 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 as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community Since the Equitable Life Assurance Society was founded 90 years ago. This country has changed in many ways But in one respect it is still the same in those early days people always spoke of America as the land of opportunity Well, it still is the land of opportunity just as much as ever In just a few minutes in tonight's middle commercial the Equitable Society will have a special message for listeners who agree with this philosophy We will describe a special life insurance plan for men and women on the way up Offered by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States Tonight's FBI file the telltale ransom It is impossible to make any review of the field of crime and not feel Genuinely concerned over the number of criminals who are not only free But who are operating in almost every large city in the country They run gambling houses horse rooms or control the numbers racket in some cases They are able to operate because of local political protection Protection which enables them to escape public censure by occasionally sacrificing a menial in the organization to the police That makes the records look good In other cases it is simply a matter of the local police being undermanned underpaid or both Whatever the reason though the fact is that there is a criminal population throughout the country and Through their various enterprises, they are bleeding the public of money it can ill afford to throw away Tonight we have selected a file for dramatization, which will give you an insight into one particular type of criminal operation By telling you the story of the men who conceived and completed that operation Kidnapping tonight's file opens in a cemetery located on the outskirts of a large Midwestern city It is late at night and the eerie quiet is broken only by the sound of two men I buried it here myself Open it wait a second don't look bad A thousand and each bundle you take out ten bundles, right? Ten give me the rest how about my Marcus you want them tonight? Yeah, I'll come back to the joint with me, okay? Joey what one thing Wait six months before you spend that ten G's Why that's still too hot Kyle gets caught spending that stuff could get himself thrown on the jug or in the river A few days later at the local FBI field office special agent Jim Taylor is at his desk when agent Lou Mitchell approaches Jim Taylor. Yes, that's right Lou Mitchell. I just signed in this morning. Oh, I heard about that Lou It's nice to see you same here Jim SAC assigned me to work with you. That's fine. Which office you from Lou, New Orleans All right, you're just in time to start on a new case or I should say the reopening of an old one What kind is it kidnapping? Four months ago a man named Frank still where was kidnapped. He was the Local policy king. Oh his wife got a ransom note asking for $50,000. She took it to the local police who sent her here with it. Oh You were on the case then that's right. We naturally told her we would do nothing to jeopardize her husband's safety So she decided to pay the money. Uh-huh. She got it from her bank And we made a list of the serial numbers on the bills and then she arranged to make the bail What was her husband's story after he was released? They never did release him Lou body was found a few days later Oh, he was killed by bullets from a 7.65 millimeter Luger Not many of them around anymore. Oh Well, we questioned five suspects racketeers. We got no where with them since then we haven't gotten a single break until today What happened today one of the ransom bills showed up in a delicatessen on the north side The clerk had clipped the list of serial numbers from one of those crime magazines. Did he know where he got the bill? Yes from a miss and as Whitfield she lives at the Here it is at the Austin apartments Lou. Yeah, why don't you get out the still well file and go over it, huh? I'm going over and find out where miss Whitfield got that money Did you stop for some candy? Oh and as what'd you call me for? Oh, it's on account of the cops What cops oh these are all for good one and as what cops are you talking about the one that was here, huh? There was a guy up here this morning. What kind of a guy from the FBI FB What do you want? Where'd you get that money you gave me? I want the crap game. Why? It's hot and as will you please tell me what this is all about One of you game you were part of the ranch and money and it's still well kidnapping what that's what the FBI guy told me Put that candy down for a minute so I can understand you that's what the FBI guy told me Well, what's the matter? I didn't think he'd do it honey. Where are you going? I'm gonna try to find somebody I'll see you later Just about finished with it no find anything that we overlooked Only one thing All I could find after the date the body was discovered was a single statement from a stillwell. Oh, she refused to see I saw the local police Why no my guess is the kidnappers threatened her life if she talked You think she might talk now. She's not even in the country anymore Lou. Yeah, she went to England. She's going to live there. Oh Well, how about you did you get anything from Miss Whitfield very little She didn't have the slightest idea where she got that bill because well to use her words She's been on a mad shopping spree Now you've got to go on a shopping spree with large bills to get 20s in your change Jim Well, there's not much chance of proving she doesn't I suppose you're right Lou I'm gonna go in and see the SAC. What about if it's all right with him I'm going to question every one of the old suspects They come and take the line next shooter set back boys make room for the players Remember boys. You can't accumulate unless you speculate bet a lot win a lot new shooter coming out Don't get shut out get your bets down here. He comes Eight the hard way pay the eight Pergy I get the stick to one of the boys. I want to talk to you. How about later? I want to talk to you now Okay. Hey Tommy. Yeah, there's a stick take the game for one. Sure. All right. Let's go back to the office Okay, man, you got a new man to shoot again. What's on your mind? I'll tell you when we get inside Go ahead. Jane. Nice Grab a cheer. Let's have it. We um had a crap game at my house night before last Running competition to me. Jane. This was just a couple of the guys. Oh I beat Joey Stevens for a chunk. It turned out to be hot money What's that got to do with me, Jane? I know he hangs around here a lot He ain't been in tonight. I've been here since we opened What was the money hot from remember when Frank still well got snatched? Mm-hmm. Joey went to a cemetery to pick up the dough. He came back with no money Just the satchel full of paper. That's what he said he got Were you in on that job? I don't remember Fergie Where's Joey living? I don't know I tell you what I'll do Jane. I'll try to locate him as soon as I do Who's me? Oh Morning Fergie. How come you're not working? Now there was a guy at the joint looking for you when? A little while ago. Who was it? Jean Russell. Oh He tells me a shot crap with him the other night. Yeah. Yeah, I Went for a glob so I understand a through eight straight passes Joey. He was in on that still well snatch, wasn't he? Yeah And it wasn't very smart of you not to remember what I told you when The night in the cemetery. I said the money was too hot to spend it could get a guy in trouble You should have listened to me Joey. I couldn't help it if Russell finds out I have 40 g's of that money He's gonna get mad at me. Nobody's gonna tell him That's what I came up here to ensure What do you mean Joey I well I'm gonna have to kill you We'll reopen tonight's FBI file in just a moment now a special message to a very special kind of person Next Tuesday March 15th is the final day for income tax returns Here and there in America are men and women who as they drop their tax returns in the mailbox We'll say to themselves it won't be long before I'll be paying a tax on a bigger income than I get today And sooner or later, I'm going to make the top brackets. I'm on the way up Is that the way you feel about yourself? Is your confidence in your future success firm and unshakable? Then you're sure to be interested in the equitable society's special life insurance plan for men and women on the way up Yes, this plan appeals to the successful men of tomorrow because of three Important features first immediate protection the moment you sign the contract You enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your wife and children have the protection they need Second the equitable plan provides for readjustments in the future five years from now when you're making more money You can make up your mind whether you want more protection or bigger cash values Or you may decide to work out a retirement program in other words Your life insurance keeps in step with your income third advantage the equitable plan is flexible at all times It can expand or contract as you see fit and offers you many desirable options Which your equitable society representative will be glad to explain to you So why not get in touch with him immediately? phone him and ask for full details on the equitable plan for people on the way up or Send a postcard care of this station to the equitable society That's EQ I TA BLE the equitable life insurance society of the United States And now back to the FBI file the telltale ransom The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an organization which attacks the job of fighting crime from the scientific Rather than the emotional angle The solutions to crimes come because certain facts align themselves and point a steady finger at one particular suspect One of the things it is important for a special agent investigating any case to know is the motive behind the crime As their study of the field continues It has become more and more apparent to the members of your FBI that murder to mention one crime Is committed for only a small variety of reasons Profit passion and revenge top the miniature list of motives in that order It is possible to catalog the reasons behind the more than 7,000 murders committed in this country last year It is impossible. However, to answer another question concerning those killings That question is what type of person committed the murder No matter how much experience any law enforcement officer has had it is impossible for him to answer that question Because there is no pat answer to it Some of the killers were rich some poor They came from every section of the country and every conceivable background They had little in common except one thing Each believed he had the right to take another person's life The fact that in the eyes of the law virtually no reason is sufficient for murder Made little difference to them and each of them in addition to killing was also guilty of stealing Stealing for himself a motto which once belonged exclusively to a late dictator a motto which reads I am the law Night's file continues at the local FBI field office. Oh, we've got four of the fire suspects and still will case Have you questioned any of them yet Jim? No, we're waiting to get them all who's missing Joey Stevens He's the one who said he was at the state theater the night of the kidnap. That's right And he had ticket stubs that were sold that night to prove it. When did he move from the address? We have on about a month ago Jim we got an answer back on that request you sent to Scotland Yard on Mrs. Stillwell. No, what did it say? Well, she was located, but you refused to talk Well, I think that angle of the case is hopeless I've got a Legend Taylor speaking Yes, that's it. That's right Yeah, where? Well, you will I write that down? Go ahead 80 Second Street fine Thanks very much sergeant. We'll get right over there blue. There was Sergeant O'Reilly at headquarters They've located an address for Joey Stevens. Good. Let's get down there I knew shooter coming out get your bets down here. He comes the number is 10 Two to one plane and eight to one the hard way bet a lot win a lot bets down Here he comes Natural seven pay to come and take the line next shooter step back boys unless you're gonna play Hello, Friggy. Hi, Gene one little action. I want to talk to you gene. I can't leave the game every time I said I want to talk to you Okay, Tommy take the stick and run again. Sure. Come on, Gene Go ahead, Gene. Thanks Seen Joey yet. No, I haven't I didn't think you would What do you mean? You don't want to Gene I give you my word. I sent Tommy out last night and I went looking for him myself today He just ain't around. I ran into a guy named Paul Carroll. You know him. No, he's a friend of Joey's Joey showed him something yesterday $40,000 worth of markers every one of them was signed paid Fergie They were from a game. He ran up a $40,000 tab finally paid it back. Why didn't you tell me about it last night? I didn't remember the guy like Joey Stevens pays you 40 Gs And you don't remember look it ain't any of my business where Joey Steven gets his money Is it that unless you're in on the deal to What are you talking about? I'm gonna find Joey Stevens when I do I'll explain it to you I Must have the next one on this side. Yeah, I guess. Yeah, this is it. Come on. Let's go in right we brought that search one along Yeah, Lou No wonder the door was open take a look in here Joey Stevens Not too long ago either. He's still bleeding. There's a knife Jim. Yeah, I see it might have some prints on it Well, it's not touching around here the corner gets you Wonder if there's a phone in here. There it is run over there. Oh, yeah Lou you call the police, huh? I'll take a look around right police headquarters, please FBI special agent Mitchell speaking Yes, we're up at 313 West 82nd Street apartment 315. Uh-huh Found a man stabbed to death. Name is Joey Stevens That's right. Uh-huh. Goodbye. They'll be right over Jim Look what I found in a shoe in the closet ransom money the top bill is I checked that with a list I assume the rest of it came from the same place Jim From what I saw in Steven's record. He wasn't a big enough operator to handle a still well kidnapping alone No, I don't think he did no. I also found these keys They're for a safe deposit box. Oh Well, now all we got to do is find the right bank There's one on this corner Jim Hey, that's right Lou. I'm going over there Yeah, what's a commoner a what a commoner? How should I know? That's what the guy is what guy the guy the princess is going with I'm as turn of the comics read those but Jean let me have another piece of toast Here, thank you and some more coffee the pot's right in front of you. Oh, yeah You don't know this guy the guy that's gonna marry the princess No, this guy who's got his picture in the paper Joey Joey Stevens. What about him? He was killed What cops found him last night, let me see that paper So he tried to keep Joey quiet, huh nevermind Why aren't you gonna finish your breakfast? No, I'll see you later. Where are you going to collect $40,000? Is in the second room on the left mr. Mitchell just beyond the sign that says safe deposit boxes. Thank you very much You're welcome. I see you found the right place Jim. Oh, hi there. Yeah, I got a court order to open the box I found another $4,000 of the ransomware anything else. Well, there's sheet of stationery from the hotel central It's the first page of the letter Stevens. Yeah, it says Dear Joey, I got your letter. You don't have to worry about a thing When you get out you can step right back into your old job and make believe you never went away Things are going pretty good except that I had a mild beef with FS FS that could be Frank still well Jim Is that all the letter says that's all there is on this page second page isn't here Why would Stevens keep that in his safe deposit box? Probably because of this map here on the other side Pretty crude map. I know this section though. Where is it? It's the cemetery where mr. Stillwell paid the ransom Joey must have been the one who collected now Oh, Lou, you want to make a copy of this map on another sheet of paper in what for so you can look around up there Well, I go down to the hotel central. I'm gonna try and find out who wrote this letter to Joey Stevens Come on girl. Don't drink alone make one for me. Remember what I said here when I left you've got it actually Beautiful man And 40 G's more beautiful than was a couple of hours ago. You want me to carry it for work. I ain't even had one drink Thanks You expecting somebody you know better than that answer it get rid of whoever it is Then we're going out. We got some celebrating to do well, mr. Russell me Your picture in his hotel room. What right did you have to go to my hotel room legally issued search warrant? Oh, I found something else in your hotel room this Luger if it turns out to be the gun I think it is you'll be charged with murder Was tried and convicted for the murder of Frank Stillwell and sentenced to be executed a similar sentence was imposed upon George Fergie Ferguson for the murder of Joey Stevens when special agent Taylor Arrived at the hotel central he inspected a list of the hotel's guests when he came to the name of one of the suspects in the Stillwell case Jean Russell. He thought he had come to the right place When he learned that a sample of Russell's handwriting matched the writing on the sheet of stationery found in Joey Steven safe deposit box He was fairly certain that Russell was the man he had been hunting for and when ballistics proved that the gun found in Russell's room was indeed the same gun which had been used to kill Frank Stillwell Russell had no alternative, but to confess and so another kidnapping was solved by your FBI Solved some four months after it had taken place It would have been solved if none of the ransom money had been spent for ten years Because the Federal Bureau of Investigation does not close kidnapping files or any other kind until the job is done until the crime is solved Until the criminal is brought to justice In just a moment. We will tell you about next week's exciting case from the files of your FBI Tom if I told you a certain man owns an equitable society policy for men and women on the way up What would you say that indicated about him? Well, mr. Keating. I'd say the chances are he really is on the way up Exactly, that's why they say a man is known by the life insurance So if you have confidence in yourself and your future, why not act accordingly get in touch with your equitable society representative soon and ask him to give you all the facts on the equitable societies plan for men and women on the way up or Right 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 A fact will account of a new and vicious pattern of crime its subject Swindling its title The baby rattle racket The incidents used in tonight's equitable life assurance societies 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 persons living or dead is accidental Tonight the music was composed and conducted by Frederick Steiner The author was Jerry D. Lewis your narrator was William Woodson and special agent Taylor was played by Stacy Harris Others in the cast were Carol Smith Frank Albertson Tom Holland Frank Lovejoy Sydney Miller and George Offerman, Jr. This is your FBI is a Jerry divine production This is Larry Keating speaking for the equitable life assurance society of the United States and the equitable societies 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 story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation The baby rental racket on this is your FBI This is ABC the American broadcasting company