October 8, 2025 • 28 mins
Dragnet - Old Time Radio Show - 185 The Big Mask Part 2
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:04):
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Speaker 2 (00:17):
Men, ladies, and gentlemen. The story you were about to
hear is true. The names have been changed to protect
the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail.
(00:41):
For the past six months, the managers of large markets
in your city have been the victims of a hold
up man. You thought you had the suspect and custody.
You were wrong.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Your job get him.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
There's only one premium quality cigarette in America, available in
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Speaker 1 (01:04):
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(01:38):
of these premium quality tobaccos. That you get more than
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Speaker 1 (01:44):
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Premium quality, both regular and King size, and either way
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Speaker 2 (01:54):
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Speaker 1 (02:06):
Dragnet the documented drama of an actual crime. Well the
next thirty minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department,
you will travel step by step on the side of
the law through an actual case transcribed from official police violence,
from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is
the story of your police force in action.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
It was Saturday, March twenty second. It was cold in
Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of
Robberie Detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Didion.
My name is Friday. Right our way out from the office.
And it was nine thirty six am when we got
to forty six twenty three Limits bakery shop. Yes, sir,
can I help you police officers? Man? Oh, yes, you
want to see mister Jenkins.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
He's in the back right through that door.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (02:52):
Man.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
How is mister Jenkins?
Speaker 6 (02:54):
He's all right, got a bad cut on his head.
The ambulance was here.
Speaker 7 (02:57):
Uh huh?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
You know, is there any witnesses? I don't know.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
Well, the other officers are checking it now.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I guess about how long have they been here?
Speaker 6 (03:04):
I'd say ten minutes?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
All right, ma'am?
Speaker 5 (03:06):
Thank you?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Who is it police officer? Sir? My name's Friday. It's
my partner, Frank Smith.
Speaker 5 (03:15):
Oh what happened to the other officer?
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Well, he left mister Jenkins. A couple of questions we'd
like to ask you about this? Sure pull up at Cheerley.
Thanks very much.
Speaker 7 (03:23):
Do you feel all right? Sir? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:25):
I had eggs a little, but I feel okay. Guy
from ambulance that I should see my own doctor. I
know what I'm going to get time to do that.
It's not the serious A little cut, yes, sir?
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Would you tell us just what happened here?
Speaker 5 (03:34):
You share is not much to it.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Where do you want me to start? Well? What time
did the man come in?
Speaker 7 (03:39):
You see?
Speaker 4 (03:40):
It must have been about six thirty this morning. I
was just frying the donuts her just knocking the back
door and let him in.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
What do you look like, sir?
Speaker 5 (03:47):
I just like the descriptions in the paper.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
That's how I know it was the black mask Bandit
had the overcoat on the hat and the mask on
his face.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Was he carrying a gun?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Yeah, it looked like thirty eight revolve or long barrow.
What happened then, Well, at first I couldn't figure it,
you know, I'd rid in the paper where he was
robbing markets.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
I couldn't figure what he was doing in a bakery.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
He was alone?
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Then, huh, yeah, at least I couldn't see anybody with him, right,
go ahead, said, Well, he came in and sat down,
told me to go ahead with what I was doing,
sat right over there in that chair, lean back against.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
The wall and just talk. What do you talk about?
Do you remember? That's not nothing special?
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Then he asked me to any one of the donuts
i'd finished, said he wanted one of the chocolate ones,
and I gave it to him.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
He just leaned back and ate it. I see.
Speaker 5 (04:26):
I asked him what he.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
Wanted to Why the gun, you know, he asked? He
said he didn't want me to get any bright ideas.
He asked me how much money I had.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
Yeah, I told him I only.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Had about one hundred and fifty bucks, and he said
that wasn't much I said, there wasn't, but it's all
I had. And I asked him, but he's gonna rob me?
Speaker 3 (04:41):
What do you say to that? He said he probably
would all this time. Did he keep the mask on?
Speaker 5 (04:46):
Yeah, he never took it off.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
How long was he here?
Speaker 4 (04:49):
But he got here, like I said, at six pot thirty.
He left about eight fifteen, just before Vera came in.
She's the one who found me. H. Yeah, she's a
girl who takes care of the story. You probably saw
her out front when he came in.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Yeah, sure, go ahead.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
Well, I finished up with the doughnuts, and then I
asked him if he'd like a drink, and I said
I had some brandy locked up, and I asked him
if he'd like a shot.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
He said he would.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
I went over to get it.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
I keep it over there and I covered and when
I walked over, I had to walk right in front
of him.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Well, you probably know, I guess pretty hot in a bakery,
the ovens and all. I guess he was kind of relaxed.
And when I walked by him, I grabbed his gun,
took it right out of his hands, and he jumped
up and told me to hand it over to him,
said for me to give it back and I wouldn't
get hurt. And I told him he had the shoe
on the wrong foot, that I was calling things.
Speaker 7 (05:30):
Now, yes, sir, what'd you do with then?
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Well, if I hadn't seen him with my own eyes,
if it hadn't happened to me, I'd never believe it.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
What's that?
Speaker 4 (05:37):
When I took the gun away from him, he looked
real surprised. That's when I told him and I was
a bus and he just stood up and started to
walk towards me.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
I told him to stop.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
I pointed the gun at him, told him to stay
where he was, but he didn't stop. He kept coming
right at me.
Speaker 5 (05:50):
I told him again, but he kept right on walking.
And then I fired at him, who wasn't any farther
away from him.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Then ten maybe fifteen feet didn't hit him, So I
pulled the trigger again, shot right at him, six times,
right at him. He just kept walking at me. At
first I thought the shells and the gun were blanks,
and then I could see.
Speaker 5 (06:08):
Where the bullets were hidden. Well, there you can see a.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Couple of them in the wall.
Speaker 5 (06:11):
I couldn't believe my eyes. I missed him every time.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
What do you do right after you shot at him?
Speaker 4 (06:16):
When I fired the last shot, the gun clicked a
couple of times.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
He just stopped and laughed.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
He said that I'd run out of bullets and I'd
better give the gun to him, did you Yeah.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
I threw it at him as hard as I could.
I missed him then too.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
The gun hit the floor and I could see the
sparks fly. And then he picked it up and came
after me. I didn't think I'd be in much trouble.
He looked so little, but when he grabbed at me,
I knew I'd had it. That man had hands like
a vise. He grabbed my arm and hit me on
the head right here. He knocked me out. He came
to when Vera came in, the guy was going so
it was a miner.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Where'd you keep this money in my pocket?
Speaker 7 (06:47):
I had in my wallet. I don't usually put in
the cash.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
I just till Verra gets him.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
I see, And you said that when the gun hit
the floor, you saw the sparks fly from it. Is
that right?
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (06:55):
You know what like when you hit a piece of
flint with another rock like the boy scouts?
Speaker 5 (06:58):
Yeah? I like that?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Did you notice that the gun seemed damaged anyway.
Speaker 5 (07:02):
No, I didn't have time to notice anything. Right after
that he hit me.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
I wonder if he give us a description of the man.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Sure, like I told the other officers, he was a
little man, real old.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
How old?
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Were just saying, oh, maybe fifty or so, not any younger.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
You're pretty sure about that, are you?
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (07:14):
About how tall?
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Maybe five to two, not any more than that. Kind
of hard to tell you. That big coat on I
don't looked like it was five or six sizes too big.
Look kind of funny at first. Then you realized who
he was, and it wasn't funny anymore. I wasn't too
scared of him when I first saw him, even when
he came at me, But when he grabbed my arm,
I knew I had trouble. I still can't understand his
six shots, and I didn't have anym Once I tell
you the guy's not yeoman.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Well, he's scoring pretty good for a ghost. Ten or
two am, the crew from the crime lab came out
and went over the bakery. Right pinker removed the slugs
from the wall on the floor and took them back
to the lab. The bandit as usual with worn gloves,
so there was no possibility for fingerprints. A search of
the neighborhood failed to turn up any new leads. None
of the people in the immediate area had seen anyone
(07:57):
answering the description of the black mask bandit. Additional supplementary
bullets were gotten out and all the cars and the
surrounding vicinity were alerted. The Stats office had made run
after run on the mo o of the bandit. The
leads they gave us were all checked out. All gunsmiths
were alerted in the event that the suspect's weapon had
been damaged and that he might try to have it repaired.
All leads were checked and rechecked. They netted us nothing.
(08:17):
Informants were questioned and requestioned. The plan that had been
worked out for checking with the managers of the supermarkets
in the city was continued. Three weeks passed, the bandit
hit again, this time a market just outside of Eagle Rock.
The mo O was the same as had been used
in the previous robberies. However, in this one instance, the
market didn't have a storage refrigerator, so the thief locked
the manager in a back room. In locking the door,
the suspect had taken off his gloves and latent. Prince
(08:39):
was able to lift a partial print from the door knob.
It wasn't enough for classification, but Bergmann said that if
we apprehended the man, he'd be able to identify him
for US. June came and went. July August. The bandit
had been operating without interference for almost a year. He'd
widened his theater of operations. Reports had come in from
San Francisco to Stockton, from San Diego to Pomona. In
each case, the suspects seemed to know what markets were
(09:00):
being staked out, and he stayed away from him. The
lake work continued without result. Tuesday, August nineteenth, Frank and
I checked back into the office.
Speaker 7 (09:09):
Man, I never see it the sail.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Every time we have lunch at salas I eat too much. Yeah,
he puts out a good lunch down it too good.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
We'll check a book right.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Anything on pap from Jerry informant, Yeah, says he can't
get with me to night. He'll tell in the morning,
Ran Smith. Yeah, money and he money right away. Sit down,
all right? Well, what is it?
Speaker 5 (09:40):
You guys been on this black mess thing? How long that?
Speaker 3 (09:43):
What's going on?
Speaker 5 (09:43):
A year and then you're no closer to him than
you were when you started, not much. You know, you're
tying up half a minute metro. You got this town
covered like a blanket, and you still can't turn the guy.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
We're doing everything we can, Skiver.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
I've been telling you for the last six months that
I wasn't gonna buy that anymore. I mean, at this time,
just exactly what if you got on the guy?
Speaker 3 (09:59):
You know it just as was we do Skipper description
m O. Even the partial print Bergman lifted from that
place out in Eagle Rock. We've been over a one
hundred times. Is in the lead that we haven't run
out and then checked over again.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Nothing new on the information from Fulton.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
No nothing. If you had five thousand circulars printed, they're
scattered all over the country. That looks like the guy's
ever done time before. The way it works, you'd think
you knew exactly what we were doing. We cover the markets.
He hits the Bakries, We cover the Baker's in La
he hits in San Diego. They cover the stores, and
he hits up north where we are. He ain't how
about the car, the Ford, No nothing.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
We got no license you ever hear anything on the
damaged gun.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
No, you never tried to have it fixed that we
can find out about. He's gotten a hold of another
gun in some place. Last report say he's using a
revolver with a two inch barrel.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
Well, where'd he's standing now, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
We got every store from Los a Enna, got Alameda
covered from Hollywood Boulevard south to Jefferson big area. Yeah,
it's a lot of stores too. There's a cruiser car
or a copy in or near every large store and
bakery in that area. Every police unit in the city's
looking for the guy. If he hits again, we should
get him Friday. Yeah, college just came from wilschrip figure
you wanted to seagl thinks, what is it?
Speaker 1 (10:59):
You know?
Speaker 3 (10:59):
We got the whole town waiting for him with open arms,
everything set and he pulls a switch?
Speaker 7 (11:02):
What is it?
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Tried to black mask bandit. He's going in for kidnapping now.
The local broadcast stated that the manager of one of
the big supermarket chains in the city had been taken
from his home about two thirty in the morning. The
bandit forced him to drive to the store and open
the safe. The thief then bound the manager and left
the premises. The manager gave us a complete description of
(11:23):
the bandit and locals and apbs were gotten out on him.
In this instance, the thief didn't use his own car.
He forced the manager to drive his car to the market.
The manager told us that when they'd left the house,
he hadn't seen any other cars on the streets. Tuesday
August nineteenth, five twenty pm, Frank and I got in
touch with Lieutenant Dick Tiernan of the Sheriff's Robbery Squad.
Together with him, we worked out a plan to try
to keep the homes of the managers under surveillance. In
(11:45):
addition to this, men from the Sheriff's Department aided and
canvassing the houses of the owners and managers. Each car
was assigned three houses, while other cars covered three markets each.
A month passed the black Mask bandit hit five times
each time and areas which were not under direct service.
Friday September twenty sixth, five twenty am, we got to
call at home that there had been another kidnapping, this
time an elderly market manager and his wife. Frank and
(12:07):
I drove out to see them. The Radio United returned
them to their home.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
Yes, mister Gunter, that's right police officers. Mister Gunty, oh, yes,
come in. You have some sort of identification, Yes, sir, here's.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
My ID card. My name is Friday. This is my partner,
Frank Smith.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
You've got to come into the living room, won't you.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Thank you very much, sir.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
Sit down. I hope you didn't mind my asking about
your identification. Just the way things have been happening, you
can't be too sure, yes, sir, we.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Understand, and I wonder if you'd mind telling us what happened.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
Sure, awful thing awful. I just can't believe that a
man is age to do a thing like this. Seems
that he knew not to be cruel.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Yes, sir, just what did happen?
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Well? Last night must have been about two or two thirty.
I woke up with this flashlight shine in my eyes.
First I didn't know what it was, just this real
bright light, you know. Yes, well right away, of course
I knew there was somebody else in the room. About
that time, Agnes woke up. Agnes is my wife. Anyway,
she woke up. I want to know what was going on.
I told her I didn't know all this time that
(13:09):
light didn't move, just stayed in one place and showing
right my eyes. Yes, sir. And we heard this voice
tell us to get out of bed. Said he wanted
me to go with him. I told him get out
of the house. And I didn't want any trouble. If
he wanted money, he'd find all we had in the
house right on the pressure with my wallet.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Could you see who the person was?
Speaker 5 (13:24):
No? Not, then there's a light in all. But I
got out of bed, and then I could see a
little old man with a black mask.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Over his eyes. How could you tell his age?
Speaker 5 (13:34):
Well? Just could that's all little beady eyes. And his
mouth mean, never saw a mouth like that on a
young man. His voice was old. I could tell, yes.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Well.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
He told me to get dressed, said that I should.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Hurry up about it was the arm? Could you tell that?
Speaker 7 (13:47):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (13:47):
I could see it. He was holding the gun all
this time. Agnes was yelling at him to get out
of the house. She's not well, you know, Yes, Agnes,
she has a bad heart, been to the doctor for years,
takes pills and medicine. That's a big reasons that I
did what he said. I didn't want there to be
any trouble to get as excited, I understand. Well. Finally
I told him, if he'd get out of the room
leave her alone, I'd do what he wanted, not to
(14:09):
get many cars to hurt anyone. Then he did about
the meanest thing he could have done. Told Agnes to
get out of bed, said for her to get up
and get dressed to go with us. I just can't
understand why he'd want to do a thing like that,
just plain meanness.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Did your wife do what he said?
Speaker 5 (14:24):
Well, well, first he said she wouldn't do it, really
told him off. I thought he'd maybe get mad and
hit her. He is mean enough to do it. And
finally I asked her to do what he wanted. Figured
that'd be the easiest way to get me out of
the place. I thought that maybe I could talk him
out of taking her with us, but I couldn't. He
made you leave the house, then, yeah, told me to
get the car out of the garage, and then he
and I just get in the back seat, maybe drive
(14:46):
down to the store.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Did you notice any other cars in the area, any
cars parked near her house that weren't usually there.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
No? On the way store, though, I saw a police
car I thought about trying to attract their attention. He
must have thought about too, though.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Why he said that?
Speaker 5 (14:59):
Well, he told either if I did anything to call
attention to us, he'd kill Agnes. I think he would
have too. I didn't do anything to get him upset, Yes, sir, Well,
we got to the market and he made me open
the safe, and then he took the money and tied
us up. I begged him not to tie agnesh I've
never done that before, Sergeant. I'm fifty two, and I've
never begged a man for anything, but I did this time.
(15:20):
Begged him not to kill Agnes. I knew that if
he tied her up like he said, he was going
to do it to kill her. Pleaded with him, but
she didn't do any good. Tied her up and put
that tape over her mouth. One thing I can say
for him, though, just one. He called the police and
told him where we were. If he had have done that,
I think we'd have both died. Agnes almost self cadd.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
Where's your wife now, mister Gunther?
Speaker 5 (15:41):
In the other room, Doctor's with her. He gave her
a sedative. Awful thing, Sergeant. I just don't know how
anyone could beat at me.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Just one reason we can think of.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
What's that he's had a lot of practice.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Eleven thirty am, we talked to missus Gunster. She told
us pretty much the same story that we'd gotten from her.
Husban and the police car in the area was contacted,
but they reported that they hadn't noticed the gun their car.
The unit that was patrolling the area around the store
was contacted. They reported that they had checked the store
at three fifteen am. At that time, there were no
lights and no suspicious cars in the vicinity. The black
Mask bandit had been working for over a year. In
(16:17):
that time, he'd robbed fifty nine stores that we knew of.
His theater of operations had taken him from northern California
right down to the Mexican border, from the desert to
the beach. He'd stolen approximately a half a million dollars.
The entire nation had received communications carrying the description of
the suspect. The entire facilities of the police and sheriff's
departments in Los Angeles were devoted to apprehending him. Thousands
of man hours had gone into stakeouts and searches, none
(16:38):
of them produced any results. As the case grew in importance.
Robbery Detail began to get an average of thirty calls
a day from well meaning citizens with information. Every lead,
no matter how remote, had to be checked out. This
meant more hours of leg work and interrogation. Every officer
in the Southland was looking for the bandit. Every car
and motorcycle on the streets had his description. None of
it did any good. Thursday, October second, eleven, o five,
(17:00):
Frank and I check back into the office.
Speaker 7 (17:04):
Well there's another one that didn't go any point.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Yeah, you want to fill out the reports. I'll check
the book.
Speaker 7 (17:08):
Yeah, never sails, does it? Joe?
Speaker 3 (17:11):
What's that?
Speaker 7 (17:11):
Oh? Something like this when comes along?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Some people use it to get back to their neighbors.
Take that deal tonight. It's pretty silly, huh. I'd like
to know who gave us that tip. Something kind of
sneaky about anonymous phone calls. Well, we'd missed a lot
of breaks if we didn't yet. Yeah, you say you're
ever gonna nail this guy? Who knows? I'm getting a
little punchy. Every time we miss him, we get another pasting.
Have you read the papers later? Here? You gotta expect that, Freddy,
You're probably calling it the way it looks to them.
(17:34):
The only one way to answer, miss the nailing guy.
I get it. Robbery Friday, Yeah, that's what's that. Can
you speak a little louder?
Speaker 5 (17:43):
I can't?
Speaker 3 (17:43):
He that's better? What uh?
Speaker 7 (17:46):
When this happened?
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Yeah? What's the address out there? Yeah? The street? Now
give me the number. That's right? All right, you bet
we'll take care of it right bye. It looks like
something here. Market manager's son asked, says someone's just kidnapped
his father.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your
police force in action.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
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all the pleasure that the modern cigarette can give.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Eleven twenty three pm, Frank and I checked the manager's
name on the list. We got the address in seven
minutes later. We pulled up in front of the store.
In the rear of the store, we could see two men.
One was dressed in the bathroom, the other in a
large overcoat with a brown hat pulled down over his eyes.
Parked in front of the store was a dark blue
nineteen fifty one Lincoln. We checked the car and found
that it bore the registration of Donald Anderson, the manager.
Frank went around to the rear door of the market
(20:02):
and I covered the front entrance. We waited at eleven
forty two pm, the bandit started for the front door.
All right, mister police officer, hold it up there, come on,
drop the gun, give it up, cop, get out of here, Frank,
cover to the other side of the billy.
Speaker 5 (20:16):
He's going to that fence.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Joe, All right, come on, mister, give it up. All right, Joe, Yeah,
I want us get over this fence.
Speaker 7 (20:23):
All right. He's not over here and we missed him.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
He must have got over that wall. I'll get back
the car and notify the radio units.
Speaker 7 (20:34):
All right.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
Do you think you hit him? I don't know. I
might have checked the ground by the fence and you
got your wife light.
Speaker 7 (20:39):
Yeah, here is.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Hold it, joe yuh here see by the fence. Oh yeah.
Bloodstains quite a few of 'em.
Speaker 7 (20:49):
I'll stay here and check.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Okay, I'll be right back. Watch yourself.
Speaker 7 (20:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Unit one CATO to control one. Unit one CATO to
control one.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Control on Aten.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
While attempting to arrest market bandit during commission of robbery,
exchanged fire with suspect. Suspect is known to be wounded.
Suspect armed, used caution. Suspect scene fleeing on foot, all
cars an area converge on the corner of Figaroa and Woodlawn.
Suspect described as WMA fifty to fifty five years, one
hundred and thirty to one hundred and forty pounds. Block
off area at Vernon to Slossom, at Vernon to Slossom
(21:33):
and from Figaro to Maine. Suspect last scene going through
houses at forty ninth in Figaroa. That's four nine in Figaroa.
Speaker 6 (21:40):
Roger what Cato Attention, All units, Attention, all units, All
units in the vicinity of forty ninth at Figueroa. Robbery
suspect wounded while attempting robbery Crocket Suspect described as LA
fifteen to fifty five years, one hundred thirty to one
hundred and forty pounds. Blockoff area and Vernon to Swasen,
(22:01):
Vernon to Slawsom and from Figuroa to main streets. Suspect
last scene going to houses at forty nine at Figura.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
Unit one CATO to control one unit one k ETI
to control one control one go in. Suspect is known
to be armed. Approach with caution, use caution. Unit one
CATO to control one KMA three six seven All.
Speaker 6 (22:24):
Units Robbery suspect at forty ninth at Figeroa, known to
be armed. Approach with cautions, Repeat, approach with caution.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
Pretty figure, Frank. Now he's in here some place, let's
find it. In the next three hours, thirty seven police
cars combed the area. Every possible hiding place was investigated.
A house to house search was started. Citizens were asked
to lock their doors and to open their homes to
no one. In one of the yards, we found the
hat and coat worn by the suspect, but apparently he'd
(22:54):
made good as escape. Broadcasts were gotten out to the
entire city, putting them on the alert. Additional officers were
sent to the blocked area to help with the search.
Captain Didion came out from the office to direct the operations.
Three point thirty am, the area had been checked and rechecked,
no sign of the suspect. Frank and I went back
to our car.
Speaker 7 (23:13):
I don't know, Joe.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
The guy has got us jinxed. It seems like everything
we do he's got us speak and it doesn't make
much sense, does it. We got to turn him sometime. Yeah,
we've been saying that for a year. Diddyan was sure,
in a rare mood, tonight and at least got trouble
with his stomach again. I'm gonna have trouble with mine
if this keeps that much longer. Joe, car, Yeah, take
the other side of it, all right, I trent out
(23:36):
of the comments. Come on, we know you're there. Get out.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
Yeah, come on.
Speaker 3 (23:42):
Throw that gun out here. You can't go anywhere. Give
it up before you get killed. I coming out.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
Don't you try to come after me.
Speaker 7 (23:47):
I've got a chance.
Speaker 5 (23:47):
I dropped the gun, all right, all right, I quick
got the more shells. I can't fight anymore.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
I quit quick.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
Please, don't shoot anymore. I throw that gun out here.
Come all right, I get out of the car. Keep
those hands up, put them behind your head. I come
on over here. Turn around. Put your hands against the car,
straight out in front of him. I'll figure. Hey, you're
gonna call ambulans for me.
Speaker 7 (24:16):
I'm hurt.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
Can't you see I'm hurt it you're gonna do anything
for me? He's a clean Joe. Good here here, get
your hands behind you. I'm gonna put in a call
the Amban side.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
You didn't have to shoot. I would have stoped if
I had known you were cops.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
You got trouble in your ears. No, we told you
we were officers. You built this thing. We just went
along with you and lousy deal anyway.
Speaker 5 (24:36):
Should have stopped, should quip when I was ahead, I'd
have stopped. You guys have never caught me.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
Never on the way, Joe, go ahead. What's your name,
mister Currie Curry?
Speaker 7 (24:44):
Rogers?
Speaker 3 (24:45):
How old are you?
Speaker 7 (24:46):
Thirty five?
Speaker 3 (24:47):
All this time we're looking for an old man.
Speaker 7 (24:49):
How do you figure in?
Speaker 4 (24:50):
Joe?
Speaker 3 (24:50):
I don't know. The gray hair, big overcoat and the mask.
Witnesses didn't get too good a look at him. Yeah.
Have you ever been arrested? Rogers? Yeah? It once. It's
not am I's ever going to get here. It's coming.
What'd you fall for?
Speaker 5 (25:02):
What?
Speaker 3 (25:02):
Were arrested for?
Speaker 7 (25:03):
Drunk driving?
Speaker 3 (25:05):
I should have quit, I should have laid off. Yes,
too bad, you didn't figure that way a little sooner.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Look, I don't want any MORROWSIDA was gonna get here.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Don't worry about it, Rogers, You've got a lot of time.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
The story you've just heard was true. The names were
changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
On February fourth, trial was held in Department eighty seven,
Superior Court of the State of California in and for
the County of Los Angeles in a moment.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
The results of that trial.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Now here is our star Jack Webb.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Thank you, George Fenoman. Let me tell you again why
Chesterfield is best for me and for you. Now you
have scientific evidence on the effects of smoking. No adverse
effects on the nose thrown and sinuses of the group
from smoking Chesterfield. And remember Chesterfield is the only cigarette
to give you premium quality in both regular and king size.
I'd like you to buy Chesterfields and prove that Chesterfield
(25:56):
is best for you. Regular are king size. They're much
milder to give you all the pleasure the modern cigarette
can give.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Gerald Stephen Rodgers was tried and found guilty of twelve
counts of robbery in the first degree and four counts
of kidnapping. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in the
State Penitentiary San Quentin, California.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Ladies and gentlemen, the National Safety Council reminds you to
make sure your car is really in shape for winter driving.
Check headlights, windshield wipers, tires and brakes, and then winter
ee your driving. Get the feel of the road when
you start out, keep well behind the car ahead. Instead
of slamming on brakes and starting a skid, pump your
(26:45):
brakes to slow down or stop, and always take your
time in winter time.
Speaker 1 (26:59):
You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases
from official files. Technical advice comes from the Office of
Chief of Police, W. H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department
Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Winns, Sergeant Vans Brascher.
Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Ralph Moody, Harry Bartel, Jack Prusian.
Script by John Robinson, music by Walter Schumann. Hell, give
(27:21):
me speaking.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Sound off for Chesterfield. Either way you like them regular
or king size, you'll find premium quality Chesterfields much milder.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Tonight It's a Venture with Barry Craig, Confidential Investigator on
NBC
Sound off for Chesterfield. Chesterfield, the only cigarette in America
to give you premium quality in both regular and king size,
brings you drag.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Men, ladies, and gentlemen. The story you were about to
hear is true. The names have been changed to protect
the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail.
(00:41):
For the past six months, the managers of large markets
in your city have been the victims of a hold
up man. You thought you had the suspect and custody.
You were wrong.
Speaker 3 (00:49):
Your job get him.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
There's only one premium quality cigarette in America, available in
both regular and king size, and that is Chesterfield.
Speaker 1 (01:04):
Premium quality in a cigarette means the world's best tobaccos,
the best ingredients, the best cigarette paper. Only Chesterfield gives
you this premium quality in both popular sizes. King size.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Chesterfield contains tobaccos of better quality and higher price than
any other king size cigarette. That's certainly important to every
king size smoker. Of course, it's the same fine tobacco
as in regular Chesterfield. There is absolutely no difference, except
that King sized Chesterfield is larger, contains so much more
(01:38):
of these premium quality tobaccos. That you get more than
a fifth longer smoke from King size Chesterfield.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
Yes, the modern way to sell cigarettes is the Chesterfield way.
Premium quality, both regular and King size, and either way
you like.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Them, Chesterfields are much milder. Chesterfield is best for you.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Dragnet the documented drama of an actual crime. Well the
next thirty minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department,
you will travel step by step on the side of
the law through an actual case transcribed from official police violence,
from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is
the story of your police force in action.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
It was Saturday, March twenty second. It was cold in
Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of
Robberie Detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Didion.
My name is Friday. Right our way out from the office.
And it was nine thirty six am when we got
to forty six twenty three Limits bakery shop. Yes, sir,
can I help you police officers? Man? Oh, yes, you
want to see mister Jenkins.
Speaker 4 (02:49):
He's in the back right through that door.
Speaker 3 (02:52):
Thank you.
Speaker 5 (02:52):
Man.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
How is mister Jenkins?
Speaker 6 (02:54):
He's all right, got a bad cut on his head.
The ambulance was here.
Speaker 7 (02:57):
Uh huh?
Speaker 3 (02:58):
You know, is there any witnesses? I don't know.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
Well, the other officers are checking it now.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
I guess about how long have they been here?
Speaker 6 (03:04):
I'd say ten minutes?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
All right, ma'am?
Speaker 5 (03:06):
Thank you?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Who is it police officer? Sir? My name's Friday. It's
my partner, Frank Smith.
Speaker 5 (03:15):
Oh what happened to the other officer?
Speaker 3 (03:17):
Well, he left mister Jenkins. A couple of questions we'd
like to ask you about this? Sure pull up at Cheerley.
Thanks very much.
Speaker 7 (03:23):
Do you feel all right? Sir? Yeah?
Speaker 4 (03:25):
I had eggs a little, but I feel okay. Guy
from ambulance that I should see my own doctor. I
know what I'm going to get time to do that.
It's not the serious A little cut, yes, sir?
Speaker 3 (03:33):
Would you tell us just what happened here?
Speaker 5 (03:34):
You share is not much to it.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
Where do you want me to start? Well? What time
did the man come in?
Speaker 7 (03:39):
You see?
Speaker 4 (03:40):
It must have been about six thirty this morning. I
was just frying the donuts her just knocking the back
door and let him in.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
What do you look like, sir?
Speaker 5 (03:47):
I just like the descriptions in the paper.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
That's how I know it was the black mask Bandit
had the overcoat on the hat and the mask on
his face.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Was he carrying a gun?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
Yeah, it looked like thirty eight revolve or long barrow.
What happened then, Well, at first I couldn't figure it,
you know, I'd rid in the paper where he was
robbing markets.
Speaker 5 (04:02):
I couldn't figure what he was doing in a bakery.
Speaker 3 (04:04):
He was alone?
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Then, huh, yeah, at least I couldn't see anybody with him, right,
go ahead, said, Well, he came in and sat down,
told me to go ahead with what I was doing,
sat right over there in that chair, lean back against.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
The wall and just talk. What do you talk about?
Do you remember? That's not nothing special?
Speaker 4 (04:20):
Then he asked me to any one of the donuts
i'd finished, said he wanted one of the chocolate ones,
and I gave it to him.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
He just leaned back and ate it. I see.
Speaker 5 (04:26):
I asked him what he.
Speaker 4 (04:27):
Wanted to Why the gun, you know, he asked? He
said he didn't want me to get any bright ideas.
He asked me how much money I had.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
Yeah, I told him I only.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Had about one hundred and fifty bucks, and he said
that wasn't much I said, there wasn't, but it's all
I had. And I asked him, but he's gonna rob me?
Speaker 3 (04:41):
What do you say to that? He said he probably
would all this time. Did he keep the mask on?
Speaker 5 (04:46):
Yeah, he never took it off.
Speaker 3 (04:48):
How long was he here?
Speaker 4 (04:49):
But he got here, like I said, at six pot thirty.
He left about eight fifteen, just before Vera came in.
She's the one who found me. H. Yeah, she's a
girl who takes care of the story. You probably saw
her out front when he came in.
Speaker 3 (04:58):
Yeah, sure, go ahead.
Speaker 4 (05:00):
Well, I finished up with the doughnuts, and then I
asked him if he'd like a drink, and I said
I had some brandy locked up, and I asked him
if he'd like a shot.
Speaker 3 (05:06):
He said he would.
Speaker 5 (05:07):
I went over to get it.
Speaker 4 (05:08):
I keep it over there and I covered and when
I walked over, I had to walk right in front
of him.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (05:13):
Well, you probably know, I guess pretty hot in a bakery,
the ovens and all. I guess he was kind of relaxed.
And when I walked by him, I grabbed his gun,
took it right out of his hands, and he jumped
up and told me to hand it over to him,
said for me to give it back and I wouldn't
get hurt. And I told him he had the shoe
on the wrong foot, that I was calling things.
Speaker 7 (05:30):
Now, yes, sir, what'd you do with then?
Speaker 4 (05:32):
Well, if I hadn't seen him with my own eyes,
if it hadn't happened to me, I'd never believe it.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
What's that?
Speaker 4 (05:37):
When I took the gun away from him, he looked
real surprised. That's when I told him and I was
a bus and he just stood up and started to
walk towards me.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
I told him to stop.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
I pointed the gun at him, told him to stay
where he was, but he didn't stop. He kept coming
right at me.
Speaker 5 (05:50):
I told him again, but he kept right on walking.
And then I fired at him, who wasn't any farther
away from him.
Speaker 4 (05:55):
Then ten maybe fifteen feet didn't hit him, So I
pulled the trigger again, shot right at him, six times,
right at him. He just kept walking at me. At
first I thought the shells and the gun were blanks,
and then I could see.
Speaker 5 (06:08):
Where the bullets were hidden. Well, there you can see a.
Speaker 4 (06:10):
Couple of them in the wall.
Speaker 5 (06:11):
I couldn't believe my eyes. I missed him every time.
Speaker 3 (06:14):
What do you do right after you shot at him?
Speaker 4 (06:16):
When I fired the last shot, the gun clicked a
couple of times.
Speaker 5 (06:18):
He just stopped and laughed.
Speaker 4 (06:20):
He said that I'd run out of bullets and I'd
better give the gun to him, did you Yeah.
Speaker 5 (06:24):
I threw it at him as hard as I could.
I missed him then too.
Speaker 4 (06:27):
The gun hit the floor and I could see the
sparks fly. And then he picked it up and came
after me. I didn't think I'd be in much trouble.
He looked so little, but when he grabbed at me,
I knew I'd had it. That man had hands like
a vise. He grabbed my arm and hit me on
the head right here. He knocked me out. He came
to when Vera came in, the guy was going so
it was a miner.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
Where'd you keep this money in my pocket?
Speaker 7 (06:47):
I had in my wallet. I don't usually put in
the cash.
Speaker 5 (06:49):
I just till Verra gets him.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
I see, And you said that when the gun hit
the floor, you saw the sparks fly from it. Is
that right?
Speaker 5 (06:55):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (06:55):
You know what like when you hit a piece of
flint with another rock like the boy scouts?
Speaker 5 (06:58):
Yeah? I like that?
Speaker 3 (07:00):
Did you notice that the gun seemed damaged anyway.
Speaker 5 (07:02):
No, I didn't have time to notice anything. Right after
that he hit me.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
I wonder if he give us a description of the man.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Sure, like I told the other officers, he was a
little man, real old.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
How old?
Speaker 5 (07:10):
Were just saying, oh, maybe fifty or so, not any younger.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
You're pretty sure about that, are you?
Speaker 1 (07:14):
Yeah?
Speaker 7 (07:14):
About how tall?
Speaker 4 (07:16):
Maybe five to two, not any more than that. Kind
of hard to tell you. That big coat on I
don't looked like it was five or six sizes too big.
Look kind of funny at first. Then you realized who
he was, and it wasn't funny anymore. I wasn't too
scared of him when I first saw him, even when
he came at me, But when he grabbed my arm,
I knew I had trouble. I still can't understand his
six shots, and I didn't have anym Once I tell
you the guy's not yeoman.
Speaker 3 (07:36):
Well, he's scoring pretty good for a ghost. Ten or
two am, the crew from the crime lab came out
and went over the bakery. Right pinker removed the slugs
from the wall on the floor and took them back
to the lab. The bandit as usual with worn gloves,
so there was no possibility for fingerprints. A search of
the neighborhood failed to turn up any new leads. None
of the people in the immediate area had seen anyone
(07:57):
answering the description of the black mask bandit. Additional supplementary
bullets were gotten out and all the cars and the
surrounding vicinity were alerted. The Stats office had made run
after run on the mo o of the bandit. The
leads they gave us were all checked out. All gunsmiths
were alerted in the event that the suspect's weapon had
been damaged and that he might try to have it repaired.
All leads were checked and rechecked. They netted us nothing.
(08:17):
Informants were questioned and requestioned. The plan that had been
worked out for checking with the managers of the supermarkets
in the city was continued. Three weeks passed, the bandit
hit again, this time a market just outside of Eagle Rock.
The mo O was the same as had been used
in the previous robberies. However, in this one instance, the
market didn't have a storage refrigerator, so the thief locked
the manager in a back room. In locking the door,
the suspect had taken off his gloves and latent. Prince
(08:39):
was able to lift a partial print from the door knob.
It wasn't enough for classification, but Bergmann said that if
we apprehended the man, he'd be able to identify him
for US. June came and went. July August. The bandit
had been operating without interference for almost a year. He'd
widened his theater of operations. Reports had come in from
San Francisco to Stockton, from San Diego to Pomona. In
each case, the suspects seemed to know what markets were
(09:00):
being staked out, and he stayed away from him. The
lake work continued without result. Tuesday, August nineteenth, Frank and
I checked back into the office.
Speaker 7 (09:09):
Man, I never see it the sail.
Speaker 3 (09:10):
Every time we have lunch at salas I eat too much. Yeah,
he puts out a good lunch down it too good.
Speaker 5 (09:17):
We'll check a book right.
Speaker 3 (09:23):
Anything on pap from Jerry informant, Yeah, says he can't
get with me to night. He'll tell in the morning,
Ran Smith. Yeah, money and he money right away. Sit down,
all right? Well, what is it?
Speaker 5 (09:40):
You guys been on this black mess thing? How long that?
Speaker 3 (09:43):
What's going on?
Speaker 5 (09:43):
A year and then you're no closer to him than
you were when you started, not much. You know, you're
tying up half a minute metro. You got this town
covered like a blanket, and you still can't turn the guy.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
We're doing everything we can, Skiver.
Speaker 5 (09:52):
I've been telling you for the last six months that
I wasn't gonna buy that anymore. I mean, at this time,
just exactly what if you got on the guy?
Speaker 3 (09:59):
You know it just as was we do Skipper description
m O. Even the partial print Bergman lifted from that
place out in Eagle Rock. We've been over a one
hundred times. Is in the lead that we haven't run
out and then checked over again.
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Nothing new on the information from Fulton.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
No nothing. If you had five thousand circulars printed, they're
scattered all over the country. That looks like the guy's
ever done time before. The way it works, you'd think
you knew exactly what we were doing. We cover the markets.
He hits the Bakries, We cover the Baker's in La
he hits in San Diego. They cover the stores, and
he hits up north where we are. He ain't how
about the car, the Ford, No nothing.
Speaker 5 (10:25):
We got no license you ever hear anything on the
damaged gun.
Speaker 3 (10:28):
No, you never tried to have it fixed that we
can find out about. He's gotten a hold of another
gun in some place. Last report say he's using a
revolver with a two inch barrel.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
Well, where'd he's standing now, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
We got every store from Los a Enna, got Alameda
covered from Hollywood Boulevard south to Jefferson big area. Yeah,
it's a lot of stores too. There's a cruiser car
or a copy in or near every large store and
bakery in that area. Every police unit in the city's
looking for the guy. If he hits again, we should
get him Friday. Yeah, college just came from wilschrip figure
you wanted to seagl thinks, what is it?
Speaker 1 (10:59):
You know?
Speaker 3 (10:59):
We got the whole town waiting for him with open arms,
everything set and he pulls a switch?
Speaker 7 (11:02):
What is it?
Speaker 3 (11:02):
Tried to black mask bandit. He's going in for kidnapping now.
The local broadcast stated that the manager of one of
the big supermarket chains in the city had been taken
from his home about two thirty in the morning. The
bandit forced him to drive to the store and open
the safe. The thief then bound the manager and left
the premises. The manager gave us a complete description of
(11:23):
the bandit and locals and apbs were gotten out on him.
In this instance, the thief didn't use his own car.
He forced the manager to drive his car to the market.
The manager told us that when they'd left the house,
he hadn't seen any other cars on the streets. Tuesday
August nineteenth, five twenty pm, Frank and I got in
touch with Lieutenant Dick Tiernan of the Sheriff's Robbery Squad.
Together with him, we worked out a plan to try
to keep the homes of the managers under surveillance. In
(11:45):
addition to this, men from the Sheriff's Department aided and
canvassing the houses of the owners and managers. Each car
was assigned three houses, while other cars covered three markets each.
A month passed the black Mask bandit hit five times
each time and areas which were not under direct service.
Friday September twenty sixth, five twenty am, we got to
call at home that there had been another kidnapping, this
time an elderly market manager and his wife. Frank and
(12:07):
I drove out to see them. The Radio United returned
them to their home.
Speaker 5 (12:12):
Yes, mister Gunter, that's right police officers. Mister Gunty, oh, yes,
come in. You have some sort of identification, Yes, sir, here's.
Speaker 3 (12:21):
My ID card. My name is Friday. This is my partner,
Frank Smith.
Speaker 5 (12:24):
You've got to come into the living room, won't you.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Thank you very much, sir.
Speaker 5 (12:29):
Sit down. I hope you didn't mind my asking about
your identification. Just the way things have been happening, you
can't be too sure, yes, sir, we.
Speaker 3 (12:36):
Understand, and I wonder if you'd mind telling us what happened.
Speaker 5 (12:39):
Sure, awful thing awful. I just can't believe that a
man is age to do a thing like this. Seems
that he knew not to be cruel.
Speaker 3 (12:46):
Yes, sir, just what did happen?
Speaker 5 (12:48):
Well? Last night must have been about two or two thirty.
I woke up with this flashlight shine in my eyes.
First I didn't know what it was, just this real
bright light, you know. Yes, well right away, of course
I knew there was somebody else in the room. About
that time, Agnes woke up. Agnes is my wife. Anyway,
she woke up. I want to know what was going on.
I told her I didn't know all this time that
(13:09):
light didn't move, just stayed in one place and showing
right my eyes. Yes, sir. And we heard this voice
tell us to get out of bed. Said he wanted
me to go with him. I told him get out
of the house. And I didn't want any trouble. If
he wanted money, he'd find all we had in the
house right on the pressure with my wallet.
Speaker 3 (13:23):
Could you see who the person was?
Speaker 5 (13:24):
No? Not, then there's a light in all. But I
got out of bed, and then I could see a
little old man with a black mask.
Speaker 3 (13:32):
Over his eyes. How could you tell his age?
Speaker 5 (13:34):
Well? Just could that's all little beady eyes. And his
mouth mean, never saw a mouth like that on a
young man. His voice was old. I could tell, yes.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
Well.
Speaker 5 (13:43):
He told me to get dressed, said that I should.
Speaker 3 (13:44):
Hurry up about it was the arm? Could you tell that?
Speaker 7 (13:47):
Yes?
Speaker 5 (13:47):
I could see it. He was holding the gun all
this time. Agnes was yelling at him to get out
of the house. She's not well, you know, Yes, Agnes,
she has a bad heart, been to the doctor for years,
takes pills and medicine. That's a big reasons that I
did what he said. I didn't want there to be
any trouble to get as excited, I understand. Well. Finally
I told him, if he'd get out of the room
leave her alone, I'd do what he wanted, not to
(14:09):
get many cars to hurt anyone. Then he did about
the meanest thing he could have done. Told Agnes to
get out of bed, said for her to get up
and get dressed to go with us. I just can't
understand why he'd want to do a thing like that,
just plain meanness.
Speaker 3 (14:23):
Did your wife do what he said?
Speaker 5 (14:24):
Well, well, first he said she wouldn't do it, really
told him off. I thought he'd maybe get mad and
hit her. He is mean enough to do it. And
finally I asked her to do what he wanted. Figured
that'd be the easiest way to get me out of
the place. I thought that maybe I could talk him
out of taking her with us, but I couldn't. He
made you leave the house, then, yeah, told me to
get the car out of the garage, and then he
and I just get in the back seat, maybe drive
(14:46):
down to the store.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Did you notice any other cars in the area, any
cars parked near her house that weren't usually there.
Speaker 5 (14:51):
No? On the way store, though, I saw a police
car I thought about trying to attract their attention. He
must have thought about too, though.
Speaker 3 (14:58):
Why he said that?
Speaker 5 (14:59):
Well, he told either if I did anything to call
attention to us, he'd kill Agnes. I think he would
have too. I didn't do anything to get him upset, Yes, sir, Well,
we got to the market and he made me open
the safe, and then he took the money and tied
us up. I begged him not to tie agnesh I've
never done that before, Sergeant. I'm fifty two, and I've
never begged a man for anything, but I did this time.
(15:20):
Begged him not to kill Agnes. I knew that if
he tied her up like he said, he was going
to do it to kill her. Pleaded with him, but
she didn't do any good. Tied her up and put
that tape over her mouth. One thing I can say
for him, though, just one. He called the police and
told him where we were. If he had have done that,
I think we'd have both died. Agnes almost self cadd.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
Where's your wife now, mister Gunther?
Speaker 5 (15:41):
In the other room, Doctor's with her. He gave her
a sedative. Awful thing, Sergeant. I just don't know how
anyone could beat at me.
Speaker 3 (15:48):
Just one reason we can think of.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
What's that he's had a lot of practice.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Eleven thirty am, we talked to missus Gunster. She told
us pretty much the same story that we'd gotten from her.
Husban and the police car in the area was contacted,
but they reported that they hadn't noticed the gun their car.
The unit that was patrolling the area around the store
was contacted. They reported that they had checked the store
at three fifteen am. At that time, there were no
lights and no suspicious cars in the vicinity. The black
Mask bandit had been working for over a year. In
(16:17):
that time, he'd robbed fifty nine stores that we knew of.
His theater of operations had taken him from northern California
right down to the Mexican border, from the desert to
the beach. He'd stolen approximately a half a million dollars.
The entire nation had received communications carrying the description of
the suspect. The entire facilities of the police and sheriff's
departments in Los Angeles were devoted to apprehending him. Thousands
of man hours had gone into stakeouts and searches, none
(16:38):
of them produced any results. As the case grew in importance.
Robbery Detail began to get an average of thirty calls
a day from well meaning citizens with information. Every lead,
no matter how remote, had to be checked out. This
meant more hours of leg work and interrogation. Every officer
in the Southland was looking for the bandit. Every car
and motorcycle on the streets had his description. None of
it did any good. Thursday, October second, eleven, o five,
(17:00):
Frank and I check back into the office.
Speaker 7 (17:04):
Well there's another one that didn't go any point.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Yeah, you want to fill out the reports. I'll check
the book.
Speaker 7 (17:08):
Yeah, never sails, does it? Joe?
Speaker 3 (17:11):
What's that?
Speaker 7 (17:11):
Oh? Something like this when comes along?
Speaker 3 (17:13):
Some people use it to get back to their neighbors.
Take that deal tonight. It's pretty silly, huh. I'd like
to know who gave us that tip. Something kind of
sneaky about anonymous phone calls. Well, we'd missed a lot
of breaks if we didn't yet. Yeah, you say you're
ever gonna nail this guy? Who knows? I'm getting a
little punchy. Every time we miss him, we get another pasting.
Have you read the papers later? Here? You gotta expect that, Freddy,
You're probably calling it the way it looks to them.
(17:34):
The only one way to answer, miss the nailing guy.
I get it. Robbery Friday, Yeah, that's what's that. Can
you speak a little louder?
Speaker 5 (17:43):
I can't?
Speaker 3 (17:43):
He that's better? What uh?
Speaker 7 (17:46):
When this happened?
Speaker 3 (17:48):
Yeah? What's the address out there? Yeah? The street? Now
give me the number. That's right? All right, you bet
we'll take care of it right bye. It looks like
something here. Market manager's son asked, says someone's just kidnapped
his father.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your
police force in action.
Speaker 2 (18:18):
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Speaker 1 (18:55):
A medical specialist is making regular bimonthly examinations of a
group of people from various walks of life. Forty five
percent of this group have smoked Chesterfield for an average
of over ten years. After eight months, the medical specialist
reports that he observed no adverse effects on the nose, throat,
and sinuses of the group from smoking Chesterfield.
Speaker 2 (19:17):
I'd say that means real mildness. And finally we ask
you to try Chesterfield and prove what we say. Chesterfield
is best for you. They're much milder to give you
all the pleasure that the modern cigarette can give.
Speaker 3 (19:41):
Eleven twenty three pm, Frank and I checked the manager's
name on the list. We got the address in seven
minutes later. We pulled up in front of the store.
In the rear of the store, we could see two men.
One was dressed in the bathroom, the other in a
large overcoat with a brown hat pulled down over his eyes.
Parked in front of the store was a dark blue
nineteen fifty one Lincoln. We checked the car and found
that it bore the registration of Donald Anderson, the manager.
Frank went around to the rear door of the market
(20:02):
and I covered the front entrance. We waited at eleven
forty two pm, the bandit started for the front door.
All right, mister police officer, hold it up there, come on,
drop the gun, give it up, cop, get out of here, Frank,
cover to the other side of the billy.
Speaker 5 (20:16):
He's going to that fence.
Speaker 3 (20:17):
Joe, All right, come on, mister, give it up. All right, Joe, Yeah,
I want us get over this fence.
Speaker 7 (20:23):
All right. He's not over here and we missed him.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
He must have got over that wall. I'll get back
the car and notify the radio units.
Speaker 7 (20:34):
All right.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
Do you think you hit him? I don't know. I
might have checked the ground by the fence and you
got your wife light.
Speaker 7 (20:39):
Yeah, here is.
Speaker 3 (20:43):
Hold it, joe yuh here see by the fence. Oh yeah.
Bloodstains quite a few of 'em.
Speaker 7 (20:49):
I'll stay here and check.
Speaker 3 (20:50):
Okay, I'll be right back. Watch yourself.
Speaker 7 (20:52):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (21:04):
Unit one CATO to control one. Unit one CATO to
control one.
Speaker 1 (21:09):
Control on Aten.
Speaker 3 (21:11):
While attempting to arrest market bandit during commission of robbery,
exchanged fire with suspect. Suspect is known to be wounded.
Suspect armed, used caution. Suspect scene fleeing on foot, all
cars an area converge on the corner of Figaroa and Woodlawn.
Suspect described as WMA fifty to fifty five years, one
hundred and thirty to one hundred and forty pounds. Block
off area at Vernon to Slossom, at Vernon to Slossom
(21:33):
and from Figaro to Maine. Suspect last scene going through
houses at forty ninth in Figaroa. That's four nine in Figaroa.
Speaker 6 (21:40):
Roger what Cato Attention, All units, Attention, all units, All
units in the vicinity of forty ninth at Figueroa. Robbery
suspect wounded while attempting robbery Crocket Suspect described as LA
fifteen to fifty five years, one hundred thirty to one
hundred and forty pounds. Blockoff area and Vernon to Swasen,
(22:01):
Vernon to Slawsom and from Figuroa to main streets. Suspect
last scene going to houses at forty nine at Figura.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
Unit one CATO to control one unit one k ETI
to control one control one go in. Suspect is known
to be armed. Approach with caution, use caution. Unit one
CATO to control one KMA three six seven All.
Speaker 6 (22:24):
Units Robbery suspect at forty ninth at Figeroa, known to
be armed. Approach with cautions, Repeat, approach with caution.
Speaker 3 (22:33):
Pretty figure, Frank. Now he's in here some place, let's
find it. In the next three hours, thirty seven police
cars combed the area. Every possible hiding place was investigated.
A house to house search was started. Citizens were asked
to lock their doors and to open their homes to
no one. In one of the yards, we found the
hat and coat worn by the suspect, but apparently he'd
(22:54):
made good as escape. Broadcasts were gotten out to the
entire city, putting them on the alert. Additional officers were
sent to the blocked area to help with the search.
Captain Didion came out from the office to direct the operations.
Three point thirty am, the area had been checked and rechecked,
no sign of the suspect. Frank and I went back
to our car.
Speaker 7 (23:13):
I don't know, Joe.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
The guy has got us jinxed. It seems like everything
we do he's got us speak and it doesn't make
much sense, does it. We got to turn him sometime. Yeah,
we've been saying that for a year. Diddyan was sure,
in a rare mood, tonight and at least got trouble
with his stomach again. I'm gonna have trouble with mine
if this keeps that much longer. Joe, car, Yeah, take
the other side of it, all right, I trent out
(23:36):
of the comments. Come on, we know you're there. Get out.
Speaker 5 (23:41):
Yeah, come on.
Speaker 3 (23:42):
Throw that gun out here. You can't go anywhere. Give
it up before you get killed. I coming out.
Speaker 6 (23:45):
Don't you try to come after me.
Speaker 7 (23:47):
I've got a chance.
Speaker 5 (23:47):
I dropped the gun, all right, all right, I quick
got the more shells. I can't fight anymore.
Speaker 1 (23:55):
I quit quick.
Speaker 3 (23:56):
Please, don't shoot anymore. I throw that gun out here.
Come all right, I get out of the car. Keep
those hands up, put them behind your head. I come
on over here. Turn around. Put your hands against the car,
straight out in front of him. I'll figure. Hey, you're
gonna call ambulans for me.
Speaker 7 (24:16):
I'm hurt.
Speaker 3 (24:17):
Can't you see I'm hurt it you're gonna do anything
for me? He's a clean Joe. Good here here, get
your hands behind you. I'm gonna put in a call
the Amban side.
Speaker 7 (24:29):
You didn't have to shoot. I would have stoped if
I had known you were cops.
Speaker 3 (24:31):
You got trouble in your ears. No, we told you
we were officers. You built this thing. We just went
along with you and lousy deal anyway.
Speaker 5 (24:36):
Should have stopped, should quip when I was ahead, I'd
have stopped. You guys have never caught me.
Speaker 3 (24:40):
Never on the way, Joe, go ahead. What's your name,
mister Currie Curry?
Speaker 7 (24:44):
Rogers?
Speaker 3 (24:45):
How old are you?
Speaker 7 (24:46):
Thirty five?
Speaker 3 (24:47):
All this time we're looking for an old man.
Speaker 7 (24:49):
How do you figure in?
Speaker 4 (24:50):
Joe?
Speaker 3 (24:50):
I don't know. The gray hair, big overcoat and the mask.
Witnesses didn't get too good a look at him. Yeah.
Have you ever been arrested? Rogers? Yeah? It once. It's
not am I's ever going to get here. It's coming.
What'd you fall for?
Speaker 5 (25:02):
What?
Speaker 3 (25:02):
Were arrested for?
Speaker 7 (25:03):
Drunk driving?
Speaker 3 (25:05):
I should have quit, I should have laid off. Yes,
too bad, you didn't figure that way a little sooner.
Speaker 5 (25:08):
Look, I don't want any MORROWSIDA was gonna get here.
Speaker 3 (25:10):
Don't worry about it, Rogers, You've got a lot of time.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
The story you've just heard was true. The names were
changed to protect the innocent.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
On February fourth, trial was held in Department eighty seven,
Superior Court of the State of California in and for
the County of Los Angeles in a moment.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
The results of that trial.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
Now here is our star Jack Webb.
Speaker 3 (25:35):
Thank you, George Fenoman. Let me tell you again why
Chesterfield is best for me and for you. Now you
have scientific evidence on the effects of smoking. No adverse
effects on the nose thrown and sinuses of the group
from smoking Chesterfield. And remember Chesterfield is the only cigarette
to give you premium quality in both regular and king size.
I'd like you to buy Chesterfields and prove that Chesterfield
(25:56):
is best for you. Regular are king size. They're much
milder to give you all the pleasure the modern cigarette
can give.
Speaker 1 (26:12):
Gerald Stephen Rodgers was tried and found guilty of twelve
counts of robbery in the first degree and four counts
of kidnapping. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in the
State Penitentiary San Quentin, California.
Speaker 2 (26:24):
Ladies and gentlemen, the National Safety Council reminds you to
make sure your car is really in shape for winter driving.
Check headlights, windshield wipers, tires and brakes, and then winter
ee your driving. Get the feel of the road when
you start out, keep well behind the car ahead. Instead
of slamming on brakes and starting a skid, pump your
(26:45):
brakes to slow down or stop, and always take your
time in winter time.
Speaker 1 (26:59):
You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases
from official files. Technical advice comes from the Office of
Chief of Police, W. H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department
Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Winns, Sergeant Vans Brascher.
Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Ralph Moody, Harry Bartel, Jack Prusian.
Script by John Robinson, music by Walter Schumann. Hell, give
(27:21):
me speaking.
Speaker 2 (27:24):
Sound off for Chesterfield. Either way you like them regular
or king size, you'll find premium quality Chesterfields much milder.
Speaker 1 (27:36):
Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles
Speaker 3 (28:07):
Tonight It's a Venture with Barry Craig, Confidential Investigator on
NBC
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