 Ladies and gentlemen the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent Dragnet brought to you by Chesterfield. This is the best Chesterfield and the time to change today You're a detective sergeant you're assigned a burglary detail a man walks into a pawn shop and wants to sell a ring Indications are that the ring is stolen your job find out This is the best Chesterfield and the time to change today in choosing your cigarette be sure to remember this You will like Chesterfield best because only Chesterfield has the right combination of the world's best tobaccos Tobaccos that are highest in quality low in nicotine Best for you all of us smoke for relaxation for comfort for Satisfaction and in the whole wide world no cigarette satisfies like a Chesterfield Get a carton of Chesterfields today Chesterfield regular Chesterfield king size Both at the same price in most places in regular or king size you can get them either way The best smoke ever made the Chesterfield you buy today Smokers coast to coast are changing. It's a cinch to do Here's all you have to say to get the one that's best for you Chesterfields for me Chesterfields for me You just say it's Chesterfields for me This is the best Chesterfield and the time to change today 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, June 17th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We're working the day watch out of burglary. My partner's Frank Smith The boss is Captain Bernard. My name is Friday We were assisting another team in checking out pawn shops, and it was 9 27 a.m. We got to 552 South Main Street Civic loan company What is it business a pleasure little of both like check the Bible can herb sure thing. I'll get it for you Where's your partner took the day off gonna get some sunshine? You picked a good day for it. Hey, Joe. Thank you Herb of these all the tickets for yesterday. Yeah, I was kind of slow Monday You'd find anything. No, no what we want Okay, thanks, sir. Oh, it's okay. You know what you only time we can help you fellas. Yeah Say Joe while we're here. I'd like to look at the guitar what it's not for me You know me better than that the only piece I know is it ain't gonna rain no more. What's wrong with how dry I am It's funny. What do you got in a good guitar herb? I'll come on down here. I'll show you some good buys One of my neighbors asked me to check if I had a chance wants to buy his kid one What do you got you say what you want to spend? No, but I don't guess he wants to lay out too much How about that one hanging up there the one with the knobs on it? Oh, that's an electric What's with the knobs for volume? Oh How much you know that one let's you have for $30. I don't think you'll go that much you got something cheaper The kid can make his own volume That's nice looking though. Don't you think Joe? Yeah. Hey, here's a good one of Spanish. Is that the regular kind? That's right. How much is it $12? Oh, that sounds more like his speed. Can I see it your thing? It isn't tuned but go ahead and strum it Uh-huh, but what should I be listening for tone? Oh, oh, excuse me. Sure. Go ahead her How's it sound to you Joe? I don't know. I'm with you. What do we listen for here tone, you know, oh, yeah This neighbor told me is pretty lucky. How's that? Well, his kids been watching those singing cowboys on TV So now he wants to be one with a guitar. Mm-hmm This guy next door says is glad his kid hasn't got all wrapped up in space shows Well says they couldn't afford a spaceship. Yeah, I don't guess they're too many second-hand spaceships for sale Are there Joe? I think he's trying to push your hot ring. I turn it down. Let's go Hey you fella hold it up. You mean me. That's right police officers. What's the matter? Let's go over the doorway right over here Well, why I'm on move Hands over your head Turn around he's clean see your identification like what you got a driver's license. Yeah, get it out Yeah, take it out of the wallet Give it to me James Fetter is your true name. Yeah, you live at this address 1201 soft Ratten Street. Yeah Right here. You are What were you doing in that shop? Oh, I didn't sell a ring. Let's see it. All right The ring belong to you. Yeah, I'm gonna wait here Frank. I'll check her right You want to come out here a minute? Sure. Take a look here. That the man who tried to set you the ring down there Yeah, look at this. This is the ring Mm-hmm. That's an emerald real good stuff. Why'd you turn it down? I thought there was something wrong like I said Yeah, well, he wanted to sell it for $20. Yeah rings worth close to a thousand We took James better to the office for questioning Frank checked with our and I and found that he had a previous record He'd been picked up on suspicion of burglary and had served one term for auto theft The ring was examined and found to be genuine better maintained the ring belonged to him After an hour of interrogation he began to change his story All right, I didn't know what it was worth. You mean the ring wasn't yours then. Yeah If I'd known it was worth that much I wouldn't have tried to sell it so cheap. Where'd you get it? I found it where MacArthur Park when last night I go over there all the time the evening Did you do anything about trying to find out who lost the ring? Yeah, I checked in the papers and the lost and found I guess I looked in all of them I didn't see any adzo for a green ring Uh-huh. Well, I looked at the ring real close and didn't seem like a good stone So I decided maybe it wasn't worth anything advertising. Oh, but it was worth trying to sell wasn't it? Well, like I said, I ain't working a few bucks would come in handy. Yeah, sure You don't believe me. Do you well you haven't given us much reason to have you started out of line? Why should we think different now? Yeah, I guess I told you was mine I was afraid maybe you think I stole it, but I told you the truth now I have I can prove it you take me out there you take me that park right now little that prove Oh, I'll show you just why I picked it up. Well now if we wait until Sunday the trip won't be wasted. Will it huh? We can listen to band concert to We continued to question James better, but we were unable to change his story He was booked in on suspicion of violation of section 459 PC and held for investigation We made a check of his residence his friends and the places he was known to frequent We could find nothing to hold him on He came up on the overtime sheet and he was released the ring was booked as found property Friday, June 20th Morning, Joe. Hi. You check the book. Yeah, nothing in mm-hmm. Go Let it for you. Thank you, right Listen to this You did me a favor now. I'm gonna do you one go to the Greyhound bus depot rental locker number 103 Yeah, that all take a look at it here Hi Britain no greeting no signature Yeah, what do you think let's check it out Frank and I took the letter over to latent Prince and then we drove over to 6th of Los Angeles Street the Greyhound bus depot We went to the office of Ralph Thomas the regional manager We told him about the letter and in his company. We went to check on locker number 103 Well the lockers empty now We'll have to see if anything's been removed from it recently Want to come with me gentlemen. We'll take the elevator at the basement. All right, fine. Thank you very much How are the lockers checked, Mr. Thomas the 10th sense pace for 24 hours all lockers are checked at midnight I see When the time limits up the articles are removed and a new lock's put on the locker I see of course as long as the fees paid we don't bother mm-hmm All the things removed a ticket it and held for 90 days I see see we hold them here at the depot for 30 days and then remove them to a warehouse You'd be surprised at how fast they accumulate. Yes There we are You mean all these things here have been left in lockers people check them didn't come back for that's right We get quite a variety of things you sure do of course not all of them are of much value For instance sometimes a personal go out by a new shirt change it in the station check the old one and forget about it Mm-hmm. Look at that Joe that stuff yellow poodle dog up there over there half a radio That's not much good unless you know the guy with the other half a flat iron Sure a lot of stuff Yeah, what about locker 103? Well, I've seen that If there was anything taken from it should be right over here mm-hmm Hey, there's a nice looking luggage. Don't see how a guy would forget something like that Here we are He feels like a small box. That's from number 103. That's what the ticket says see Mm-hmm. What about the date that this was removed? Let's see midnight June 17. I was three days ago Yeah Okay, if we open it not at all There you are here. Give me the paper. Yeah Looks like a Christmas card box. Oh Take a look Frank. Mm-hmm What's it a sergeant Friday jewelry? We signed a release form for the jewelry and then we went back to the office The check of pawn shop records was made and we found that all the pieces had been reported stolen in the recent burglary Layton Prince had called to say no prints were found The owner Mrs. Carlton Hendricks was notified and she came down to the office 1107 a.m. Are you mr. Friday the gentleman that I talked to on the phone? Yes, ma'am. It's my partner Frank Smith Oh, how do you do mr. Smith? How do you do Smith? Oh, that's a nice uncomplicated name If you don't mind my saying so mr. Smith, I think you look like a very competent officer Thank you, ma'am. And you mr. Friday you look Well as though you might be more complicated, but very efficient very nice of you. Thank you You see that's one of my hobbies reading character from faces my friends say that I'm most always right Yes, ma'am. Oh when you called I was so thrilled you can understand what it means to recover possessions that you've given up for last Yes, ma'am. Would you like to check the pieces now? Yes, you know I had to call off a bridge party this afternoon, but then there'll be others and this will be such an experience to tell them about Now if you just look at these pieces and tell us if they're yours. Oh, all right, mr. Friday, whenever you're ready Yes, ma'am. Well, this is the box. They were found in here. It's a Christmas card box How clever of them I must remember that you know tell my friends. Yes, ma'am. You do that Frank. Would you hand me that newspaper please? Hmm. Oh, yeah, thank you. I just spread these on the table here and you see them better I'm worried for just die if we saw this that your husband. Oh gracious. No, I don't have one I mean at present I'm divorced you see, but we're still very good friends. I meant Maurice the jeweler Just the way mr. Friday spread my jewels on the newspaper You see when Maurice showed me these things he had them all displayed on a wonderful piece of velvet Then you recognize these pieces being yours miss Hendrick's. Oh, yes Well, there's my wedding ring and my gold charm bracelet. Have you looked at that close gentlemen? No, I missed it. Oh, you should here now look And now you see all those things have a special meaning my husband gave them to me at the little stop and go light Oh, that was silly. I was just learning to drive. Yeah, it was a good thing. We had insurance Oh, this little wheelbarrow the first time we went to the races and I want so much money He said I'd need this to carry it in Well, then I guess we can report that the jewels have been identified by the owner, huh? Oh, you see this little star bone mr. Friday. Yes, ma'am It's got a number on it, but my husband didn't give me this. He didn't know no no it was all innocent enough But poor Colton that was my husband got furious I haven't caught him with a magnifying glass one day trying to read the number the dear jealous man Is everything out of the box mr. Friday? Yes, ma'am. It's all right there in the paper. Why well? I don't see my ring You mean this one right here. No, no, no, no, that's not it. It was an emerald and platinum setting When we check the burger report, I don't remember seeing any listing for that miss Hendrick. Yes, I know the time I made the report. I haven't missed it. These things are stolen from my jewelry box I thought the emerald was in the safety deposit box. I see but why didn't you make a report when you discovered that it was gone? Oh, well, it happened at a bad time. I'd made plans to go to Reno for a vacation You know what a lovely place that is Well, I thought the rest of the things were recovered the ring would be too well nevertheless She should have taken the time to report it man. Oh, yes, I know but at the time I was more concerned with my plans for this trip Have you ever been to Reno? No, ma'am. Oh, you should go sometime. It's really wonderful I'm going back this winter for the winter sports. Do you gentlemen ski eat? No, ma'am Miss Hendricks, how much was your ring valued for? Well, I'm not quite sure But I think Carlton paid something like a thousand dollars for it Well three days ago we recovered an emerald ring. It was supposed to have been found. It may possibly be yours Yeah, you see nothing to worry about. I just knew when I saw you two men that everything was going to be all right My friends are right. I can read characters. We'll have to go over to the property department to identify the ring Miss Hendricks. Oh good. Good. That'll be another experience I'm gonna have to get in touch with Carlton. I'll need another charm for my bracelet Yes, ma'am. You and I know now just what I want something that symbolizes this occasion and especially you two officers And you guess what it'll be I can't hear you Frank. No, Joe. I can't. Two little gold bloodhounds We took Miss Hendricks over to the property department in the central jail We signed out for the ring and she identified it as being hers All the jewelry was booked as evidence We went to the district attorney's office and got a warrant for the arrest of James Federer We got out a local and an APB on the suspect. Frank and I checked his residence We were told the suspect had moved several days previously The landlady had no forwarding address. She couldn't tell us about any visitors or any mail he'd received She was unable to tell us if he drove a car. We rechecked his known associates and friends several leads were obtained But none of them turned up anything five days went by Thursday, June 25th Morning Frank. Hi, Joe. You been here long? About five minutes. I just couldn't hit the lights this morning. What's new? Well, we got a call from Waddle theft. Yeah, they picked up a man early this morning trying to steal a car Somebody we want I think so James Federer You are listening to dragnet the authentic story of your police force in action all of us smoke for relaxation for comfort for satisfaction and in the whole wide world No, cigarette satisfies like a Chesterfield You smoke with the greatest possible pleasure when your cigarette is Chesterfield only Chesterfield gives you the right Combination of the world's best tobaccos tobaccos that are highest in quality low in nicotine Best for you get a carton of Chesterfield Chesterfield regular Chesterfield King size both at the same price in most places It's America's most popular two-way cigarette. This is the best Chesterfield and the time to change today Before Frank and I checked out of the office we contacted all of theft detail and told them we wanted to talk to Federer We drove over to the main jail. The suspect was brought to the interview room. How'd you guys were looking for that's right? I could have come in but I didn't think it was important. So you do it the hard way, huh? This is a bad beef. I guess you figure them all that way, huh? No, not always you take a chance you get caught It's bad, but you ain't getting credit for something you didn't do. That's so yeah What do you want to see me about you don't know no just as some of the boys said you're asking for me Thought maybe you'd like to tell us more about where you found that ring. Oh that again. Yeah that again You got my story now. What more do you want? We got an alibi now. We'd like the truth. I found sure you did I don't know where I fit in what you're trying to build, but I want no part of it It's not that simple. All right, you tell me that ring wasn't lost. It was stolen and you know it Do you figure I'm your pigeon is that it? Let's try it for size, huh? Not this time You can leave it with somebody else might take a little time, but we're gonna make you on it No, not from where I said you'll leave a better story than you got right now Well, not until you can prove I didn't find it. We got the other stuff you took oh come on Now you're really reaching. No, I don't think so. You did as a favor, but that doesn't put us on your side Look, maybe you better fill me in or you got your letter you did. Yeah, that's great. Now. Tell me what I said I'll do even better here. You read it This is a letter I wrote. That's right. I get it now. You found some stuff down at the Greyhound Depot You called it. Well, I'll give you something else. Yeah, I didn't write that letter I don't know who did but it wasn't me the ring you had has been identified by the owner a lot other stuff We recovered look I'll tell you something's like I said you take your chances, but I ain't gonna front for this deal Yeah, looks like someone was trying to nail me in but I don't want it. You said I did your favor I didn't but I'm gonna now all right. Why don't you I got that ring from a girl? I know what's her name Jill Mason Go ahead. Well, I ran into her the other night. I told her I could use a couple of bucks She's owed me 15 for a long time. She said she didn't have any cash, but she gave me the ring I didn't know what it was worth. That's the truth. I don't think she did either She's carrying a pretty fair package at the time and go ahead. She told me she got the ring from a boyfriend That's all I knew about her. Why'd you give us the story about the park? Well, I figured maybe keep her out of trouble long as you had the ring I thought that was enough. What's this girl mean to you? You mean how well do I know her? Yeah, I Talked to her that's all but the only reason I give this to you is I don't want to pay somebody else's bill She ever done any big time. I don't know. I never had any serious talks with her one tells where she lives. Yeah You know, I don't understand that letter. Maybe you still think I wrote it, but I didn't really got your word for that No, doesn't make sense. I'd send a letter if I'd taken the stuff and wanted to keep it You might have why you made a lot of other mistakes After further questioning the suspect gave us a description of Jill Mason in her address Frank and I went back to the office and checked her name through our and I but we found no previous record for anybody answering her description We drove over to 943 Wright Street and we found the apartment house Federer told us about Jill Mason's name was listed on a mailbox near the front entrance We went up to the third floor apartment 316 We rang the bell and the door was opened by a woman of about 35 years of age Her face showed signs of having recently been bruised. Yeah. What is it? You Jill Mason? That's right. Police officers would like to talk to you. Oh Well, I was just going to the beauty part. I am late now. We'd appreciate it if you can wait man. All right, all right if we come in Yes, sir. Thank you Live alone here. Yep All right, if we look around go ahead Right. Yeah, look, what's this all about? I don't think I like it that's slob whitey put you up to this big part Whitey the bartender of the one stop that cheers will make a fuss over the couple of 10 cent glasses I broke last night. They haven't talked to him It's okay, Joe Wouldn't surprise me if he had Imagine him telling me I wasn't no lady. His shins are gonna be sore for a couple of days. You know a person named James Federer That's the last name. Federer, F-E-D-E-R You saying knew me? Will you tell us that please? You know? Yeah Say, uh, this gonna take long to make a difference. Yeah, I'd like to call and cancel my appointment. All right. Thanks Hi Helen Jill Mason Gonna have to cancel my appointment Okay, I'll call you Yeah, I'm sorry, honey. Yeah Goodbye No sense keeping her waiting. I didn't have to ask if you'd be here long when it wasn't by last night. I know mm-hmm When if I sit on go ahead? I Could lie to you, but if you talked to Federer, it'd only be wasted breath I'm beat as it is more than one way. Did you give Federer a ring? That's what kicked the whole business off You know you see my face Looked too bad now, but you should have seen it a week ago. I Had had a gun. I think I shot him better. You mean no, he didn't have anything to do with it I mean Steve Remsen. Who's he guy that gave me the ring when I gave the feather for the money. I owed him. I Was pretty stupid about it, but that wasn't any reason for me to take the beating Where did this Remsen get the ring? Did you get my letter? So I got even with him Did you know the ring was stolen when you gave it to Federer? No Steve just gave it to me Didn't say anything about where it got it or how much it was worth nothing Just before I saw Federer had a fight with Steve Got a little loaded Federer asked me for the money. I gave him the ring Remsen told you it was stolen did he later if you'd found out what I'd done with it He got real sore said if Federer tried to pawn the ring they'd find out about the other stuff Said he couldn't go back to the bus station for it cops might pick him up. I see we were up here He was drinking got madder all the time and finally worked me over That I got in touch with me after you let him go told me what had happened I Didn't let on that. I knew about the ring, but that's when I figured how to get even with Steve. I mailed you the letter Know where Remsen is now. No, you'll probably call the day. I haven't seen him since he beat up on me But he'll call trying to make up. I told him we were through I Can get him up here for you. You know where he lives not now. It's moved. Can you give us the address? Sure, but don't you believe me? I wouldn't lie to you not after what he done to me I want to get even with him. That's all. I don't know why you don't buy it. Well, maybe we will yeah if he shows up We called the office and another team of men was sent out to check the address Joe Mason had given us for Steve Remsen We had the name checked through our and I but without result Frank went out and moved the car away from the building in case Remsen might show up He went back to the apartment waited for him to call ten hours went by she received several calls But none of them from Remsen Manuel Pena one of the detectives checking Remsen's address called and said that they found that he moved away on June 18 He said they'd make a follow-up investigation 1130 p.m. What if he doesn't call me you said he might then I know but it's never at any particular time I just said he'd been calling. Maybe you won't what happens in we'll wait and see Remember hold it so we can hear it Well, oh Hi I don't know if I can make it Well, I know I'd like to but I'll have to call you. Uh-huh Sure sure honey Thanks for calling. Bye Go friend wanted me to go bowling tomorrow night. Mm-hmm. You heard what I told her guess It's better not to try to plan anything. Yeah That's a front door buzzer someone's calling from down below doors locked at ten All right answer it and hold the receiver so we can hear you still don't trust me. That's not the point Wow Tim get him up here What's that Steve? Uh-huh, I know honey. I guess I was wrong, too Uh-huh. Come on up Hurry, honey There that'll open the front door for him. He'll be right up Frank. You want to lock this door? Yeah Carry a gun and I've got one Little set yeah, hiya doll police officers come to get your hands. What's going on over your head? Hold it right there Frank What is this Jill? All right, he's clean get your hands behind your back. Come on You heard him. These are police officers, honey. All right, hold it right there. Remember you and the cops I should have finished what I started with you. You tried you wouldn't have got you lately If you'd used your head, we wouldn't be in this mess now My fault for tying it with a knothead like oh, yeah, I now stop at both of you Sure It's just that you guys never come close if it wasn't for this dumb broad you tell us and it all worked out Things were going just the way I planned all right. Sure. I'd be sitting pretty except for her Yeah, sure you would dumb broad the biggest mistake she ever made. No, there was one other what the first time she talked to you The story you have just heard is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent on October 5th 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 You know any King's Eye cigarette can give you more length But only Chesterfield gives you premium quality tobacco to go along with it That's the big difference in King's Eye cigarettes for my money Chesterfield has the quality you want But don't take my word for it. See for yourself King's Eyes Chesterfield or regular. I think you'll find their best for you Steve Lynn Remsen was tried and convicted on one count of burglary in the second degree and received sentence as prescribed by Law burglary in the second degree is punishable by imprisonment for a period of not more than one year in the county jail Or by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of not less than one nor more than 15 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 technical advisors captain Jack Donahoe Sergeant Marty wins sergeant fans breacher Heard tonight were Ben Alexander Herb Ellis Harry Bartell Georgia Ellis Script by John Robinson Earl Schley Music by Walter Schumann. How'll give me 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 This is it L&M filters this is it Much more flavor L&M filters much less nicotine Remember it's the filter that counts and no filter compares with L&M's miracle tip for quality or Effectiveness you get much more flavor much less nicotine by L&M Kings highs or regular both at the same low price L&M light and mild Now to NBC election headquarters in New York This is Merrill Muller Here are the latest returns in a surprising election in which voter apathy disappeared during the last two days of the campaign Millions of voters unexpectedly turned out to vote in freezing weather in the West and rainy mixed weather with snow along these coasts As of this time the Republicans have elected one member to the Senate She's Margaret Chase Smith in Maine last month the Democrats have elected 11 senators all shoe in in the South In other Senate can't contest Republicans are leading in five races the Democrats in seven in the House the Republicans have elected 10 members The Democrats have elected 120 mostly in the South in other contests Republicans are leading in 25 House districts Democrats lead in 10 no net gain We'll be back on the air at 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time with a full all-night roundup across the nation Keep tuned to your NBC station for the later election news Here's a late bulletin on the Democratic governor contest in New York The Democratic state chairman says that April Harrowman is ahead and the Democrats claim Harrowman will win New York by 300,000 this is Merrill Muller at NBC election headquarters. 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