 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Dragnet is brought to you by Chesterfield. Made by Liggett and Myers. First major tobacco company to bring you a complete line of quality cigarettes. You're Detective Sergeant. You're assigned to Bunco Fugitive Detail. A confidence man has set up operations in your city. The product he's selling has already marked it. Perfect cut blue-white diamonds. Your job? Stop him. Today you'll hear these three words everywhere. Chesterfield's for me. The cigarette tested and approved by 30 years of scientific tobacco research. Chesterfield's for me. The cigarette with a proven good record with smokers. And first cigarette to have such a record. Chesterfield's for me. Chesterfield gives you proof of highest quality. Low nicotine. The taste you want. The mildness you want. The Chesterfield you smoke today is the best cigarette ever made. And best for you. 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, November 9th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day you watched out of Bunco Fugitive Detail. My name is Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Didion. My name's Friday. I was on my way back from the record division. It was 11.40 a.m. when I got to room 38. Bunco Detail. Did it check on? Yeah, there's three possibles. The descriptions don't match too well. We'll have to check them all out again. The bed I was just in said it'd give us a hand. That's good. Should we get on it? Yeah. Any call? No, let's go. I got it. Bunco Fugitive. Friday. Yeah. That's ma'am. Hmm? Well, I'm not sure. No, the officer that handled the case isn't here right now. I wonder if I could take a message. Yes, ma'am. He'll call you when he gets in. All right. Uh-huh. Yes, all right. If you'll wait just a minute, I'll transfer it just a minute. Hold on, please. Would you give this call to 2949, please? Thank you. Oh, excuse me. Yes, sir. Mr. Fraud Department? It was Bunco Fugitive. Yes, sir. Then I guess you should know what I want. I'd like to report a swindle. All right, sir. I'll check with the bed of jelly and go to work on this list. Right. Okay. You want to come in, sir? Sit down right here if you like. Okay. Well, where'd be the best place to start? Would you like to give us your name, sir? Terrell Tillson. That's with an F. F-I-L-S-O-N Tillson. Yes, sir. What I want to tell you about happened to a friend of mine. All right. He's a little too embarrassed to come in himself, so I said I'd tell you about it. A terrible thing. It should be stopped. All right, sir. We'll do what we can. You want to tell us what it's all about? Well, this friend of mine is in the bank one day. He'd gone in to make withdrawal. A couple of hundred dollars. I see. On the way out of the place, this kind of city-looking man came up to my friend and started to talk. Did your friend know the man? Never saw him before in his life. All right, sir. Go ahead. And this little guy said he had a business proposition to put to my friend. Said they could both make a lot of money out of it. A little guy suggested that they both have walked down the street to a little coffee stand that's there and have a cup of coffee. My friend didn't see anything wrong with that, so they did. That's where the little guy told the story. What was that? Oh, about how he was a DP, you know, a displaced person. Said he'd come over from Belgium. Big story about how he just managed to get out of Germany with his life. Really laid it on thick, real thick. That's when he pulled a snapper. Said that he'd gotten into the country illegally. But he didn't have any papers, and that's why he came to my friend. I see. Go ahead. And this little guy reached into his pocket, took out a couple of pieces of folded paper. He undid him, and there were four diamonds. Most beautiful thing you ever saw. Well, I want to say that since he was in the country without a passport, he couldn't take the chance of trying to sell the diamonds. Said he might be picked up. Said he wanted to sell the stones to my friend. Said he wouldn't have any trouble getting rid of them. How much did he want for them, do you know? Said he'd sell a lot for $13,000. That's quite a bit, isn't it? Yeah. Especially when his friend of mine doesn't know anything about diamonds. All right, sir. Do you want to go ahead? Well, the little guy said my friend to take the stones to any jeweler and have them appraise. Said he'd go along with whatever the jeweler said. That's what your friend did then? Yeah. Went to one of the best jewelry stores in the city. Took the stones with him and had the jeweler look at him. That's a little man. Did he go into the store with your friend? No, he said he'd wait outside. The jeweler looked at the stones and said they were worth $15,000. That's wholesale. $15,000. So your friend bought the diamonds, did he? Yes. He offered the owner $10,000 cash for them. The little guy wouldn't go for the deal, so he took the diamonds back. They hemmed and hauled around for a couple of minutes, and then he said he'd sell. So both of them went to my friend's bank, got the money, and the deal was set. The little man reached into his pocket, took out the package, handed over the diamonds to the $10,000. Mm-hmm. Then my friend tried to sell them. He went back to the same jeweler. That's when he found out. You know? They weren't the same stones. My friend had gotten a different packet. Instead of diamonds, he bought four zircons, worth $25, $30 a piece. $10,000 for $120 worth of cut glass. And you've got to do something about it. You've got to figure some way to get that money back. All right. You want to give us a description of the man who sold you the phone? How'd you know? Well, you aren't the only one who's been taken by this racket. There have been several cases the last few months. That's all the more reason you ought to get him. $10,000, that's what he took me for. That's really easy money. Well, the only difference is the amount, isn't it? What do you mean? You tried to take five the same way. Frank came back to the office, and I filled him in on the story Harold Filson had given me. The victim gave us a complete statement and a description of the man who'd victimized him. He also gave us the address of the bank where he'd been approached. After that, Filson was taken down to the mudroom and shown photographs of known confidence men who had used the same M.O. A local and an APB were gotten out, carrying the description of the suspect as well as a complete description of the clothes he wore and the method he used in approaching the intended victim. We got the name of the jeweler who would appraise the diamonds and we asked the victim if we could keep the stones until we'd finished our investigation. He gave us his consent when we signed a receipt for the Zircons. 1.46 p.m. Frank and I drove out to the Hollywood area where we talked to Saul Maurice, the owner of the jewelry store. If you'll wait, I'll get my loot and check them for you. We'd appreciate that. No trouble. Probably should have known there was something wrong and it came in here. The average man doesn't carry $15,000 and un-set diamonds around with him. Let me see the stone. Sure, here you are. Take a look at these, if you will. Mm-hmm. They're the same ones, same as the diamonds. What can you tell us about them? They look as if they were cut in this country. Why do you say that? Facets, they're cut longer than European stones. Oh. Mm-hmm. Now, they were made in America. Is there any way we could tell where? No. Whoever did it, though, knew what he was doing. I remember the diamonds. Beautiful. You mean the real diamonds were just like these? Yes, there was a 125 round, two 1-carat marquee and a 403 square cut. You're sure about the size, are you? Uh, reasonably, yes. I didn't weigh them at the time, but I'd use a mow gauge on them. That's what they checked out. You can't give us any idea then where the dirkons might have come from? No, I'm sorry. I can give you a list of the men in Los Angeles who might have done it. We'd appreciate it. No trouble at all. You want to take these with you? Yes, sir. I don't understand. Why would a legitimate diamond cutter make these imitations? Well, if a person ordered them copied, there'd be no reason not to. But often people don't like to wear genuine stones. Occasions, when good imitations do just as well, that's what probably happened here. Uh-huh. If it was, probably you ordered them in a large lot. I went ahead with it. Well, now the stones you brought in the first time were real worth it. Yes, fine, high color, beautifully cut. Especially this square. I'll get those names for you. Thank you. Say, I wonder if you'd tell me something. Well, what's that? Well, my wife's been looking for something to clean her engagement ring. You know, it gets dirty down the little prongs and hold the diamond. I wonder if you could recommend something to clean it. Well, I'll tell you what. The next time you're in the area, bring the ring in. I'll be glad to clean it for you. Well, the problem there is she doesn't want to take it off, I guess. I don't think she'd go for me taking it all day. Well, I'll tell her to take it into the jeweler in the neighborhood. He'll be glad to do it. Thanks, sir. Appreciate it. No trouble at all. And here's the list. Thank you. I sure hope you can find the man who sold the phonies. Yes, sir. So do we. Every time somebody gets stung buying diamonds and makes them leery from then on, hard and legitimate people in the business. Yes, sir. We can understand that. Jeweler's alliance has been saying it for a long time. Know you're jeweler and you'll get value received. A guy like this makes it twice as rough on honest men. Well, that's the way it is most of the time. Always seems like the honest ones get hurt. Well, maybe not always. Fun? I hope it's going to work the other way this time. 3.15 p.m. Frank and I returned to the office and got out a supplemental bulletin on the genuine diamonds that were being used. We checked with Captain Didion, and he assigned two more officers to help us in checking out the list of diamond cutters in the area. The questioning took the better part of the next day. And at 4.37 p.m. when we met in the bunco squad room, we were no further ahead with the apprehension of the suspect. During the week that followed, we continued to talk to the lapidaries in the Southland area, but they were unable to give us any leads as to who might have made the copies. On Monday, November 22nd, we received another complaint. An elderly woman who identified herself as Mrs. Myra Hacken told us that she'd been swindled out of $12,000. The story she gave us was almost identical with the one we'd gotten from Harold Filson. The description of the suspect was the same. Frank and I talked to the jeweler that had made the appraisal on the stones for her. He was unable to give us any concrete information. However, the Zircons purchased by Mrs. Hacken were identical with those bought by the first victim, Filson. Two more weeks passed, and in that time the confidence man hit two more citizens. The method of approach was the same. The story he gave the victims was the same. Nothing in the story was new. The search for him went on. On Wednesday, December 1st, Captain Diddyon called a meeting in his office. Come in. Sit down. Right. Now, what's it about, Skipper? You know what it is. Where are you on it? Oh, the diamond switch, huh? That's it. Go and slow, Captain. Well, what's the score to date? About $45,000, isn't it? Yeah. You know closer to the guy than when he started. Well, we've got a description. We can't book that. We're doing everything we can, Captain. We talked to all the victims, all the people in town who might know who he is. There isn't a rumble. He must be playing it single. None of the usual sources know anything. How about the money? Anybody spending more than they can account for? No, not that we've been able to turn. That's office? They've given us a list of possible 14 of them. They've all been checked out and unfit. What about the Jewelers Association? What have they got for you? Well, they're doing all they can. They put out a notice to all their members to be on the lookout for the guy, sent out a description to all the diamond cutters asking for information on the stones. We've had a composite drawing made of the suspect, M.O. sheet. It's been sent to all the banks in the area. Nothing backed on it, though. Well, what's the answer? You gotta be somewhere nailing him. Well, we got an idea. The odds are on the long side, I guess, but it's about the only way that we can think of. That's here. Now, we know that the guys working the Hollywood area are pretty heavy. It seems that most of the Marxie picks are out there. They do business in those banks along the boulevard. We thought that if we could spot a couple undercover people in the banks and make it look like they were doing business there, they might be approached. You meant it when you said the odds were long. How many people do you figure are going to eat for this? We figure a minimum of a half a dozen. They all should be middle-aged or elderly. Suspect doesn't seem to bother anybody under 40. How about keeping in touch with the undercover people? How do you figure to work that? Well, we thought we could cruise the area, work out some kind of a check system, so we know what was going on. Okay, I'll get in touch with Chief Brown. Ask him to line up some offices that will work the banks. You better get in touch with Hollywood. Fill them in on what you're doing. Might ask for a couple of F-cars to give you a hand in the surveillance. I discover. We'll get together here in the morning. You can brief them on what you want. Or you're going to work it out. Okay. Better notify the banks, too. Give them the setup so there won't be any slip. Excuse me. Bunco fugitive, Captain Didion. Yeah? Mm-hmm. Okay, we'll send them right up. That's right. Do what you can. Here's one to move on. Bank on Hollywood Boulevard. Head cashier says there's been a man lightening in the place for the last 30 minutes, you know? That's the description of your suspect right down the line. The man had been detained until we got there. We were told that the suspect had entered the bank at approximately 1140 a.m. and that he'd been observed for the bank guard. When the man's movements had aroused the guard's suspicions, he'd notified the cashier, and he, in turn, had called us when he noticed the similarity between the suspect and our bulletin. We asked the suspect to step out to our car so we could question him. He appeared to have been drinking, but he was cooperative. He got into the backseat with Frank, and we asked him to show us his wallet. Hey, uh, my wallet. Is there any money in it? Well, I don't know. Is that any of your business? You got any money in the wallet? Well, might be a couple of bucks, yes. Then again on the other side of the fence, I might not. All right, Mr. Take the money out and hand the wallet to me. Ain't none. I'm broke. All right, let's have it. Sure, I'd like to cooperate. Always like to cooperate. All right. Is your true name Samuel Gerald Peele? That is correct. Ever been arrested? That gentleman is my life story. Is that right? It certainly is. Many is a happy hour I've spent in your main jail. Delightful things. Referred to in the pre does the gray bar hotel, you know. You know, what was the charge? I believe that's referred to in the trade. There's a 4127ALAMC. Drunker. Oh, now if you don't mind, officer, well, you wouldn't put it just that way. It sounds so completely undignified. Completely. What were you doing in that bank? Then I spent a short vacation with the sheriff out in Casting. Ah, that was a charming resort. Why were you in the bank? I've also enjoyed the hospitality of the authorities in San Francisco, Oakland, and in Beaumont, Texas. We're not playing a game with you here. You come up with some straight answers and come up with them fast. Sir? Yeah. Well, I'm trying to the best of my ability to answer your questions in the order that you present. I'm trying to the best of my ability to answer your questions in the order that you present. And now I'm still working on the initial one, you understand? Would you like to know why I spent so much time on it? Look, you know what we want to know. We want to know why you're in that bank. Very well. And I shall tell you, I have spent all of this time in gathering material for retreatists on the penal colonies. All right, all right, let's go. Yeah. Come on, mister. Get on your feet. Oh, here now. Oh, listen, I resent this treatment, but the more I intend to expose your methods in my forthcoming work. Yeah, yeah. Realize, officer, that I've given you fair warning. You're going to book me again? That's right. Drunk. We'll figure that when we get you downtown. Well, that's all you've got. I didn't really do it. You can't book a man to just think about it. Is that right? I didn't really do it. I'll just think about it. What are you talking about? What I was doing in the bank. I'm broken. I'm hungry. I just got into town this morning. I arrived amid the sunshine of glorious California. Broken, hungry. So I hammered around a bit and went into the bank. But maybe I'd write a little check just enough to tide me over until I decide to accept one of the many offers that have been offered there. You got any money in the bank? Oh, that's a trivial detail. However, in as much you gentlemen are willing to accord me the hospitality of the gray bar hotel, I shall accept with a lack of money. Oh, that's nice. I am gratified that you appreciate my position. You got any way of proving you just got in town? Is that necessary? It might be for you. I shall have no trouble in supplying such gratification. I have been enjoying the hospitality of the largest state for the past three months. I suffered my connection with them two days. Is that right? It certainly is. I, officer, have been in jail for the past three months. Yeah. In Beaumont, Texas. The suspect was taken to the city hall and held for further investigation. Teletypes were sent to the authorities in Texas and they verified the story that we'd gotten. The suspect was booked in violation of 4127A LAMC. The following morning, Frank and I along with Captain Diddy and briefed the police officers chosen by Chief Brown. We told them the suspect's MO. We gave each of them copies of the composite drawing that had been made. At 10.30 that morning, the plan was put into operation. It continued through the weekend without results. During that time, we received no new complaints regarding the confidence man. Wednesday, December 8th, Frank and I checked into the office. I want to call Faye. Tell her what time I'll be home. Okay. You want to check the book while you're there? Yeah. I got it. Local Fugitive Friday. Yeah. Okay, where? Yeah, we know where that is. Right. See you there. They should have to call Faye later. What do you mean? Suspect. Yeah. He's setting up a mark in a coffee shop out on Hollywood Boulevard right now. You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action. Meet the Tom Harmans. You know Tom as an all-American and now a top sports announcer. Mrs. Harman is the motion picture and television star Elise Knox. They're typical of people everywhere who are saying, Chesterfield's for me. I like regular-sized Chesterfields. Half for years. They're best for me, at least I think so. Because of that, Chesterfield quality. That's the way I feel about them, too. I've always smoked Chesterfields. Now I go for the king-size. Guess I like a longer smoke. So whether you smoke regular size like Elise Knox or king-size like Tom Harman, enjoy America's most popular two-way cigarette. Chesterfields for me. You hear it everywhere. The Chesterfield you smoke today is the best cigarette ever made. And best for you. The call had come from one of the undercover people that we'd planted in the banks on Hollywood Boulevard. The policewoman told me that a man answering the description had approached her and offered to sell her some unset diamonds. The suspect suggested that they have a cup of coffee while he explained the deal to the victim. After they'd reached the coffee shop, the policewoman excused herself and put in the call to us. It took us 18 minutes to drive to Hollywood and Vine streets and to get to the coffee shop. When we entered the place, we could see the policewoman at one of the rear tables. Frank and I walked back and sat down in the adjoining booth. They'd evidently been talking for several minutes before we got there. You can understand my position. I don't want to have to let them go, but I have no choice. I'm still not sure why you don't sell them yourself. There is some trouble about my passport. The authorities are checking it over. If I try to dispose of the diamonds and the usual channels, there are bound to be questions, questions I can't answer. I'm not sure I want to be mixed up in a thing like this. I've never had any trouble with the law. My husband would be pretty angry if he knew about this. But there will be no trouble. None. The reason I decided to even bother you with this is that I have seen you several times in the bank. You looked at me like a person who would understand and want to help. Oh, that's very kind. It is you who are being kind to even let me talk to you. I wish I could tell you how much it means to me to be able to walk up to just anyone or destroy it and talk. To know that there is nothing to be afraid of. This business about the passport is annoying, but it will all be straightened out after that. Everything will be all right. Well, can't you wait until then to sell the diamonds? I am afraid not. I have bills. I must pay my attorney. My family, they must be taken care of. I need the money now. Well, I'm still not sure. Kind lady, let me show you the gems. Just let me show them to you and then decide. Has he? Coffee, please. Yeah, coffee. Two coffees, right away. There. Just look at them. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful in your life? They are nice. These are all we were able to get out of the country. Weeks before we left, we sold everything we owned to buy them. You know, in Europe, diamonds are about the only thing that has a set value. If I were to tell you the trouble we had in getting them, but that would take too long, and I have already taken too much of your time. Well, not at all. How much are you asking for them? On the market, they are worth an American dollar, so at least $10,000. Well, I could never pay that much for them. But you would not have to. I don't understand. It is simple. You take them to any jeweler in the city, anyone at all. You pick him up, take the diamonds to him, ask him what they are worth, then come back to me and we can make the transaction. You see what he will offer you for me. You will see that what I have said is the truth. You can buy them for me. I will get the money I need. Then you can sell them to the same jeweler and make a handsome profit. Go ahead, take them. I will wait for you here. You'll trust me with them? You certainly will. I knew when I saw you in the bank I could depend on you. I trust you with my life savings. All right, let's go. Yeah. It's something I can do for you gentlemen. Police officers, you're under arrest. On what charge? Grand theft. You must be joking. I'm afraid not. Let's go. You get everything you need to touch on Friday? Yeah. Thanks, Margaret. Yeah. Aren't we lame? I'm a police officer too. How are you going to know? I'll take the diamonds. Want to give us his irkons too? Yeah. Yeah, yeah. It's a lousy deal. You're going to have to prove it, you know. We'll take care of that. How are you going to do it? It shouldn't be too tough. Have the victims take a look at you. They should give us a positive identification, shouldn't they? Yeah, I guess so. Where'd you get the stones? I picked them up in New York. They're real. Worthy. They're 13, maybe $14,000. How about the imitations? What about? Where'd you get them? A friend of mine, guy back east. His hobby is life, you know. Lapidary? Yeah, that's it. I had him cut the irkons for me. Do you know why you wanted them? No, I told him it was for a joke, asking him to make me six sets. All of them like the real ones. I only had this one and one more to get rid of. Just two more, and you have to tag me. You didn't rough go. You need me for any more, Sergeant? No, thanks, Margaret. We'll take him in. I'll go on then. Right. Thanks again. Glad to help. Thanks, Margaret. Yeah, see you downtown. Right. All right, Mr. Let's go. Mind if I finish my coffee? All right. Make it fast. Okay, thanks. What's your name? Nathan Croner. You ever fallen before? A couple of times, small beads. Where? Midwest, Colorado, Kansas. Big time? Furglary. Served three years in Colorado, two in Kansas. I thought you had it figured this time. It's your way to make it pay. Never know, Dave. What's that? How it's going to turn out. Take your starch, for instance. Yeah. Hey, you got a cigarette? Yeah. Here you go. Here. Thanks. I got a match. It's going to work if you try it with honest people. Is that right? Sure. Right off. I told him I was having trouble with my passport. Even told one of them I was in the country illegally. That's when he should have gone to the cops right then. Can I miss that? What's that? The coffee. Can I miss it? Anyway, if every one of them didn't have a little thievery in them, isn't a con game in the world are to work. Ever think of that? Yeah, once in a while. I hand over a bunch of diamonds. Now, I know they're worth a minimum of $15,000. Worth that anywhere in the country. So what happens? Mark takes them into a jeweler and finds out they're worth that much. And right away, he's out to try to make a fast buck for himself. He comes back, tells me they're only good for $10,000. You see? Thieves. You about finished with that coffee? Yeah. Now, the mark stands to make himself a couple thousand dollars going in, but that isn't enough. He's going to take me for more. It wouldn't work if they weren't thieves at heart. Well, that still doesn't give you the right to take them. There's a buzz in that. I get a real kick, though, out of figuring what they look like when they find out they're stuck with a handful of cut glass. Must be real yaks to see that look. I know how about that coffee. Come on, let's go. Yeah. Okay, I'm with you. All right. Pull this dodge anyplace else in the country? Not me. This is the first place. Figured if I scored good here, I could take it easy. You know, work a bit maybe once a year in a different city. Keep moving. Don't make any difference how they talk or what kind of clothes. They wear a mark, sell a mark. I just had a bad deal. Going good. I could have lived off of it for years. That's what you wanted, huh? Yeah. Just a deal to keep me in clothes and food. Roof over my head. Nothing big. Well, it all worked out then, didn't it? Why? That's what you're going to get. Come on. How far you have just heard is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On April 15th, trial was held in Department 98, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial. Now, here is our star, Jack Webb. Thank you, George Phenomenon. You know, the Chesterfield you smoked today is the cigarette ever made and best for you. Now, that's a fact. And to my way of thinking, it's the very reason for you to change to Chesterfield. Try them either way, regular or king size. If you try them, I think you'll say with all of us, Chesterfield's for me. Nathan Austin Croner was tried and found guilty on four counts of grand theft as prescribed by law. Grand theft is punishable by imprisonment for a period of not more than one year in the county jail or for a period of not less than one or more than 10 years in the state penitentiary. Ladies and gentlemen, crime has reached a new high. Over two million major crimes were committed last year in the United States. You and your loved ones, your lives and property are threatened. Now, during National Crime Prevention Week, the National Exchange Clubs urge you to act to protect yourself and your country. Go to church this Sunday and every Sunday. The nation needs the great moral vitality which springs from church going men and women. And remember to be alert and be on the lookout for ways to prevent crime. Help your police force and your community reduce the crime rate. 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 Winn, Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Harry Bartel, Virginia Greg. Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schumann. Hell Gibney speaking. Watch an entirely different Dragnet case history each week on your local NBC television station. Please check your newspapers for the day and time. Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet transcribed from Los Angeles. Filter tip smokers. This is it. L and M filters. The one filter tip cigarette with plenty of good taste. Much more flavor. Much less nicotine. And effective filtration. Only the L and M filter contains the miracle product alpha cellulose. Absolutely pure. Non-mineral. Harmless to health. Yes, this is it. As Maurice Evans puts it, L and M filters are just what the doctor ordered. By L and M filters. The light and miles both. Rocky Fortune following John Cameron Swayze and the news on the NBC Radio Network.