 The story you were about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, long cigarettes bring you dragnet. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to robbery details. A middle-aged businessman in your city is robbed and beaten senseless. To hold up men's escape, the victim refuses to report the crime. Your job? Investigate. You'll be amazed when you compare Fatima with other long cigarettes. You'll find they now cost the same. But in Fatima, the difference is quality. You'll see, Fatima is the quality king-size cigarette because it contains the finest domestic and Turkish tobaccos superbly blended, and Fatima is extra mild. With a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. So compare Fatima yourself. Fatima's now cost the same as other long cigarettes, but your first puff will tell you... Ah, that's different. Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. Ask your dealer for Fatima, the quality king-size cigarette. Best of all, long cigarettes. Start enjoying Fatima tomorrow. Dragnet, 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 8th, it was overcast in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of robbery detail. My partner's Ben Romero, the boss is Captain Bidion. My name's Friday. It was 11.23 a.m. when we got to the 700th South Hill Boulevard, a Butler recording in studios. What do you think? Well, I don't know. It must be upstairs, I guess, huh? Oh, yeah. Yeah, there it is. Main office, second floor. Who is that, Joe? What? That portrait up around the wall. Some printing underneath here. Nice painting. Yeah, it says Damien, the father of the accordion, Vienna, 1829. What do you know about that? Must be it down there, huh? Yeah. Want to try? Yeah. Yes, sir. Are you Lewis Butler? Yeah, that's right. And can I help you? Police officers, Mr. Butler, like talk you for a minute. Is your name Friday? Yes, sir, that's right. This is my partner, Sergeant Romero. How do you do? I'm sorry, Sergeant. I told you on the phone, I just don't want to talk about it. Well, we'd appreciate it if we could have your cooperation. It's a pretty important matter. Well, I'm the only one concerned in it, as far as I can see. I just assume forget the whole thing. Besides, I got a pretty busy day ahead of me. Well, we'd like to straighten you out, Mr. Butler. It concerns a lot more people than just yourself. Now, we're not going to take much of your time. Just a few questions, that's all. I told you on the phone, Sergeant. I don't want to talk about it. Can't you just forget about the whole thing? It's only going to take a few minutes, sir. All right, come in if you want. Thank you very much. The place is in kind of a mess. Wives who ate her mother's... You can sit down if you want. Thank you very much. All right, Pepper, I'll feed you just a minute. It's a nice catch you got there. Siamese? A little bit, yeah. It's my wife's. I don't care too much for cats myself. Here you go, Pepper. I ought to hold you for a while. Look at that, Joe. It goes for that male, huh? Yeah, it sure does. You're going to have to make it fast, Sergeant. I've got an appointment for lunch downtown. All right, sir. I'd just like to have you elaborate on what Dr. Hart told us. Is he your family doctor, by the way? Yeah, that's right. He had no business calling you in the first place. I told him I didn't want it to get out. What did he tell you? He said you came to him for treatment night before last. He told him you had been beaten up and robbed. He treated you for cuts and bruises about the face and head. No, it was nothing. Didn't amount to anything. Well, was there actually a robbery, Mr. Butler? Believe me, Sergeant, it didn't amount to anything. I don't even want to go into it. How much did the robbery involve money, I mean? I'd rather not say. I don't want any fuss made about it. That's why I didn't report it. It just isn't worth it to me. We understand the holdup, man. It took more than $800 from you. Wouldn't you like to get that money back? I don't want to be nasty about this thing, but I was the one who was held up. Now, if I don't want to press the case, I don't see why anyone else should worry about it. It was my money. How about the beating that Steve gave you? It's nothing serious. It's like I told you on the phone I want to forget about the whole thing. Well, it must have involved more than just a few scratches from the looks of it and the doctor had to treat you. Take my word for it, please. I'm all right. I don't want to press charges. Appreciate it if you'd give me some kind of an explanation, Mr. Butler. Why? I don't want to bother. That's all. There's nothing to explain. Well, you'll have to admit that this is a little unusual. Somebody beat you up, slugs you, takes $800 from you, and you don't want to do anything about it? You're going to have to excuse me a minute. I had one of my accordion students down the hall in the practice room. Almost time for him to go. I have to give him his lesson for next week. All right, check her out ahead. How about that? Yeah. Looks like he's scared to death. Well, wherever it was, they gave him a going over. After his head and bandages, his face all swollen. Sure something, Foley. Well, he's not going to be much healthier unless we can talk him into a crime report. Somebody's got to him. I'll bet on it. Oh, hi there, kitty. Hi, kitty. I've been thinking it over, officers. Sorry I had to come out here to go to all this trouble, but I just assumed forget the whole thing. I don't even want to talk about it if you don't mind. We don't mean to high-press you, but we'd like some kind of an explanation. Can't you understand? I just don't want to make a big fuss about it. I'd like to have you go along with my feelings in the matter. It's my affair, isn't it? No, sir, it's ours, too. Half a dozen people like yourself have been beaten up and robbed in this neighborhood all in the last five weeks. Now, if we can find the thieves, we can put a stop to it. We can make sure the same thing doesn't happen to your neighbors. Well, they're going to have to look out for themselves. I'm not getting tied up in a big investigation. The neighbors don't worry about me. It goes a little further than that. You've been beaten up and robbed once. How do you know it isn't going to happen again? Well, it's not that, Saul. I'll make sure it doesn't. How? What's going to stop the same thieves from knocking you over again? Look, if it's all the same to you, I want to forget about this. I'm going to have to be running along. It's getting late. No, there's just one more thing, butler. When the doctor was treating you the other night, this doctor, Hart, he says you told him that you knew who the whole of men were now. Is that right? No, he got it all mixed up. I didn't mean it that way. How did you mean it? I'm in a funny position. I just can't explain that, Saul. I can't take the chance. Did the whole of that men threaten you? I can't talk about it. Give me a break, please. You're making a mistake, Mr. Play ball with those thieves and they'll ruin you. It's not only me. It's my family, too. I'm not going to take the chance. If they threatened you and your family, you're taking more of a chance keeping quiet about it. They'll bleed your wife, blackmail, robbery, anything you can think of. Now, this has happened before. Can't you see the spot I'm in? I know who they are. I know what they can do. I've got a wife to think about. Would you put your family in that position? You're buying protection from a couple of hoods. Now, figure it out. How much does it work? How far can you trust them? If you pick them up, they'll know I told you. I don't want anything to happen. Can't you see that I haven't any choice? What else can I do? Help us put the thieves where they belong. You'll have all the protection you need when they're locked up. It's a big order. I don't know. You and your wife will be under 24-hour guard. Now, that's a promise. How long would that have to go on? Long enough to bring the trial and convict them. How about it? They warned me about telling the police. They said they'd get both of this if I did. Me and my wife. Now, they meant it, too. They'd get us. What can you do about it? Get them first. After another hour of talking, we finally persuaded the robbery victim, Lewis Butler, to come downtown with us. He dictated a full statement about the holdup and filed a crime report. He told us he'd been robbed and slugged late at night a few blocks from his music studio. $820 had been taken from him by two bandits, both of whom were armed, both of whom he recognized. He said one of the men was a Marvin Carter, a former bartender at a neighborhood tavern. The other was Ralph Quincy, a merchant seamen. We went across the street and met with Deputy District Attorney Fred Henderson. The next day, the case was presented to the grand jury and a true bill was returned. The two suspects, Marvin Carter and Ralph Quincy, were indicted on one count of armed robbery. That afternoon, both of them were booked at the main jail and then released after posting a required bail of $10,000. 4.30 p.m., Ben and I went back to the office and met with Captain Didion. How are you making out on it? Pretty fair shape, Skipper. The arrangement's set for two weeks from Thursday. How about protection for the victim? Well, it's all set up. Butler and his wife are under 24-hour guard. Three teams of men on it. Mm-hmm. It means two thieves getting out on bail. It's not going to make it any easier. Who are you working with from the DA's office? Henderson. Seems to think we've got an epic convict, both men. What makes him so sure? Well, for one thing, we've got a line on a couple of good witnesses to the holder. Excuse me. Robbery Didion. Yeah, Mike. No, I'll check it before I leave. Right. What was that about, witness? The man by the name of Bartlett runs a drug store. He and his son were in the neighborhood when Lewis Butler was held up. They're supposed to have spotted the two thieves running from the scene. Have you talked to him yet? Just over the phone. We've got an appointment with him at 6 o'clock tonight to take your statement. I guess I don't have to tell you. Stay as close to this thing as you can. If we miss this time, we may not get another chance. You know, as well as anyone how tough it's been reaching these things. Yeah. Well, it wouldn't be this far along if Butler didn't decide to cooperate with file charges. I wish I knew how many victims there are in this thing just like Butler, people we don't even know about, so scared they don't dare file charges. I guess there's a dozen of them anyway. I can't figure it. People hire a police force on salary to protect them and their properties, and they turn around and try to make a deal with a bunch of hoods by them all. How far have you gotten on the hold-up gang? Well, how do you mean? The two men you've got, Ted, Carter and Quincy. Anyone else working with them? Possible, not sure yet. Both Carter and Quincy have juvenile records. That's about it. We're still checking on them. Robert did in? Yeah, Tom. Mm-hmm. That right. No, I'll tell him they're here with me now. Right. Thank you. It started already. How's that? The victim, Lewis Butler. He got a phone call at his house a few minutes ago. Yeah. Figured it was one of the hold-up gang. They gave Butler a choice. What'd they say? Either he drops the charges or they'll kill him. 5.30 p.m. Captain Didion issued orders that the two suspects in the case, Marvin Carter and Ralph Quincy, be placed under 24-hour surveillance. An additional team of men was assigned to guard Lewis Butler. Each officer was carefully instructed to take all possible precautions to prevent the robbery victim and his wife from being harmed in any way. 6 p.m. Ben and I met with the two witnesses to the hold-up. A drugstore proprietor, Sam Bartlett and his teenage son, Harold. They told us that they'd been in the immediate vicinity. The night Butler was robbed and a good look at the two gunmen as they ran from the scene of the hold-up. Bartlett and his son, Harold, identified the suspects as Marvin Carter and Ralph Quincy. Statements were taken and both witnesses were warned to maintain absolute secrecy about their part in the case. Next day, we made arrangements to have the drugist and his son subpoenaed for the superior court arraignment. Six days went by. Thursday, October 17th, 8 a.m. We checked in the office waiting for us. What is it, Joe? The drugist's son, Harold Bartlett. What about it? Found him in an alley three o'clock this morning. What? Well, he was slugged and beaten. Late that afternoon, Ben and I received permission from the doctors to visit briefly with our witness, 17-year-old Harold Bartlett. His injuries were painful but not critical. The beating he'd received was nothing less than brutal. His left forearm had been broken and beaten viciously about the face and chest. He told us that he was on his way home from a neighborhood movie just before midnight when two men jumped him from behind on a deserted street. I drove around some, maybe five or ten minutes. It must have been at least three men in the car. Why do you say that? Well, there were two men in the back seat with me. Somebody else had to be doing the driving. Well, he had to be a Sedan or a Cleb Cooke. I guess so, yeah. Well, they stopped the car and then they began slugging me. They didn't say a word the whole time. They just started slugging me. I asked them why and just kept slugging me. I see. At first I think they were hitting me with their fist. It felt like something a lot. It was harder. A piece of iron or metal or something. That's when I grabbed the cloth off of my face and I started to holler. What happened then? Yes, nobody heard me. Nobody came anyway. One of the men swore at me and grabbed my arm. It was something... sure sore. They didn't say anything to you all this time? No. I told them just before they pushed me out of the car. It seemed like I was in that car for hours. When they started to talk to you, Harry, what'd they say? It was about that robbery my father and me saw. They wanted to talk to us about last week. What'd they say about it? I said, maybe this will help you keep your mouth shut or stay out of other people's business. They said that a couple of times. They said a lot more had happened to Dad and me if we went to the police. If we were witnesses at that trial. Do you remember the men who called each other by name? No, I don't. I don't remember, anyway. Well, son, you remember when we talked to you and your father last week. We told you to say nothing about the case to anyone. I remember, Sergeant. That was my fault. Were there people that you were a witness in the case? Did you mention it in public? I guess I did. I didn't think it was that important. I guess I talked about it quite a bit. I'm sorry. It's my fault. That's all right, Harry. If you remember from now on, it'll save a lot more trouble. I remember, Sergeant. Those two men last night scared me for a while. I guess most of what was talking, huh? How do you mean, son? They were warning me about staying away from the cops. They said they'd kill me and my dad if we were witnesses. They were probably just trying to scare us. They were fooling. Well, you had a sample last night, son. Were they fooling? After we left Harry Bartlett, we went back to the office and arranged for a 24-hour guard to be assigned to the teenage boy and his father. A thorough investigation of the attack on the boy failed to turn up any leads. On the surface, the two robbery suspects, Carter and Quincy, were not involved. During the week that followed, we heard of no further threats or attacks, either on the victim, Lewis Butler, or any other witnesses involved in the case. Ben and I worked with Deputy District Attorney Henderson, preparing the case against the two suspects. Two days before the trial opened in Superior Court, we got an urgent call. Yeah, I know, but how did it happen? Mm-hmm. Yeah. You're all right, Tom. Thanks. What's the trouble? Couldn't be worse. No victim. What do you mean? Mr. and Mrs. Butler disappeared. I'm going to drag it. From beginning to end, drag net is the authentic story of your police force in action. Now from beginning to end, the Fatima story, actual convincing proof that in Fatima, the difference is quality. Quality of tobaccos, the finest domestic and Turkish varieties, extra mild and superbly blended, to give you a much different, much better flavor and aroma. Quality of manufacture, smooth, round, perfect cigarettes, rolled in the finest paper money can buy, manufactured in the newest and most modern of all cigarette factories. Quality even to the appearance of the bright, clean, golden yellow package, carefully wrapped and sealed, to bring you Fatima's rich, fresh, extra mild flavor. Because of its quality, its extra mildness, its better flavor and aroma, more long cigarette smokers than Fatima than ever before. So if you smoke a long cigarette, compare Fatima. You'll find they now cost the same, but your first puff will tell you... Ah, that's different. Yes, in Fatima, the difference is quality. Insist on Fatima. Start enjoying the quality, king-size cigarette. Fatima. Best of all, long cigarettes. Tuesday, November 5th, 9 a.m. The trial of robbery suspects Marvin Carter and Ralph Quincy opened in Superior Court, Department 88. The complaining witness, Louis Butler, failed to appear. For two solid days, we'd been busy checking all of the butler's friends and relatives in the city. They couldn't help. Each time the butlers had left their residents, they'd been under surveillance. We'd had an understanding with them that in the event that they were in their automobile, and for some reason the officers assigned to them lost them in traffic, the butlers would immediately return to their home. On the night of November 3rd, under the pretext of going to a neighborhood theater, the butlers made a right-hand turn from a left-hand lane of traffic, so it became obvious that they were trying to elude the officers following them. A check was made at their home as pre-arranged, and they failed to return. When they failed to appear for the trial, a bench warrant was issued by Superior Court for the missing couple. Deputy District Attorney Henderson asked the court to grant a delay in order to find the butlers. It was granted. In the meantime, we'd gotten out a broadcast and an APB. Missing person's detail helped out in the search. Still no sign. Tuesday, November 12th, 11 a.m. Deputy DA Henderson phoned us from the Hall of Justice. When was that for that? That right. Mm-hmm. Hey, well, thanks a lot. What do you have to say? The attorney for Carter and Quincy asked the court for dismissal, no complaining witness. Well, the judge ruled on it, chef? No matter how guilty the two men might have seemed, there was nothing further anyone could do. Without a complaining witness, our case was finished. The two suspects, Carter and Quincy, were released from custody. In a few days, Quincy left town for the east. Carter remained in the city. The search for Mr. and Mrs. Butler went on. No sign of either one of them. December came, and then the Christmas holidays, new years. On January 16th, Louis Butler suddenly reappeared back in town and surrendered on the bench warrant. They explained to the judge that because of the numerous threats on their lives just before the trial, they were afraid to appear, and that they left the state without telling anyone. The judge gave them a lecture and a warning and dismissed charges. Another month passed, February and then March. On April 2nd, we got word from Denver, Colorado that one of our former robbery suspects, Ralph Quincy, had shot and killed a four-year-old policeman while attempting a robbery in that city. Quincy was tried and convicted of murder and received a life term. In the meantime, we'd heard little or nothing about the other former robbery suspect, Marvin Carter. Another two months passed. Spring months wore on into summer. Monday, July 8th, 8 a.m. Friday, Romero. See you in a minute. You want to sit down? You got something for you? Hold up, victim. My name is Sheridan, came in late last night, filed a scram report here. Have a look. You can notice there it happened in the same area where we had that ratchet hold up last fall. I see. Victim robbed and beaten. Suspects used the same approach, same MO, followed it right down the line. Yeah. Victim warned not to contact police, bodily harm threatened if victim did so. How about the descriptions of the hold up men here? The victim pretty sure about them? Gaffney handled the report. Gaffney gave him a bunch of mug shots to look at. Here's the one he picked out of the line. Thanks. Have a look, Joe. Marvin Carter. As soon as the robbery reported come in, an immediate check had been made of Marvin Carter's last known address, an apartment in the West Pico district. The landlord revealed that the suspect had moved at least two months before. We got out of broadcast and an APB on him. Together with sergeants Gonzalez and Henry, Ben and I started on the systematic check of all of Carter's known friends, relatives and associates. After that, we started on the places he was known to frequent. Hotels, bars, restaurants, no luck. Two weeks went by. There were no further reports of robberies where the MO of the criminal matched that of Carter's. Tuesday, July 26, 2 p.m. We got a call from one of our informants, Bertie Simmons, who was on the way to the forest. He said it concerned Marvin Carter. He told us he'd met us at MacArthur Park on the 6th Street side at 2.30 p.m., 2.50 p.m. You'll have to excuse me, Sergeant. Sorry I'm late. I have to move from that other place. Things haven't been going too good for me. That's all right, Bertie. What's the matter? No luck with the horses? Yeah, a lot of luck. It's all bad. If there's a pig in the race, I have to bet on him every time. Getting so I can't even pick him to show anymore. Is this new with you, Bertie? No job yet? No, but I'm still looking. I've been down around some of the joints, South Main, and Alameda, keeping an eye to the ground. Want to spoke? Yeah, thanks. No matter if I do. There you go. What have you heard, Bertie? Anything in the mail? That Marvin Carter you're still looking for, aren't you? That's right. Any rumble? I heard it last night having a beer downtown. I knew you fellas were in a little bind on the thing. I always like to help you when you're in a bind. Well, what'd you hear, Bert? Carter's still in town hiding out. Like I say, I always like to help you out when you need it. I know what it is to be in a bind. That's when you appreciate help most. I'm kind of in a bind right now. A little short, you know? A couple of dollars, Bert. That's all I have on me. Will I help you out any more? Save my life, Sergeant. Tell you the truth, I didn't know where dinner was coming from tonight. No need telling you. I appreciate it. What was this you heard about Carter? Still in town. Still in town. It's a place down by Venice, near the beach. Carter's been seen there once, twice, lately. It's a little seafood joint, beer and clams, down by the beach. Well, is that somebody's story, or is it the real thing? The real thing, Sergeant. You know me better than that. No funny leads from me. Where's Carter supposed to be staying down there, you know? Well, I don't. I don't, I guess. What do you mean? This man who told me about Carter last night, he didn't know the address, but he described the place Carter's supposed to be hiding on him. I know the joint he means. But you don't know the address. No, but I can point out the place he means. It's a shack right along the speedway down there, down by the beach. You want to run down there with us now? Sure, I'll find it out for you. I'm not going near it, though. Why do you say that? I don't want to mix with it, that's all. I got the word. What do you mean? Carter. Won't be an easy one to take. How do you know? He's got a gun. 255 p.m., along with our informant, Bertie Simmons, Ben and I drove down to the beach town of Venice. Bertie pointed out a brown wooden frame cottage where Carter was supposed to be hiding out. While Bertie waited in the car, Ben and I checked it out. There was nobody at home, but there was plenty of evidence inside the cottage that Carter was living there. I went back down the street to where we parked our car. I kept an eye on the cottage while Ben got to a phone to call the office. Pretty down there, huh, Sergeant? Yeah, it's a nice day. I don't get out in the air enough. I think that's my trouble. Some of this good ocean air makes you feel like a minion. Yeah. Did you notice the place where your partner went to phone down the street there? Yeah, what about it? You see the sign, beer and clams, right over the door. Beer and clams? Yeah. Best in the city, I know. I've been there. Only great. I've been dying of fresh clams. Nothing better. You like clams? Yeah, they're all right once in a while. What am I going to do if you two have to wait here all night? Well, we'll get you back to town, Bert. We'll figure out something for you. Hi, Ben. Did you get ahold of the captain? Yeah. Marvin Carter was picked up downtown twenty minutes ago. What? Yeah, he was driving a rented car, a traffic unit picked him up. The reason they noticed him is because he was double parked on a busy street and they pulled him over and got a better look at him. Any trouble with him? None at all. Got him booked at Maine Jail. See, that showed too bad. What do you mean, Bert? Shortcase, isn't it? How long your fella's been working on it? Just about a year, huh, Joe? Yeah, just about. Coming all this way for nothing. You're ready to make the pension and somebody else does it for you. Must be kind of disappointing, huh? All that time, all that work? No, Carter's in jail, that's the main thing. I guess we better drive back in, huh, Ben? Yeah. Say, just a minute, Sergeant. No use coming all this way for nothing. What if you do me a favor? What's that, Bert? That sign down the street. What? The blue and white sign, Bear and Clam. What if you could drop me off right in front? Bear and Clam? Oh, yeah, Bert, all right. Sure, nice of you. Just like I was saying. Coming all this way for nothing. What you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. On October 29th, trial was held in Superior Court, Department 86, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. And now here is our star, Jack Webb. Thank you. Friends, let me tell you how to size up king-size cigarettes. First, take a Fatima, and then any other king-size. By side, the two look alike, but they're not. Because no other king-size cigarette has Fatima quality. That's right. In Fatima, the difference is quality. Quality that results from a blend of the finest domestic and Turkish tobaccos. Quality that gives you extra mildness. A much better flavor and aroma. Remember, if you haven't tried Fatima yet, take my advice. Buy a pack. Smoke Fatimas and you'll discover what I know. In Fatima, the difference is quality. In Fatima, the difference is quality. Marvin Lawrence Carter was tried and convicted on several counts of first-degree robbery and was sentenced to the state penitentiary where he is now serving his term. First-degree robbery is punishable by imprisonment from five years to life. Ladies and gentlemen, Miss Lyle Rooks, editor of Radio-Television Mirror. The readers of Radio-Television Mirror have chosen DragNet, the favorite program of its type, for 1950. I am privileged to present the citation to you on behalf of the editors and readers of Radio-Television Mirror throughout the nation. Thank you, Miss Rooks. You have just heard DragNet, a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police Dr. Parker Los Angeles Police Department. Fatima Cigarettes. Best of all, long cigarettes is brought to DragNet, portions transcribed from Los Angeles. Stay tuned for counters by next over many NBC stations.