 The Equitable Life Assurance Society presents This Is Your FBI. This Is Your FBI. The official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Presented transcribed as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community. Are you one of the millions of Americans covered by Social Security? If so, you'll be vitally interested in tonight's commercial message from the Equitable Life Assurance Society. The subject is how to build Social Security into full security. Interested? Then please listen carefully in about 11 minutes to this important message from the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Tonight, the subject of our FBI file, hijacking. It's titled, The Tropical Frame Up. Tonight's case from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerns hijackers, currently one of the most serious law enforcement problems in the nation. Crime has always increased in time of war, and the Korean conflict provides no exception to that rule. However, hijacking has had a rise out of all proportion to other crimes. Bank robbery, for example, has advanced only 2%, but since the beginning of the war in Korea, hijackings have jumped a full 33%. That increase reflects a criminal trend which, if unchecked, will greatly impair the security of the nation's home front. Inflation and war shortages have made every truckload of goods more valuable, more valuable to the rightful owner, and also to our common enemy, the thief. Tonight's FBI file opens in a large eastern city. An attractive young woman is just admitting a guest. He is one Art Graham, Jr. partner in the firm of Ford and Graham, specialists in interstate commerce. Hijacking. Come in, Art. Thanks, Julie. Where's Pete? Inside, getting dressed. Oh. Wondering? No, thanks, baby. Well, tonight's the night, huh? Yep. What's the setup? Oh, pretty big job. Only 4,000 cases of bonded whiskey. Hey. We're gonna knock off four trucks. Well, that's really a tough order. Well, we got it all laid out. Everybody knows what they're supposed to do. Shouldn't be any trouble. How much cash will that stuff bring? Oh, a real bundle. That I like. Hey, Julie, where's that big runner? Oh, hi, Artie. Hi, Pete. Hey, I'm glad you stopped by here, kid. I got something I want to spring on you and Julie both. What were you looking for? That big brown envelope, honey. Oh, it's right over there on the table. Oh, okay. You know, there's something in here I want to show you. What is it? Pictures. Now sit on both of you. What is it? Sit on, will you? Okay. Look, Artie, when you and I started in business together, we agreed that if either one of us ever wanted to pull out sometime, he could. You remember? Yeah. Well, tonight's my last job. What? Are you kidding? We've got plenty of letters packed away for me and Julie. We're going to get out of this larceny business for good. What are you talking about? Here you are, baby. Take a look at these pictures. What's this? It's a banana plantation. So? So I bought it a month ago. What do you know from bananas? Well, it's your favorite dish, ain't it? Bananas and cream for breakfast? Yeah. Well, then you've got a whole plantation of them to go against. Hey, where is this, Julie? Boca Grande. That's in Africa. No, it's an island near Cuba. It comes to the United States, so we don't need a passport. It's still Africa. Okay, okay. Anyway, sweetheart, we're leaving on the boat in the morning. From then on, we're living like dukes and duchesses. How's it sound to you? Wow. Oh, what do you think about it, Art? I think it's swell. Sure. And so will you, Julie, when you get to thinking about it. Hey, wait a minute. Look at that time. I've got to go and case that warehouse where they're loading the trucks. I'll pick you up in about 30 minutes, Artie. Look, uh, build Julie up on Boca Grande while I'm gone, will you? Yeah. I'll see you later. Well, sweetheart? If he thinks I'm going to Boca Grande, he's nuts. He wants you to leave in the morning. Yeah. Art, what are we going to do? You got to think of something quick. Don't the idea appeal to you? Boca Grande, a plantation, living safe and easy? Not without you. And you know it. Then I've already thought of something. What do you mean? I mean, it was real nice of Pete to buy that plantation for you and me. Huh? He wants to retire? OK, I'll see to it tonight that he does retire. For keeps. At three o'clock that morning, FBI Special Agent Taylor was asleep at home when the phone beside his pillow suddenly went off. OK, I'll get up in a minute. Hello. Jim, this is George Wilcox. Yeah? Sorry to wake you, but something broke and the SAC put us on it. No, it's all right, George. What is it? Four whiskey trucks were hijacked on Route 1 shortly before midnight. Each of them was carrying 1,000 cases of bonded bourbon. Yeah. So far, we've located three of the trucks. Four? No, they'd already been unloaded. Sounds like a well-organized job. It sure was. That's why I don't understand where that fourth truck is. The three we found were together. Maybe more to trouble on the way back? Could be. If they abandoned it on the highway, we ought to know pretty soon. There's a three-state alarm out on it. Did you get anything from the three you located? No, but I interviewed the drivers and the hijackers used the same M.O. as that central city job last month. That file's still open, isn't it? Uh-huh. So it could be the same gang. Why don't you pull that file? Apart from each of them, somebody on the other phone. OK. Yo. That fourth truck has just turned up. The state police found it in a ditch near the intersection of Route 15 and 39. That one been emptied too? So far as the whiskey is concerned, but there was a body in the cab. It looked like somebody was trapped in the truck window. The ditch had caught fire. The trooper didn't examine the body. He called in to make his report and say he's standing by. I see. Jim. Yeah? I'm stuck at the desk tonight. Can you go out there? Sure, George. As soon as I'm done, I'll head to the office. Oh, same to you, Mrs. Foy. What's with the Mrs. Foy? Lean over the rail like you're looking for somebody on the pier. It'll be better if we don't know each other. Why? You're supposed to be making this trip with your husband. Oh, I already told the person he couldn't get aboard in time. Play it my way. OK. But... But what? Art, you don't think there's any possible chance of anybody finding out? About last night? Mm-hmm. Everything's clean. You're sure? Chuck Baldwin took care of it. He was driving the truck Pete rode in when they hit a dog stretch. Chuck tapped out your everlovin', ditched the truck and set fire to it. Oh. Morning papers even got a picture. The truck all burned in a... A thing about a guy's body being found inside. It goes again. We'll be pulling out in a couple of minutes. Want to hit the bar and buy a girl a drink? We don't know each other, remember? Ah, come on. Let's have some fun. Look, before you know it, we'll be in Boca Grande. Just the two of us on that plantation. Let's save it for there. Goodbye, Mrs. Ford. Nice to run into you again. A hijacked truck runs off the road into a ditch and catches fire. The driver's body is found. It all appears to be an accident. But special agents of your FBI do not accept the obvious. The ditch has gone over foot by foot. The truck is examined with painstaking care. And the following morning at the FBI field office. Hi, Jim. Oh, hello, George. You've been out there all night? Yeah, I just got back. Couldn't you know the truck till about an hour ago? What happened? The truck body was metal, frankly, for a while. I wasn't sure it had ever cooled off. I guess the killer figured the same thing. The killer? Oh, yeah, George. The truck is more than a hijacking. A man we found on the truck had been murdered. He died from a blow on the head. Oh. It turned out to be somebody named Pete Ford. Pete Ford? Yeah, Ford's wall was near the truck, and a ring the corpse was wearing at the initials' PFO. The teletype came in this morning from the resident agent to Central City. He's worked up a lead on this Ford. Oh, it's too bad we didn't get it earlier. Oh, it is being murdered now. From what we can learn, he was about to quit. Oh? Yeah, I went over to Winterview Ford when this teletype came in. His bags were there all packed. Where'd she go? She and Ford had tickets to seal this morning for Boca Grande. Boca Grande? You think she'd go along? She did. I radioed the ship and learned she was a passenger. We've got nothing to hold her on. No, it's true. Here's Pete Ford's arrest record. It just came up from my den. Thanks, George. Okay, I'll cross check every name. We'll try to round up his gang. Oh, brother, what a joint. Babe was right. There's sure plenty of bananas. I wonder when we hit the plantation. Are you kidding? We're on it. Huh? If this map ain't lying, those are all mine. Well, one thing's for sure, we'll never starve. Art. Huh? Look through those trees. That house. Holy. Isn't it beautiful? Looks like a railroad station. And it's ours. Good old Pete. Art, please. Please what? Let's forget Pete. Okay with me. What a joy for a party. Yeah, we'll have him. You got the key? Yeah, here. You want to look around out here, face? No, let's go in. All right. Pete! Hello, pal. I can't be. Oh, that is, honey. We thought you... Well, I mean, we didn't... Too bad it didn't work. No, no, Pete, put it away. It's only a gun. You're not afraid of a little gun, are you? Please, Pete, I didn't... Out of the way, Julie. I got some unfinished business with Artie. We will return in just a moment to tonight's exciting case from the official files of the FBI. Now let's turn for a moment from lawbreakers to the kind of law abiding family that's the backbone of America. I'd like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Fairchild, George and Pamela Fairchild. Good evening. Good evening. You've been married how long, Mrs. Fairchild? Almost seven years. Children? Mm-hmm, two boys. Now, Mr. Fairchild, I'm going to ask you a question on a subject most men and women don't like to think about. However, it's an issue that every family with children ought to face. Well, fire away, Mr. Keating. Mr. Fairchild, if you should die, could your wife support those two boys on $120 a month? That's about what you'll get from Social Security. $120 a month? You couldn't live on that, could you, Pam? Well, I don't see how. What would be the minimum amount? Oh, I don't know about... George, what would I need anyhow? Gosh, I don't know. What you two do need is this fact-finding chart for fathers and mothers put out by the Equitable Society. Fact-finding chart? What does it do? It's a special chart issued by the Equitable Society to help you figure up exactly what income your family would need if the breadwinner should die unexpectedly. Say, that's a very good idea. That's something we've got to know. You'll have the answer in five minutes with this Equitable Fact-Finding Chart for fathers and mothers. Now, see? You're guided every step of the way by easy-to-understand pictures. Every major item of living expense is included. So you get an answer that's trustworthy and accurate. I think it would be fun to fill this chart out. I'll charge you for it, Mr. Keating. Not one cent. It's free. Your Equitable Society representative will be glad to give you a copy. And after you've filled it in, your Equitable Society man will show you how to turn social security into full security. With the big head start you get from social security, and whatever insurance you now own, only a small amount of additional insurance may be all it's required to give you that full security. So why not get in touch with your Equitable Society representative soon? Ask him for a free copy of the Equitable Society's fact-finding chart for fathers and mothers. That's E-Q-U-I-T-A-B-L-E. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. And now back to the FBI file, the Tropical Frame Up. To those familiar with law enforcement, it is not surprising to find the FBI calling a special agent at three o'clock in the morning to set him to work on a hijacking. The men of your FBI have learned one rule for every type of crime investigation. That rule is there is no substitute for speed. Clues may disappear in a matter of minutes. The memory of witnesses may fade. The entire structure of the case is different where the criminal has a head start of only an hour instead of a day. That is why no special agent of your FBI is ever off duty. His job is never nine to five, but nine to nine. Nine in the morning to nine the following morning. For the Federal Bureau of Investigation keeps the same hours as America's army of criminals. And crime takes no holidays. Tonight's file continues on the island of Boca Grande. Special agents Taylor and Wilcox are in the office of the island's chief of police. And so it would seem pretty obvious that the man whose body we found on the truck was Pete Ford. Senor, you were able to get no fingerprints. No, we tried, but it was impossible. I see. Now, about this Pete Ford's wife. Well, we're not sure, but we've got reason to believe that she may have been mixed up in a killing. See, we uncovered evidence that Ford had a partner named Art Graham. We then learned that Graham and Mrs. Ford were better than just good friends. I see. And according to the passenger list of the boat Mrs. Ford took down here, one of her traveling companions was the same Art Graham. The old story, yeah, that's right. Oh, have you been able to get anything for us yet? No, Senor. When I got your cable, I sent a man to see if Senor Ford bought any property on the island. So far, I have heard nothing from him. We did a little checking before we came over here. None for it? No, we tried to locate Graham, but no hotel here or in San Sabra had him registered. We brought pictures of Graham if you could distribute them. No, certainly not. Chief Brazos. This is Gonzalez. I'm at the Hall of Records. Have you found anything yet? Just now. Senor Ford bought a banana plantation last month. The Solano family sold it. Oh, I know where that is. Thank you, Gonzalez. Come back to the office immediately. Now, look, Pete, you've got to believe me. I didn't have anything to do with it. Stop lying to me. I tell you, I didn't... Stop lying to me, I said. But I've got a right to tell my side of it. I already know it. Okay, then, if you're satisfied with what you think, you know, kill me. Go ahead. All right, let's hear your story. This is the truth, Pete, so help me. Go on. Well, when you didn't come back from that job, by the time morning came, I was scared stiff. Yeah. Yeah. And then Art came to the apartment all in a lather and said something had gone wrong, and you were plenty hot with the cops right then. Yeah? Yeah. And he said you told him to get me on the boat and come on down here with me to look after me until you'd cooled off and could make it here yourself. No kidding. Honest, I didn't want to go off and leave you, but if you thought it was best there, there wasn't anything else for me. Pete, it's the truth everywhere I'm saying. Don't you believe me? Chuck Baldwin got cold feet about knocking me off, Julie, and told me the whole story. Well, I don't care what Chuck Baldwin told you. I do because the way it turned out, you and Artie did me a big favor. What do you mean? As far as the cops are concerned, Pete Ford is a dead man. What? I did to Chuck Baldwin what he was supposed to do to me, then I fixed it so the cops would think he was me. But... Then I grabbed a plane and come on down here to be on hand to greet you and Artie when you arrived to set up housekeeping. Oh, listen, Pete. Shut up. And I sent you and Artie did me such a big favor, I'm gonna do you one now. I'm gonna let you stay and keep house with Artie. But you might have a little trouble explaining to the cops why he has to lie down all the time. You know, I couldn't have been the cause of it. Remember? I'm dead. Pete! So long, sucker! And enjoy the bananas. Now the long search seems almost over. A long search that started 1,500 miles from the tiny island with a hijacking. A hijacking that included a murder. Arriving at the banana plantation, special agents Taylor and Wilcox first examined a car standing in the driveway. There was luggage piled on the back seat. Luggage belonging to Julie Ford and Art Graham. The car contained no further evidence. Well, let's go up to the house, George. Okay, Jim. It's quite a place that Ford picked up. Yeah. Rosas was right about that storm coming up. I hope it doesn't hit too quick. Yeah. Hello, Mrs. Ford. I don't know you. We're special agents of the FBI here on my credentials. Well, what do you want here? I mean... All right, come on in. Thank you. Go ahead, George. Mrs. Ford, the reason we're here is... Jim, look. Art Graham. Yeah, it's him and he's dead. But I didn't do it. Oh, who did? My husband. Oh? Nobody believes me. Mrs. Ford, we were led to think your husband died Monday night. He didn't. He was in this house less than an hour ago. And he killed Art Graham. Well, where is he now? I don't know. He walked out. Maybe that's him calling. Would you answer it, please? I don't want to talk to him. All right. Hello. This is Police Chief Brazos. Can I talk to Mr. Taylor or Mr. Wilcox? Oh, this is Taylor speaking. Oh, Taylor. A cable message just came from your office. Will you read it to me, please? See. A body in truck identified through dental records. It is Charles Baldwin alias Chuck. Baldwin's record shows previous arrest with Pete Ford believed member of his organization. That all? Yes, Senor. Thanks very much. Bye. Is that him? Oh, that was the Chief of Police here. George, the body in the truck's been identified. It's not Ford. Well, I told you it wasn't. It's Chuck Baldwin. That's right. Well, now you've got to believe me. I couldn't know that unless Pete told it to me. Well, we believe you, Mrs. Ford. George, if Pete Ford left you almost an hour ago, he might be trying to get off the island. Let's try to stop him. Oh, that was you knocking. Yeah. Brother, what a storm. Yes, a bad one. Uh, is that your boat tied up at the foot of the pier? Yes. I want to charter it. All right. Wait till I look in the book. Yes. Well, tomorrow is ranted. Sunday is ranted. Monday? I want it right now. Fishing is not good in the storm. I don't want to fish. I've got to get to Cuba. I'm sorry, Mr. If I took you there, I wouldn't be back in time for tomorrow and I'm ranted already. You sign out there says 50 bucks a day. Well, that's what I charge. You bring as many people as you want. I'm alone and I've got to be in Cuba by tomorrow. I'll pay you 500 to take me. 500 dollars. Yeah. What about it? All right. All right, come on. Not now. We have to wait till the storm clears. Huh? Well, how long will that be? Sometimes last an hour, two hours, never more. You have your papers to get into Cuba. Huh? Yeah, yeah, they're in my pocket. Here, please sign your name in the book. Why? It's the law. Is there anything else before we go? Yes, I must have your exit pass. My what? You don't live on Boca Grande? No. Well, when you came, the man gave you a blue card. Oh, yeah, yeah, that's right. I threw it away. I cannot take you off the island without such a card. I just told you I threw it away. The police will give you another one. Look, can't you forget about that? I will lose my license. Okay, okay, I'll go get one. And if the storm's over when I come back, we take off. Jim, look at that rain. I see something that bothers me even more. What's that? That patch of clear sky out there. The storm will probably be over pretty quick. Well, when it is, we can pick up the search again. Well, I'm afraid Pete Ford might be waiting for it to clear too. There are only two ways he can get off the island, and we've checked the airlines and the steamship offices. Yeah, I know. Brazos didn't come up with any more charter services, did he? No, none we didn't cover. Well, then maybe Ford's going on to somewhere on the island. After all, he's got nothing to go back to the States for. That's true enough. I doubt he'll break his neck to get to check Baldwin's funeral. Baldwin. Baldwin? Yeah, what about him? Look, so far as Ford knows, we still think he's dead, right? Yeah. Come on, George, let's make all those calls again. Come on, Soviet. Did you get the exit pass? Yeah. Can I have it? Well, we got to Cuba. I must put it with my papers before we go. I said you'll get it when we're here at Cuba. I'm sorry, Mr. Baldwin. I need it now. OK. What are you doing with that gun? You wanted to see my exit pass? This is it. It's my passport to Cuba, too. I'm not afraid. I had a lot of guys say that. I never knew any of them who really wanted to die. You're the first. No, but you can't kill me. Why not? If you do, how will you get to Cuba? Maybe I'll find another boat. I got a chance if you don't take me, but not you. Tell me down and you're dead. I see. This way you make yourself 500 bucks and keep on living. All you got to do is run me across to Cuba. Now, what's it going to be? All right. I'll take you. Ah, smart boy. Come on. Hold it, Fordon. What? I'll take that gun. Hey, what is this? An arrest. Special Agent of the FBI. And thank you, Captain, for stalling till we got here. Pete Ford was brought back to the United States and turned over to local authorities who tried and convicted him on a charge of murder. All other members of his hijacking organization were rounded up and convicted in federal court for theft from interstate shipment. Special Agents Taylor and Wilcox located the charter service Pete Ford was trying to use when they checked to see if anyone employing the name Chuck Baldwin had applied for transportation. And so another case from the files of your FBI was closed. Closed with the arrest and conviction of the criminals. That result was important to you, the decent citizen, wherever you are. For crime begets crime. And if one killer is allowed to go unpunished, he might kill again. Both of Pete Ford's victims were fellow criminals. But had he not been apprehended, had he gotten to Cuba and then back to this country, his next victim might have been an innocent truck driver, a passing motorist, might indeed have been anyone, even you. Now just two things to remember about the Equitable's fact-finding chart for fathers and mothers. First, it shows you exactly what monthly income your family would require if the breadwinner should die unexpectedly. Second, this pictorial chart doesn't cost you one cent. Ask your Equitable Society representative for a free copy. If you cannot locate an equitable agent, send a postcard care of this station to the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Next week we will dramatize another case from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Its subject, manhunt. Its title, The Stranger. The incidents used in tonight's Equitable Life Assurance Society's broadcast are adapted from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, all names used are fictitious. And any similarity thereof to the names of places or persons living or dead is accidental. Tonight the music was composed and conducted by Frederick Steiner. Your narrator was William Woodson and special agent Taylor was played by Stacey Harris. Others in the cast were Michael Ann Barrett, Bill Conrad, Herb Ellis, Billy Hallop, Gaylord Pendleton, and Vernon Ritt. This is your FBI. A Jerry Divine production was directed by Sid Goodwin. This is Larry Keating speaking for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community. And inviting you to tune in again next week at this same time when the Equitable Life Assurance Society will bring you another thrilling transcribed story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Stranger on This Is Your FBI. Stay tuned for the adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. There's fun for the whole family when Ozzie and Harriet come your way next. This program came to you from Hollywood.