Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
Ladies and gentlemen. The story you were about here is true.
The name of the change to protect the innocent drag Man.
You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a Bunco Fugitive Detail.
A confidence man has set up operations in your city.
(00:30):
The product he's selling has a ready market, perfect cut,
blue white diamonds.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Your job stopping. It was Tuesday, November ninth. It was
warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch
out of Bunco Fugitive Detail.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
My partner is Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Didion.
My name's Friday.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
I was on my way back from the Record Division
and it was.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Eleven forty am when I got to Room thirty eight
Bunco Detail. Did it check on Yeah, there's three possibles.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Descriptions don't match too well. We'll have to check him
all out. I guess, uh huh. The bet I was
justin said he'd give us a hand. That's good. Should
we get on him.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yeah, an he calls, No, that's still I got it,
Bunkle Fugitive Friday.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah that's ma'am. Hm, Well I'm not sure.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
No.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
The officer that handle the cases from here right now,
what if I could take a message.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Yes, ma'am, he'll call you when he gets in.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
All right, Uh huh, yes, all right, If you'll wait
just a minute, I'll transferred it just a minute.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Hold on, please, would you get this called a two
nine four nine?
Speaker 5 (01:34):
Please?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Thank you?
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Oh excuse me?
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Yes, this the prod Department was a bunk of fugitive Yes, sir.
Speaker 6 (01:43):
And I guess you is what I want. I'd like
to report a swindle, all you.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
I'll check with the beta Joe and go to work
on this list.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Right, I'll be right back and change you want to commence?
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Hey, sit down right here if you like.
Speaker 6 (01:56):
Okay, be the best place to start.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Would you like to give us your an answer?
Speaker 6 (02:02):
Terrold Pilsen, that's with an f F. I L O
N Pilsen, Sir, What I want to tell you about
happened to a friend of mine, all right, and he's
a little too embarrassed to commit himself, so I said
I'd tell you about it.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
Terrible thing.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Should we stopped? Actually, we'll do what we cannone tell
us what it's all about.
Speaker 6 (02:18):
Well, this friend of mine's in the bank. One day
he'd gone in to make with draw a couple of
hundred dollars, I say. On the way out of the place,
this kind of seaty looking man came up. My friend
started to talk. Do your friend know the man never
saw him before in his life?
Speaker 2 (02:29):
All right, sore?
Speaker 6 (02:30):
And this little guy said he had a business proposition
to put to My friend said they could both make
a lot of money out of it.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
The little guy suggested that they both have.
Speaker 6 (02:38):
Walked down the street to a little coffee standers there
and have a cup of coffee. My friend didn't see
anything wrong.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
With that, so they did.
Speaker 6 (02:45):
That's where the little guy told the story of what
was that said, Oh about how he was a DP,
you know, a displaced person. Said he'd come over from Belgium.
Big story about how he just managed to get out
of Germany with his life. Really laid it on thick.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Real thick.
Speaker 6 (02:58):
That's when he pulled a snapper, said that he'd gotten
into the country illegally. He didn't have any paper, and
that's why he came to my friend. I see he
go ahead, man, You see this little guy reached into
his pocket took out a couple of pieces of fold
of paper. He undid him and there were four diamonds, most.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
Beautiful things you ever saw.
Speaker 6 (03:14):
But I went on to say that since he was
in the country without a passport, he couldn't take the
chance trying to sell the diamond said he might be
picked up, So he wanted to sell the stones to
my friend. Said he wouldn't have any trouble getting rid
of them.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
How much did he want for him, you know, said he'd.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
Sell a lot for thirteen thousand dollars. It's quite a bit, Yeah,
especially when his friend of mine doesn't know anything about diamonds.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
All right, sure, do you want to go ahead?
Speaker 6 (03:35):
And the little guy set my friends take the stones
to any jeweler and have them a praise. Said he'd
go along with whatever the jeweler said.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
That's what your friend did.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
Then, yeah, and to one of.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
The best jeweler's stores in the city, took the stones
with him and had the.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Jeweler look at him this little man. Did he go
into the store with your friend?
Speaker 6 (03:52):
No, he said he'd wait outside. And jeweler looked at
the stones and said that we were worth fifteen thousand dollars.
That's wholesale fifteen thousand. So your friend bought the diamonds.
Did he yes, He offered the owner ten thousand dollars
cash for him. The little guy wouldn't go for the deal,
so he took the diamonds back. They hemmed and halder
around for a couple of minutes, and then he said
he'd sell. So with both of them, went to my
(04:12):
friend's bank, got the money, and the deal was set.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
The little man.
Speaker 6 (04:15):
Reached into his pocket, took out the package, handed over
the diamonds for the ten thousand, and my friend tried
to sell them. He went back to the same jeweler
and that's when he found out, you know, they weren't
the same stones. My friend had gotten a different packet.
Instead of diamonds, he bought four zircons worth twenty five
thirty dollars apiece ten thousand dollars for one hundred and
(04:37):
twenty dollars worth of cut glass.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
And you've got to do.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
Something about it.
Speaker 6 (04:42):
You've got to figure some way to get that money back.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
All right? Do you want to give us a description
the name of soldier the phone? How do you know
that you aren't the.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Only one who's been taken by this? Rackets have been
several cases the last few months.
Speaker 6 (04:55):
I saw the more reason you ought to get him
ten thousand dollars. That's what he took me for easy money.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
The only difference is the amount in it. What do
you mean you tried to take five the same way.
Frank came back to the office and I filled him
in on the story Harold Filson had given me. The
victim gave us a complete statement and a description of
a man who victimized him. He also gave us the
address of the bank where he'd been approached. After that,
(05:23):
Filson was taken down of the mudroom and shown photographs
of known confidence men who had used the same mo
A local and an APB were gotten out, carrying the
description of the suspect, as well as a complete description
of the clothes he wore and the method he used
in approaching the intended victim.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
We got the name of the jeweler who had appraised
the diamonds, and.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
We asked the victim if we could keep the stones
until we finished our investigation.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
He gave us his consent when we signed a receipt for.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
The zert arms.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
One forty six pm, Frank and I drove out to
the Hollywood area, where we.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Talked to saw Maurice the owner of the jewelry store.
Speaker 7 (05:55):
If you're weight, I'll get my loop and checking for you.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
We'd appreciate that.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Now, trouble you should have normal.
Speaker 7 (06:00):
There was something wrong when it came in here.
Speaker 8 (06:02):
Average man doesn't carry fifteen thousand dollars and then set
diamonds around with him.
Speaker 7 (06:06):
Let me see this done.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Sure you are, Take a look at these if you will.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Mm hmm.
Speaker 7 (06:15):
Not the same ones, same as diamonds.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
What can you tell us about him?
Speaker 7 (06:19):
Well, they look as if they were cutting this country. Eh,
why do you say that facets? They're cut longer than
European stones.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
H m hmm.
Speaker 7 (06:27):
Now they were made in America?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Is there any way we could tell where?
Speaker 8 (06:30):
No, whoever did it though, knew what he was doing.
I remember the diamonds beautiful.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I mean, the real diamonds were just like these.
Speaker 8 (06:36):
Yes, there was a one twenty five round two one
carrot marquee and a four h three square cut.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Are you sure about the size?
Speaker 7 (06:42):
Are you reasonably? Yes?
Speaker 8 (06:44):
I didn't wear them at the time, but I'd use
the mortgage on them. That's what they checked out.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
They can't give us any idea than where the Zirktons
might have come from.
Speaker 7 (06:50):
No, I'm sorry, and give you a list of the
men in Los Angles who might have done it.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
We'd appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
No trouble at all.
Speaker 7 (06:55):
How you want to take these with you?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yes, I understand why we legitimate diamond's got to make
these imitations.
Speaker 8 (07:01):
Well, if a person ordered them copied, there'd be no
reason not to. Quite often people don't like to wear
genuine stones occasions when good imitations do just as well.
Speaker 9 (07:08):
That's what probably happened here.
Speaker 7 (07:10):
Whoever it was probably ordered them a line a lot
kind of went ahead with it.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Well, now the stones he brought in the first time
weren't real, weren't they?
Speaker 8 (07:16):
He has fine, high color, beautifully cut, especially the square.
Speaker 7 (07:19):
I'll get those names for you.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Thank you, say, I wonder if you'd tell me something.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Well, what's that? Well, my wife's been looking for something
to clean her engagement ring.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
You know, it gets dirty down the little prongs that
hold the diamond. I wonder if you could recommend something
to clean it.
Speaker 7 (07:32):
I'll tell you what. Next time you're in the area,
bring the ring in. I'll be glad to clean it
for you.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Now, the problem there is she doesn't want to take
it off. I guess I don't think she'd go for
me taking it all day.
Speaker 7 (07:41):
Well, I'll tell her to take it into the jeweler
in the neighborhood.
Speaker 9 (07:43):
He'll be glad to do it.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Thanks. Sure, I appreciate it. No trouble at all. Now
here's the list.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Thank you. Sure.
Speaker 8 (07:48):
Hope you can find the man who sold the phonies? Yes,
or so do we every time somebody gets stung buying
diamonds and makes the lury from then on herd and
legitimate people in the business. Yes, or we can understand
that Jewey's alliance has been saying it for a long time.
You're jeweler, and you will get that he received a
guy like this makes it twice as rough and honest.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
Man.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Well, that's the way it is most of the time.
Speaker 7 (08:06):
Always seems like the honest ones get hurt.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Now, maybe not always.
Speaker 7 (08:09):
Fine, I hope it's going to work the other way
this time.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Three fifteen PM, Frank and I returned to the office
and got out a supplemental bulletin on the genuine diamonds
that were being used.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
We checked with.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Captain Didion and he assigned two more officers to help
us in checking out the list of diamond cutters in
the area. The questioning took the better part of the
next day, and at four thirty seven pm when we
met in the Bunco squad room, we were no.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Further ahead with the apprehension of the suspect.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
During the week that followed, we continued to talk to
the lappidaries in the south Land area, but they were
unable to give us any leads as to who might
have made the copies. On Monday, November twenty second, we
received another complaint. An elderly woman who identified herself as
missus Meyra Hacken told us that she'd been swindled out
of twelve thousand dollars. The story she gave us was
almost was the one we've gotten from Harold Wilson. The
(09:02):
description of the suspect was the same. Frank and I
talked to the jeweler that it made the appraisal on
the stones boy. He was unable to give us any
concrete information. However, the zircon's purchased by missus Hacken were
identical with those bought by the first victim, Pilson. Two
more weeks passed and in that time the confidence man
hit two more citizens.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
The method of approach was the same. The story he
gave the.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Victims was the same. Nothing in the story was new.
The search for him went on. On Wednesday, December one,
Captain Didion called a meeting in his office.
Speaker 9 (09:33):
Get in, sit out right, Ai.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
I went to the box kipper. You know what it is?
Where I am it on the diamond switch. Huh that's it?
Speaker 9 (09:43):
Go on slow, Captain, I want to score the date.
About forty five thousand.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Dollars, isn't it. Yeah, you're no closer to the guy
than when he started.
Speaker 9 (09:50):
Well, we got a description we can't book at.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
We're doing everything we can't Captain.
Speaker 9 (09:54):
We talked to all the victims, all the people in
town and might know who he is.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
There is a rumble he must be playing at single
line of the usual sources known. How about the money,
anybody spending more than they can account for? No, not
that we've been able to turn Stat's office.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
They've given us a list of possible fourteen. I've all
been checked out and I'm fit. What about the Jewelers Association?
Speaker 9 (10:11):
What do they got for you?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
When they're doing all they can?
Speaker 3 (10:13):
They put out a notice to all their members to
be on the lookout for the guy sent out a
description to all the diamond cutters asking for information on
the stones.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
We've had a composite drawing made of the suspect a
MOO sheet and sent to all the banks in the area,
and nothing back on it. Though, Well, what's the answer
got to be somewhere in there with him.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Well, we've got an idea. The odds are on the
long side, I guess, but it's about the only way
that we think of. Yes here now we know that
the guy's work in the Hollywood area pretty heavy.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
It seems that most of the marchie picks are out there.
They do business in those banks along the boulevard.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
We thought that if we could spot a couple of
undercover people in the banks, and they could look like
they were doing business there, they might be approached.
Speaker 9 (10:47):
It met it when you said, the author along, how
many people have figured go.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
Need for this?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
We figure a minimum of a half a dozen. They
all should be middle aged or elderly. Suspect doesn't seem
to bother anybody under forty.
Speaker 9 (10:57):
How about keeping in touch with the undercover people? I
figure to work out.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
I thought we could cruise in the area, work out
some kind of a check system so we know what
was going on.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Mm hmm okay.
Speaker 9 (11:06):
I'll get in touch with Chief Brown, ask him to line.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Up some officers that'll work the banks. You better get
in touch with Hollywood. Fill him in on what you're doing.
Might ask for a couple of f cars to give
you a hand in the surveillance.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Brides Kiver.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
We'll get together here in the morning. You can brief
them on what you want. You're gonna work it out. Okay,
better notify the banks too, give them the setup so
there won't be any select excuse me, Bunco fugitive Captain Didian, Yeah,
m hm okay, we'll send him right up.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
That's right.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Do what you can.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Here's one to move on. Bank on Hollywood Boulevard.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Head cashiers has has been a man lighting in the
place for the last thirty minutes. You know, that's just
the description of your suspect right down the line. The
man had been detained until we got there. We were
told that the suspect had entered the bank at approximately
eleven forty am and that he'd been observed by the
bank guard. When the man's movements that aroused the guard's suspicion,
(12:00):
he notified the cashier, and he in turn and called
us when he noticed the similarity between the suspect and
our bulletin.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
We asked the suspect to step out.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Of our car so we could question him if you're
to have been drinking, but he was cooperative. He got
into the back seat with Frank and we asked him
to show.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
Us his wallet. Hey, uh, how wallet?
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Is there any money in it?
Speaker 5 (12:19):
Oh? I don't know if that's any of your business.
Speaker 9 (12:22):
You got any money in the wallet?
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Well, my dear couple of books. Yes, Then again on
the other side of the fence, I might not.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
All right, mister, take the money out in handle wallet
to me.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Hey, no, I'm broke, right, let's have it.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Sure.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
I like to cooperate, always liked to cooperate.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
It's your true name, Samuel Gerald Pugh.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
That is right?
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Ever been arrested?
Speaker 5 (12:48):
That gentleman is my life story? All right? It certainly is.
Maybe he's a happy hour I've spent.
Speaker 10 (12:56):
In your Maine jail, delightful play referred to in the tree.
There's the Gray Bar hotel. You know what was the charge?
Speaker 5 (13:07):
I believe that's referred to in the trade is a
four one two seven a La mc donca. Oh no,
you don't mind, officer. Rather, you wouldn't put it just
that way. It sounds so completely undignified. Completely What were you.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Doing in that bank?
Speaker 5 (13:26):
Then I split a short vacation with the sheriff holding Castey. God,
that was a charming resort.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Look in the bank.
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Then I spent a short vacation with the sheriff out Incastey.
That's a charming why we're in the bank. I've also
enjoyed the hospitality of the holidays in San Francisco, Oakland and.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Then Beaumont Baker. We're not playing a game with you here.
You come up with some straight answers, and come up
with them.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
Fast, sir. Yeah. Who. I'm trying to the rest of
my ability to answer your questions in the order that
you've present and now I'm still working on the initial one,
you understand. Would you like to know why I spent
so much time? You know what we want to know.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
We want to know why you're in that bank.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Very well, and I shall tell you I have spent
all of this time in gathering material for retreat is
on the penal colonies.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
All right, right, let's go, Yeah, come on, I said,
get on your feet.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
Oh here, no, listen. I resent this treat with many
and furthermore, I intend to expose your methods in my
forthcoming year. Yes, realize, opposers that I've given you fair warning.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
You're gonna book me again, that's right.
Speaker 5 (14:47):
Yeah, we'll figure that when we.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Get you downtown.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
Well that's all you've got. I didn't really do it.
You can't book a man who's has Just think about it,
all right, I didn't really do it.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
I'll just think about itentlement what.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
I was doing in the bank. I'm broke and I'm hungry.
I just got into town this morning. I ride him
at the Sunshine, glorious California. Broke and hungry. So I
hambled around a bit and went into the bank because
maybe i'd write a little check, just enough to tide
(15:21):
me over the ride, aside to accept one of the
many offers that have been offered me. You got any
money in the bank. Oh, it's a trivial detail. However,
in as much you gentlemen are willing to accord me
the hospitality of the Gray Bar Hotel, I shall accept
with a life of nice. I am gratified that you
(15:42):
appreciate my position.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
You got any way approving you just got in town?
Speaker 5 (15:46):
Is that necessary? It might be a few I shall
have no trouble in supplying such ratification. I have been
enjoying the hospitality of the largest state for the past
three months. I a fact that they show with them
two days. Is that right?
Speaker 10 (16:03):
It's sir, Three I officers have been in jail three bucks.
Speaker 5 (16:08):
You know, in boom On.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
The suspect was taken to the city hall and held
for further investigation. Teletypes were sent to the authorities in
Texas and they verified the story that we'd gotten. The
suspect was booked in violation of forty one twenty seven
a LA MC. The following morning, Frank and I, along
with Captain Ditty and breached the police officers chosen by
Chief Brown. We told them the suspects mo. We gave
each of them copies of the composite drawing that had
(16:40):
been made. At ten thirty that morning, the plan was
put into operations. We continued through the weekends without results.
During that time, we received no new complaints regarding the
confidence man. Wednesday, December eighth, Frank and I checked into
the office.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I'm on a call Faye tell her what time I'll
be home.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Okay, you want to check the book while you're there, Yeah,
got it? Local fugitive Friday, Yeah, okay, where Yeah, we
know where that is?
Speaker 9 (17:08):
Right, See there, there's left the call Fay later.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
What do you mean, suspect.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Yeah, he's setting up a markting a coffee shop out
on Hollywood Boulevard.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Right now, you are listening to drag Net, the authentic
story of your police force in action.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
The call had come from one of the undercover people
that we'd planted in the banks on Hollywood Boulevard. The
policewoman told me that a man answering the description that
approached her and offered to sell her some unset diamonds.
The suspect has suggested that they have a cup of
coffee while he explained the deal to the bank.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
After they'd reached the coffee.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Shop, the policewoman excused herself and put in the call
to us. It took us eighteen minutes to drive the
Hollywood and buying streets and to get to the coffee shop.
When we entered the place, we could see the policewoman
at one of the rear tables. Frank and I walked
back and sat down on the adjoining booth. They'd evidently
been talking for several minutes before we got there.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
You can understand my position.
Speaker 11 (18:13):
I don't want to have to let them COVID.
Speaker 5 (18:14):
I have no choice.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
I'm so not sure why you don't tell them yourself.
Speaker 12 (18:18):
There is some trouble about my past party as Wellies
are checking it over if I tried to dispose of
the diamonds as the usual, chamans are abound to be questions,
questions I can ask.
Speaker 6 (18:28):
I'm not sure I want to be mixed up.
Speaker 7 (18:29):
I didn't like this.
Speaker 9 (18:30):
I've never had any trouble with the law I have
them would be pretty angry if you knew about this.
Speaker 12 (18:35):
But there will be no trouble none. The reason I
decided to even bother you with this is that I
have seen you.
Speaker 11 (18:40):
Several times in the bank. You look to me like
a person who would understand and want to help.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
That's very kind.
Speaker 11 (18:46):
It is you who are being kind to even let
me talk to you.
Speaker 12 (18:50):
I wish I could tell you how much it means
to me to be able to walk up to just anyone.
Speaker 11 (18:54):
On destroy it and talk to know that there is
nothing to be afraid.
Speaker 12 (18:57):
Of this business about the passport annoying, but it will
all be striking out after that, everything will be all right.
Speaker 11 (19:04):
Well, can't you wait until then to show the diamonds.
Speaker 6 (19:06):
I'm afraid not.
Speaker 12 (19:07):
I have bills, I must pay, my journey, my family.
They must be taken care of. I need the money now.
Speaker 7 (19:13):
Yeah, still not sure, kind lady.
Speaker 11 (19:16):
Let me show you the gams. Just let me show
until you and then decide.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
I think coffee, please, yeah, coffee, coffee right.
Speaker 5 (19:25):
There?
Speaker 11 (19:26):
Just look at them.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Have you reversely and anything so beautiful.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
In your life?
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (19:31):
They are not.
Speaker 12 (19:32):
These are all we were able to get out of
the country. Weeks before we left, we saw everything.
Speaker 9 (19:37):
We want to buy them.
Speaker 12 (19:38):
You know, in Europe, diamonds are about the only thing that,
as I said, value if I have to tell you
the trouble we had in getting it, but that would
take too long and I have already taken too much
of your.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Time at all.
Speaker 11 (19:50):
And how much are you asking for them on the market?
Speaker 12 (19:53):
They are aware of the American dollars at least ten
thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Well, I could never pay that much, sport, but you
would not have to.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
I don't understand.
Speaker 12 (20:01):
It is simple you take them to any jeweler in
the city, anyone at all. You pick him out, take
the diamonds to him, ask him what there were. Then
come back to me and we can make the transactions.
You see what you were laughing for it? You will
see that what I have said is the truth.
Speaker 11 (20:15):
You can buy them from me. I will get the
money I need. Then you can sell them to the
same jeweler and make a hand some profit.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
Go ahead, take them.
Speaker 11 (20:22):
I won't wait for you yet.
Speaker 9 (20:26):
I knew when I saw you in the bank.
Speaker 11 (20:27):
I could depend on you. I trust you with my
life saving I must come something I can do for you.
Speaker 12 (20:37):
Gentlemen, police officers, you're under arrest and grand theft.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
You must be joking right now.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Let's go get everything you need Attuch on Friday.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Yeah, thanks, Margaret there and will them.
Speaker 11 (20:48):
I'm a police officer too.
Speaker 12 (20:51):
Are you gonna know I'll take the diamonds I want
to give us zircons too, Yeah yeah, yeah, Well as
a deal, you're.
Speaker 9 (20:58):
Gonna have to prove it.
Speaker 5 (20:59):
You know.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
We'll take care of that.
Speaker 9 (21:00):
How are you gonna do it?
Speaker 2 (21:02):
It shouldn't be too tough. Have the victims take a
look at you. They should give us a positive identification,
shouldn't we?
Speaker 5 (21:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (21:06):
I guess so where'd you get the stones?
Speaker 5 (21:08):
Picked him up in New York?
Speaker 12 (21:10):
They're real worth easy thirteen maybe fourteen thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
How about the imitations?
Speaker 5 (21:13):
What a bomb?
Speaker 11 (21:14):
Well?
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Where'd you get them?
Speaker 5 (21:15):
Friend of mine?
Speaker 12 (21:16):
Guy back age, just hobby his lafe, you know, Lapa derry. Yeah,
I said I had him cut th thesirt cuns for him.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Do you know why you wanted them? No?
Speaker 12 (21:22):
I told him it was for a joke, asking to
make me six sets, all of them like the real ones.
Speaker 11 (21:27):
I only had this one and one more to get
rid of. Just two more and you have to tag
me rough go you need me for any more trageant?
Speaker 2 (21:33):
No, thanks, Marger, We'll take him in.
Speaker 9 (21:34):
I'll go on there, right, Thanks again, glad to help.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Thanks Marger.
Speaker 11 (21:38):
Yeah, see to right.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Tell chief Front will be in the same with you. Okay, right, mister,
let's go.
Speaker 7 (21:43):
Mind if I finish my coffee?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
All right? Make it fast? Okay?
Speaker 5 (21:47):
Thanks? What's your name?
Speaker 11 (21:48):
Nathan Croner?
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Have you ever fallen before?
Speaker 9 (21:50):
A couple of times?
Speaker 12 (21:51):
Small bees where Midwest Colorado, Kansas?
Speaker 2 (21:54):
Big Time Burgery served three years in Colorado turned Kansas.
Speaker 9 (21:58):
Cat you I had it figured sure way to make
it pay never no days?
Speaker 2 (22:02):
What's that now it's gonna turn out?
Speaker 11 (22:04):
Take his touch for instance, Hey you got a cigarette?
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Yeah, there you go.
Speaker 12 (22:09):
Thanks, I gottamagine. You know this has never worked if
you try it with honest people, Is that right?
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Sure?
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Right off?
Speaker 12 (22:20):
I told him I was having trouble with my passport
even till one of them I was in the country illegally.
Speaker 11 (22:24):
That's when he should have gone to the cops.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Right then?
Speaker 11 (22:28):
Can I miss that?
Speaker 5 (22:29):
What's that the coffee?
Speaker 11 (22:30):
You can miss it anyway?
Speaker 12 (22:32):
If every one of them didn't have a little thievery
and I'm in a con game in the world or
to work.
Speaker 9 (22:35):
You ever think of that?
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (22:37):
I want to know while I hand over a.
Speaker 12 (22:38):
Bunch of diamonds, now, I know that're worth a minimum
of fifteen thousand dollars worth that anywhere in the country.
Speaker 11 (22:44):
So what happens The mark takes them into a jeweler
and finds out.
Speaker 12 (22:46):
They're worth that much, and right away he's out to
try to make a fast buck for himself.
Speaker 11 (22:49):
He comes back tells me they're only good for ten thousands.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
You see, please you about to finished with that coffee.
Speaker 12 (22:55):
Yeah, now the mark stands to make himself a couple
of thousand dollars going in, but that isn't enough.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
He's gonna take me for more.
Speaker 11 (23:01):
It wouldn't work if they weren't thieves as hard.
Speaker 9 (23:03):
But I still doesn't give you the right to take
him as buzzne.
Speaker 12 (23:06):
I get a real kick thought of figuring what they
look like when they find out they stuck with a
handful of cut glass.
Speaker 11 (23:11):
Must be real yacks to see that look.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
I don't know how about that coffee? Come on, let's go.
Speaker 13 (23:15):
Yeah, okay, I'm with you, all right, full of dodge
anyplace else in the country, I may It's the first
place figured if I scored good here, I could take
it easy, you know, work a bit, maybe once a
year in a different city, keep moving, or.
Speaker 12 (23:32):
Make any difference how they talk or what kind of
clothes they wear.
Speaker 11 (23:34):
A mark still a mark. I just did a bad
deal going good.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
I could have lived off of it for years. That's
what you wanted, now, Yeah, just a deal to.
Speaker 11 (23:41):
Keep me in closing roof over my head.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Nothing big.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
I've all worked out then, didn't what that's what you're
gonna get come on.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
The story you have just heard is true. The names
were change to protect the innocent.
Speaker 4 (24:02):
On April fifteenth, trial was held in Department ninety eight,
Superior Court of the State of California in and for
the County of Los Angeles. Nathan austen Kroner was tried
and found guilty on four counts of grand theft and
(24:22):
received punishment. As prescribed by law, Grand theft is punishable
by imprisonment for a period of not more than one
year in the county jail, or for a period of
not less than one or more than ten years in
the state penitentiary.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Dragnet the Story of Your Police Force in Action as
a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.
Speaker 14 (25:01):
Jumper. That's about Jump, That's that's Simpson Comb about MP's
Ladies and gentlemen. The story you were about here is true.
The name of the change to protect the innocent drag Man.
You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a Bunco Fugitive Detail.
A confidence man has set up operations in your city.
(00:30):
The product he's selling has a ready market, perfect cut,
blue white diamonds.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
Your job stopping. It was Tuesday, November ninth. It was
warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch
out of Bunco Fugitive Detail.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
My partner is Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Didion.
My name's Friday.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
I was on my way back from the Record Division
and it was.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Eleven forty am when I got to Room thirty eight
Bunco Detail. Did it check on Yeah, there's three possibles.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
Descriptions don't match too well. We'll have to check him
all out. I guess, uh huh. The bet I was
justin said he'd give us a hand. That's good. Should
we get on him.
Speaker 3 (01:05):
Yeah, an he calls, No, that's still I got it,
Bunkle Fugitive Friday.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
Yeah that's ma'am. Hm, Well I'm not sure.
Speaker 4 (01:18):
No.
Speaker 3 (01:18):
The officer that handle the cases from here right now,
what if I could take a message.
Speaker 2 (01:23):
Yes, ma'am, he'll call you when he gets in.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
All right, Uh huh, yes, all right, If you'll wait
just a minute, I'll transferred it just a minute.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Hold on, please, would you get this called a two
nine four nine?
Speaker 5 (01:34):
Please?
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Thank you?
Speaker 5 (01:39):
Oh excuse me?
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Yes, this the prod Department was a bunk of fugitive Yes, sir.
Speaker 6 (01:43):
And I guess you is what I want. I'd like
to report a swindle, all you.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
I'll check with the beta Joe and go to work
on this list.
Speaker 3 (01:49):
Right, I'll be right back and change you want to commence?
Speaker 2 (01:51):
Hey, sit down right here if you like.
Speaker 6 (01:56):
Okay, be the best place to start.
Speaker 2 (02:01):
Would you like to give us your an answer?
Speaker 6 (02:02):
Terrold Pilsen, that's with an f F. I L O
N Pilsen, Sir, What I want to tell you about
happened to a friend of mine, all right, and he's
a little too embarrassed to commit himself, so I said
I'd tell you about it.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
Terrible thing.
Speaker 2 (02:14):
Should we stopped? Actually, we'll do what we cannone tell
us what it's all about.
Speaker 6 (02:18):
Well, this friend of mine's in the bank. One day
he'd gone in to make with draw a couple of
hundred dollars, I say. On the way out of the place,
this kind of seaty looking man came up. My friend
started to talk. Do your friend know the man never
saw him before in his life?
Speaker 2 (02:29):
All right, sore?
Speaker 6 (02:30):
And this little guy said he had a business proposition
to put to My friend said they could both make
a lot of money out of it.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
The little guy suggested that they both have.
Speaker 6 (02:38):
Walked down the street to a little coffee standers there
and have a cup of coffee. My friend didn't see
anything wrong.
Speaker 5 (02:43):
With that, so they did.
Speaker 6 (02:45):
That's where the little guy told the story of what
was that said, Oh about how he was a DP,
you know, a displaced person. Said he'd come over from Belgium.
Big story about how he just managed to get out
of Germany with his life. Really laid it on thick.
Speaker 5 (02:57):
Real thick.
Speaker 6 (02:58):
That's when he pulled a snapper, said that he'd gotten
into the country illegally. He didn't have any paper, and
that's why he came to my friend. I see he
go ahead, man, You see this little guy reached into
his pocket took out a couple of pieces of fold
of paper. He undid him and there were four diamonds, most.
Speaker 5 (03:12):
Beautiful things you ever saw.
Speaker 6 (03:14):
But I went on to say that since he was
in the country without a passport, he couldn't take the
chance trying to sell the diamond said he might be
picked up, So he wanted to sell the stones to
my friend. Said he wouldn't have any trouble getting rid
of them.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
How much did he want for him, you know, said he'd.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
Sell a lot for thirteen thousand dollars. It's quite a bit, Yeah,
especially when his friend of mine doesn't know anything about diamonds.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
All right, sure, do you want to go ahead?
Speaker 6 (03:35):
And the little guy set my friends take the stones
to any jeweler and have them a praise. Said he'd
go along with whatever the jeweler said.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
That's what your friend did.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
Then, yeah, and to one of.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
The best jeweler's stores in the city, took the stones
with him and had the.
Speaker 2 (03:48):
Jeweler look at him this little man. Did he go
into the store with your friend?
Speaker 6 (03:52):
No, he said he'd wait outside. And jeweler looked at
the stones and said that we were worth fifteen thousand dollars.
That's wholesale fifteen thousand. So your friend bought the diamonds.
Did he yes, He offered the owner ten thousand dollars
cash for him. The little guy wouldn't go for the deal,
so he took the diamonds back. They hemmed and halder
around for a couple of minutes, and then he said
he'd sell. So with both of them, went to my
(04:12):
friend's bank, got the money, and the deal was set.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
The little man.
Speaker 6 (04:15):
Reached into his pocket, took out the package, handed over
the diamonds for the ten thousand, and my friend tried
to sell them. He went back to the same jeweler
and that's when he found out, you know, they weren't
the same stones. My friend had gotten a different packet.
Instead of diamonds, he bought four zircons worth twenty five
thirty dollars apiece ten thousand dollars for one hundred and
(04:37):
twenty dollars worth of cut glass.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
And you've got to do.
Speaker 5 (04:41):
Something about it.
Speaker 6 (04:42):
You've got to figure some way to get that money back.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
All right? Do you want to give us a description
the name of soldier the phone? How do you know
that you aren't the.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
Only one who's been taken by this? Rackets have been
several cases the last few months.
Speaker 6 (04:55):
I saw the more reason you ought to get him
ten thousand dollars. That's what he took me for easy money.
Speaker 3 (05:01):
The only difference is the amount in it. What do
you mean you tried to take five the same way.
Frank came back to the office and I filled him
in on the story Harold Filson had given me. The
victim gave us a complete statement and a description of
a man who victimized him. He also gave us the
address of the bank where he'd been approached. After that,
(05:23):
Filson was taken down of the mudroom and shown photographs
of known confidence men who had used the same mo
A local and an APB were gotten out, carrying the
description of the suspect, as well as a complete description
of the clothes he wore and the method he used
in approaching the intended victim.
Speaker 2 (05:39):
We got the name of the jeweler who had appraised
the diamonds, and.
Speaker 3 (05:42):
We asked the victim if we could keep the stones
until we finished our investigation.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
He gave us his consent when we signed a receipt for.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
The zert arms.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
One forty six pm, Frank and I drove out to
the Hollywood area, where we.
Speaker 2 (05:52):
Talked to saw Maurice the owner of the jewelry store.
Speaker 7 (05:55):
If you're weight, I'll get my loop and checking for you.
Speaker 2 (05:57):
We'd appreciate that.
Speaker 5 (05:58):
Now, trouble you should have normal.
Speaker 7 (06:00):
There was something wrong when it came in here.
Speaker 8 (06:02):
Average man doesn't carry fifteen thousand dollars and then set
diamonds around with him.
Speaker 7 (06:06):
Let me see this done.
Speaker 2 (06:07):
Sure you are, Take a look at these if you will.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
Mm hmm.
Speaker 7 (06:15):
Not the same ones, same as diamonds.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
What can you tell us about him?
Speaker 7 (06:19):
Well, they look as if they were cutting this country. Eh,
why do you say that facets? They're cut longer than
European stones.
Speaker 2 (06:25):
H m hmm.
Speaker 7 (06:27):
Now they were made in America?
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Is there any way we could tell where?
Speaker 8 (06:30):
No, whoever did it though, knew what he was doing.
I remember the diamonds beautiful.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
I mean, the real diamonds were just like these.
Speaker 8 (06:36):
Yes, there was a one twenty five round two one
carrot marquee and a four h three square cut.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Are you sure about the size?
Speaker 7 (06:42):
Are you reasonably? Yes?
Speaker 8 (06:44):
I didn't wear them at the time, but I'd use
the mortgage on them. That's what they checked out.
Speaker 3 (06:47):
They can't give us any idea than where the Zirktons
might have come from.
Speaker 7 (06:50):
No, I'm sorry, and give you a list of the
men in Los Angles who might have done it.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
We'd appreciate it.
Speaker 5 (06:54):
No trouble at all.
Speaker 7 (06:55):
How you want to take these with you?
Speaker 3 (06:57):
Yes, I understand why we legitimate diamond's got to make
these imitations.
Speaker 8 (07:01):
Well, if a person ordered them copied, there'd be no
reason not to. Quite often people don't like to wear
genuine stones occasions when good imitations do just as well.
Speaker 9 (07:08):
That's what probably happened here.
Speaker 7 (07:10):
Whoever it was probably ordered them a line a lot
kind of went ahead with it.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
Well, now the stones he brought in the first time
weren't real, weren't they?
Speaker 8 (07:16):
He has fine, high color, beautifully cut, especially the square.
Speaker 7 (07:19):
I'll get those names for you.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
Thank you, say, I wonder if you'd tell me something.
Speaker 2 (07:23):
Well, what's that? Well, my wife's been looking for something
to clean her engagement ring.
Speaker 3 (07:27):
You know, it gets dirty down the little prongs that
hold the diamond. I wonder if you could recommend something
to clean it.
Speaker 7 (07:32):
I'll tell you what. Next time you're in the area,
bring the ring in. I'll be glad to clean it
for you.
Speaker 2 (07:36):
Now, the problem there is she doesn't want to take
it off. I guess I don't think she'd go for
me taking it all day.
Speaker 7 (07:41):
Well, I'll tell her to take it into the jeweler
in the neighborhood.
Speaker 9 (07:43):
He'll be glad to do it.
Speaker 5 (07:44):
Thanks. Sure, I appreciate it. No trouble at all. Now
here's the list.
Speaker 2 (07:47):
Thank you. Sure.
Speaker 8 (07:48):
Hope you can find the man who sold the phonies? Yes,
or so do we every time somebody gets stung buying
diamonds and makes the lury from then on herd and
legitimate people in the business. Yes, or we can understand
that Jewey's alliance has been saying it for a long time.
You're jeweler, and you will get that he received a
guy like this makes it twice as rough and honest.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
Man.
Speaker 2 (08:04):
Well, that's the way it is most of the time.
Speaker 7 (08:06):
Always seems like the honest ones get hurt.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Now, maybe not always.
Speaker 7 (08:09):
Fine, I hope it's going to work the other way
this time.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Three fifteen PM, Frank and I returned to the office
and got out a supplemental bulletin on the genuine diamonds
that were being used.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
We checked with.
Speaker 3 (08:26):
Captain Didion and he assigned two more officers to help
us in checking out the list of diamond cutters in
the area. The questioning took the better part of the
next day, and at four thirty seven pm when we
met in the Bunco squad room, we were no.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Further ahead with the apprehension of the suspect.
Speaker 3 (08:40):
During the week that followed, we continued to talk to
the lappidaries in the south Land area, but they were
unable to give us any leads as to who might
have made the copies. On Monday, November twenty second, we
received another complaint. An elderly woman who identified herself as
missus Meyra Hacken told us that she'd been swindled out
of twelve thousand dollars. The story she gave us was
almost was the one we've gotten from Harold Wilson. The
(09:02):
description of the suspect was the same. Frank and I
talked to the jeweler that it made the appraisal on
the stones boy. He was unable to give us any
concrete information. However, the zircon's purchased by missus Hacken were
identical with those bought by the first victim, Pilson. Two
more weeks passed and in that time the confidence man
hit two more citizens.
Speaker 2 (09:21):
The method of approach was the same. The story he
gave the.
Speaker 3 (09:24):
Victims was the same. Nothing in the story was new.
The search for him went on. On Wednesday, December one,
Captain Didion called a meeting in his office.
Speaker 9 (09:33):
Get in, sit out right, Ai.
Speaker 2 (09:38):
I went to the box kipper. You know what it is?
Where I am it on the diamond switch. Huh that's it?
Speaker 9 (09:43):
Go on slow, Captain, I want to score the date.
About forty five thousand.
Speaker 2 (09:47):
Dollars, isn't it. Yeah, you're no closer to the guy
than when he started.
Speaker 9 (09:50):
Well, we got a description we can't book at.
Speaker 2 (09:52):
We're doing everything we can't Captain.
Speaker 9 (09:54):
We talked to all the victims, all the people in
town and might know who he is.
Speaker 3 (09:56):
There is a rumble he must be playing at single
line of the usual sources known. How about the money,
anybody spending more than they can account for? No, not
that we've been able to turn Stat's office.
Speaker 2 (10:05):
They've given us a list of possible fourteen. I've all
been checked out and I'm fit. What about the Jewelers Association?
Speaker 9 (10:11):
What do they got for you?
Speaker 2 (10:12):
When they're doing all they can?
Speaker 3 (10:13):
They put out a notice to all their members to
be on the lookout for the guy sent out a
description to all the diamond cutters asking for information on
the stones.
Speaker 2 (10:20):
We've had a composite drawing made of the suspect a
MOO sheet and sent to all the banks in the area,
and nothing back on it. Though, Well, what's the answer
got to be somewhere in there with him.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
Well, we've got an idea. The odds are on the
long side, I guess, but it's about the only way
that we think of. Yes here now we know that
the guy's work in the Hollywood area pretty heavy.
Speaker 2 (10:36):
It seems that most of the marchie picks are out there.
They do business in those banks along the boulevard.
Speaker 3 (10:41):
We thought that if we could spot a couple of
undercover people in the banks, and they could look like
they were doing business there, they might be approached.
Speaker 9 (10:47):
It met it when you said, the author along, how
many people have figured go.
Speaker 5 (10:50):
Need for this?
Speaker 3 (10:51):
We figure a minimum of a half a dozen. They
all should be middle aged or elderly. Suspect doesn't seem
to bother anybody under forty.
Speaker 9 (10:57):
How about keeping in touch with the undercover people? I
figure to work out.
Speaker 3 (11:01):
I thought we could cruise in the area, work out
some kind of a check system so we know what
was going on.
Speaker 2 (11:05):
Mm hmm okay.
Speaker 9 (11:06):
I'll get in touch with Chief Brown, ask him to line.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Up some officers that'll work the banks. You better get
in touch with Hollywood. Fill him in on what you're doing.
Might ask for a couple of f cars to give
you a hand in the surveillance.
Speaker 2 (11:15):
Brides Kiver.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
We'll get together here in the morning. You can brief
them on what you want. You're gonna work it out. Okay,
better notify the banks too, give them the setup so
there won't be any select excuse me, Bunco fugitive Captain Didian, Yeah,
m hm okay, we'll send him right up.
Speaker 2 (11:31):
That's right.
Speaker 5 (11:32):
Do what you can.
Speaker 2 (11:34):
Here's one to move on. Bank on Hollywood Boulevard.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Head cashiers has has been a man lighting in the
place for the last thirty minutes. You know, that's just
the description of your suspect right down the line. The
man had been detained until we got there. We were
told that the suspect had entered the bank at approximately
eleven forty am and that he'd been observed by the
bank guard. When the man's movements that aroused the guard's suspicion,
(12:00):
he notified the cashier, and he in turn and called
us when he noticed the similarity between the suspect and
our bulletin.
Speaker 2 (12:06):
We asked the suspect to step out.
Speaker 3 (12:08):
Of our car so we could question him if you're
to have been drinking, but he was cooperative. He got
into the back seat with Frank and we asked him
to show.
Speaker 5 (12:14):
Us his wallet. Hey, uh, how wallet?
Speaker 2 (12:17):
Is there any money in it?
Speaker 5 (12:19):
Oh? I don't know if that's any of your business.
Speaker 9 (12:22):
You got any money in the wallet?
Speaker 5 (12:24):
Well, my dear couple of books. Yes, Then again on
the other side of the fence, I might not.
Speaker 2 (12:30):
All right, mister, take the money out in handle wallet
to me.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
Hey, no, I'm broke, right, let's have it.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Sure.
Speaker 5 (12:38):
I like to cooperate, always liked to cooperate.
Speaker 2 (12:42):
It's your true name, Samuel Gerald Pugh.
Speaker 5 (12:44):
That is right?
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Ever been arrested?
Speaker 5 (12:48):
That gentleman is my life story? All right? It certainly is.
Maybe he's a happy hour I've spent.
Speaker 10 (12:56):
In your Maine jail, delightful play referred to in the tree.
There's the Gray Bar hotel. You know what was the charge?
Speaker 5 (13:07):
I believe that's referred to in the trade is a
four one two seven a La mc donca. Oh no,
you don't mind, officer. Rather, you wouldn't put it just
that way. It sounds so completely undignified. Completely What were you.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
Doing in that bank?
Speaker 5 (13:26):
Then I split a short vacation with the sheriff holding Castey. God,
that was a charming resort.
Speaker 2 (13:33):
Look in the bank.
Speaker 5 (13:36):
Then I spent a short vacation with the sheriff out Incastey.
That's a charming why we're in the bank. I've also
enjoyed the hospitality of the holidays in San Francisco, Oakland and.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Then Beaumont Baker. We're not playing a game with you here.
You come up with some straight answers, and come up
with them.
Speaker 5 (13:56):
Fast, sir. Yeah. Who. I'm trying to the rest of
my ability to answer your questions in the order that
you've present and now I'm still working on the initial one,
you understand. Would you like to know why I spent
so much time? You know what we want to know.
Speaker 2 (14:14):
We want to know why you're in that bank.
Speaker 5 (14:15):
Very well, and I shall tell you I have spent
all of this time in gathering material for retreat is
on the penal colonies.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
All right, right, let's go, Yeah, come on, I said,
get on your feet.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
Oh here, no, listen. I resent this treat with many
and furthermore, I intend to expose your methods in my
forthcoming year. Yes, realize, opposers that I've given you fair warning.
Speaker 2 (14:45):
You're gonna book me again, that's right.
Speaker 5 (14:47):
Yeah, we'll figure that when we.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Get you downtown.
Speaker 5 (14:50):
Well that's all you've got. I didn't really do it.
You can't book a man who's has Just think about it,
all right, I didn't really do it.
Speaker 2 (14:58):
I'll just think about itentlement what.
Speaker 5 (15:00):
I was doing in the bank. I'm broke and I'm hungry.
I just got into town this morning. I ride him
at the Sunshine, glorious California. Broke and hungry. So I
hambled around a bit and went into the bank because
maybe i'd write a little check, just enough to tide
(15:21):
me over the ride, aside to accept one of the
many offers that have been offered me. You got any
money in the bank. Oh, it's a trivial detail. However,
in as much you gentlemen are willing to accord me
the hospitality of the Gray Bar Hotel, I shall accept
with a life of nice. I am gratified that you
(15:42):
appreciate my position.
Speaker 2 (15:44):
You got any way approving you just got in town?
Speaker 5 (15:46):
Is that necessary? It might be a few I shall
have no trouble in supplying such ratification. I have been
enjoying the hospitality of the largest state for the past
three months. I a fact that they show with them
two days. Is that right?
Speaker 10 (16:03):
It's sir, Three I officers have been in jail three bucks.
Speaker 5 (16:08):
You know, in boom On.
Speaker 3 (16:18):
The suspect was taken to the city hall and held
for further investigation. Teletypes were sent to the authorities in
Texas and they verified the story that we'd gotten. The
suspect was booked in violation of forty one twenty seven
a LA MC. The following morning, Frank and I, along
with Captain Ditty and breached the police officers chosen by
Chief Brown. We told them the suspects mo. We gave
each of them copies of the composite drawing that had
(16:40):
been made. At ten thirty that morning, the plan was
put into operations. We continued through the weekends without results.
During that time, we received no new complaints regarding the
confidence man. Wednesday, December eighth, Frank and I checked into
the office.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
I'm on a call Faye tell her what time I'll
be home.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Okay, you want to check the book while you're there, Yeah,
got it? Local fugitive Friday, Yeah, okay, where Yeah, we
know where that is?
Speaker 9 (17:08):
Right, See there, there's left the call Fay later.
Speaker 2 (17:11):
What do you mean, suspect.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
Yeah, he's setting up a markting a coffee shop out
on Hollywood Boulevard.
Speaker 1 (17:15):
Right now, you are listening to drag Net, the authentic
story of your police force in action.
Speaker 3 (17:39):
The call had come from one of the undercover people
that we'd planted in the banks on Hollywood Boulevard. The
policewoman told me that a man answering the description that
approached her and offered to sell her some unset diamonds.
The suspect has suggested that they have a cup of
coffee while he explained the deal to the bank.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
After they'd reached the coffee.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Shop, the policewoman excused herself and put in the call
to us. It took us eighteen minutes to drive the
Hollywood and buying streets and to get to the coffee shop.
When we entered the place, we could see the policewoman
at one of the rear tables. Frank and I walked
back and sat down on the adjoining booth. They'd evidently
been talking for several minutes before we got there.
Speaker 2 (18:11):
You can understand my position.
Speaker 11 (18:13):
I don't want to have to let them COVID.
Speaker 5 (18:14):
I have no choice.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
I'm so not sure why you don't tell them yourself.
Speaker 12 (18:18):
There is some trouble about my past party as Wellies
are checking it over if I tried to dispose of
the diamonds as the usual, chamans are abound to be questions,
questions I can ask.
Speaker 6 (18:28):
I'm not sure I want to be mixed up.
Speaker 7 (18:29):
I didn't like this.
Speaker 9 (18:30):
I've never had any trouble with the law I have
them would be pretty angry if you knew about this.
Speaker 12 (18:35):
But there will be no trouble none. The reason I
decided to even bother you with this is that I
have seen you.
Speaker 11 (18:40):
Several times in the bank. You look to me like
a person who would understand and want to help.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
That's very kind.
Speaker 11 (18:46):
It is you who are being kind to even let
me talk to you.
Speaker 12 (18:50):
I wish I could tell you how much it means
to me to be able to walk up to just anyone.
Speaker 11 (18:54):
On destroy it and talk to know that there is
nothing to be afraid.
Speaker 12 (18:57):
Of this business about the passport annoying, but it will
all be striking out after that, everything will be all right.
Speaker 11 (19:04):
Well, can't you wait until then to show the diamonds.
Speaker 6 (19:06):
I'm afraid not.
Speaker 12 (19:07):
I have bills, I must pay, my journey, my family.
They must be taken care of. I need the money now.
Speaker 7 (19:13):
Yeah, still not sure, kind lady.
Speaker 11 (19:16):
Let me show you the gams. Just let me show
until you and then decide.
Speaker 2 (19:20):
I think coffee, please, yeah, coffee, coffee right.
Speaker 5 (19:25):
There?
Speaker 11 (19:26):
Just look at them.
Speaker 2 (19:28):
Have you reversely and anything so beautiful.
Speaker 1 (19:30):
In your life?
Speaker 2 (19:31):
Oh?
Speaker 5 (19:31):
They are not.
Speaker 12 (19:32):
These are all we were able to get out of
the country. Weeks before we left, we saw everything.
Speaker 9 (19:37):
We want to buy them.
Speaker 12 (19:38):
You know, in Europe, diamonds are about the only thing that,
as I said, value if I have to tell you
the trouble we had in getting it, but that would
take too long and I have already taken too much
of your.
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Time at all.
Speaker 11 (19:50):
And how much are you asking for them on the market?
Speaker 12 (19:53):
They are aware of the American dollars at least ten
thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Well, I could never pay that much, sport, but you
would not have to.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
I don't understand.
Speaker 12 (20:01):
It is simple you take them to any jeweler in
the city, anyone at all. You pick him out, take
the diamonds to him, ask him what there were. Then
come back to me and we can make the transactions.
You see what you were laughing for it? You will
see that what I have said is the truth.
Speaker 11 (20:15):
You can buy them from me. I will get the
money I need. Then you can sell them to the
same jeweler and make a hand some profit.
Speaker 5 (20:21):
Go ahead, take them.
Speaker 11 (20:22):
I won't wait for you yet.
Speaker 9 (20:26):
I knew when I saw you in the bank.
Speaker 11 (20:27):
I could depend on you. I trust you with my
life saving I must come something I can do for you.
Speaker 12 (20:37):
Gentlemen, police officers, you're under arrest and grand theft.
Speaker 2 (20:41):
You must be joking right now.
Speaker 1 (20:43):
Let's go get everything you need Attuch on Friday.
Speaker 2 (20:45):
Yeah, thanks, Margaret there and will them.
Speaker 11 (20:48):
I'm a police officer too.
Speaker 12 (20:51):
Are you gonna know I'll take the diamonds I want
to give us zircons too, Yeah yeah, yeah, Well as
a deal, you're.
Speaker 9 (20:58):
Gonna have to prove it.
Speaker 5 (20:59):
You know.
Speaker 2 (21:00):
We'll take care of that.
Speaker 9 (21:00):
How are you gonna do it?
Speaker 2 (21:02):
It shouldn't be too tough. Have the victims take a
look at you. They should give us a positive identification,
shouldn't we?
Speaker 5 (21:06):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (21:06):
I guess so where'd you get the stones?
Speaker 5 (21:08):
Picked him up in New York?
Speaker 12 (21:10):
They're real worth easy thirteen maybe fourteen thousand dollars.
Speaker 2 (21:12):
How about the imitations?
Speaker 5 (21:13):
What a bomb?
Speaker 11 (21:14):
Well?
Speaker 2 (21:14):
Where'd you get them?
Speaker 5 (21:15):
Friend of mine?
Speaker 12 (21:16):
Guy back age, just hobby his lafe, you know, Lapa derry. Yeah,
I said I had him cut th thesirt cuns for him.
Speaker 2 (21:21):
Do you know why you wanted them? No?
Speaker 12 (21:22):
I told him it was for a joke, asking to
make me six sets, all of them like the real ones.
Speaker 11 (21:27):
I only had this one and one more to get
rid of. Just two more and you have to tag
me rough go you need me for any more trageant?
Speaker 2 (21:33):
No, thanks, Marger, We'll take him in.
Speaker 9 (21:34):
I'll go on there, right, Thanks again, glad to help.
Speaker 2 (21:37):
Thanks Marger.
Speaker 11 (21:38):
Yeah, see to right.
Speaker 2 (21:39):
Tell chief Front will be in the same with you. Okay, right, mister,
let's go.
Speaker 7 (21:43):
Mind if I finish my coffee?
Speaker 2 (21:45):
All right? Make it fast? Okay?
Speaker 5 (21:47):
Thanks? What's your name?
Speaker 11 (21:48):
Nathan Croner?
Speaker 2 (21:49):
Have you ever fallen before?
Speaker 9 (21:50):
A couple of times?
Speaker 12 (21:51):
Small bees where Midwest Colorado, Kansas?
Speaker 2 (21:54):
Big Time Burgery served three years in Colorado turned Kansas.
Speaker 9 (21:58):
Cat you I had it figured sure way to make
it pay never no days?
Speaker 2 (22:02):
What's that now it's gonna turn out?
Speaker 11 (22:04):
Take his touch for instance, Hey you got a cigarette?
Speaker 2 (22:07):
Yeah, there you go.
Speaker 12 (22:09):
Thanks, I gottamagine. You know this has never worked if
you try it with honest people, Is that right?
Speaker 5 (22:19):
Sure?
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Right off?
Speaker 12 (22:20):
I told him I was having trouble with my passport
even till one of them I was in the country illegally.
Speaker 11 (22:24):
That's when he should have gone to the cops.
Speaker 5 (22:25):
Right then?
Speaker 11 (22:28):
Can I miss that?
Speaker 5 (22:29):
What's that the coffee?
Speaker 11 (22:30):
You can miss it anyway?
Speaker 12 (22:32):
If every one of them didn't have a little thievery
and I'm in a con game in the world or
to work.
Speaker 9 (22:35):
You ever think of that?
Speaker 5 (22:36):
Yeah?
Speaker 2 (22:37):
I want to know while I hand over a.
Speaker 12 (22:38):
Bunch of diamonds, now, I know that're worth a minimum
of fifteen thousand dollars worth that anywhere in the country.
Speaker 11 (22:44):
So what happens The mark takes them into a jeweler
and finds out.
Speaker 12 (22:46):
They're worth that much, and right away he's out to
try to make a fast buck for himself.
Speaker 11 (22:49):
He comes back tells me they're only good for ten thousands.
Speaker 3 (22:52):
You see, please you about to finished with that coffee.
Speaker 12 (22:55):
Yeah, now the mark stands to make himself a couple
of thousand dollars going in, but that isn't enough.
Speaker 5 (23:00):
He's gonna take me for more.
Speaker 11 (23:01):
It wouldn't work if they weren't thieves as hard.
Speaker 9 (23:03):
But I still doesn't give you the right to take
him as buzzne.
Speaker 12 (23:06):
I get a real kick thought of figuring what they
look like when they find out they stuck with a
handful of cut glass.
Speaker 11 (23:11):
Must be real yacks to see that look.
Speaker 2 (23:13):
I don't know how about that coffee? Come on, let's go.
Speaker 13 (23:15):
Yeah, okay, I'm with you, all right, full of dodge
anyplace else in the country, I may It's the first
place figured if I scored good here, I could take
it easy, you know, work a bit, maybe once a
year in a different city, keep moving, or.
Speaker 12 (23:32):
Make any difference how they talk or what kind of
clothes they wear.
Speaker 11 (23:34):
A mark still a mark. I just did a bad
deal going good.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
I could have lived off of it for years. That's
what you wanted, now, Yeah, just a deal to.
Speaker 11 (23:41):
Keep me in closing roof over my head.
Speaker 2 (23:44):
Nothing big.
Speaker 3 (23:45):
I've all worked out then, didn't what that's what you're
gonna get come on.
Speaker 2 (23:56):
The story you have just heard is true. The names
were change to protect the innocent.
Speaker 4 (24:02):
On April fifteenth, trial was held in Department ninety eight,
Superior Court of the State of California in and for
the County of Los Angeles. Nathan austen Kroner was tried
and found guilty on four counts of grand theft and
(24:22):
received punishment. As prescribed by law, Grand theft is punishable
by imprisonment for a period of not more than one
year in the county jail, or for a period of
not less than one or more than ten years in
the state penitentiary.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Dragnet the Story of Your Police Force in Action as
a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.
Speaker 14 (25:01):
Jumper. That's about Jump, That's that's Simpson Comb about MP's
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