. Least little thing
gets lost.
Speaker 7 (22:33):
They say you're a thief.
Speaker 9 (22:35):
Nicely made up my mind to show them. As long
as they're gonna blame anyway, might as well do something
to deserve it.
Speaker 7 (22:41):
Good lesson. That's what they need.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
All right, let's go.
Speaker 9 (22:45):
I'm an honest woman, always been honest. I never took
that money from missus dresser. She was wrong to say.
I did never took nothing that didn't belong to.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
Me until you came out here.
Speaker 7 (22:56):
That's different.
Speaker 9 (22:58):
Even then, I wasn't taking from myself. If I gave
all the jewelry away, it wasn't from me.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
I was more than jewelry, Miss Landing a lot of
money missing too.
Speaker 9 (23:05):
No, I didn't keep it. I send it off, every penny,
send it to charity, different charities all over. I wouldn't
keep something that wasn't mine. Maybe next time they'd be
a little more careful. Who they say is a thief.
Isn't right to chuse somebody when she hasn't done it
just because you're the cleaning woman. That doesn't mean you're
not honest. Well I showed him, showed them if I
(23:26):
really wanted to be a crook, how easy it was.
I mustn't think I was doing anything wrong. No, just
trying to make them understand that's all. Cleaning woman's like
everybody else. She'd got feelings too, and pride like everybody else.
Maybe now they'll see where they made their mistake.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
Now they better.
Speaker 9 (23:45):
I won't stand for being called a liar.
Speaker 7 (23:46):
And a thief.
Speaker 9 (23:47):
Not anymore. Folks better treat me a whole lot different
from here on in.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
Well, that's right, miss Landy, what they will.
Speaker 5 (24:02):
The story you've just heard is true.
Speaker 4 (24:04):
The names were changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
On December fourteenth, the hearing was held in Department ninety six,
Superior Court at the State of California in and for
the County of Los Angeles. In a moment the results
of that hearing, Edna Foster Landy was examined by three
(24:27):
psychiatrists appointed by the court and was found to be
mentally incompetent. She was committed to a state medical hospital
for an indefinite period of treatment. You have just heard Dragnet,
a series of authentic cases from official finance. Technical advice
(24:51):
comes from the Office of Chief of Police W. H. Parker,
Los Angeles Police Department.
Ladies and gentlemen. The story you are about to hear
is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a burglary detail. A
woman posing as a housemaid has been stealing cash and
(00:28):
other valuables from homes in your city. Your job stopper.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Drag meant 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 piles.
Speaker 3 (00:56):
From beginning to end, from crime to punishment.
Speaker 4 (01:00):
That is the story of your police force and action.
It was Tuesday, October eleventh, was cloudey in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch out of burglery detail.
My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Bernard. My
name is Frank R. On our way back from lunch
and it was one seventeen PM when we got the
room forty five Burglary.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
Hey Smith, huh.
Speaker 6 (01:22):
Your wife called while you're I'll want you to call
her back.
Speaker 4 (01:25):
Oh thanks, that's funny. I'm like say to call in
the middle of day. Well, kids are all right when
I left this morning? When what she wants?
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Why don't you call her and find out.
Speaker 4 (01:35):
You're not married?
Speaker 5 (01:36):
Joe?
Speaker 4 (01:37):
You don't understand. Sometimes a guy wants a minute to
think things over, try to prepare himself. If he's done
something you shouldn't, well have you, no matter what, done
something you shouldn't.
Speaker 3 (01:48):
Of course not, then be my guest.
Speaker 5 (01:53):
Okay, thanks?
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Well down name for you too.
Speaker 6 (01:57):
That's mighty nice funny.
Speaker 4 (02:08):
I know the kids are all right? Oh smart, Hi honey. Yeah,
and I just told me or after line twice or
something wrong? Oh, I want to happen. And I see
if you know who.
Speaker 7 (02:26):
She reported?
Speaker 5 (02:28):
Why not? Al right? Well what did you tell her?
I guess we could.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
Yeah, sure, that's the afternoon, I guess, yeah, Joseph, I'll
be about seven thirty. I guess alright, any thanks.
Speaker 5 (02:46):
For telling me. If anything comes up, I'll cally got
by Hm.
Speaker 4 (02:53):
Nice old lady like that?
Speaker 5 (02:54):
What's that?
Speaker 4 (02:55):
I don't think you ever met at Joe and names
mus vesper No, it doesn't sound the manor he used
to live next order us when I was a kid,
known me since.
Speaker 5 (03:03):
Ever since I can remember her.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Now she's alone now they calls her up every once
in a while, and see she's all right. Called her
this morning, as Vesper says, she had some money still
and some Julie happened yesterday, didn't she report it? Pate
doesn't seem to think so wants me to talk to
her alight, must go. Well, Joe, you got to promise
me something. You got to give me your word right here.
(03:27):
I don't want you to kid me afterwards about the
way she treats me.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
Miss Desper.
Speaker 4 (03:31):
Yeah, I told you she's known me all my life. Well,
sometimes she acts like I'm still a little boy, you
know how it is.
Speaker 5 (03:37):
Sure, so you won't rid me about.
Speaker 4 (03:39):
Anything, anything at all.
Speaker 3 (03:41):
But what do you get me?
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Well, she doesn't think I ought to be on the
force for one thing, I might as well tell you
about it. If I don't, she will. She always claims
I should have taken up.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
Something else, like what, oh.
Speaker 4 (03:52):
You know the crazy ideas people, especially about kids. Well,
miss Vesper thinks I I'll see. When I was a
lot younger, really young, old turner twelve, I used to
sort of memorize things, little pieces and poems. What memorize things?
Poems and little pieces? And I'd go next door and
recite them for.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Yeah, you say she's known you all my life? Yeah, practically, Yeah,
A lit'll be true. We don't get out there.
Speaker 5 (04:16):
Mmm. So you got a real kick out of them poems.
Speaker 4 (04:18):
And I wasn't much good, But she was prejudiced because
she liked me.
Speaker 5 (04:21):
You know what else?
Speaker 3 (04:23):
I want to go?
Speaker 4 (04:24):
Yeah, but I just want to explain this that she
thinks I should have kept at It made it my
career reciting poems. No, not exactly reciting Joe. I didn't
just recite him. You wrote them too, Yeah, Frank. When
I left the office and drove out to the home
of missus Sarah Vesper, she lived in a small bungalow
(04:46):
and Lost Palmer Street in the Miracle Mile district.
Speaker 3 (04:49):
It was two o seven pm when we got there.
Speaker 7 (04:52):
Why it's for goodness sake, Frank's nith. Where on earth
did you come from?
Speaker 5 (04:56):
Afternoons? Vesper?
Speaker 7 (04:58):
Missus Vesper? What's God means you? Frank? You've never called
me that before in your whole life?
Speaker 4 (05:04):
Ah man, Sarah.
Speaker 7 (05:06):
Well now that's more like you. Who's this you got
here with you?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
I'm sir, that's my partner.
Speaker 3 (05:11):
Sorry, Friday. Oh please to meet you?
Speaker 7 (05:14):
You work for Frank do your young men?
Speaker 5 (05:16):
And Sarah?
Speaker 3 (05:18):
We work together.
Speaker 7 (05:19):
Oh you don't see well. I expect that keeps you
from getting lonesome, don't it.
Speaker 5 (05:25):
Yes?
Speaker 7 (05:25):
Man, My goodness. Now, don't just stand there, Come on inside,
both of you.
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Thank you very much.
Speaker 7 (05:31):
Well, sir, this isn't the dunes coincidence? Ma'am you're coming
to visit me today? Oh, sit right down, Sit right
down after you, Boston, Thanks, believe it or not. I
was talking to your wife only this morning. Then the
next thing I know, here you are.
Speaker 5 (05:49):
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
Faith's only Oh my stars, what's the matter.
Speaker 7 (05:53):
I just remember that's why you're here, Ain't it on
account of what I said to Faith? Yes, sir, I
should never have mentioned it to her. I don't know
what's the matter with me. I must be losing my
mind or something. I just keep forgetting that you're a policeman.
Oh well, you oughtn't to have been one in the
first place. Now, if you're just taken my advice, I'm
(06:15):
sor Oh now, don't misunderstand me, please, I'm not criticizing
the police. We certainly couldn't get along without him, and
I'd be the first to say so. But some people
have a talent for one thing, and some people are
talented in a different direction. Isn't that right, mister Friday?
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Yes, ma'am.
Speaker 7 (06:33):
You take Frank here. He had a real talent for
making up verses, even when he was just a little tight.
I'll bet you didn't know that, did you.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Well?
Speaker 3 (06:43):
I heard little something about him.
Speaker 7 (06:45):
A real talent, That's what it was. Why I remember
some of his poems to my dying day, the rhynd
and everything?
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Is that right?
Speaker 7 (06:56):
You tell me one about the rainbow? That was one
of his very best. Did he ever do it for you,
mister Friday?
Speaker 6 (07:04):
No?
Speaker 3 (07:05):
No, I don't think he did.
Speaker 7 (07:06):
Oh it gave you such a beautiful picture, just like
an artist had painted it, only with words, you know
what I mean?
Speaker 3 (07:16):
Well, I'm not sure.
Speaker 7 (07:16):
I go ahead, Frank say it for mister Friday.
Speaker 5 (07:20):
Please answer now.
Speaker 7 (07:21):
I know he'd like to hear it, wouldn't you, mister Friday?
Speaker 3 (07:25):
I sure would, all right, Frank, the.
Speaker 4 (07:27):
One about the rainbow, I don't remember it?
Speaker 5 (07:29):
Answer?
Speaker 7 (07:30):
Oh, now you're just being bodies?
Speaker 4 (07:32):
Yes, yes you are, Frank, Joe. Oh really, I don't answer.
I don't remember, not.
Speaker 7 (07:38):
A word, honest, seems funny. I'd forget a thing like that,
I mean, when you made it up yourself.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Well, it's been a long time.
Speaker 7 (07:46):
It hasn't been any longer for you than it has
for me. And I can still remember it just as
clear as the first time I heard it. What rainbow,
rainbow up so high? That's how begun, mister Friday, love
to hear, Frank, rainbow rainbow up so high, blue and
(08:07):
red and yellow and brown like an arch across the sky.
Won't you ever tumble down? Where did it go from there? Frank?
The next verse?
Speaker 3 (08:24):
What was it?
Speaker 4 (08:26):
I'm sorry, Sara, but we haven't got much time.
Speaker 7 (08:29):
Oh well, anyway, that gives you an idea of Frank's talent.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Yes, ma'am, it sure does.
Speaker 7 (08:35):
Come on.
Speaker 4 (08:36):
And Sarah, would you just tell us about the.
Speaker 5 (08:38):
Things that were stolen from me? Miss Vesper?
Speaker 7 (08:41):
Oh, well, I suppose I should have gotten in touch
with the police.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Yes, man, we should have.
Speaker 7 (08:46):
Well, I didn't see where that would help matters none,
just like closing the barn door after the horse had
been stolen. And besides, he didn't want to hurt Barbara's feelings.
Barbara my knees, You remember, Barbara, Oh, sure, you played
out in the backyard with her the whole summer. She
was this in me kind of a scrawny girl. Of
(09:07):
course she's filled out now, you just wouldn't recognize her.
Has two children of her own, nice home out in Westwood.
Speaker 5 (09:14):
That's fair.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
What's your niece got to do with all this, Miss Vesper.
Speaker 7 (09:19):
Oh, she's the one who sent her the Keenan woman.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Well, did you know your niece was sending this woman over?
Speaker 4 (09:25):
No?
Speaker 7 (09:26):
No, I guess it was supposed to be kind of
a surprise.
Speaker 5 (09:29):
Oh.
Speaker 7 (09:30):
Anyway, she just come up to the door yesterday morning,
all along about nine point thirty now, said she was
ready to go to work first and didn't know what
she was getting at. And then she explained about Barbara
hiring her to give me a hand. Of course, I
don't need nobody little place like this, no trouble at all. Yes,
(09:51):
but I didn't want to hurt Barbara's feeling, so I
told her to come on in. Figured maybe she could
help out some of the heavy work, you know, turning
the mattress, moving furniture.
Speaker 4 (10:01):
Sure, what was the woman's name, Aunt Stair, Margaret, that's
what she told me, Margaret.
Speaker 3 (10:06):
Do you know her last name.
Speaker 7 (10:07):
No, no, don't think she even mentioned it.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
All right, what happened next?
Speaker 7 (10:11):
Well, we did the cleaning, not that she was much
of a housekeeper, practically had to go over the whole
place after she left.
Speaker 5 (10:18):
How long she stayed?
Speaker 7 (10:19):
He remember the tsday, that's what she said. Barbara hired
her for. Must have been about oh ten after one
when she went, didn't even give me a full four hours.
Insisted on my fixing her some lunch too. I tell
you that woman sure had her share of goal eating
my sandwiches at the same time she was robbing me.
(10:40):
Wonder she didn't ask for coffair?
Speaker 3 (10:43):
Well, just what was it?
Speaker 7 (10:43):
She stole my cash money, cleaned out every pocketbook in
the dresser, found the bills. I had to hit under
the dresser's scarf too.
Speaker 3 (10:51):
Yes, ma'am, how soon did you find out that these
things were.
Speaker 7 (10:54):
Going a little while after she left when I went
to straighten up the mess she'd made.
Speaker 3 (10:58):
And you still haven't talked to your niece about all that.
Speaker 7 (11:00):
I told you I didn't want to get her all upset.
I suppose she will think it's funny I have him
called a thinker.
Speaker 3 (11:07):
What if you'd mind calling her.
Speaker 7 (11:08):
No, you mean right now, yes, ma'am.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
And do I have to well, we'd like to get
this clean woman's name in address.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
You don't have to say why you're calling Aunt Sarah.
Speaker 7 (11:17):
She's bound to know something's wrong. Bob is no fool.
Speaker 4 (11:22):
Most you won't talk to her, we will. We can
find out where she lives.
Speaker 7 (11:26):
Guess I was wrong about you, Frank Smith, ma'am. I
guess you're turned into a policeman after all. Like looking
to get tossing the teeth, that's what it is.
Speaker 8 (11:37):
Bob is going to think you don't appreciate all she's
done about me.
Speaker 4 (11:40):
You wait there, I'll be right back, all right, go
ahead and say it. Hmm, go on and get it
over with riding me about the poem, I say, you're smirking.
I'd rather you did that and just sit there with
that silly smirk on your face. I suppose you never
made up any poems when you were a kid. Huh oh,
I'm beat blue and red and brown like an ar
(12:05):
chip in the sky. When will you tumble down?
Speaker 3 (12:07):
Is that it?
Speaker 5 (12:10):
Course? I wasn't a real talented poet. Yeah, what are
you staring at?
Speaker 6 (12:15):
That?
Speaker 3 (12:16):
Nothing?
Speaker 6 (12:16):
You know? Well?
Speaker 5 (12:17):
And stop it was you.
Speaker 3 (12:18):
No, I was just noticing you need a haircut, don't you.
Speaker 5 (12:20):
Well I'm gonna get one this week.
Speaker 3 (12:23):
You're not letting it grow along?
Speaker 7 (12:24):
Man?
Speaker 8 (12:24):
Why would I?
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Jouse will help me if we ever get out of here.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
Just slipped out.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
I won't say another word, I promised, or look either.
Speaker 5 (12:32):
Huh, I don't even look.
Speaker 7 (12:35):
Yeah, that isn't the strangest thing.
Speaker 3 (12:38):
Did you get a hold of your niece, Miss Vesper?
Speaker 7 (12:40):
Oh, yes, yes, I talked to her. But I don't
understand it. Simply don't understand it.
Speaker 3 (12:48):
What about her?
Speaker 7 (12:49):
Bob didn't have anything to do with it. Boh, she's
never even heard of her.
Speaker 4 (12:59):
Frank and I can see we needed to talk to
the victim. Missus Vesper told us that the suspect was
WFA about forty years old, five feet three or four.
Speaker 3 (13:06):
Weighing approximately one hundred and forty pounds.
Speaker 4 (13:08):
Said she was wearing a house dress and a light
gray coat. She also gave us a detailed description of
the jewelry that had been stolen. Frank telephoned missus Vesper's niece,
and she said she was not acquainted with anyone who
answered the suspect's description. Five to seventeen pm, the crime
lab reported they had found no physical evidence at the
Vesper residence.
Speaker 3 (13:25):
Three days later, October.
Speaker 4 (13:26):
Fourteenth, we received a seft report from a woman living
near Wiltshire in Western The suspect had gained entrance by
saying that a neighbor had centered to clean. The description
tallied with what we already had. During the next two weeks,
nine more steps were reported. In each case, the suspect
had used the same mo and the description indicated that
the crimes had all been the work of the same woman.
Each of the thefts took place within a few blocks
(13:46):
of Wilshire Boulevard, in the area between ver modern Fairfax.
In one instance, the suspect had been seen departing on
the Wiltshire Bus. Police officers stakedout buses and bus stops.
Lists of the stolen property were sent to all pawn
shops in the city. Two women were brought in for
questioning that the victims were unable to give positive identification.
Employment agencies for domestic workers were contacted. Newspaper want ads
(14:08):
were checked.
Speaker 5 (14:09):
No leads developed.
Speaker 3 (14:10):
Saturday, October twenty ninth, two to seventeen pm.
Speaker 5 (14:14):
I Get It.
Speaker 3 (14:17):
Burgery Friday who oh, yeah, yeah, Corky, what's that? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (14:24):
Thanks if you can, okay, Kirky Levitt. Yea woman's in
his pawn shop trying to unload a diamond clip. Kirky says,
it's on our list. We left the office and drove
(14:52):
down to Quirky Levitt's pawn shop on South Maine. Over
the phone, Kirky had said he would stall a woman
as long as he could. It was two twenty eight
pm when we got to this place. The woman was
still there.
Speaker 7 (15:03):
You make up your mind, suster, give me some doll
on the thing and hand it back. I'll take it
someplace else.
Speaker 5 (15:07):
Let's have a look at it.
Speaker 3 (15:08):
Carky Sure, Hey, what is it? Police officers?
Speaker 7 (15:11):
Huh file, let's go take your hands off me? Or all?
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Let's go?
Speaker 5 (15:15):
Thanks, Parkie, Sure you bet?
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Yeah, thanks a lot.
Speaker 7 (15:18):
I suppose you let me in on it. What's the beef?
Speaker 3 (15:20):
We're talking over at the officer.
Speaker 4 (15:21):
About what this clip?
Speaker 7 (15:23):
You mean it's hot? Is that what you're getting at?
Speaker 3 (15:25):
Why don't you tell us?
Speaker 7 (15:27):
Well, wouldn't you know it? Lucky Rita sure walked into
it this time, didn't It looks like it? New CON's
got your minds all made us. You think I stole
that thing, don't you?
Speaker 3 (15:36):
Somebody did.
Speaker 4 (15:41):
Two forty two pm we contacted Control one and notified
then we were bringing in a female suspect. They took
down our mileage in location and made.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
A note of the time.
Speaker 4 (15:49):
Eight minutes later we pulled into the city hall and
we again checked with Control one. File suspect was being
searched by a policewoman.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
We talked to one of the victims. The victim positively.
Speaker 4 (15:57):
Identified the diamond clipper is belonging to her. Three forty
one pm we interrogated the suspect in the squad room.
Speaker 5 (16:04):
All right, said all that.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
You want a cigarette? Yeah, all right, I suppose you
tell us about it. Come on, Rita, let's get.
Speaker 5 (16:19):
It over with.
Speaker 3 (16:19):
I was there to tell you.
Speaker 7 (16:20):
Guys know all the answers.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
We know some of them.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
Your name's Rita Baines. You fall him three times forgery,
grand theft, burglary. He made two trips to the Hatchet,
being one to Corona.
Speaker 7 (16:29):
So you looked up my record.
Speaker 3 (16:30):
Big deal.
Speaker 5 (16:30):
Let's talk about this diamond cliff.
Speaker 7 (16:32):
Huh okay, pretty ain't it?
Speaker 3 (16:34):
Where'd you get it?
Speaker 5 (16:34):
Rita?
Speaker 7 (16:35):
Didn't I steal It isn't that why you brought me
up here.
Speaker 6 (16:40):
It's a difference.
Speaker 9 (16:41):
You wouldn't believe me no matter what I told you.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
Once you try the truth.
Speaker 7 (16:44):
Okay. It was a gift. Yeah, yeah, lady gave it me.
Speaker 6 (16:48):
Was she?
Speaker 7 (16:49):
I don't know? Never saw her before in my life. Sure,
I was riding the bus yesterday afternoon. She was sitting
next to had that pen on, asking if I liked it?
You bet, I said sure, She said it up that
I could have it.
Speaker 3 (17:00):
She just handed it right over, just like that.
Speaker 7 (17:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (17:03):
What'd she look like? Reader?
Speaker 9 (17:04):
I don't know, forty and be forty five along the
happy side.
Speaker 3 (17:08):
And you've never seen her before first time?
Speaker 6 (17:11):
You know.
Speaker 7 (17:11):
When I was a little girl, my folks always told
me not to take things from strange.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Sure they did.
Speaker 9 (17:15):
Yeah, I guess they were right, all right?
Speaker 5 (17:19):
readA What do you do for a living?
Speaker 7 (17:21):
Wait? Table?
Speaker 4 (17:22):
Where borrowed on peakle?
Speaker 3 (17:23):
You work days or nights.
Speaker 7 (17:25):
Nights mostly don't open at four.
Speaker 3 (17:26):
O'clock every morning's freezing, huh, law against it? Ever do
any housework?
Speaker 7 (17:30):
Straighten up my room once in a while.
Speaker 3 (17:32):
You ever do housework for somebody else, like a cleaning woman?
Speaker 7 (17:36):
I ain't that hard up for a job, even with
a record.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
All right, let's talk about this pen some more.
Speaker 7 (17:41):
You didn't believe me, did you?
Speaker 4 (17:42):
Pretty hard to swallowing that? Yeah, lady at belongs who
says worth over one hundred dollars?
Speaker 7 (17:46):
Palmbroker didn't think so.
Speaker 3 (17:48):
People don't go around giving one hundred dollar clips, now
do they? What'd you get it?
Speaker 9 (17:53):
Stame on the bus asked me if I liked it?
Speaker 2 (17:54):
I said yes, she gave it to me.
Speaker 5 (17:56):
Yeah.
Speaker 7 (17:56):
You guys don't mind if I stick to that story.
Do you're seeing us?
Speaker 6 (17:59):
Howe?
Speaker 5 (18:00):
Which bus were you riding?
Speaker 7 (18:01):
Well?
Speaker 3 (18:02):
Where'd your friend get off?
Speaker 4 (18:03):
She wasn't.
Speaker 3 (18:03):
Where'd she get off?
Speaker 7 (18:04):
I don't know? I got off first. You know, if
it was somebody else telling you this, she might go
along with her.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Yeah, sure we wouldn't.
Speaker 7 (18:13):
But not me, Not Rita Banes. You cops give a
gall of record. From then on, she might as well
be dead. Sure, anytime there's trouble pick her up. She
probably did it. She tells you didn't. She's probably long.
Speaker 3 (18:23):
You know, you got one thing wrong?
Speaker 9 (18:24):
Rider, I oh don't know. It's happened to me often enough.
I'm the gal with a record.
Speaker 3 (18:27):
Yeah, but we didn't give it to you.
Speaker 4 (18:34):
Frank and I continued to question the suspect, but she
refused to change her story.
Speaker 3 (18:38):
Eight forty two pm a.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
Special show off was held for several of the burglary victims,
none of them identified Rita Baines.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
Nine oh six pm. She was released in custody and
we went back to the office.
Speaker 4 (18:48):
Well, she didn't take Dax clips.
Speaker 5 (18:49):
She knows what did.
Speaker 4 (18:50):
Maybe that's the reason, Joe. Nobody's gonna go to all
the trouble of stealing this stuff and then.
Speaker 5 (18:55):
Give it away.
Speaker 3 (18:58):
Burgary Friday. Yes, ma'am, what's that I see? Mm hm, yes,
we would.
Speaker 5 (19:08):
What's your address?
Speaker 4 (19:12):
All right, thank you very much, just a few minutes, goodbye. Well,
here we go again, another burglary, another piece of free jewelry.
Frank and I'd rolled out to one address on South
Ridgley Drive. Nine thirty two pm. We talked to missus
(19:32):
Lucy Heflin. She showed us a pearl choker that had
been given to her by a woman she met at
a bus stop earlier in the evening.
Speaker 7 (19:37):
I didn't want to take it. I told her so,
but she wouldn't listen.
Speaker 8 (19:40):
And then afterwards, when I got home and thought about it.
Speaker 7 (19:42):
Well, I started wondering.
Speaker 8 (19:43):
If maybe there was some reason why she was so
anxious to get rid of those pearls. So I called you.
Speaker 3 (19:47):
Just where was it you saw this woman?
Speaker 5 (19:48):
As Hefflyn corner of.
Speaker 7 (19:49):
Wheelshare and Barstow.
Speaker 8 (19:50):
That's where I was waiting for my bus.
Speaker 7 (19:52):
I take the Wheelshair Express.
Speaker 5 (19:53):
Huh uh.
Speaker 7 (19:54):
She was on a low cao, I see, and when
it pulled up she got out.
Speaker 9 (19:57):
I guess she must have turned her ankle or something.
Speaker 8 (19:58):
Anyway, she dropped her pocket book.
Speaker 7 (20:01):
Well, I helped her pick up her things, and that's
when she gave me this joker I see.
Speaker 9 (20:04):
Said she didn't have any.
Speaker 7 (20:05):
Use for herself and for me to keep it. Try
to give it back that you wouldn't wait. I tried
to follow her, but just then my bus came along,
and I knew there wouldn't be another one for maybe
an hour.
Speaker 8 (20:14):
They don't run very regular after eight o'clock. Anyway, I
figured I could always return the choker if that seemed
like the best thing.
Speaker 3 (20:21):
Oh were you going to do that, Miss Heaflin? Do
you know the woman? Oh?
Speaker 7 (20:23):
No, no, But I watched her from the bus.
Speaker 9 (20:25):
We had to wait for the light to change.
Speaker 8 (20:27):
No, ta go into a building, apartment house. I suppose
that's where she lives.
Speaker 4 (20:36):
Miss Heflin told us that the woman had entered an
apartment house on Barstow Street, two doors from the Wiltshire Corner.
We asked her to describe the suspect, and her description
taled with what we already had. Ten fifteen pm, we
drove over to the Barstow Avenue address and talked to
the manager of the apartment. He told us that a
woman answering the suspect's description lived on the second floor
Apartment seven.
Speaker 3 (20:54):
He said that her name was Edna Landy. Frank and
I went upstairs to talk to her.
Speaker 5 (21:02):
Well, let's be a bar.
Speaker 4 (21:10):
Somebody's coming, yeah, Miss Landy, Yes, sir police officers. Oh
like it to come downtown with Miss Landy.
Speaker 7 (21:20):
All right, I'll get my coat.
Speaker 4 (21:21):
Never mind, I got it for you.
Speaker 9 (21:22):
It's in the closet over there.
Speaker 4 (21:24):
Okay, I'll look around while I'm at at Joe.
Speaker 3 (21:26):
Yeah, he won't find anything, that's all.
Speaker 9 (21:30):
I gave the last of it away just to seven
lady I met at the bus stop. Gave the last
piece to her nicely. She's very kind. To me, help
me when I drop my purse. I'm glad I had
something nice for.
Speaker 7 (21:45):
Girl Choker.
Speaker 6 (21:46):
That's what it was.
Speaker 5 (21:47):
Yeah, clean Joe, all right.
Speaker 9 (21:49):
I said you wouldn't find anything.
Speaker 3 (21:51):
Why'd you do it? Miss Landy? Why'd you steal those things?
Speaker 7 (21:56):
Oh? I wasn't stealing.
Speaker 5 (21:58):
Oh you weren't.
Speaker 7 (22:00):
I'm just teaching them a lesson.
Speaker 9 (22:02):
Yeah, they needed it, needed it bad. I never trust anybody.
Always say you're stealing from them.
Speaker 3 (22:08):
But who are you talking about, miss Landy.
Speaker 7 (22:10):
People that hired me to work for him do their cleaning.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
These people didn't hire you. They're all the.
Speaker 9 (22:16):
Same folks out here, back east and all the same.
Speaker 3 (22:19):
Where's back east?
Speaker 9 (22:20):
Ch Cargo, ch Cargo, Illinois. Doesn't matter how much you do,
how hard you try, man, sooner or later something's missing.
Speaker 7 (22:28):
They say you took it.
Speaker 9 (22:31):
Well for him, ten years, doesn't matter. Least little thing
gets lost.
Speaker 7 (22:33):
They say you're a thief.
Speaker 9 (22:35):
Nicely made up my mind to show them. As long
as they're gonna blame anyway, might as well do something
to deserve it.
Speaker 7 (22:41):
Good lesson. That's what they need.
Speaker 3 (22:44):
All right, let's go.
Speaker 9 (22:45):
I'm an honest woman, always been honest. I never took
that money from missus dresser. She was wrong to say.
I did never took nothing that didn't belong to.
Speaker 3 (22:54):
Me until you came out here.
Speaker 7 (22:56):
That's different.
Speaker 9 (22:58):
Even then, I wasn't taking from myself. If I gave
all the jewelry away, it wasn't from me.
Speaker 4 (23:02):
I was more than jewelry, Miss Landing a lot of
money missing too.
Speaker 9 (23:05):
No, I didn't keep it. I send it off, every penny,
send it to charity, different charities all over. I wouldn't
keep something that wasn't mine. Maybe next time they'd be
a little more careful. Who they say is a thief.
Isn't right to chuse somebody when she hasn't done it
just because you're the cleaning woman. That doesn't mean you're
not honest. Well I showed him, showed them if I
(23:26):
really wanted to be a crook, how easy it was.
I mustn't think I was doing anything wrong. No, just
trying to make them understand that's all. Cleaning woman's like
everybody else. She'd got feelings too, and pride like everybody else.
Maybe now they'll see where they made their mistake.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
Now they better.
Speaker 9 (23:45):
I won't stand for being called a liar.
Speaker 7 (23:46):
And a thief.
Speaker 9 (23:47):
Not anymore. Folks better treat me a whole lot different
from here on in.
Speaker 3 (23:52):
Well, that's right, miss Landy, what they will.
Speaker 5 (24:02):
The story you've just heard is true.
Speaker 4 (24:04):
The names were changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 2 (24:07):
On December fourteenth, the hearing was held in Department ninety six,
Superior Court at the State of California in and for
the County of Los Angeles. In a moment the results
of that hearing, Edna Foster Landy was examined by three
(24:27):
psychiatrists appointed by the court and was found to be
mentally incompetent. She was committed to a state medical hospital
for an indefinite period of treatment. You have just heard Dragnet,
a series of authentic cases from official finance. Technical advice
(24:51):
comes from the Office of Chief of Police W. H. Parker,
Los Angeles Police Department.
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