 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant, you're assigned a robbery detail. A watch salesman tells you his sample case has been stolen. He says he knows the man who did it. Your job? Find him. The documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 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 files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. It was Tuesday, October 4th, it was cool in Los Angeles, we were working the day watch out a robbery detail. My partner's Frank Smith, the boss of Chief of Detectives Thad Brown. My name's Friday. We're on our way into the office and it was 746 a.m. when we got to room 27A. Robbery. I'll check the book. All right. Anything for us? No. Say you took Faye the movies last night. Well. Yeah, darn good double bill, best tree in the comedy. Sure had me fooled. What? The mystery had me fooled. I never can figure out a who done it. It was this rich society girl. She lived in the penthouse, top floor, real modern kind of glass. Yeah. Well, they found her lying outside on the roof of the garden part and the doors are all locked and the police had to break them down to get in. As soon as they got in. Yes, sir. I'd like to report a robbery is this right place? Yes, sir. You want to sit down? Oh, thanks. Uh, my name's Liggins, Russell Liggins. Did you spell it please? Yeah, it's L-I-G-G-I-N-S Liggins. This is Frank Smith. My name's Friday. I'm pleased to meet you. How are you doing? I suppose you tell us what happened, Mr. Liggins. Uh, be okay to smoke? Sure, go ahead. You fellas care for a cigarette? Yeah, thank you. Here, I have a light. Frank, thanks. Thank you. Well, it was my own fault to begin with. It just wasn't using my head. Uh-huh. Company ought to fire me. I wouldn't blame them if they did. What company is that? Sentinel Watch Company up in Seattle. I see. It's a new outfit. They import movements from Japan and put them in cases over here in wholesale them, you know? Uh-huh. I'm one of their head salesmen. I came down for the Jewelers Convention. I see. The convention ended yesterday and I was supposed to leave for home this morning. It's a nine o'clock plane. I guess I have to take a later flight now. Yes. Well, I have all the dumb stunts practically handed in my sample case on a silver platter. That's all. Oh, a hundred watches. Our best stuff. A lot of them in jeweled cases. Company want to make a good impression, you know? Mm-hmm. Where'd the robbery take place, Mr. Liggins? In front of the hotel. For all intents and purposes, that is. Which hotel is that? The Greystone. That's where I've been stopped. I see. Do you have any idea who robbed you? The best idea in the world. Yeah. Spent a couple of hours with them last night. Yeah. You see, what happened is this. You know, like I said, the convention was over yesterday and it wound up about five o'clock in the afternoon. And while I had the whole evening ahead, I mean nothing to do. Go ahead. I had dinner there at the hotel, a couple drinks. Yeah. I stole too early to go to bed, so I thought I'd look the town over, you know? Mm-hmm. Stopped by Pershing Square and listened to those characters spouting off, and along about ten o'clock I headed back toward the Greystone. Passed the bar and decided to go in for a nightcap. You remember the name of the bar? No, I'm afraid not. It's just a couple blocks from the hotel, though. Had a nice little combo in there. Played pretty good music. So I sat around for a while. Yeah. I guess I had a little too much to drink. Oh, I wasn't drunk or anything like that, but had my share. Mm-hmm. It must have been a little higher. I wouldn't have gotten started talking to a couple of strangers the way I did. Yeah. They were sitting next to me, these two fellows. We got to chatting, you know? Mm-hmm. It was about music at first. They seemed to be enjoying it. One thing led to another, and they bought me a drink, and I had to pay them back, of course. Yes, sir. Asked me what line I was in. I told them I sold watches. Said I was in town for the jewelry convention. They took a real big. Said that's why they were here, too. Claimed they had a jewelry store in Salt Lake City. They mentioned their names? Oh, sure. They introduced themselves, but it didn't sink in. Not their last names, anyhow. Uh, George and Paul. Yeah, that's all I can remember. Mm-hmm. What happened then? Well, they started complaining about the quality of the watches they've been showing, said they hadn't seen anything worth buying. Well, so I asked them if they'd looked at my samples, and they said they didn't think so. Mm-hmm. I offered to make an appointment to show them my stuff, figured I could stay over an extra day on the chance of making a good sale. And they said that wouldn't be necessary for me, you know, to stay over. Said they could meet me this morning for a left for the airport. When did you set up an appointment? Yes, sir. I told them I'd have to be earlier, so I was still going to catch them playing. And that was fine with them. The earlier, the better. Agreed to meet me at 7 a.m. They even offered to drive me to the airport. Couldn't ask for anything more than that, could I? No, sir. Well, anyway, I come downstairs about a quarter to seven and checked out, and they were supposed to pick me up from the hotel. Yeah. Well, about five to seven, they come by. I hopped in the car and we drove off. We hadn't gone more than a mile or so, and they pulled over and parked. A quiet street, not much traffic. I asked them why they were stopping there. Figured I was showing them my watches out at the airport. They said they wanted to look at them now. What was that again? They said that they want to look at them right now, you know, in the car. The watches? Yeah. Go ahead. And it struck me as kind of funny. I didn't see where it would make any difference. And I opened up the case, and they just sort of glanced inside. And then one of the fellows, the one named George, he took out a gun starter, shoved me through the door, and I tried to argue with him. I wasn't getting anywhere, though. Pulled a gun, huh? Yeah. And he, you know, kind of pushed me with it. Uh-huh. And finally I asked him to please at least give me my suitcase. I said it wouldn't be worth anything to them, but I needed it. And they tossed it out on the street beside me and drove off. I see. What about your wallet? Hmm? Did they take your wallet, too? Oh, no. No, just a sample case. I guess they were in a hurry, didn't want to spend a lot of time there in the street in broad daylight or something. I see. As soon as they left, they started looking around for a cab and had a walk a couple of blocks before I found one. And then I got him to bring me right here. Mm-hmm. What kind of a car do they drive, do you know? The fellas at Rodney? That's right. Um, sedan. I think it was black. A Ford. Mm-hmm. Did you get the license? No, I didn't even think I'd try on that until after they were out of sight. Well, now can you describe these men for us, please? Well, sure. Uh, well, they were about 40, medium-sized. Uh, George had black hair. And the other fella, he had sort of sandy hair, you know? Any marks or scars? I don't think so. How are they dressed? Uh, suits. Uh, conservative. Blue or kind of gray, maybe. I'm not sure. Mm-hmm. Were they wearing the same clothes this morning? Well, no, I don't know. They had on topcoach today. I see. Now, you said their names were George and Paul. Yeah, that's right. Anything else that might help us identify them? Gosh, I'm afraid not. Do you have a list of serial numbers from your watches? Oh, yes. May we see it? Yeah, it's in my wallet. Yeah, just a minute. There you go. Oh, thanks very much. I'll get out of the circular, Joe. Okay. Is there anything else you want from me? Yes, sir. We'd like to have you show us the bar where you met these men. Well, no, sir. I'm not sure I can. A lot of bars in the neighborhood, and I didn't pay too much attention. Mm-hmm. You said they had a combo there? Yeah. A lot of them make it easier. Well, I'll sure do my best. Yes, sir. I have to get my airline ticket changed, too. We'd appreciate it if you could stay over a couple of days. Oh? In case we turn them up, we'll need you to identify them. Well, there's a much chance of that, sir. How do you mean? Well, the descriptions I gave you could be anybody. Yeah. Besides, a company will want me back on the job. That is if they don't fire me for this. Well, you know, you want the only thing they'll want back. Huh? They'll want those watches, too. Frank and I checked the M.O. and the descriptions Russell Liggins had given us with the stats office. They came up with 11 possibles. We took the names to R&I and pulled the packages. Liggins was unable to identify any of the mug shots. 10.13 a.m. We cruised the vicinity of the Greystone Hotel looking for the bar where Liggins had first met the suspects. He told us the Green Hat Cafe on Sixth Street seemed familiar, but he wasn't certain. We left him in the car and we went inside to interview the bartender. Look, you boys know me. I run a nice, clean place. Don't even cut the liquor. Yeah. I ain't causing you no trouble. Why don't you lay off? Just a couple of questions for you, Sam. Sure. A couple of questions. Next thing I know, I'm testifying in court. You got something you ought to testify about? No. No, of course not. I'm just talking. Well, then talk to us, huh? Okay. What do you want? You want the job here last night? Yeah. All evening, I got a little combo working in the joint now. They cost money. There's nothing left over for extra bartenders. You see, that fell out in the car? Where? Not over here, Sam. Lean over. See, out there. Yeah. Yeah, I see. Take a good look at him. All right. I look good. He ever been in your place? Like when? Last night. The bar was real crowded last night. Music helps the business. He might have been here. Well, yes or no, Sam. Yeah. Yeah, he was here. Alone? Yeah. Alone. He took that stool over there, had a few drinks and left. He talked to anybody? He talked to me. What'd he say? He liked the music. That's about all. Who else he talked to? A girl sitting next to him. Who else? Well, I don't know her name. She comes in once in a while. Kind of nice looking. There were a couple of men in here too, weren't there, Sam? Well, there were a lot of guys. Why? Well-dressed, middle-aged. Could be. They talked to him too, didn't they? They fell in your car? Same guy, yeah. Well, if they did, I didn't see him. Had quite a conversation. I didn't hear it. Music's pretty loud. Who were they, Sam? Look, I don't ask for a driver's license unless a guy looks like he's under- Come on, Sam. Who are they? He's Conninger. Hmm? That friend of yours out there. Yeah. And stool. That's where he sat. Uh-huh. The girl was next to him the whole evening. Well? He couldn't have talked to nobody else. We took Liggins into the Green Hat Cafe and he said he was certain that that was where he had met the two men known as George and Paul. Sam Huffle, the owner of the bar, was equally certain that Liggins was mistaken. 1048 a.m. Frank and I drove Liggins over to the Greystone Hotel. While he went inside to re-register, we talked with the cab drivers who were stationed at the stand next to the main hotel entrance. One of them told us he had been parked there from about 6.30 until 7.15 a.m. that morning. Well, that was never going to give me a fair. When it starts like that the whole day, you shout, look at me now. Been sitting here for the last 25 minutes. Uh-huh. Did you see a man come out of the hotel about five minutes to seven? I was watching those doors relanches as he came out. I saw him. Same fellow we just let off. Oh. You remember him? Sure. Did you notice the car he drove off in? You kidding? This hack of mine. Huh? He was my first fare this a.m. You picked him up here? That's right. It wasn't 5.07. All closer to 7.30. Where'd you take him? City Hall. We went into the hotel and talked to the desk clerk. He told us that Liggins had been assigned the same room he had previously occupied. 4.17. He also told us that he was almost positive Liggins had not carried a sample case when he checked out that morning. We talked to the bellhop who had brought down Liggins' baggage. He said Liggins had only one suitcase. 11.13 a.m. Frank and I went up to room 4.17. Come in. Yes, sir. Yes, sir. It's very kind of you. I'll be with you as soon as I get off the phone. It's okay. Yes, sir. Well, a dare to, I guess, if that's all right. No. No. No, they didn't take my money. Thanks. I can manage. Oh, just one thing. Would you ask one of the girls to call my wife and explain to the lay? Oh, thank you very much, sir. Bye. Well, I was just talking to the boss of Seattle. Mm-hmm. He said it's all right for me to stick around a few days. Good. Now, you really think you can find those guys that fast, huh? Well, we may not have to look for them. What do you mean? We went checking your story, Liggins. Yeah? Pleaks like a sieve. Well, lousy bartender, huh? You taking his word against mine? No, we got more than the bartender. Oh? The cab driver says he picked you up here at 7.20 and drove you down to City Hall. Well, he's crazy. You can have it in person. He must have picked up somebody who looks like me. That's all. We talked to the bellhopper who brought down your luggage. There wasn't any sample case. I carried it myself. I wasn't going to let a bellhop handle something as valuable as that. Mm-hmm. He just didn't notice it. That's all. The desk clerk didn't notice it either. Well, I stood in front of his desk when I paid up. That's why. Mm-hmm. What do you guys want from me? Just tell us what happened to the sample case. I've told you the whole story. There was one thing you left out. What's that? The truth. We continued to question Russell Liggins in his hotel room. He insisted that he'd been telling us the truth. We confronted him with the cab driver, the desk clerk, the bellhopper. He refused to change his story. 1.05 p.m. We drove Liggins down to the city hall for further interrogation. How much of the watch has worked? A wholesale or retail. Both ways. About 4,000 wholesale, maybe 10 retail. That's a lot of money. Well, sure. That's what the boss upset. Well, he wasn't very happy about it. He's insured, isn't he? Well, come on. Yeah, I guess so. Don't you know? Yeah, he's insured. He said so with a phony. He told me not to worry. You didn't know about the insurance before. Well, what if I did? Maybe we better talk to your boss. What's his number? Come on, fella. What's his number? Well, what are you going to tell him? That you've been handing us a lineup by being robbed? Well, you think I robbed myself? Is that what you're getting at? What else can we think? Oh, you're crazy. Where are the watches? Somebody stole them. Yeah, George and Paul. Look, okay. It wasn't George and Paul. Go ahead. I made it up. The whole thing about them. You know, the fellas. I had to tell you something. Sure you did. Well, you want the truth, don't you? Well, you're getting it. The least you can do is try to believe it. You make it kind of hard to buy. Look, I went into that bar last night just like I told you. And the bartender was right. I didn't talk to anybody except the girl sitting beside me. Yeah. Well, she said she came in because she liked the music. And I was feeling kind of lonesome. I don't know anybody in L.A., so we started to talk. Said her name was Barbara. Didn't give me her last name because she was married and she wanted to keep things on her first name basis. And that was all right with me. I told her to call me Russ. Yeah. She said her husband worked nights, one of the aircraft plants. And I told her about my job that I sold watches. She kind of laughed when I told her. What about? Well, it was a big coincidence. Maybe in a watch salesman, she was planning to buy a watch. I told me the one she had was ready to give up the ghost. I see. Then she showed it to me on her wrist. A real cheap kind. Just a piece of junk. Yeah. Well, she asked me if maybe I could get her a new one wholesale. And I said I might be able to arrange it. Then I suggested she come up to my room and look at the samples I had there. Yeah. Now, I wasn't up to anything. I figured we'd have a couple of drinks, but that was all. Sure. And then she kind of hesitated. Said it wouldn't look very good. And finally, she agreed we went over the hotel and I had a bottle in my room and I fixed us a drink. And then I showed her the watches. She picked out the one she liked, but she didn't have any money with her. Not enough to pay for it anyway. Yeah. Then I told her she could have it for free. You know, as a present. It wasn't an expensive model. And I was going to pay the company back out of my own pocket. So she took off her old watch and she put it in her purse. And she put the new one on. All right, go ahead. And then she said we ought to have a couple more drinks, you know, to kind of celebrate the present. But she offered to fix them. Well, maybe she put something in mine, or maybe they were just strong. I don't know. Anyway, I don't remember much after that. What'd you do? Pass out? Yeah, I guess so. Next thing I knew it was morning, about 6.30, and I'd fall asleep on the bed with all my clothes on. Yeah. That must be why she didn't take my wallet. All right, what happened then? I didn't think anything was wrong. I couldn't remember when Barbara left, but I blacked out before when I've had a little too much. Yeah. So I took a shower and I got dressed. And it was while I was dressing, I noticed the sample case was gone. I looked everywhere for it. And you figured she took it. Now, who else could've? Maybe. Boy, you guys are pretty hard to convince, aren't you? Well, why didn't you tell us about Barbara when you first came in here? Well, I was thinking of my job. Yeah. Boss just promoted me a couple of months ago. I'm doing pretty good at making fair money. Is that so? Yeah, have you ever found out I let some dame roll me in a hotel room? Well, I'd be out of my ear. All right. And that's not all. I got a wife, Helen. That's her name. You guys married? He is. Well, maybe he'll understand. We've only been married a couple of years and Helen doesn't like the idea of me being on the road half the time. She's suspicious enough as it is. Yeah. So I did some quick thinking, come up with a story I gave you this morning, you know, about George and Paul. Well, it really wasn't my own idea exactly. What I mean is that I was talking to a salesman at the convention the other day. You know, one of the real old timers, he told me how some guys had robbed him once when he was just starting out and that's where I got the idea. I sort of switched it around to fit what happened to me. Well, I didn't see where I was doing any harm. I never thought you'd be able to get the watches back anyhow. Well, you didn't make it any easier for us. Well, maybe not. But you don't know Helen. She'd leave me sure as fate if this ever gets out. Yeah. I didn't mean to cause you any trouble to see to make any difference what I told you as long as the watches were gone. No, it makes a difference. Yeah. If we want to find out who took them. 3.15 p.m. We went back to the Greystone Hotel and talked to the manager. He gave us the home telephone number of the elevator boy who had been on duty the previous night. We called the boy and he told us he remembered taking a passenger who resembled Russell Liggins up to the third floor sometime after 2 a.m. in the morning. He also remembered that Liggins had been accompanied by a young lady. He did not remember bringing the lady down, but he suggested that she might have used the stairs. We called the crime lab and they went over Liggins room. They found no useful fingerprints or other physical evidence. 5.15 p.m. We went back to the office. Liggins gave us a description of the girl known to him as Barbara. We showed him some mug shots, but he was unable to identify any of the women. 7.18 p.m. Frank and I again interviewed the bartender at the Green Hat Cafe. Well, what did I tell you? Just a couple of questions, that's all. Next thing I know, you guys have moved in for the wedding. No, I'd say I'm not taking it easy. Have I got any choice? You remember the girl Liggins was talking to in here last night? So it's a girl? No, I thought it was two guys. Oh, come on, Sam. You mentioned her yourself. I never figured you, fellas, believed anything I told you. We want to know who she is. Just a girl, that's all. She comes in once in a while. She got a name? Never introduced herself. She live in the neighborhood? I don't know. Well, who does? Look, this Liggins is a character. He's already taken you for one ride today. Now why don't you get off? We'd like to get in touch with her, Sam. Get in touch? Are you going to help? Well, how can I help you? I don't know her name. I don't know her address. Yeah, well, maybe you can find out. I busted my crystal ball just the other day. All right. We'll send in a couple of uniforms to watch you joint for a few days. Hmm? You got any objections? Well, sure. Cops make me nervous. Like the customers nervous, too. Maybe you got the wrong kind of customers. Well, what are you going to do? All right, talk to Jeanette. Jeanette? Yeah, the waitress. She's in the back room eating her chow. She know the girl we're looking for? Yeah, their real buddy, buddy. Spend half their time chinning together. Never get any work out of Jeanette once the other one comes in. All right, Sam, thank you. You know, there's something been worrying me. What's that? Whenever you guys show up, I make up my mind you're not going to get any answers from me. I'm not even going to give you the time of day. And then what happens? I end up telling you everything you want to know. Maybe you just like us, Sam. Yeah, that's what's been worrying me. Frank and I walked back into the kitchen of the Green Hat Cafe and we interviewed the waitress, Jeanette Grover. She told us that her friend's name was Barbara Hooper. She also told us that she had no idea where Barbara lived. Used to have a room around Western, but she moved when she got married. How long ago was that? Three weeks. Oh, no, let's see. It's longer. Oh, they went to Vegas on a Sunday. It'd be four weeks next Sunday. You're sure you don't have her address, huh? No, she gave it to me once, but I didn't take it down. I wouldn't have no use for it. How's that? I don't get along with Tom. Tom? Yeah, that's Barbara's husband. Tom Kernan. Oh, say, that's right. I guess I made a mistake. Ma'am. When you asked me what her last name was, I said it was Hooper. I should have said Kernan now. Yes, ma'am. I don't know why she ever married him, a good-looking girl like Barbara. She sure could have done better. Clamp. That's all he is. Well, I told her what she's letting herself in for. I bet he's got a record as long as my right arm. I've seen him come and go. When you work in a place like this, you can spot a rotten apple a mile off. I never figured he'd get into trouble this fast, though. What do you want with her? Just like to get in touch with her, that's all. Oh, now, I know better than that about cops. They want to get in touch. They mean business. You mind me giving you a piece of advice? Not at all. I don't blame her, whatever it is. He's to blame, whatever she's done. You check into it and you'll see. A girl gets married to a wrong guy, and lives his upper whole life. Not her fault. Except for one thing. Yeah? She married him. We went back to the office and ran the name Thomas Kernan through the record bureau. They came up with a package. Kernan had served time for burglary and was now an active parole. We checked with Fred Galloway at adult parole. He told us that Kernan's last known address was an apartment on Western Avenue. We drove out there. Yeah. You hear this? Yeah. You all set? Wait a minute. OK, keep your hat on. Police officer stands still. Oh, he's moving. He needs a clean job. Where's your wife? Out. Out where? I don't know. She wasn't here when I came home. We'll look around. Be my guest. I always knew you guys wrote us ex-cons. That ain't no surprise, but I didn't know you started picking on her wives, too. Yeah. She's a nice kid. Mm-hmm. Let's start in on her. You can stay on my back. I'm used to it. But let her alone. Yeah. Yeah. I found this case in the closet. The watch is still inside. Most of them anyway. All right. What the heck's that? You didn't know about this? Of course not. Yeah, sure. Yeah, I never saw them before. Your wife did. Mm-hmm. How soon will she be back? I don't know. We'll wait. Up to you. I never saw those watches before in my life from telling you the truth. You bet you are. Even if Barbara did take them, that don't make me gilly anything. No. Stupid broad. When you start making with a question, she'll spill a whole deal. Thought you didn't know anything about it. Maybe I knew she was looking for a setup. What does that prove? Some setup. A guy with a suitcase full of watches. Dizzy Dame didn't even know they had serial numbers on him. What a brain. First job she ever pulled, she gets picked up. Mm-hmm. The time I was her age, I'd pulled half a dozen. Your cops hadn't even tumbled once. You're a real bright. I didn't see you, so they won't learn. Tried to teach you the ropes. Gets picked up on her first job. You know, you should have expected that. Why? What do you mean? Look who taught her. The story you've just heard is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On February 2nd, trial was held in Department 97, Superior Court of the State of California, in and for the County of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial. Thomas Karoo Kernan was returned to the adult authority for violation of parole. Violation of parole is punishable by the term not served. Barbara Jane Kernan was found guilty of grand theft, one count. Grand theft is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or in the state prison for not less than one, nor more than 10 years. 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.