July 31, 2023 • 25 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
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(00:04):
Ladies and gentlemen. The story you'reabout to hear is true. The names
have been changed to protect the innocence. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned
a robbery details. You get acall from the San Diego Police Department.
(00:25):
The three hold up men are thoughtto be heading for your city. You
know they're armed, you know they'redangerous. Your job get them. Dragment
the documented drama of an actual crime. Well the next thirty minutes, in
(00:47):
cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on
the side of the law to anactual case. Send tribe from official police
film from beginning to end, fromtime to punish. Drag Nets is the
story of your police force in actionwith Monday, October fifth was one in
(01:10):
Los Angeles. Were was in tonight watch out a Robbert detail. My
partner, Thanks Smith's the bosses CaptainGidding in My name is Biddy. I
got my way into the office andit was both at the APM. I
got to him twenty seven as robbery. Hi am I thank yeah, he
was just a couple of minutes ago. I think he went down the hall
that he'd be right back. Thanks. I have a kid there. We're
in the cycle again. I meanthey're a cold cycle. Yeah. Oldest
(01:32):
boy brings one home with him,give it to his sister, then he
goes to baby, theno the wife, and to me. By the time
I got it, the oldest boysready to catch it again. From me,
it doesn't seem to be any endof it. I don't see what
you mean. Leave the other daywhere if you take care of a cold,
you know, take a lot ofpills, stay in bed. You
can shake it in a week,all right, don't do anything special for
it, and it'll take seven daysto get rid of it. So I
(01:53):
mighte being here from San Diego goingdown there really zoom covered Jim take Yeah.
I can hear him moaning all theway from here. What is it?
Play at a duel robe at ahotel on the coast, bringing man
just one hundred and thirty five thousandjewels and at least fifteen thousand and chig
one hundred and fifty thousands, andhe leads on them. No APV gives
(02:14):
a description list of the stolen jewels. When it happened, I said one
thirtieth points. Yeah, it's gonnakeep him busy. For a while,
said more, screaming like an eagle. Joel all I thought to him last
week said he was going down toMexico to do some fishing. I'm saving
days off for the last three months. I don't get to go now,
man, I get it. RobbieFriday, Yeah, I'll go ahead,
(02:37):
and yeah, I'm what. Yeah, we got the APB. How's they're
going? Yeah? Or what doyou figure they left? Yeah? Okay?
More? Yeah, all right,we'll keep an eye open. Right,
bye, what's be gone? Well? Davis walking here and they're coming
(02:58):
up. They're driving, Yeah,and they take it a holdup? Met
ahead In this way, the earlyeditions of the Afternoon papers came out,
and they carry the complete story.Three men had entered the Carton Surf Hotel
at one thirty am. All threewere armed, and they forced the manager
to open the safe. Inside thevault were the jewels and the other valuables
that had been deposited with the managementsfor safe keeping by the guests. After
(03:22):
looting the safe, the three menhad robbed five of the guests who had
entered the lobby during the time thatthey'd been going through the safe. After
taking all the money and valuables theycould find. The three men forced the
manager and the guests into a backstoreroom of the hotel, and they locked
them in. None of the victimscould tell the San Diego officers what kind
of a card been used, butall of them were able to give good
descriptions to the three men. TheSan Diego Police Department had been called and
(03:45):
the men from the Detective Bureau hadbegun an immediate investigation. From the phone
conversation I had had with Lieutenant mortGear, they had evidence to believe that
the three men were heading up theLos Angeles. While the three detectives from
the San Diego department came to LaLieutenant Gear doctor told him MacGuire would continue
the investigation downal There City eleven,twelve pm. Sergeant Kyle Davis, Joey
Walking Happy Healing the live at thecity Hall. They filled us in on
(04:09):
what had happened where the thing worked. It figured that someone it would either
worked for the hotel it was workingfor. It had engineered that check out
the adentifications get Yeah. Viogil Russellworked in a hotel a year ago as
a bus point in the dining room. All the victims came a positive identification
on all of the others is notnote in here. What made the figure
they might be coming up here.Russell's got a record set his package and
found that he has a sister inSan Diego. Check turns to get us
(04:30):
fluid now said her brother and twomen came by the house early this morning.
Her brother's been staying with it thepast few weeks. Anyway, he
came by this morning. Package closedthat he had to come up to La
on the business before. She hadn'taddressed up here for him. Turnment good,
he said. He told her youget in touch with her. He
was staying with a friend in placeout on Olympic Boulevard. Anything on that
address, yeah, Package gave himaddress out there. Russell had listed a
(04:51):
friend is when he was arrested.We think he might be out there.
He got a good description the car. One thing is going to help.
Yeah. Sister told us that shehad I could brother about the other two
men. Want to know if theydidn't want to come to the house.
Russell said, no, they werewaiting for him. It's the three of
them were in a hurry. Shecouldn't give us a discussion of the other
two on what time that happened?About five thirty this one, Well,
(05:11):
they came out up here. They'dget in about eight ten with me.
Yeah, you're pretty sure that theseare the right ones. Looks like that
identification of mud. Russell sister toldus when he was packing that Brooks fell
out of his grips. He pickedit up on you were discuss one us.
Yeah, that matches wanted was takenfrom the hotel and the theft large
diamond with four rubies in the settinglook real a bit for the job.
You got a bodcast down on thecar, Yeah, russell sister told us
(05:32):
a fifty three mash Red and BlackContinental hookup. She said Russell just got
back from a trip through Arizona andthe Vida New Mexico. Said that he
had the rear wind to cover withthose stickers, you know the ones they
gets in cast station. Windo's supposedto be covered with him. Shouldn't be
hard to spot. Oh, maybehe figured that two might have n't taken
office. Possible to leave though,something else will look out for him.
Any chance it might have gotten acrossthe border in New Mexico, Yeah,
(05:55):
it's possible, but it isn't likelyas soon as we got word on the
car, we got out of thesupplemental a PB on it and got in
touch of the authorities down the border. They said they hadn't seen a card
matter discription across the boarder, andalso gotten to the board of the office
down They didn't know about it anyway. Yeah, I talked to Algaton from
our office. He said they'd beon the lookout for him. Our pawn
shot detail got right on the caron We got the description of the jewelry
(06:15):
out all over time. We haven'tany reports on it yet, though they
aren't going to try to sell itpiece by pieces too many of those pieces
are easy to recognize you. They'llprobably try to pedutal offense and had it
broken up. But we'll get theword out time. Foreman asked them to
watch out for him. Yeah.I sat big camp. He kept quiet
for long. Bound to be rumbleson at some place. I'd like to
check out the place on Olympic.It looks like it's beet leave with gout.
Okay, we're walking here, andI went down the hall with Murphy.
(06:38):
Wanted to check some things at Rand I well, we'll get on
out to Whimpic him. We gotthe editor. Yeah, you'd better take
the place first. Could be rough. I mean well three of them ran
Ruffles five time twice before the John. Yeah. I don't think he's gonna
want to go back. We checkedthe name of Ruffel's friends through our files.
(06:58):
We found but he had no Couldwe go back to the address on
Olympic and we talked with the neighborsFrom them, we found out that it
was not a private residence. Wetalked to the woman who lived next door.
We asked her about the man liftedin the San Diego package. Is
a friend of the suspects. Shetold her she hadn't seen him. Directly
in front of the rooming house,we found a car. I'm saying the
description given us by the sisters.There were no lights on in the rooming
(07:20):
house. Walking hum and covered therear of the place. Frank called Davis
and I went up to the frontdoor. Pretty dark, I can't see
anybody, and answering you, no, I can't take the windows see.
I thinks funny, all right,Yle, so that's kind of dark?
Yah? Who is it? Comeon? Ain't it? Nobody gets their
(07:50):
hair all right? Sami were oldon the door anything. When you do
a breaking there, funny, I'lltake him, Joe, he exclaims everything.
Okay, yeah, Kyle, I'llget walking you and who ls them
out all the way. It's theland ladies. She's upstairs telling her daughter.
Nobody else here? What's your namebe Dallas? Where's Russell? I
don't know any Russell? All right, we'll look around. Come on,
(08:16):
what's the name dining room? Thereain't nothing in there? Say nobody here?
Yeah, all right, let's checkthe other name. Who's his struggle
bedroom? Ain't nobody in there opento them? So nobody in the kitchen.
(08:39):
Check the back porch walking David's upstairs. We're trying this one here.
Money opened it up. It's locker, can't get in. There's a here
in the door over here. Let'sgive a stick up. I can't what
you call a bad Joe. Icalling you out of that. Hey Joe.
(09:00):
Yeah, the bottle free from driveson the table here, Yeah,
umpty, bottle of whist me.This is dead drunk upstairs. It's clean
Joe Rustler. Yeah, he's drunk. I guess we're pretty lucky under his
color. There ye three AGNs withthe suspects. And custody. We searched
the house. In the back bedroomwhere we found Virgil Russell, we found
(09:22):
a folder with all of the newspaperstories of the hotel robbery. In each
instance, that portion of the storywhich referred to the thieves themselves was outlined
in pencil, and there were smallnotations along the margins of the newspaper.
A complete search of the house neededus nothing. There was no sign of
the loot from the robbery, althougheach of the suspects had a large amount
of money in their possession. Wetalked to the landlady, but she was
(09:45):
unable to tell if anything about thesuspect. She said that she had rented
a room to Peter Alice over ayear before, and if the suspect had
moved out after living in the housefor only two months. She said that
she hadn't seen them again since thatnight when they arrived at the house and
asked for rooms. We called theoffice the Ranges for a stakeout on the
place, and we took the twosteps banks back to the office. We
ran Peter Ellick draw and I,and we found that he had one previous
(10:07):
conviction on a robbery charge two fifteenmillions. We talked to Virgil Russell in
the interrogation room. All right,I ain't trying to Kanye and anything.
I was in on a high stall, admit it, but I ain't gonna
be no think you're gonna get anym and names out of me. We
got the money we found on youfrom that hotel robberies that right, I
don't know where else would it comefrom. I got no reason to Kanye
about the hotel job. I pulledit. I ain't afraid to admit it.
I'm just not tell and think that'sall. Maybe we can get it
(10:30):
out of Ellis and you won't tellyou anything. It's pretty sure about that.
He admits he was in on therobbery, and so what we all
had a deal if any of usgot caught, they wouldn't tell about the
other. Do you think Ellis andthat other guy go that route standing yours
alone? Sure? We had anagreement. All come on, now tell
us how much he got to thejewels. You can't tell us that,
And I tell us to the otherman, is can't you? Yeah?
Y course? So there isn't anyway you could tell if I told you
(10:52):
how much we got my seven fives? How much seven fives? Who set
up the deal to selling stuff?You're probably yeah, you handle all.
He picked it for you to getseven thousand bucks for all the duelry.
That's try And he made a gooddeal on seven thousands, one hundred and
thirty five thousand dollars worth a jewelryonce worth on hundred and thirty five.
(11:13):
That's just the papers making it shouldhave big you're wrong, that's what the
stuff is worth. Now you kidn'tyou got that report thing? Yeah?
I wouldn't. I that's that's maybewhat they claimed the stuff is worth.
But you know how people are alwaysjacking things up on the insurance companies.
The stuff was worth no, maybefifteen thousand, not a cent more as
I heard it, this report yougot the insurance coming come you'd like to
(11:39):
read it for your self, Rustler, do you want me to read it
to you? Let me see it. A lot of people fun no good
budget. The thief, that's whathe is, A seven thief. That's
the kind of a jay you sayyou had a deal with. But do
(12:00):
you think he was doing your bigfavorite some deal seven thousand dollars If we
picked him up, he just screamedlike an eagle. He's your pal,
all right, No, good safe. I can't believe it. Who do
you tell U stuff to do?You know? No, no, I
don't. And that's the truth.I saw that guy, but I don't
know who it was. How thedeal worked earlier to night we got to
get it out and wish what hecalled a feller. I was gonna handle
(12:22):
a deal. Told the name meto share. Who's he? I think
a lot. He thinks, what'syour name? Paine? Al Pain?
I spell it? Last name payand he he got a record. No,
I don't think sure. I neverheard him talk about it. He
gives a description. Yeah, stuffis really worth it. I'm pretty Fane
Graham he said it was a lotof talk, newspaper talk. He said,
(12:43):
oh brother, what a laugh.What does his pain look like?
It's about thirty seven they've done infifty sixty bound ball. I've a bit
of hair on the edge of here. I'll take an ANTHI and I jill
right if you want to bring themugs back here? Yeah, yeah,
that's first name? Is it Alfredor Albert? And I think it's all.
But he's some kind of a promoter. I don't know what he promotes.
I think it's just a dog kindof a fund. I'll be right
(13:05):
back. Let's go ahead of thestory about to buy. Huh, all
right, what was it you saidyou went out to West Oh yeah,
well we were supposed to meet outin the parking lot, but the ice
rink, big play something. Well, we met this guy there saw a
pain call like. He looked atthe stuff that it was worth maybe fifteen
thousand the way it was, buthe said I'd have to be broken down
before it could be sold, andI wouldn't bring that much when it was
(13:26):
all broken down. The alphad ofthat he agreed to it said it was
true. You went right along withit. Well, he was probably you
know, the whole thing wouldn't befriends. I just can't get over it.
We had all that stuff and didn'tknow what it was worth. You
got the idea that this guy isNo I told you. I didn't know.
You said this paint had an officesame time. You know what it
is. Yeah, I can showyou. We were up there this afternoon
(13:48):
while I was setting up the dreadI'm building over on six, and you'd
be willing to go over there withus? So you can mail it.
That's right. We want to getthe jewels back. Sure, Ago,
So what that bumm didn't mean?Nothing too bad for him? Are you
gonna well Rustle here, I'll haveto introduce me and somebody who wants to
buy this stuff. I'll have totell Pain that I'm willing to pay,
say, fifty thousands of the jewelry. That way, Pain, I'll have
to get in touch with the otherman. I don't think you'll pas up
(14:09):
a deal like that. Maybe hefigures to make more than that this.
Yeah, I but suppose he thinksat Ruffle here wants to do business with
me. You'll get the stuff back. I don't think you want to cross
Ruffle might work. We don't gotmuch choice. We gotta get this stuff
back forth broken up there and Joelgot some pictures here. The description for
them I have match with the description. I want to look at these.
(14:31):
Yeah, Joe is gonna go throughthis pain with Russell Millers try to get
lead on whet the stuff there.Ey's gonna work it. Tell Paining,
I'm interested in buying the jewels.Offer maybe fifty thousand. Picture's not here.
None of these this pains you goalong with this plan. Rusfle Sure,
I'd like to see you get himand get him good. Pretty risky.
Doesn't look like it's any other way, suppose note Russell, Yeah,
(14:54):
we know pain carries again. I'mgonna tell you something on you to remember
it. You'll get any bright ideasif I tip and Pain and off about
Joe. I remember, we'll havemen offered the building. All right.
We're not going to start the shooter, yep, but will finish it.
(15:16):
The two suspects, Peter Ellis andVirgil Russell, were taken to the main
jail and booked the ends of violationof Section two eleven of the California Pumeral
Code. After that, the officersfrom San Diego, Frank and I discussed
the plan for finding the stolen jewels. It was agreed that I would go
into the office building with the suspect, Virgil Russell. To lessen the chances
of discovery. I would carry nogun or any police identifications. We were
(15:39):
unable to make contact at night,so the following morning we checked over the
physical layout of the building. Therewas six stories high and had one elevator.
There were two entrances to the building, one in the front and one
that opened off an alley in therear. Officers were planted at both entrances.
Additional men were taken on each floor. Two men were on the roof
to cut off any possible escape toone of the adjoining buildings. Eleven thirty
(16:00):
am two the October six, ruffWill call Payne and said that he wanted
to see him. Pane told himto come right over the office. Ruff
when I got into a time,we drove over. It had been a
rings, but from the time weentered the building no one would be permitted
to leave until we returned to themain entrance. Eleven fifty eight am.
We got to the office building.We went up in the fourth floor to
sign on Paine's door, read AlbertPayne invest them. Ruffill opened the door
(16:23):
and we walked in. I haveurged, what's the bit? Oh?
Why did you meet Joel first?Joe glad to me camp fame year Ol,
Sit down, boys, Now what'sthis all about? About the stuff?
So I I gotta get it back? Now what's the pitch? I
don't even know what you're talking about. Come off of Paine. Joe is
(16:44):
willing to up the any for thejewel, how much I goes. I
have fifty thousand. I got tosee it first for fifteen thousand worth of
jewels paper stitch Worth on n thirtyfive. I explained that to you.
They up the value. It's allensure people up to price. The insurance
companies papers up to price. Theysellwa papers. I told you, yeah,
and I ain't buying it. Iwant the stuff back. I never
even got my cut of the seventhousand. Now, let's feels the same
(17:06):
way I told you, the moneybe coming or it ain't coming anymore.
I want to stuff to say.I don't think we can do that.
Most of the told you broken up. Now not much of it could be
broken up in the time that he'shad it. The guy that bought it
isn't gonna like it, Well that'stough. You just tell him to stop
breaking it up. Tell him wewant it back. Where do you figure
to show the jewels. I don'tsee what that concerns. You know,
I'm walking the fifty thousand for them. That's all you need to know.
(17:27):
Come on out, come on quickplaying games. Let's get on it.
You get in touch with a guyyou gave him to and get the jewels.
Back, and I got something tosay about this. I was in
on the job with you. Letyou forget it. I'm not gonna say
this once more. Pin. Youget on that phone and get in touch
with your contact. Tell him tostop breaking them up. You set up
a meat to get the stuff back. I'll call him. I don't think
it's going to do any good.You probably get all the Moneys mother down
(17:49):
by this time. He got itall broken up. You call him me.
Let's see what happens, all right, let me talk to fred fred
itself. Yeah, listen, sohe's come up. We can't go through
it the deal? Why? Yeah? I know. I told him it
(18:12):
doesn't make any difference. They wantit all back, Yeah, I told
him not too, doesn't make anydifference. You want the duels back to
them broken down too? I toldyou all. I want all of it
back. Yeah, yes, Freddysays, all of it? Okay?
And when can't you make it?Yeah? All right? Yeah, we'll
(18:37):
see you then, right, okay, fine, and I have a step
away to my night or does youhave to wait that one? How do
I know? He just said hecouldn't get at any sooner. He shouldn't
let me talk to him. I'dhave told him, yeah, sure,
how much have it's been broken up? Well hardly? And he just got
started. Fred says, almost allwhole. Who is this? Fred?
That's none of your business. Iasked the question, you beet your answer,
(19:00):
It doesn't make any difference who heis, You and your friends a
lot of stuff. The deal,be happy? You fix it? Fine?
Well I come out better and he'sbetter. Be right. I remember
I got a piece of this.I won't forget it. What kind of
tomorrow don't need? And he said, he called let me know where I
went my camp any later than tomorrow. I got'ta believe in them. You're
gonna have the money with you whenyou pick up the stuff. I don't
(19:21):
have it, all of it.I don't want you to this down pain.
I told you i'd have all right, you call me tomorrow about ten
bright. Yeah, I'll let youother details in it. Okay. I
hope you're right about this? Right? What do you mean? Well,
let's deal. I don't like it. I hope nothing happens to lots it
up, you know, so doI? Virgil rough one, I left,
(19:42):
the officer went downstairs. We checkedwith Frank Carl Davis and the other
officers in San Diego. Al Paynewas taken into cup of me and looking
at the main jail. I'm justfixing the violation of Section two eleven PCs.
Then we returned to the office tofind out who has the stuff.
Yeah, the name friends you knowhe is no, not yet, but
we will figure that thing, didn'tTeddy Well, I saw the number he
dial when he called fed. Itwas a Hollywood prefect set now down the
(20:04):
area. I can trying the numberand see the answers. I'm sorry I
got the wrong woman fum together.Yeah, the Tinguery Trophy Company. I
want to check the books, okay, kay I m Instead it is so
(20:36):
Kingery Trophy Company, son lost PomaTrophie Company. They'll give me a chance
and melpen money's down the metal whenit's be easy to get rid of it.
That way it makes sense, alldo you figure they're moving on right
now? We can drive out andtext place. Now we'll go over.
Then we're going and down. Whathappens with me? We gotta take you
back to main jail after they helpI get That's the way it's gotta big.
You know they're joined of course,so what you're telling the Yeah,
I help thought, Yeah, we'llsee he knows about it. They're a
(20:57):
bad deal all the way. Itwas a bad pal. I should have
known I couldn't win let from thestart. I should have known nobody can
win. So a lot of peopletience. We returned Virgil Russell to his
cell and then we drove out tothe Kingley Trophy Company. It was a
two story building on Las Palmas Avenuein Hollywood. They made trophies and fraternity
(21:19):
pins. A large sign on thefront of the building advertisers they could duplicate
anything in metal. We checked withanigblethood merchants and thought that there was a
permanent staff of four employees. Thecompany was owned by a Roger Kinley,
and none of the neighborhood people couldtell us anything about an employee by the
name of Fred. Five pm,the employees of the plant left the building.
One man remained. From the descriptionwe've gotten from Russell, we figured
(21:41):
that he was a person Pain hadcalled Fred. Six h three pm,
the lights in the rear of thefactory went on. Through the windows,
we could see the suspect working overa small funny on a table off to
one side. We could see aquantity of jewelry brank Colin and I went
to the side door of the plantwhile the other officers covered the remaining door.
You really, yeah, that's colYeah, I don't hit the door.
(22:04):
He grabb him before he's got thestance to fill the jewelry into the
furnace. Right, I got ithome to a break of the here like
this grab Joel jewelry matches description ofthe stolen stuff. N It's like,
it's all right, mister standstill.I'm saying it's clean. I don't know
what you guys are doing. Idon't know what this was all about.
(22:26):
All right, say that what's yourstewely doing here? And this isn't mine.
I didn't ask you who it was. After what I was doing here?
Oh, I say, give metwenty five hundred dollars if I break
it down for him. What's thefellow's name? Guy named Payne? Said
he pay me the mellet down forhim. You know the stuff was stolen?
No, no, I didn't.He just made the deal of mellet
down. Get me call you thisafternoon telling you to stop breaking it out.
Yeah, And then he called backand told me not to pay attention
to what he said, go aheadwith the job. I did, Like
(22:47):
he said, Who else is inthis with you? What do you mean
wealth? Here as the factory?Nobody. I'm the only one. I
only did it because I needed themoney. I didn't know whether jewels came
from I didn't care to make nodifference in me. As long as I
got mine, I was happy.I didn't know what it was all about.
It's for he most of it here. How many pieces did you break
down? So the couple of thepins apart in that at time of melon
and a mining down. It's allthere, all a pain game. What's
your name? Fred Michael? Allright, let's go. I didn't really
(23:10):
a soul. I didn't know anythingabout it. I just did a job,
that's all, just a job.I didn't even get paid for it.
Don't worry about it. You willthe story you have just heard is
true. The names were changed toprotect the innocence. On February eighteenth,
trial was held in Department eighty nine, Superior Court of the State of California
(23:34):
in and for the County of SanDiego. In a moment of results of
that trial, Virgil Nathan Russell PeterHoward Ellis and Albert Franklin Payne, who
had tried and convicted of robbery inthe first degree. They received sentence as
prescribed by law Robbery and the firstdegree is punishable by imprisonment and the state
(23:57):
penitentiary for a period of from fiveyears to life fled George Michaelson was tried
and found guilty of receiving stolen property. He received sentenced as described by law
receiving stolen property as punishable by imprisonmentin the state sentitentiary for a period of
not more than ten years. Youhave just art Dragnet, a series of
(24:25):
authenticases, some official files. Technicaladvice comes from the Office of People Police
W. H. Parker, LawsAngeles Police Departments Technical Advisers, Captain Jack
Donohoe, Sargeant Mocky Wins, SargeantVans Placers. Third Tonight where Ben Alexander,
Eddie Firestone, Art Gilmaws, scriptedby John Robinson, music by Walter
Schumann, hal Gipsy speaking Friends fromLos Angeles. Dragnet is an NBC Radio Network production
Ladies and gentlemen. The story you'reabout to hear is true. The names
have been changed to protect the innocence. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned
a robbery details. You get acall from the San Diego Police Department.
(00:25):
The three hold up men are thoughtto be heading for your city. You
know they're armed, you know they'redangerous. Your job get them. Dragment
the documented drama of an actual crime. Well the next thirty minutes, in
(00:47):
cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on
the side of the law to anactual case. Send tribe from official police
film from beginning to end, fromtime to punish. Drag Nets is the
story of your police force in actionwith Monday, October fifth was one in
(01:10):
Los Angeles. Were was in tonight watch out a Robbert detail. My
partner, Thanks Smith's the bosses CaptainGidding in My name is Biddy. I
got my way into the office andit was both at the APM. I
got to him twenty seven as robbery. Hi am I thank yeah, he
was just a couple of minutes ago. I think he went down the hall
that he'd be right back. Thanks. I have a kid there. We're
in the cycle again. I meanthey're a cold cycle. Yeah. Oldest
(01:32):
boy brings one home with him,give it to his sister, then he
goes to baby, theno the wife, and to me. By the time
I got it, the oldest boysready to catch it again. From me,
it doesn't seem to be any endof it. I don't see what
you mean. Leave the other daywhere if you take care of a cold,
you know, take a lot ofpills, stay in bed. You
can shake it in a week,all right, don't do anything special for
it, and it'll take seven daysto get rid of it. So I
(01:53):
mighte being here from San Diego goingdown there really zoom covered Jim take Yeah.
I can hear him moaning all theway from here. What is it?
Play at a duel robe at ahotel on the coast, bringing man
just one hundred and thirty five thousandjewels and at least fifteen thousand and chig
one hundred and fifty thousands, andhe leads on them. No APV gives
(02:14):
a description list of the stolen jewels. When it happened, I said one
thirtieth points. Yeah, it's gonnakeep him busy. For a while,
said more, screaming like an eagle. Joel all I thought to him last
week said he was going down toMexico to do some fishing. I'm saving
days off for the last three months. I don't get to go now,
man, I get it. RobbieFriday, Yeah, I'll go ahead,
(02:37):
and yeah, I'm what. Yeah, we got the APB. How's they're
going? Yeah? Or what doyou figure they left? Yeah? Okay?
More? Yeah, all right,we'll keep an eye open. Right,
bye, what's be gone? Well? Davis walking here and they're coming
(02:58):
up. They're driving, Yeah,and they take it a holdup? Met
ahead In this way, the earlyeditions of the Afternoon papers came out,
and they carry the complete story.Three men had entered the Carton Surf Hotel
at one thirty am. All threewere armed, and they forced the manager
to open the safe. Inside thevault were the jewels and the other valuables
that had been deposited with the managementsfor safe keeping by the guests. After
(03:22):
looting the safe, the three menhad robbed five of the guests who had
entered the lobby during the time thatthey'd been going through the safe. After
taking all the money and valuables theycould find. The three men forced the
manager and the guests into a backstoreroom of the hotel, and they locked
them in. None of the victimscould tell the San Diego officers what kind
of a card been used, butall of them were able to give good
descriptions to the three men. TheSan Diego Police Department had been called and
(03:45):
the men from the Detective Bureau hadbegun an immediate investigation. From the phone
conversation I had had with Lieutenant mortGear, they had evidence to believe that
the three men were heading up theLos Angeles. While the three detectives from
the San Diego department came to LaLieutenant Gear doctor told him MacGuire would continue
the investigation downal There City eleven,twelve pm. Sergeant Kyle Davis, Joey
Walking Happy Healing the live at thecity Hall. They filled us in on
(04:09):
what had happened where the thing worked. It figured that someone it would either
worked for the hotel it was workingfor. It had engineered that check out
the adentifications get Yeah. Viogil Russellworked in a hotel a year ago as
a bus point in the dining room. All the victims came a positive identification
on all of the others is notnote in here. What made the figure
they might be coming up here.Russell's got a record set his package and
found that he has a sister inSan Diego. Check turns to get us
(04:30):
fluid now said her brother and twomen came by the house early this morning.
Her brother's been staying with it thepast few weeks. Anyway, he
came by this morning. Package closedthat he had to come up to La
on the business before. She hadn'taddressed up here for him. Turnment good,
he said. He told her youget in touch with her. He
was staying with a friend in placeout on Olympic Boulevard. Anything on that
address, yeah, Package gave himaddress out there. Russell had listed a
(04:51):
friend is when he was arrested.We think he might be out there.
He got a good description the car. One thing is going to help.
Yeah. Sister told us that shehad I could brother about the other two
men. Want to know if theydidn't want to come to the house.
Russell said, no, they werewaiting for him. It's the three of
them were in a hurry. Shecouldn't give us a discussion of the other
two on what time that happened?About five thirty this one, Well,
(05:11):
they came out up here. They'dget in about eight ten with me.
Yeah, you're pretty sure that theseare the right ones. Looks like that
identification of mud. Russell sister toldus when he was packing that Brooks fell
out of his grips. He pickedit up on you were discuss one us.
Yeah, that matches wanted was takenfrom the hotel and the theft large
diamond with four rubies in the settinglook real a bit for the job.
You got a bodcast down on thecar, Yeah, russell sister told us
(05:32):
a fifty three mash Red and BlackContinental hookup. She said Russell just got
back from a trip through Arizona andthe Vida New Mexico. Said that he
had the rear wind to cover withthose stickers, you know the ones they
gets in cast station. Windo's supposedto be covered with him. Shouldn't be
hard to spot. Oh, maybehe figured that two might have n't taken
office. Possible to leave though,something else will look out for him.
Any chance it might have gotten acrossthe border in New Mexico, Yeah,
(05:55):
it's possible, but it isn't likelyas soon as we got word on the
car, we got out of thesupplemental a PB on it and got in
touch of the authorities down the border. They said they hadn't seen a card
matter discription across the boarder, andalso gotten to the board of the office
down They didn't know about it anyway. Yeah, I talked to Algaton from
our office. He said they'd beon the lookout for him. Our pawn
shot detail got right on the caron We got the description of the jewelry
(06:15):
out all over time. We haven'tany reports on it yet, though they
aren't going to try to sell itpiece by pieces too many of those pieces
are easy to recognize you. They'llprobably try to pedutal offense and had it
broken up. But we'll get theword out time. Foreman asked them to
watch out for him. Yeah.I sat big camp. He kept quiet
for long. Bound to be rumbleson at some place. I'd like to
check out the place on Olympic.It looks like it's beet leave with gout.
Okay, we're walking here, andI went down the hall with Murphy.
(06:38):
Wanted to check some things at Rand I well, we'll get on
out to Whimpic him. We gotthe editor. Yeah, you'd better take
the place first. Could be rough. I mean well three of them ran
Ruffles five time twice before the John. Yeah. I don't think he's gonna
want to go back. We checkedthe name of Ruffel's friends through our files.
(06:58):
We found but he had no Couldwe go back to the address on
Olympic and we talked with the neighborsFrom them, we found out that it
was not a private residence. Wetalked to the woman who lived next door.
We asked her about the man liftedin the San Diego package. Is
a friend of the suspects. Shetold her she hadn't seen him. Directly
in front of the rooming house,we found a car. I'm saying the
description given us by the sisters.There were no lights on in the rooming
(07:20):
house. Walking hum and covered therear of the place. Frank called Davis
and I went up to the frontdoor. Pretty dark, I can't see
anybody, and answering you, no, I can't take the windows see.
I thinks funny, all right,Yle, so that's kind of dark?
Yah? Who is it? Comeon? Ain't it? Nobody gets their
(07:50):
hair all right? Sami were oldon the door anything. When you do
a breaking there, funny, I'lltake him, Joe, he exclaims everything.
Okay, yeah, Kyle, I'llget walking you and who ls them
out all the way. It's theland ladies. She's upstairs telling her daughter.
Nobody else here? What's your namebe Dallas? Where's Russell? I
don't know any Russell? All right, we'll look around. Come on,
(08:16):
what's the name dining room? Thereain't nothing in there? Say nobody here?
Yeah, all right, let's checkthe other name. Who's his struggle
bedroom? Ain't nobody in there opento them? So nobody in the kitchen.
(08:39):
Check the back porch walking David's upstairs. We're trying this one here.
Money opened it up. It's locker, can't get in. There's a here
in the door over here. Let'sgive a stick up. I can't what
you call a bad Joe. Icalling you out of that. Hey Joe.
(09:00):
Yeah, the bottle free from driveson the table here, Yeah,
umpty, bottle of whist me.This is dead drunk upstairs. It's clean
Joe Rustler. Yeah, he's drunk. I guess we're pretty lucky under his
color. There ye three AGNs withthe suspects. And custody. We searched
the house. In the back bedroomwhere we found Virgil Russell, we found
(09:22):
a folder with all of the newspaperstories of the hotel robbery. In each
instance, that portion of the storywhich referred to the thieves themselves was outlined
in pencil, and there were smallnotations along the margins of the newspaper.
A complete search of the house neededus nothing. There was no sign of
the loot from the robbery, althougheach of the suspects had a large amount
of money in their possession. Wetalked to the landlady, but she was
(09:45):
unable to tell if anything about thesuspect. She said that she had rented
a room to Peter Alice over ayear before, and if the suspect had
moved out after living in the housefor only two months. She said that
she hadn't seen them again since thatnight when they arrived at the house and
asked for rooms. We called theoffice the Ranges for a stakeout on the
place, and we took the twosteps banks back to the office. We
ran Peter Ellick draw and I,and we found that he had one previous
(10:07):
conviction on a robbery charge two fifteenmillions. We talked to Virgil Russell in
the interrogation room. All right,I ain't trying to Kanye and anything.
I was in on a high stall, admit it, but I ain't gonna
be no think you're gonna get anym and names out of me. We
got the money we found on youfrom that hotel robberies that right, I
don't know where else would it comefrom. I got no reason to Kanye
about the hotel job. I pulledit. I ain't afraid to admit it.
I'm just not tell and think that'sall. Maybe we can get it
(10:30):
out of Ellis and you won't tellyou anything. It's pretty sure about that.
He admits he was in on therobbery, and so what we all
had a deal if any of usgot caught, they wouldn't tell about the
other. Do you think Ellis andthat other guy go that route standing yours
alone? Sure? We had anagreement. All come on, now tell
us how much he got to thejewels. You can't tell us that,
And I tell us to the otherman, is can't you? Yeah?
Y course? So there isn't anyway you could tell if I told you
(10:52):
how much we got my seven fives? How much seven fives? Who set
up the deal to selling stuff?You're probably yeah, you handle all.
He picked it for you to getseven thousand bucks for all the duelry.
That's try And he made a gooddeal on seven thousands, one hundred and
thirty five thousand dollars worth a jewelryonce worth on hundred and thirty five.
(11:13):
That's just the papers making it shouldhave big you're wrong, that's what the
stuff is worth. Now you kidn'tyou got that report thing? Yeah?
I wouldn't. I that's that's maybewhat they claimed the stuff is worth.
But you know how people are alwaysjacking things up on the insurance companies.
The stuff was worth no, maybefifteen thousand, not a cent more as
I heard it, this report yougot the insurance coming come you'd like to
(11:39):
read it for your self, Rustler, do you want me to read it
to you? Let me see it. A lot of people fun no good
budget. The thief, that's whathe is, A seven thief. That's
the kind of a jay you sayyou had a deal with. But do
(12:00):
you think he was doing your bigfavorite some deal seven thousand dollars If we
picked him up, he just screamedlike an eagle. He's your pal,
all right, No, good safe. I can't believe it. Who do
you tell U stuff to do?You know? No, no, I
don't. And that's the truth.I saw that guy, but I don't
know who it was. How thedeal worked earlier to night we got to
get it out and wish what hecalled a feller. I was gonna handle
(12:22):
a deal. Told the name meto share. Who's he? I think
a lot. He thinks, what'syour name? Paine? Al Pain?
I spell it? Last name payand he he got a record. No,
I don't think sure. I neverheard him talk about it. He
gives a description. Yeah, stuffis really worth it. I'm pretty Fane
Graham he said it was a lotof talk, newspaper talk. He said,
(12:43):
oh brother, what a laugh.What does his pain look like?
It's about thirty seven they've done infifty sixty bound ball. I've a bit
of hair on the edge of here. I'll take an ANTHI and I jill
right if you want to bring themugs back here? Yeah, yeah,
that's first name? Is it Alfredor Albert? And I think it's all.
But he's some kind of a promoter. I don't know what he promotes.
I think it's just a dog kindof a fund. I'll be right
(13:05):
back. Let's go ahead of thestory about to buy. Huh, all
right, what was it you saidyou went out to West Oh yeah,
well we were supposed to meet outin the parking lot, but the ice
rink, big play something. Well, we met this guy there saw a
pain call like. He looked atthe stuff that it was worth maybe fifteen
thousand the way it was, buthe said I'd have to be broken down
before it could be sold, andI wouldn't bring that much when it was
(13:26):
all broken down. The alphad ofthat he agreed to it said it was
true. You went right along withit. Well, he was probably you
know, the whole thing wouldn't befriends. I just can't get over it.
We had all that stuff and didn'tknow what it was worth. You
got the idea that this guy isNo I told you. I didn't know.
You said this paint had an officesame time. You know what it
is. Yeah, I can showyou. We were up there this afternoon
(13:48):
while I was setting up the dreadI'm building over on six, and you'd
be willing to go over there withus? So you can mail it.
That's right. We want to getthe jewels back. Sure, Ago,
So what that bumm didn't mean?Nothing too bad for him? Are you
gonna well Rustle here, I'll haveto introduce me and somebody who wants to
buy this stuff. I'll have totell Pain that I'm willing to pay,
say, fifty thousands of the jewelry. That way, Pain, I'll have
to get in touch with the otherman. I don't think you'll pas up
(14:09):
a deal like that. Maybe hefigures to make more than that this.
Yeah, I but suppose he thinksat Ruffle here wants to do business with
me. You'll get the stuff back. I don't think you want to cross
Ruffle might work. We don't gotmuch choice. We gotta get this stuff
back forth broken up there and Joelgot some pictures here. The description for
them I have match with the description. I want to look at these.
(14:31):
Yeah, Joe is gonna go throughthis pain with Russell Millers try to get
lead on whet the stuff there.Ey's gonna work it. Tell Paining,
I'm interested in buying the jewels.Offer maybe fifty thousand. Picture's not here.
None of these this pains you goalong with this plan. Rusfle Sure,
I'd like to see you get himand get him good. Pretty risky.
Doesn't look like it's any other way, suppose note Russell, Yeah,
(14:54):
we know pain carries again. I'mgonna tell you something on you to remember
it. You'll get any bright ideasif I tip and Pain and off about
Joe. I remember, we'll havemen offered the building. All right.
We're not going to start the shooter, yep, but will finish it.
(15:16):
The two suspects, Peter Ellis andVirgil Russell, were taken to the main
jail and booked the ends of violationof Section two eleven of the California Pumeral
Code. After that, the officersfrom San Diego, Frank and I discussed
the plan for finding the stolen jewels. It was agreed that I would go
into the office building with the suspect, Virgil Russell. To lessen the chances
of discovery. I would carry nogun or any police identifications. We were
(15:39):
unable to make contact at night,so the following morning we checked over the
physical layout of the building. Therewas six stories high and had one elevator.
There were two entrances to the building, one in the front and one
that opened off an alley in therear. Officers were planted at both entrances.
Additional men were taken on each floor. Two men were on the roof
to cut off any possible escape toone of the adjoining buildings. Eleven thirty
(16:00):
am two the October six, ruffWill call Payne and said that he wanted
to see him. Pane told himto come right over the office. Ruff
when I got into a time,we drove over. It had been a
rings, but from the time weentered the building no one would be permitted
to leave until we returned to themain entrance. Eleven fifty eight am.
We got to the office building.We went up in the fourth floor to
sign on Paine's door, read AlbertPayne invest them. Ruffill opened the door
(16:23):
and we walked in. I haveurged, what's the bit? Oh?
Why did you meet Joel first?Joe glad to me camp fame year Ol,
Sit down, boys, Now what'sthis all about? About the stuff?
So I I gotta get it back? Now what's the pitch? I
don't even know what you're talking about. Come off of Paine. Joe is
(16:44):
willing to up the any for thejewel, how much I goes. I
have fifty thousand. I got tosee it first for fifteen thousand worth of
jewels paper stitch Worth on n thirtyfive. I explained that to you.
They up the value. It's allensure people up to price. The insurance
companies papers up to price. Theysellwa papers. I told you, yeah,
and I ain't buying it. Iwant the stuff back. I never
even got my cut of the seventhousand. Now, let's feels the same
(17:06):
way I told you, the moneybe coming or it ain't coming anymore.
I want to stuff to say.I don't think we can do that.
Most of the told you broken up. Now not much of it could be
broken up in the time that he'shad it. The guy that bought it
isn't gonna like it, Well that'stough. You just tell him to stop
breaking it up. Tell him wewant it back. Where do you figure
to show the jewels. I don'tsee what that concerns. You know,
I'm walking the fifty thousand for them. That's all you need to know.
(17:27):
Come on out, come on quickplaying games. Let's get on it.
You get in touch with a guyyou gave him to and get the jewels.
Back, and I got something tosay about this. I was in
on the job with you. Letyou forget it. I'm not gonna say
this once more. Pin. Youget on that phone and get in touch
with your contact. Tell him tostop breaking them up. You set up
a meat to get the stuff back. I'll call him. I don't think
it's going to do any good.You probably get all the Moneys mother down
(17:49):
by this time. He got itall broken up. You call him me.
Let's see what happens, all right, let me talk to fred fred
itself. Yeah, listen, sohe's come up. We can't go through
it the deal? Why? Yeah? I know. I told him it
(18:12):
doesn't make any difference. They wantit all back, Yeah, I told
him not too, doesn't make anydifference. You want the duels back to
them broken down too? I toldyou all. I want all of it
back. Yeah, yes, Freddysays, all of it? Okay?
And when can't you make it?Yeah? All right? Yeah, we'll
(18:37):
see you then, right, okay, fine, and I have a step
away to my night or does youhave to wait that one? How do
I know? He just said hecouldn't get at any sooner. He shouldn't
let me talk to him. I'dhave told him, yeah, sure,
how much have it's been broken up? Well hardly? And he just got
started. Fred says, almost allwhole. Who is this? Fred?
That's none of your business. Iasked the question, you beet your answer,
(19:00):
It doesn't make any difference who heis, You and your friends a
lot of stuff. The deal,be happy? You fix it? Fine?
Well I come out better and he'sbetter. Be right. I remember
I got a piece of this.I won't forget it. What kind of
tomorrow don't need? And he said, he called let me know where I
went my camp any later than tomorrow. I got'ta believe in them. You're
gonna have the money with you whenyou pick up the stuff. I don't
(19:21):
have it, all of it.I don't want you to this down pain.
I told you i'd have all right, you call me tomorrow about ten
bright. Yeah, I'll let youother details in it. Okay. I
hope you're right about this? Right? What do you mean? Well,
let's deal. I don't like it. I hope nothing happens to lots it
up, you know, so doI? Virgil rough one, I left,
(19:42):
the officer went downstairs. We checkedwith Frank Carl Davis and the other
officers in San Diego. Al Paynewas taken into cup of me and looking
at the main jail. I'm justfixing the violation of Section two eleven PCs.
Then we returned to the office tofind out who has the stuff.
Yeah, the name friends you knowhe is no, not yet, but
we will figure that thing, didn'tTeddy Well, I saw the number he
dial when he called fed. Itwas a Hollywood prefect set now down the
(20:04):
area. I can trying the numberand see the answers. I'm sorry I
got the wrong woman fum together.Yeah, the Tinguery Trophy Company. I
want to check the books, okay, kay I m Instead it is so
(20:36):
Kingery Trophy Company, son lost PomaTrophie Company. They'll give me a chance
and melpen money's down the metal whenit's be easy to get rid of it.
That way it makes sense, alldo you figure they're moving on right
now? We can drive out andtext place. Now we'll go over.
Then we're going and down. Whathappens with me? We gotta take you
back to main jail after they helpI get That's the way it's gotta big.
You know they're joined of course,so what you're telling the Yeah,
I help thought, Yeah, we'llsee he knows about it. They're a
(20:57):
bad deal all the way. Itwas a bad pal. I should have
known I couldn't win let from thestart. I should have known nobody can
win. So a lot of peopletience. We returned Virgil Russell to his
cell and then we drove out tothe Kingley Trophy Company. It was a
two story building on Las Palmas Avenuein Hollywood. They made trophies and fraternity
(21:19):
pins. A large sign on thefront of the building advertisers they could duplicate
anything in metal. We checked withanigblethood merchants and thought that there was a
permanent staff of four employees. Thecompany was owned by a Roger Kinley,
and none of the neighborhood people couldtell us anything about an employee by the
name of Fred. Five pm,the employees of the plant left the building.
One man remained. From the descriptionwe've gotten from Russell, we figured
(21:41):
that he was a person Pain hadcalled Fred. Six h three pm,
the lights in the rear of thefactory went on. Through the windows,
we could see the suspect working overa small funny on a table off to
one side. We could see aquantity of jewelry brank Colin and I went
to the side door of the plantwhile the other officers covered the remaining door.
You really, yeah, that's colYeah, I don't hit the door.
(22:04):
He grabb him before he's got thestance to fill the jewelry into the
furnace. Right, I got ithome to a break of the here like
this grab Joel jewelry matches description ofthe stolen stuff. N It's like,
it's all right, mister standstill.I'm saying it's clean. I don't know
what you guys are doing. Idon't know what this was all about.
(22:26):
All right, say that what's yourstewely doing here? And this isn't mine.
I didn't ask you who it was. After what I was doing here?
Oh, I say, give metwenty five hundred dollars if I break
it down for him. What's thefellow's name? Guy named Payne? Said
he pay me the mellet down forhim. You know the stuff was stolen?
No, no, I didn't.He just made the deal of mellet
down. Get me call you thisafternoon telling you to stop breaking it out.
Yeah, And then he called backand told me not to pay attention
to what he said, go aheadwith the job. I did, Like
(22:47):
he said, Who else is inthis with you? What do you mean
wealth? Here as the factory?Nobody. I'm the only one. I
only did it because I needed themoney. I didn't know whether jewels came
from I didn't care to make nodifference in me. As long as I
got mine, I was happy.I didn't know what it was all about.
It's for he most of it here. How many pieces did you break
down? So the couple of thepins apart in that at time of melon
and a mining down. It's allthere, all a pain game. What's
your name? Fred Michael? Allright, let's go. I didn't really
(23:10):
a soul. I didn't know anythingabout it. I just did a job,
that's all, just a job.I didn't even get paid for it.
Don't worry about it. You willthe story you have just heard is
true. The names were changed toprotect the innocence. On February eighteenth,
trial was held in Department eighty nine, Superior Court of the State of California
(23:34):
in and for the County of SanDiego. In a moment of results of
that trial, Virgil Nathan Russell PeterHoward Ellis and Albert Franklin Payne, who
had tried and convicted of robbery inthe first degree. They received sentence as
prescribed by law Robbery and the firstdegree is punishable by imprisonment and the state
(23:57):
penitentiary for a period of from fiveyears to life fled George Michaelson was tried
and found guilty of receiving stolen property. He received sentenced as described by law
receiving stolen property as punishable by imprisonmentin the state sentitentiary for a period of
not more than ten years. Youhave just art Dragnet, a series of
(24:25):
authenticases, some official files. Technicaladvice comes from the Office of People Police
W. H. Parker, LawsAngeles Police Departments Technical Advisers, Captain Jack
Donohoe, Sargeant Mocky Wins, SargeantVans Placers. Third Tonight where Ben Alexander,
Eddie Firestone, Art Gilmaws, scriptedby John Robinson, music by Walter
Schumann, hal Gipsy speaking Friends fromLos Angeles. Dragnet is an NBC Radio Network production
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