 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're Detective Sergeant. You're assigned a burglary detail. You get a call from a citizen that a burglary is in progress. You know the exact location. Your job? Stop it. Next 30 minutes in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step-by-step on the side of the law to an actual case when inscribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. On June 14th, it was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out a burglary detail. My partner, Frank Smith, the boss is Captain Bernard. My name is Friday. We're on our way back from a show up and it was 1147 p.m. and we got to room 45. Burglary squad room. You want to get started on the report? Yeah. I should be glad to get home. I'm tired. Is the building yet? What? I've seen the new building yet. Yeah, part of it. Sure is great. I thought I just thought everything. That lab looks like something out of a movie. It's all steel and tile. Lee Jones is going to flip. I was going to feel they have all that room. It's going to be great to have the lab in the same building anyway. Very funny. Yeah, that's right. What's that address? Don't try to stop him. Goodbye. That's Cote. Huh? It's a burglary. Yeah. The guy's there now. Frank and I left the city hall code 3. A few blocks from the place we cut off the red light and siren. The address was a large drug store located at the corner of Olive and San T streets. We parked the car in the middle of the block and walked the rest of the way. The store was dark when we arrived, but the front window had been smashed and the sidewalk was covered with broken glass. Stay right in here. Don't go messy things up. Where's the office? Oh, I'll be expecting you. I'm going to teleport you. I'm off of Muncie. Oh, that's you. This is Frank Smith. My name's Friday. Hello. Hello. Took you long enough to get you. The thief's gone. Where'd he go? He just took off. That's all. Took off. Which way? Down there. There. Right down the street. Do you have a car? I don't know. I didn't see one. Well, if he did, he didn't drive it. You run away down the street. You see? See? That way. How long go do you leave? Right after I called you. I come back here to keep an eye on you. You crash through the window and took off. Right down that way. The street. What do you look like? Can you tell us? Sure. I got a good look at him. Real good when he come out through the window. He kind of laid on the sidewalk for a minute. I like it when I heard it right. Right after that, he went home. All right. Soon after you give us the description. Oh, you want just the same as I give it to the other fellows? Who's that? The other cops. I give them a good look. I told them all about the thieves. Where are they now? Do you know? They took out after him. They got in the car and drove off looking for him. How long ago was that? Right away. They drove away right behind the man. What they called him. They were right behind him. Now then, you want to know what happened? That's right. I thought you would. Well, I was on the way home from the movie down the street. I go there every Tuesday night. They got dishes, you know. Okay. Give them away dishes. I've been going since they started. The night was soup bowl night. Already got five of them. The night fills out my set. Yes, sir. How about the burglary? The burglary. Would you tell us about it? Oh, yes. Well, good. I get to talk and the back gets loose. You got to stay on the track. Yes, sir. Well then, now, uh, yeah. Well, where was I? You were on the way home from the movie. Oh, yeah. Well, I was just walking along. I got here by the drug store and I heard this noise. First off, it kind of scared me. I didn't expect it, you know. Yes, sir. What was it? The noise? That's right. Glass. Oh, a lot of glass being broken. I turned around and right away, I knew it'd come from the drug store. So I went over to take a look. Yeah. What do you think I saw? I wouldn't know, sir. Do you like to take a guess? Well, sir, why don't you just tell us? This fella was laying right on the floor, right in the middle of the floor. The glass all over. I guess he'd fell on one of the showcases. He sure broke it all up. Mm-hmm. Just laying there, not moving at all. Then all of a sudden, quick light, he jumped up and that's when he saw me. Standing there looking right at him. He saw me. Yes, sir. Right off. I knew he didn't have no right in the store. I knew it right away. Mm-hmm. You know how I knew? I guess you have an idea. You? No, I don't have an idea. Well then, the light wasn't on. Oh, sir, there wasn't any light on, so I knew he was a thief. That's when I went to call you. Mm-hmm. He was a phone booth fan, see? At across the street. He would keep my eye on the place all the time. Yeah. Come back here to make sure he didn't get out. And first, I thought the guy was gone. You see, I couldn't see him at all. Yeah. Then he came out from behind the counter, back in the back of the place. I could see he was hurt. Something was wrong with his arm. He felt it kind of like this. See? Like it was something wrong? Yes, sir. He was trapped. No way to get out. With his arm hurt, he couldn't find him out. So what do you think he did? Well, I wouldn't know. Your turn. Go ahead. Go ahead, please. Started running. Come right at the window. Running as fast as he could. Crash right through it. Boat cleaned through it. Landed here on the side wall. There. See? See? Right on the side wall. Glass all around him. Mm-hmm. Layed there for a minute, then he got up and took off down the street. He was hurt so bad. I could see where he'd hit his head on the window. All cut up. Would you know the man if you saw him? Oh, you bet I would. I'd know him any place. We'd like to have him come downtown and look at some pictures. Sure, sure. Anything I can do. You just name it. All right. I'm going to score to settle with that guy myself. I want to see you get it there, sir. We understand. I'll be ashamed of himself. Whole thing's his fault. Now, what happened then? Come crash it out that window? What's that? My personal reason for wanting to see you get him. Mm-hmm. He made me drop my soup bowl. We got a complete description of the suspect and a local broadcast and an APP were put out. Arrangements were made for the witness to be taken to the city hall to check through the mug books, and then Frank and I started to canvas the area. 12.20 a.m. You think you made it? I don't know. The way Arthur Muncie put it, he was hurt pretty bad. Couldn't get too far. Yeah. You want to pull up? Let's check that alley. All right. No, it doesn't go all the way through. Mm-hmm. Besides, good. I can see it. I got my hands up. I'm not going to cause me trouble. I give up. I give up. Walk out here. Keep your hands where we can see them. I'll check them, Joe. All right. Turn around. Turn around. Put your hands against the wall. All right. All right. I'm doing just what you say. Just like you tell me now. All right. He's clean. All right. Turn around. Come on. Put your hands back. No, no. Look, please. Don't put your hands against the wall. Please don't. My wrist is broken. I can't do it. All right. Hands behind your head. Walk out toward the street. All right. Get me a doctor with it. I don't feel good. I'm going to get worse. The suspect was taken to Judge Street Emergency Hospital for treatment. We identified him as Leroy Ernest Finch, 27 years old. He had a record listing two convictions of burglary along with several misdemeanor arrests. His mugshot was shown to the witness and we got a positive identification. After emergency treatment, Frank and I were able to talk to him. How about it, Finch? Make a statement? About what? The burglary. You guys are forgetting something. What's that? I'm the one who's sick. I don't know what you're talking about. I don't think about any burglary. That's a nice try, Finch. It's not going to work. You better tell me what you're talking about. We got a witness who saw you break into a drugstore tonight. He's willing to go to court with it. Well, then you better get a new witness because the one you got is all worn out. Yeah? Yeah, that's right. How'd you get cut up? A couple of guys tried to rob me. I didn't like the idea and they put the screws to me. You didn't expect that story to stand up? You got to prove it didn't happen. We can't. Well, then be my guest. Why don't you save us all a lot of time and cop out here? Well, that'll make things real easy on you, wouldn't it? It'll help. It's too bad I can't go along with you, boys, but I'm not going to carry a beef I didn't build. You want us to believe that, don't you? I don't care what you believe. I'm telling you the truth. I was mugged tonight. A couple of guys took my wallet, beat me up, and that's the way it is. There's nothing you can do to change it. Well, we'll see. I'll find new about any burglary. I'll tell you, there's no reason not to. I can think of a couple. Spell them. You've fallen twice before. I thought we'd get her out of that. Well, you guys better take another look. You can't bring up my record in court. You're going to have to make this on your own, and I'm giving you nothing. It's a little later, huh? Huh? You already have. That morning, the suspect was removed to the prison ward at General Hospital. He was reported in good condition, was expected to recover in time to stand trial. Frank and I worked with the district attorney's office in preparation of the case. A check of the drug store by Harlan's stall of late and print detail had turned a complete set of usable prints. Blood stains found on the floor of the place were of the same type as finches. Particles of cloth on the transom, where entry had been made, matched the suit the suspect was wearing. According to the district attorney's office, the case was complete, and the conviction was assured. Thursday, June 16th, we attempted to re-question the suspect, but he was sullen and uncooperative. 6.47 p.m., Frank and I got back to the office. How about some tea? All right, where do you want to go? How about that taco place on Broadway? We were there yesterday. Good food, prices are in line. I don't know, I think you could live on beans and tacos, couldn't you? Sometime I'd like to try. There you go. Burgary Friday. How long ago? We'll be right over. Your dinner's going to have to wait tonight. All right. Leroy Finch, he just broke jail. We left the office and drove over to General Hospital. An immediate warning had gone out to all officers in the city carrying Finch's description. As far as we knew, he was still wearing hospital clothes and wouldn't be too difficult to spot. We went up to the 13th floor and met with a guard who had been on duty. And you see, he went out this way. 13th floor to the street. Not easy to believe. How do you make it? Well, as we can figure, he threw the bed sheets into strips, braided them together, worked at one of the bars until he could slip through. He must have looped the sheets around the other bars and lowered himself. How far could he go that way? Two stories. After that, he must have rested on the ledge while he pulled the sheets down after him. Kept going until he got to the street. Anybody see him on the way down? You know, we're checking now. And I'd like for you, if there had been anyone, they'd let us know. Sure, I hate to see that guy on the loose. The way he talked, he's going to cause a lot of trouble. Any chance he had help getting out? No, he's the only one in the room. Didn't have any visitors. Door was locked. You mentioned any friends in town? Anybody might go to? No, but the only thing he talked about was the beef against him. All the time saying that he was going to beat it. How he was going to blow your case sky high. Yeah. And he was sure of himself. Said you'd never get him in a court. You didn't have a chance. Yeah. It looks like he might have been all right. He isn't going to change. He hasn't beat it. Yeah? He just postponed it. For the rest of the night, the area was subjected to an intense search. All people in the vicinity were questioned. Cars going into and out of the blockaded section were checked. At 7.30 the next morning, a search was called off. Apparently Leroy Finch had made good his escape before the warning had been sounded. For the next two days, Frank and I checked everybody listed in his package. Friends and relatives were placed under surveillance. All known associates in places he was known to frequent were checked. Word went out to inform us for possible leads. Every step was being taken to bring Leroy Finch back into custody. Sunday, June 19th, we got word that Finch had been seeing a woman just before his arrest. Her name didn't appear in any of the reports. Frank and I drove out to see her. I guess this is it. Well, what about the back? Well, this is the only entrance. All right. I'll get the door. I'll try it again. Yeah. Who is it? I'd like to see Miss Wall, please. Who is it? I'd like to talk to you. It's important. I've got to tell you that. Go on in. All right. I'll just have some coffee. Look at this funny funny. Yeah. You've got to excuse the way the place looks. I wasn't expecting company. It's all right. For you a cup of coffee? No, thanks. How about you? All right. What do you want to know about Leroy? When'd you see him last? Oh, let me think. I guess it was a week, 10 days ago. Not since, huh? Uh-uh. Did they come at all? No. What is all about? What's all it done? It's all been in the papers. Oh, sorry. They're funny. They could have been at blank. What's he done? You want to talk to him? Well, not that, huh? That's all right. What do you know about him? Nice guy. Good spender. We've been out a couple of times. Dinner, dancing, nothing special. The dress is good. Looks nice. Way too much padding in his coat outside of that. He looks like something in a magazine. What'd you meet him? Cafeteria downtown. I was in Leroy eating one night. The place was pretty crowded. We came over and asked if it would be OK if he sat at my table. Oh, yeah. Finished eating. We went out and had a couple drinks. How long ago was that? Let me see you. Just a couple of months. You ever talk about any of his friends? Yeah. You know where he lived? I don't think he had one place. He kept moving around. You know, one hotel this week, some other place, and I kept moving. Where was he staying the last time you saw him? I don't know. Some place down on Pico, I think. They can't give us an address, huh? No. All right, Miss Woe. We'll leave you one of our cards. We'd appreciate it if you could call us in the event. Then she gets in touch with you. What's true? I hear anything. I'll call you right away. Oh, excuse me a minute, huh? Go ahead. We can find the door. OK. Hello. Uh-huh. Oh, yeah. Just a minute. Is that the party? Yeah. Your office. They want to talk to you. Thank you. Thank you very much, Miss Woe. Don't mention it. Let's go. Yeah. All right. See you there now? No, he left about an hour ago. Whose place belonged to him? I don't know. We want to talk to him. We'd better step on it. We're on to say that both of them had suffered serious gunshot wounds. Mrs. Gillner had been hit in the left shoulder and the neck while her husband had been shot in the arm and chest. The man was on the operating table at the time, but the doctor said we could talk to the woman briefly. Frank and I went into the treatment room. Mrs. Gillner. Mrs. Gillner? We're police officers. Man like talk to you if you feel up to it. I guess so. I guess it's all right. We'd like you to look at a picture and see if it's the man who shot you. Where is it? Right here. I'll hold it for you. Miss the man? Hard to see it. Could be the best you can, please. That's him. He's the one. Can you tell us what happened? How's Fred? Have you heard how my husband is? We don't know yet, ma'am. Shot Fred, too, you know. Shot us both. Now, can you tell us what happened? Came into the house last Thursday night. Came in. Yes, ma'am. I tried to rob us. Fred surprised him in the closet. I guess he was trying to steal some clothes. Oh, Saturday? Yes. Night. All right. You can go on, please. I had Fred's gun. Mr. Founder in the bureau. Had it pointed right at us. Kept waving it around. Yes, ma'am. Miss, stay in the house. Three days. Kept us prisoner. Three days with the gun. Then tonight, Fred tried to get the gun away from him. There was a fight. A terrible fight. Him and Fred. You want to stop Miss Giller? No. Not much more. He shot Fred. Cold blood. Shot him. Then me. Kept us prisoner. Then shot him. Awful thing. Shot. All right, Miss Giller. We'll do what we can. That's the best thing. Best thing. What can we find, Dr. Salmon? I think I saw him a couple of minutes ago. I went into treatment room number three. All right, if we're good. Yes, he's alone. Thank you. Oh, Peefield's the same way. What do you mean? The bullet severed the spinal cord. Oh. He'll never walk again. A check was made at the Gilmore house and their automobile was found to be missing. From papers in the house, we got a make and license number. A supplemental broadcast was gotten out carrying the information. The description of Leroy Finch was broadcast to all policemen in Southern California every 30 minutes. At the end of each transmission, the officers were warned that the suspect was armed and was to be considered extremely dangerous. Border stations were notified and the checkpoints into Nevada were alerted. Bus and railroad stations were covered and airline terminals were placed under surveillance. Roadblocks were set up on highways into and out of Los Angeles. If Leroy Finch was still in the city, every precaution was taken to prevent his escape. 36 hours went by without word. Tuesday, June 21st, Frank and I checked into the office. I'll check the book. Little. Friday? Yeah. I'm trying to eat you guys. Where you been? We just got back from 77. What's the matter? We better check with the skipper. That car Finch was driving? Yeah. They just found it. The vehicle had been found by a motorcycle officer on the side street in the Hollywood area. As soon as he'd made sure of the identification, he'd notified Captain Bernard and then he'd staked out on the car. Four teams of officers had been dispatched to the scene in the search of the area was started. Frank and I went down the hall to chief that Brown's office and we checked with Captain Bernard. He told us to leave for the scene immediately and take charge of the investigation. We went back to the squad room before leaving. Want to sign it, Tom? Yeah. I got it. Burgary Friday. Hurry up. Speak up a little. I can't hear you. What's that? I will be right there. It was Hazel Wall. Finch's girlfriend? Yeah. He just walked in. We notified Captain Bernard what happened and along with him and two teams of men from robbery detail, we left for the woman's address. The building was covered completely and Frank and I went up to the front door. Right now, Joe, can you come back later? Finch must be with her. Yeah. I'm leaving town. It won't take very long. Easy. All right. Hi, Joe. Didn't expect to see you. Got a call from New York. Got to get back there right away. Thought I'd come over and tell you. Sorry about that date for the morning. Oh, it's okay. I understand. All along, huh? Yeah, but I was just getting ready to go out. Anybody I know? I don't think so. Friends out in the valley can't make me up for dinner. Well, I sure wish I could keep that date tomorrow. So do I. Hey, I wonder if I could have a drink of water. Yeah. I guess so. I'll get it. Here, I'll come with you. There's a glass. All right, let you stay here. All right, be careful. Well, I'll be running along. Okay. We know you're in the bedroom. Throw that gun out and you follow it. Come on, Finch, throw out the gun. You come and get me, cop. We can wait a lot longer than you can, Finch. Well, let's see. We'll take the building apart if we have to. Go ahead. I'm not going to walk out of here. All right, you called it. Frank? Yeah. Get on stairs. Ask them to bring up the gas equipment. Okay. Watch it, Frank. Coming out. Come on, Finch. Leave me alone. I can't get up. You're not hurt that bad. It's just a shoulder wound. I am too. I don't. I'm going to die. I know it. Come on. I'm going to die. You're pretty sure of that, aren't you? Yeah, I can feel it. You got it wrong, Finch. Huh? It won't be that easy. The names were changed to protect the innocent. In October 4th, trial was held in Department 97 Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial was tried and convicted of burglary in the first degree, escape, a felony, assault with intent to commit murder, two counts, and grand theft auto, one count in view of his past record. And because of the viciousness of his crimes, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the state penitentiary without possibility of parole. 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.