July 31, 2023 • 24 mins
Dragnet, one of the most iconic old-time radio series, captivated audiences during its heyday. Originally airing from 1949 to 1957, with a revival in the 1960s, Dragnet brought a realistic and gritty portrayal of law enforcement to the airwaves. Created and produced by Jack Webb, who also starred as Sergeant Joe Friday, the show followed the investigations of the Los Angeles Police Department. Known for its distinctive rapid-fire dialogue and the infamous line "Just the facts, ma'am," Dragnet presented a no-nonsense approach to solving crimes. With its emphasis on authenticity, the series drew inspiration from actual police cases and featured real stories from the LAPD. This immersive experience, combined with Webb's impeccable delivery, made Dragnet a beloved and enduring radio program, allowing listeners to vicariously experience the challenges and triumphs of law enforcement. Check out all of the great radio programming available to one and all at www.xzbn.net
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:06):
Ladies and gentlemen. The story youwere about to hear is true. The
names have been changed to protect theinnocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're
assigned the Bunko fugitive details. Aman tells you he's been taken for a
(00:28):
large sum of money. He thinksit was a swindle. Your job brought
it down the documented drummer of anactual crime. For the next thirty minutes,
in cooperation of the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment, you will travel step by
step on the side of the lawto an actual case. Transcribed from official
(00:50):
police files, from beginning to end, from time to punishment, Dragnet is
the story of your police force inaction. It was Monday, September twelfth,
was hot from Los Angeles. We'reworking to day watch out of Buncle
fugitive detail. My partner Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Gidion. My
(01:10):
name is Friday. I got myway back from communications. It was two
seventeen PM when I got to Roomthirty eight. Buncle fugitive All right,
John Hollian, I get it.Uncle fugit to Friday. Yes, that's
right, m But when'd you seehim as well? How much was it
(01:32):
how much? All right, sir, we'll be here well right away if
I were you all right? Fine? All was coming in to talk to
us, Yeah, says he gaveup a friend against forty thousand dollars,
kind of broke up their friendship.What I mean the guys skipped out two
(01:57):
forty two pm the man would telephonecame into the office. He told us
that his name was Jeff Cleaner.He said he had a real estate business
on Wilshire Boulevard and that his homeresidence was on Rossmore near Olympic. He
also said that on the previous twod he had given forty thousand dollars to
a man who called himself Philip Bonham. You know where this fellow Bonham lives,
mister Crainer, I don't know wherehe used to live. Where is
that? I popping out in Westwood? Real fancy beings, sailings, lots
(02:22):
of glass, swimming pool, awhole works. He's not there anymore.
A manager of the building says hemoved last two Did they I gave fill
the money? Who was they filling? His brother had the place together.
What's the brother's name? Steve?Doesn't manage have any idea where they went
well, claims he didn't leave anyforwarding adress, just shoved off. How
long have you known? The bottomis mister trainer, the sixth straight reach
(02:45):
And I jappened with that as realfriend, a mutual friend. What would
you tell us about it? Well, well, it's not going to come
out a newspapers any right there.What what do you mean? Well,
you see, I'm I'm married.We hadn't been getting along so well the
(03:05):
last year or so, but I'mstill married. Where I met up with
the Bottoms, you see, Ithrow a girl what was her name?
Barbara? Barbara whist? Oh?She oh, just a girl I saw?
Maybe she was in on a two. I don't know. Anyway,
she introduced me to him, butI really know hurt over the three months,
(03:28):
maybe a few weeks before I metthem. I see, we got
acquainted at an auction one of thosehouses Adam Wly Boulevard. Will they sell
all furniture and things from movie starshouses. Used to spend a lot of
my free evenings at those auctions.Or wasn't any point to staying wrong?
My wife feeling towards me where shedoes. I didn't buy my just a
(03:49):
piece of her once in a while. It looked like a bargain. And
that's where you met this woman.Yes, yes, there was your living.
You know, I had a roomin the hotel in Hollywood, the
Count George, so they had toknow what happened next. Well, we
got to be pretty good friends,and one night she offered to put me
in touch with a couple of guysshe knew. We said they were interested
in buying some real estate and thatI might as well handle the deal.
(04:12):
But let's how I'm at up withthe Bottoms. Yes, we went out
to their apartment. They're having alittle party. A couple more girls were
there on a Friday night. Iguess we all got kind of loaded.
Next thing I knew, we wereall flying down the Vegas for the weekend.
Well, we shared quite a timefor usel I'll stopped one of the
best hotels, shot to a Lafayette. Everybody making a big fuss like the
(04:34):
Bottoms were v I p H.After that, we had some deals together,
most of them worked out. Wheneverthey didn't. Bottoms took care of
me. Anyhow, what kind ofdeals less grenny? I guess maybe they
weren't well strictly ethical but there wasn'tanything real regal about it. You've got
(04:55):
to cut a couple of corners ifyou're going to get ahead in this world?
Is that right? I get littletied to the sergeant. Sir.
You act like I'm at Paul,like I'm the one who's in the wrong.
Now. You remember it was methat got swindled and forty thousand dollars
worth. I'm not the criminal.You know? They are sure you want
to tell us about the forty thousandcriminal. If you're all through with these
accusations, go ahead, all right. It was last Tuesday, so Bottom
(05:23):
called me at my office and hehad to see me right away about a
proposition of a really big one.We met for lunch. Bottom said they'd
just had words from one of theircontacts in Las Vegas, a couple of
Eastern gamblers at Top the Casino orthe Shotgow Lafayette for a quarter of a
million dollars. Now, the Shotowneeded some money, and they needed it
fast, So the owners were willingto sell a five percent interest in the
(05:44):
hotel for a hundred thousand. OurPhil said it was a seast we'd get
our investment back inside of six monthsand From then on it was just great.
Everybody knows how much those hotels inLas Vegas name, So you gave
him the money, drew it outof the bank that afternoon. Had to
be in cash. Did you knowthe denominations of the bill? They were
(06:05):
all hundreds? What happened? Then? I went back to the office and
the Bottoms took off for Las Vegas. At least that's what they were supposed
to do. They said they'd callme from there. But when I still
hadn't hang me by Friday, Iwent over to their apartment and talked to
the manager. He said they'd movedout to is He at five pm.
Why didn't you get in touch withus then? It didn't seem like crooks,
(06:28):
not a bit. What were theylike? Well, why would you
describing for us? Well, Philips, the oldest is forty five, a
light hair coflection, how big itis? Called my six foot man?
Thin for the ranger? What abouthis brother Steveson? Maybe be fair four
years younger and a little short andnot much though a little heavy? Or
(06:49):
what color usin there? Reddish?The girl who introduced you to him,
he said her name was Barbara Whist. Yes, that's right, how do
you spell that wist? You wantto describe her too, It's pretty hard
to say. Oh, she isnot very good at judging the woman's z.
(07:10):
We're all approximately twenty eight, twentynine, thirty, could could even
be thirty five, one real lightstreet across the front. Very attractive,
good company, nice build, youknow what I mean? And you tried
to get in touch with her sinceshe saw the bottoms, yes, I
(07:31):
called a hotel. Well she movedout last Turday morning. Well, how
are you supposed to know? Wellwho to trust? They were so done
nice to me, the bottoms andbarb, but there wasn't any way of
figuring that what they were after theylike you say that they were just kind
of setting me up. But youhad a tip on yes with Quin when
(07:56):
you thought you were getting something fornothing real eight pm we reminee s Philip
and Steep Bottom and Barbara Whiskeder andI they had nothing on it. We
went back to the office and showedthe bike the mug shots of known confidence
man. He was unable to identifyany of the photographs. Three thirty two
pm we showed him mugs of confidencewomen. No, not on that page,
(08:18):
So hide my my wife won't findout about all this were she not
from us. We hadn't been gettingalong quite a while. But you know,
she just wouldn't understand. Funny,aren't they? I was that women,
(08:39):
even if they won't have anything todo with it themselves, they just
don't want another day moving in bythe next page. Oh sure, say
say, yeah, that looks likeher? Well is it? No?
(09:00):
I guess not. There's something differentthere. Show's resemblance though. But hey
on this, Pam, Now waita minute, that was her where here?
Right here? The one I pointedout before. See that's Bob all
right right there. He said therewas something different about this one. Again,
(09:20):
Well there is. But now thatI think about it, Enny,
gals have to do that the onedie her hair. The victim was positive
in his identification of the photograph.Frank and I pulled a woman's package.
Her true name was Mabel Salton wFA, thirty six years old, five
(09:43):
feet four weight, one hundred andseventeen pounds, blue eyes, brune her
hair. Her record showed two convictionsfor graham theft and an arrest for suspicion
of theft the previous June four,fifteen pm We talked to Johnny to bet
out of the officer who had madethe Jewne arrest. Yeah, that's right,
so I had and I pulled herin. We could make it stick.
Why not? Another victim gave usand I didn't. But we didn't
(10:03):
have enough for holder on. Allshe did was introduced the much to a
couple of con and they did thetaking. We couldn't prove that she was
in at a sucker hadn't given herthe money, you know, wouldn't cop
body. She's a looker, nota talker. I had another tackle the
guy anytime in a dame like that. Once she decided to keep a mouth
chef. You can't get it openwith the pair fliers. What about the
guys she was working with a coupleof others. Don't remember the names they
(10:24):
used off hand. It's in thefile zone and he leads to him description
m all. We put out alocal in APB. We couldn't turn a
month though. They must have skippedtime. I see they had a tale
for a while. I see ifshe'd lead us to him, you know
nowhere that's where we ended up.They back in LA they were last week.
Make another pigeon, you know,and I hope you have better luck,
and we did it were going tomeet it, so we moved on.
It won't be very easy to catchup with joh They got a lot
(10:46):
of traveling money for forty thousand bagand I put out a local on an
ap B on the two males specs. We also put out a bullet on
the female suspect, Mabel Salton,but we requested that in her case no
arrescue made. We asked to becontacted in the event that she was located
(11:09):
from Johnny to better We learned thatthe Saltan woman had also met the previous
victim of an auction. Auctionaires andowners of ouption houses were told to Notibius
if they saw the suspect. Wetalked to the manager of the appointment where
the male suspects had lived, andto check the clerk at the Count George
Hotel. They were unable to helpus. We contacted Las Vegas and learned
that the Chateau Lafayette was an excellentfinancial condition. We also contacted ciup at
(11:33):
Sacrament other see if they could giveus my dentification of the male suspects.
We received a negative response. Nonew leads developed five weeks passed. Wednesday,
October nineteenth, nine forty six am. Uncle petergor of Friday yesterday.
That's right when I see, thankyou very much today. He's your auction
(12:00):
house out on Third Street. Yeah, auctioneer says he sold a couple of
lamps to an old customer last nightMabel Salton. Ten o seven am,
(12:26):
Frank and I drove out to theTentier auction gallery on West Third. We
showed the auctioneer I'm out shot ofMabel Salton, and he said he was
positive he was the woman who hadseen the previous night. We went back
to the office and had a conferencewith a skipper. You're sure if theick
and help won't do any good wehave done before Cam, Yeah, of
course this might not work either.We don't even know if her pals are
back in town. How do youplan to make the contact? Hang out
of auctions, do a lot ofbidding, let her think I'm loaded.
(12:50):
I don't know. May it'd bebetter if Smith winning to cover this time.
He looks more like a mark forme. We'll wait a minute,
Skipper. Well you know what Imean. Well, I know I'm afraid
of using Smith had give us aproblem. Yeah, hanging out a lot
at a picture m not bad,is she? No? That's the trouble.
Smith's got a wife. Arrangements weremade for me to assume the name
(13:18):
of Joe Fawcett. I took theroom at a hotel and Holly wouldn't establish
myself as a businessman race and arrivedfrom Chicago. Auction houses. Were told
that I would be bidding on variousitems, and if my bid was accepted,
the item was to be reauctioned atsome future date and any loss in
curd would be made good. Duringthe next week, I attended four auctions.
The woman suspect, Mabel Salton,was president of two of them.
(13:39):
Thursday, October twenty seventh, nineforty two pm, I attended the fifth
auctions. It was at the PincherGalleries. I managed to get a seat
next to the suspect. Five dollarswhole later we were a hundred dollars in
retail store. Funy five whole deal. Three. I forget nabs, you
(14:01):
gentlemen. That's never one of America'smost flavor This is no restless You're all
seen here, doesn't buying in thestream here's your chance to buy one of
her personals for facions and don't forgetresidentary one mine in northern Liberal. Now
I get forty, I have white, will get thirty thirtyer thank you for
the ready guy, areciate I havefor you. All you want that eighty
(14:24):
five thirty five, will get fortythree, will get forty All you take
a white you if you really wantit. It doesn't matter how much to
mean. So that's than kind ofI all got pretty five three five white,
So wait thy fo and now ladiesand gentleman, i'll side of the
port. It was lighted. Thanksfor that in my goods gone way forget
(14:46):
it home. There's any way Ican put it back. Nothing. Let
you buy your drink after the rabbits. No, that is I didn't really
want them there anyway high life youwant, I don't share. That's a
lot of bits. You've got acustomer. If you parts, I'm gonna
joy the quality and I'm all right, ye before you thing, haven't you
didn't kind of let a couple ofms I thought you And that's familiar conte
(15:11):
that I don't remember this and bidyeah, very good thing than the table
like this especially I loved. Ofcourse I always end up buying a lot
of things I don't need that.Well, that happens to me too.
And afterwards you see the dying fluidsbecause nothing you can mose. I went,
it's too nice. This table willnever see a thing. Nobody what
(15:37):
to go through something when you comeand you don't really faster. No faucets.
I'm one, I'm not very nice. Didn't see no plager's all mine.
Eleven sixteen pm we left the Oxydand go over to the suspect of
parting was on the second floor ofthe two story buildings to stof a limping
(16:00):
boulevards buys out over the here Joe, he will take charge where I get
out of my roat. You're better, doctor Bourbon. It doesn't matter whatever
you're having. Hey, the eyesaw amounted. Now it's a little left
here. That's good. I'm reallyalso glad you could drop by. Makes
(16:27):
your drink okay, Well that's herscheers astronas lice. That's the way I
like it. I don't sit down. Sure, thank your home, Joe.
(16:48):
Well, I really don't have oneyear. I got a hotel room
over in Hollywood. I've been stayingthere for the last few days. About
at least things we've been buying.They're off of my new place. It
hasn't come out to ask grow yet. Let's say hurry up, let me
move in. For all I know, I'm maybe getting too much stuff.
I don't know what you need tofurnite your house. Well, isn't your
wife, but I'm oh, I'mnot married more, not anymore. We
(17:11):
broke up about a year ago.Funny, what's that? That's what it
happened to me just a year ago. So maybe we have a little too
much in commorah. She heard youdidn't shoot you. Well, I can
see it in your wife. You'revery sad eyes. It's soft and thoughtful.
(17:33):
Oh, I don't know. Ithink you can tell a lot about
Christening from your eyes. We're doing. That's a christ thing I noticed about
somebody. How did you notice,Jill? Well, I guess I never
thought too much about tell you thetruth? What did you not a space
with me? Well? Oh,I guess it was your voice. Oh,
(17:59):
you know, when you were bidding. I think that's what I noticed
first. I don't know why thatto compliment in that? Well, you
have a very pleasure voice moment verypleasure. Didn't think so? Oh my
husband, he said, I founda nagged and made last miserable for him.
Why do you split up? Itdidn't work out? You think I
ever tried again? I know it'spretty hard to say. Yeah, I
(18:21):
feel the same way. There's lotsof people make mistakes. Yeah, sure,
I need a freshman. No,I have plenty of here picks you
up? Yeah? Please, Idon't drink very much, do you No,
I just don't feel like it's anIs it the company? No,
(18:41):
of course not. I'm sorry.If I was sort of fortune into taking
me home, don't be silly.I just salted them. We didn't look
very happy when I thought maybe weboth needed to be with someone else pitching.
Sure, Yeah, thanks? Whatman you into? Let's see what's
(19:02):
your business? Well? Nothing,right? Man? I guess you might
say I'm unemployed. Huh. Ihad a company of my own back in
Chicago, textual Manufacturing. I soldit when we split up. That any
can't you now? Oh? I'msort of looking around. I got a
little cash and let's get by onthe right thing turns up. I guess
I might go into it. Isuppose it's try to tell what to put
your money into nowadays. Yeah,well it's normal. You know. That
(19:26):
reminds me if you really do wantto get into something good. Yeah,
I know a couple of businessmen,coding, close friends, anything like that.
But they have some excellent context.I'm sure they could put you into
something that would give you a nicereturn on your investment. I wouldn't do
any hard to talk to him whetherI said you can't right now? Why
(19:47):
not? Out of time? Toobad, isn't it? Yeah? Sure
is. The Salton woman told me. She let me know as soon as
her friends returned to Los Angeles.During the next ten days, I saw
on several occasions, as far asI could tell, the so called Bottom
brothers, there is still a lotof time. Timothy to number eight forty
(20:11):
PM. I was in my hotelroom. Hello, yeah, that's one.
Well how about tonight? Sure,I'll pick yup by nine thirty five.
Bye? You want to get mein Michigan five to one one please?
(20:37):
That's right? Extension two five seventwo, that's right, two five
seven two. Smith. There there'sJoe. Yeah, I just heard from
(20:59):
her. But I over to Betamahim stand by tonight, says they just
move into town. Over the phone, the Saltan woman had told me the
two business acquaintances had returned to LosAngeles. I was to meet him that
tonight. Frank and Johnny the bettermentarrangements to tail my car. Twenty eight
pm, I picked up the femalesuspect. She told me her friends had
(21:21):
rooms in the Saint Clair Hotel overon figure out we'd go over there.
It was nine forty two when wearrived. We went up to room four
seventeen. She introduced me to twomen who matched the description of the male
suspects we were looking for. Thissaid. Their names were Tom and Fred
Porst. Sure, it's nice tomeet you, mister Fassett. Vone has
been telling us about you, asseems you've made quite a hit with her.
So she told me about two fellastoo. Now you've got to understand
(21:45):
one thing. What's that anything wediscussed in the business line that is,
well, it's got to be confidentialfor sure. You see, my brother
and I we don't make a practiceof taking outside investments. Right then,
right a matter of fact, wedon't even need any outside capital at the
moment. We sort of got asurplice. Oh, I said, well,
maybe some other time, and niceto mention, Well, what's your
(22:06):
hearty for uses? Well you saidthat, I said we don't need any
caf you know, well we mightmake an exception in your case though,
Oh what a kind of mourne.Well, I don't want you to put
yourselves down. Something else will turnup. Now wait a minute, I
was just thinking, what's that.Well, I've never hurts to spread a
good thing around. You've got anyplans for this Saturday? I don't know
(22:27):
what you ever mind? Well,I thought it might flight down in Vegas,
get us a couple of girls.You could bring a long mono.
Why they Oh, we got afriend down there. He made a killing
at the craft tables a couple ofyears ago, stuck it in times and
not a bill. Oh and hesort of forgot to mention it on his
income tax And now he could usea loop. But he's afraid to cash
in the bills himself. You know, I see he might be willing to
sell him to us at a discount. Are you interested? Very? Why
(22:51):
not the old con game right there? Why well, there's the best you
can do. The thousand dollar dollorroutines got whiskers on it. I should
have known what are you talking?But how would you know? Listen fast?
What are you doing here? Anyway? Why do you want to meet
us? I was kind of curiousabout how you boys work. I heard
a lot about you at maybe i'dtake up a new angle or two.
(23:11):
Looks like I was wrong, don'tyou see? He was just checking up
on our pitch. Well he's acon man too. Oh, you really
pulled one this time. I'm pickinga pro mark. People just want to
(23:33):
luck. You should have been ableto dupe lay us and those on your
face it is sure. Don't takeit to hide, buddy. You might
pull the suckers, but I'm inthe same racket. I should have guessed
it when you walked in the door. Frippen all over you where you've been
pitching lately? For the hall.I'm a police officer. You're under arrest.
(23:57):
The story you'll learn. The nameswere changed to protect the innocence.
On February, second trial was heldin Department ninety eight, Superior Court of
the State of California in and forthe County of Los Angeles. In a
moment the results of that trial,Mabel Harris Sulton was tried and convicted of
(24:22):
grand theft one count and received sentenceas prescribed by law. Thomas Herbert Forst
and Fred James Forrest, Dahlias Philipand Steve Bonham were tried and convicted of
grand theft two counts and received sentenceas prescribed by law. Grand theft is
punishable by imprisonment in the county jailfor not more than one year, or
in the state prison for not lessthan one nor more than ten years,
Ladies and gentlemen. The story youwere about to hear is true. The
names have been changed to protect theinnocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're
assigned the Bunko fugitive details. Aman tells you he's been taken for a
(00:28):
large sum of money. He thinksit was a swindle. Your job brought
it down the documented drummer of anactual crime. For the next thirty minutes,
in cooperation of the Los Angeles PoliceDepartment, you will travel step by
step on the side of the lawto an actual case. Transcribed from official
(00:50):
police files, from beginning to end, from time to punishment, Dragnet is
the story of your police force inaction. It was Monday, September twelfth,
was hot from Los Angeles. We'reworking to day watch out of Buncle
fugitive detail. My partner Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Gidion. My
(01:10):
name is Friday. I got myway back from communications. It was two
seventeen PM when I got to Roomthirty eight. Buncle fugitive All right,
John Hollian, I get it.Uncle fugit to Friday. Yes, that's
right, m But when'd you seehim as well? How much was it
(01:32):
how much? All right, sir, we'll be here well right away if
I were you all right? Fine? All was coming in to talk to
us, Yeah, says he gaveup a friend against forty thousand dollars,
kind of broke up their friendship.What I mean the guys skipped out two
(01:57):
forty two pm the man would telephonecame into the office. He told us
that his name was Jeff Cleaner.He said he had a real estate business
on Wilshire Boulevard and that his homeresidence was on Rossmore near Olympic. He
also said that on the previous twod he had given forty thousand dollars to
a man who called himself Philip Bonham. You know where this fellow Bonham lives,
mister Crainer, I don't know wherehe used to live. Where is
that? I popping out in Westwood? Real fancy beings, sailings, lots
(02:22):
of glass, swimming pool, awhole works. He's not there anymore.
A manager of the building says hemoved last two Did they I gave fill
the money? Who was they filling? His brother had the place together.
What's the brother's name? Steve?Doesn't manage have any idea where they went
well, claims he didn't leave anyforwarding adress, just shoved off. How
long have you known? The bottomis mister trainer, the sixth straight reach
(02:45):
And I jappened with that as realfriend, a mutual friend. What would
you tell us about it? Well, well, it's not going to come
out a newspapers any right there.What what do you mean? Well,
you see, I'm I'm married.We hadn't been getting along so well the
(03:05):
last year or so, but I'mstill married. Where I met up with
the Bottoms, you see, Ithrow a girl what was her name?
Barbara? Barbara whist? Oh?She oh, just a girl I saw?
Maybe she was in on a two. I don't know. Anyway,
she introduced me to him, butI really know hurt over the three months,
(03:28):
maybe a few weeks before I metthem. I see, we got
acquainted at an auction one of thosehouses Adam Wly Boulevard. Will they sell
all furniture and things from movie starshouses. Used to spend a lot of
my free evenings at those auctions.Or wasn't any point to staying wrong?
My wife feeling towards me where shedoes. I didn't buy my just a
(03:49):
piece of her once in a while. It looked like a bargain. And
that's where you met this woman.Yes, yes, there was your living.
You know, I had a roomin the hotel in Hollywood, the
Count George, so they had toknow what happened next. Well, we
got to be pretty good friends,and one night she offered to put me
in touch with a couple of guysshe knew. We said they were interested
in buying some real estate and thatI might as well handle the deal.
(04:12):
But let's how I'm at up withthe Bottoms. Yes, we went out
to their apartment. They're having alittle party. A couple more girls were
there on a Friday night. Iguess we all got kind of loaded.
Next thing I knew, we wereall flying down the Vegas for the weekend.
Well, we shared quite a timefor usel I'll stopped one of the
best hotels, shot to a Lafayette. Everybody making a big fuss like the
(04:34):
Bottoms were v I p H.After that, we had some deals together,
most of them worked out. Wheneverthey didn't. Bottoms took care of
me. Anyhow, what kind ofdeals less grenny? I guess maybe they
weren't well strictly ethical but there wasn'tanything real regal about it. You've got
(04:55):
to cut a couple of corners ifyou're going to get ahead in this world?
Is that right? I get littletied to the sergeant. Sir.
You act like I'm at Paul,like I'm the one who's in the wrong.
Now. You remember it was methat got swindled and forty thousand dollars
worth. I'm not the criminal.You know? They are sure you want
to tell us about the forty thousandcriminal. If you're all through with these
accusations, go ahead, all right. It was last Tuesday, so Bottom
(05:23):
called me at my office and hehad to see me right away about a
proposition of a really big one.We met for lunch. Bottom said they'd
just had words from one of theircontacts in Las Vegas, a couple of
Eastern gamblers at Top the Casino orthe Shotgow Lafayette for a quarter of a
million dollars. Now, the Shotowneeded some money, and they needed it
fast, So the owners were willingto sell a five percent interest in the
(05:44):
hotel for a hundred thousand. OurPhil said it was a seast we'd get
our investment back inside of six monthsand From then on it was just great.
Everybody knows how much those hotels inLas Vegas name, So you gave
him the money, drew it outof the bank that afternoon. Had to
be in cash. Did you knowthe denominations of the bill? They were
(06:05):
all hundreds? What happened? Then? I went back to the office and
the Bottoms took off for Las Vegas. At least that's what they were supposed
to do. They said they'd callme from there. But when I still
hadn't hang me by Friday, Iwent over to their apartment and talked to
the manager. He said they'd movedout to is He at five pm.
Why didn't you get in touch withus then? It didn't seem like crooks,
(06:28):
not a bit. What were theylike? Well, why would you
describing for us? Well, Philips, the oldest is forty five, a
light hair coflection, how big itis? Called my six foot man?
Thin for the ranger? What abouthis brother Steveson? Maybe be fair four
years younger and a little short andnot much though a little heavy? Or
(06:49):
what color usin there? Reddish?The girl who introduced you to him,
he said her name was Barbara Whist. Yes, that's right, how do
you spell that wist? You wantto describe her too, It's pretty hard
to say. Oh, she isnot very good at judging the woman's z.
(07:10):
We're all approximately twenty eight, twentynine, thirty, could could even
be thirty five, one real lightstreet across the front. Very attractive,
good company, nice build, youknow what I mean? And you tried
to get in touch with her sinceshe saw the bottoms, yes, I
(07:31):
called a hotel. Well she movedout last Turday morning. Well, how
are you supposed to know? Wellwho to trust? They were so done
nice to me, the bottoms andbarb, but there wasn't any way of
figuring that what they were after theylike you say that they were just kind
of setting me up. But youhad a tip on yes with Quin when
(07:56):
you thought you were getting something fornothing real eight pm we reminee s Philip
and Steep Bottom and Barbara Whiskeder andI they had nothing on it. We
went back to the office and showedthe bike the mug shots of known confidence
man. He was unable to identifyany of the photographs. Three thirty two
pm we showed him mugs of confidencewomen. No, not on that page,
(08:18):
So hide my my wife won't findout about all this were she not
from us. We hadn't been gettingalong quite a while. But you know,
she just wouldn't understand. Funny,aren't they? I was that women,
(08:39):
even if they won't have anything todo with it themselves, they just
don't want another day moving in bythe next page. Oh sure, say
say, yeah, that looks likeher? Well is it? No?
(09:00):
I guess not. There's something differentthere. Show's resemblance though. But hey
on this, Pam, Now waita minute, that was her where here?
Right here? The one I pointedout before. See that's Bob all
right right there. He said therewas something different about this one. Again,
(09:20):
Well there is. But now thatI think about it, Enny,
gals have to do that the onedie her hair. The victim was positive
in his identification of the photograph.Frank and I pulled a woman's package.
Her true name was Mabel Salton wFA, thirty six years old, five
(09:43):
feet four weight, one hundred andseventeen pounds, blue eyes, brune her
hair. Her record showed two convictionsfor graham theft and an arrest for suspicion
of theft the previous June four,fifteen pm We talked to Johnny to bet
out of the officer who had madethe Jewne arrest. Yeah, that's right,
so I had and I pulled herin. We could make it stick.
Why not? Another victim gave usand I didn't. But we didn't
(10:03):
have enough for holder on. Allshe did was introduced the much to a
couple of con and they did thetaking. We couldn't prove that she was
in at a sucker hadn't given herthe money, you know, wouldn't cop
body. She's a looker, nota talker. I had another tackle the
guy anytime in a dame like that. Once she decided to keep a mouth
chef. You can't get it openwith the pair fliers. What about the
guys she was working with a coupleof others. Don't remember the names they
(10:24):
used off hand. It's in thefile zone and he leads to him description
m all. We put out alocal in APB. We couldn't turn a
month though. They must have skippedtime. I see they had a tale
for a while. I see ifshe'd lead us to him, you know
nowhere that's where we ended up.They back in LA they were last week.
Make another pigeon, you know,and I hope you have better luck,
and we did it were going tomeet it, so we moved on.
It won't be very easy to catchup with joh They got a lot
(10:46):
of traveling money for forty thousand bagand I put out a local on an
ap B on the two males specs. We also put out a bullet on
the female suspect, Mabel Salton,but we requested that in her case no
arrescue made. We asked to becontacted in the event that she was located
(11:09):
from Johnny to better We learned thatthe Saltan woman had also met the previous
victim of an auction. Auctionaires andowners of ouption houses were told to Notibius
if they saw the suspect. Wetalked to the manager of the appointment where
the male suspects had lived, andto check the clerk at the Count George
Hotel. They were unable to helpus. We contacted Las Vegas and learned
that the Chateau Lafayette was an excellentfinancial condition. We also contacted ciup at
(11:33):
Sacrament other see if they could giveus my dentification of the male suspects.
We received a negative response. Nonew leads developed five weeks passed. Wednesday,
October nineteenth, nine forty six am. Uncle petergor of Friday yesterday.
That's right when I see, thankyou very much today. He's your auction
(12:00):
house out on Third Street. Yeah, auctioneer says he sold a couple of
lamps to an old customer last nightMabel Salton. Ten o seven am,
(12:26):
Frank and I drove out to theTentier auction gallery on West Third. We
showed the auctioneer I'm out shot ofMabel Salton, and he said he was
positive he was the woman who hadseen the previous night. We went back
to the office and had a conferencewith a skipper. You're sure if theick
and help won't do any good wehave done before Cam, Yeah, of
course this might not work either.We don't even know if her pals are
back in town. How do youplan to make the contact? Hang out
of auctions, do a lot ofbidding, let her think I'm loaded.
(12:50):
I don't know. May it'd bebetter if Smith winning to cover this time.
He looks more like a mark forme. We'll wait a minute,
Skipper. Well you know what Imean. Well, I know I'm afraid
of using Smith had give us aproblem. Yeah, hanging out a lot
at a picture m not bad,is she? No? That's the trouble.
Smith's got a wife. Arrangements weremade for me to assume the name
(13:18):
of Joe Fawcett. I took theroom at a hotel and Holly wouldn't establish
myself as a businessman race and arrivedfrom Chicago. Auction houses. Were told
that I would be bidding on variousitems, and if my bid was accepted,
the item was to be reauctioned atsome future date and any loss in
curd would be made good. Duringthe next week, I attended four auctions.
The woman suspect, Mabel Salton,was president of two of them.
(13:39):
Thursday, October twenty seventh, nineforty two pm, I attended the fifth
auctions. It was at the PincherGalleries. I managed to get a seat
next to the suspect. Five dollarswhole later we were a hundred dollars in
retail store. Funy five whole deal. Three. I forget nabs, you
(14:01):
gentlemen. That's never one of America'smost flavor This is no restless You're all
seen here, doesn't buying in thestream here's your chance to buy one of
her personals for facions and don't forgetresidentary one mine in northern Liberal. Now
I get forty, I have white, will get thirty thirtyer thank you for
the ready guy, areciate I havefor you. All you want that eighty
(14:24):
five thirty five, will get fortythree, will get forty All you take
a white you if you really wantit. It doesn't matter how much to
mean. So that's than kind ofI all got pretty five three five white,
So wait thy fo and now ladiesand gentleman, i'll side of the
port. It was lighted. Thanksfor that in my goods gone way forget
(14:46):
it home. There's any way Ican put it back. Nothing. Let
you buy your drink after the rabbits. No, that is I didn't really
want them there anyway high life youwant, I don't share. That's a
lot of bits. You've got acustomer. If you parts, I'm gonna
joy the quality and I'm all right, ye before you thing, haven't you
didn't kind of let a couple ofms I thought you And that's familiar conte
(15:11):
that I don't remember this and bidyeah, very good thing than the table
like this especially I loved. Ofcourse I always end up buying a lot
of things I don't need that.Well, that happens to me too.
And afterwards you see the dying fluidsbecause nothing you can mose. I went,
it's too nice. This table willnever see a thing. Nobody what
(15:37):
to go through something when you comeand you don't really faster. No faucets.
I'm one, I'm not very nice. Didn't see no plager's all mine.
Eleven sixteen pm we left the Oxydand go over to the suspect of
parting was on the second floor ofthe two story buildings to stof a limping
(16:00):
boulevards buys out over the here Joe, he will take charge where I get
out of my roat. You're better, doctor Bourbon. It doesn't matter whatever
you're having. Hey, the eyesaw amounted. Now it's a little left
here. That's good. I'm reallyalso glad you could drop by. Makes
(16:27):
your drink okay, Well that's herscheers astronas lice. That's the way I
like it. I don't sit down. Sure, thank your home, Joe.
(16:48):
Well, I really don't have oneyear. I got a hotel room
over in Hollywood. I've been stayingthere for the last few days. About
at least things we've been buying.They're off of my new place. It
hasn't come out to ask grow yet. Let's say hurry up, let me
move in. For all I know, I'm maybe getting too much stuff.
I don't know what you need tofurnite your house. Well, isn't your
wife, but I'm oh, I'mnot married more, not anymore. We
(17:11):
broke up about a year ago.Funny, what's that? That's what it
happened to me just a year ago. So maybe we have a little too
much in commorah. She heard youdidn't shoot you. Well, I can
see it in your wife. You'revery sad eyes. It's soft and thoughtful.
(17:33):
Oh, I don't know. Ithink you can tell a lot about
Christening from your eyes. We're doing. That's a christ thing I noticed about
somebody. How did you notice,Jill? Well, I guess I never
thought too much about tell you thetruth? What did you not a space
with me? Well? Oh,I guess it was your voice. Oh,
(17:59):
you know, when you were bidding. I think that's what I noticed
first. I don't know why thatto compliment in that? Well, you
have a very pleasure voice moment verypleasure. Didn't think so? Oh my
husband, he said, I founda nagged and made last miserable for him.
Why do you split up? Itdidn't work out? You think I
ever tried again? I know it'spretty hard to say. Yeah, I
(18:21):
feel the same way. There's lotsof people make mistakes. Yeah, sure,
I need a freshman. No,I have plenty of here picks you
up? Yeah? Please, Idon't drink very much, do you No,
I just don't feel like it's anIs it the company? No,
(18:41):
of course not. I'm sorry.If I was sort of fortune into taking
me home, don't be silly.I just salted them. We didn't look
very happy when I thought maybe weboth needed to be with someone else pitching.
Sure, Yeah, thanks? Whatman you into? Let's see what's
(19:02):
your business? Well? Nothing,right? Man? I guess you might
say I'm unemployed. Huh. Ihad a company of my own back in
Chicago, textual Manufacturing. I soldit when we split up. That any
can't you now? Oh? I'msort of looking around. I got a
little cash and let's get by onthe right thing turns up. I guess
I might go into it. Isuppose it's try to tell what to put
your money into nowadays. Yeah,well it's normal. You know. That
(19:26):
reminds me if you really do wantto get into something good. Yeah,
I know a couple of businessmen,coding, close friends, anything like that.
But they have some excellent context.I'm sure they could put you into
something that would give you a nicereturn on your investment. I wouldn't do
any hard to talk to him whetherI said you can't right now? Why
(19:47):
not? Out of time? Toobad, isn't it? Yeah? Sure
is. The Salton woman told me. She let me know as soon as
her friends returned to Los Angeles.During the next ten days, I saw
on several occasions, as far asI could tell, the so called Bottom
brothers, there is still a lotof time. Timothy to number eight forty
(20:11):
PM. I was in my hotelroom. Hello, yeah, that's one.
Well how about tonight? Sure,I'll pick yup by nine thirty five.
Bye? You want to get mein Michigan five to one one please?
(20:37):
That's right? Extension two five seventwo, that's right, two five
seven two. Smith. There there'sJoe. Yeah, I just heard from
(20:59):
her. But I over to Betamahim stand by tonight, says they just
move into town. Over the phone, the Saltan woman had told me the
two business acquaintances had returned to LosAngeles. I was to meet him that
tonight. Frank and Johnny the bettermentarrangements to tail my car. Twenty eight
pm, I picked up the femalesuspect. She told me her friends had
(21:21):
rooms in the Saint Clair Hotel overon figure out we'd go over there.
It was nine forty two when wearrived. We went up to room four
seventeen. She introduced me to twomen who matched the description of the male
suspects we were looking for. Thissaid. Their names were Tom and Fred
Porst. Sure, it's nice tomeet you, mister Fassett. Vone has
been telling us about you, asseems you've made quite a hit with her.
So she told me about two fellastoo. Now you've got to understand
(21:45):
one thing. What's that anything wediscussed in the business line that is,
well, it's got to be confidentialfor sure. You see, my brother
and I we don't make a practiceof taking outside investments. Right then,
right a matter of fact, wedon't even need any outside capital at the
moment. We sort of got asurplice. Oh, I said, well,
maybe some other time, and niceto mention, Well, what's your
(22:06):
hearty for uses? Well you saidthat, I said we don't need any
caf you know, well we mightmake an exception in your case though,
Oh what a kind of mourne.Well, I don't want you to put
yourselves down. Something else will turnup. Now wait a minute, I
was just thinking, what's that.Well, I've never hurts to spread a
good thing around. You've got anyplans for this Saturday? I don't know
(22:27):
what you ever mind? Well,I thought it might flight down in Vegas,
get us a couple of girls.You could bring a long mono.
Why they Oh, we got afriend down there. He made a killing
at the craft tables a couple ofyears ago, stuck it in times and
not a bill. Oh and hesort of forgot to mention it on his
income tax And now he could usea loop. But he's afraid to cash
in the bills himself. You know, I see he might be willing to
sell him to us at a discount. Are you interested? Very? Why
(22:51):
not the old con game right there? Why well, there's the best you
can do. The thousand dollar dollorroutines got whiskers on it. I should
have known what are you talking?But how would you know? Listen fast?
What are you doing here? Anyway? Why do you want to meet
us? I was kind of curiousabout how you boys work. I heard
a lot about you at maybe i'dtake up a new angle or two.
(23:11):
Looks like I was wrong, don'tyou see? He was just checking up
on our pitch. Well he's acon man too. Oh, you really
pulled one this time. I'm pickinga pro mark. People just want to
(23:33):
luck. You should have been ableto dupe lay us and those on your
face it is sure. Don't takeit to hide, buddy. You might
pull the suckers, but I'm inthe same racket. I should have guessed
it when you walked in the door. Frippen all over you where you've been
pitching lately? For the hall.I'm a police officer. You're under arrest.
(23:57):
The story you'll learn. The nameswere changed to protect the innocence.
On February, second trial was heldin Department ninety eight, Superior Court of
the State of California in and forthe County of Los Angeles. In a
moment the results of that trial,Mabel Harris Sulton was tried and convicted of
(24:22):
grand theft one count and received sentenceas prescribed by law. Thomas Herbert Forst
and Fred James Forrest, Dahlias Philipand Steve Bonham were tried and convicted of
grand theft two counts and received sentenceas prescribed by law. Grand theft is
punishable by imprisonment in the county jailfor not more than one year, or
in the state prison for not lessthan one nor more than ten years,
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