WEBVTT 1 00:00:28.559 --> 00:00:32.600 Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. 2 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:35.719 This is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, 3 00:00:35.799 --> 00:00:38.960 send it to me Box thirteen at Great Detectives dot net, 4 00:00:39.200 --> 00:00:42.280 follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and become one 5 00:00:42.359 --> 00:00:46.759 of our friends on Facebook, Facebook dot com slash Radio Detectives. 6 00:00:47.159 --> 00:00:50.479 Before we do get started, I do want to let 7 00:00:50.479 --> 00:00:52.280 you know the program's brought to you in part by 8 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:54.840 the financial support of our listeners. You can support the 9 00:00:54.840 --> 00:00:58.079 show on a one time basis at support dot Great 10 00:00:58.119 --> 00:01:02.280 Detectives dot net. Also become a regular monthly supporter of 11 00:01:02.320 --> 00:01:06.599 the show at Patreon dot Great Detectives dot net. Also 12 00:01:06.760 --> 00:01:09.400 over a Great Detectives dot net. This weekend, be sure 13 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:12.200 and check out my review of the Doc Savage novel 14 00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:14.920 The Whistling Wraith, and you can get all of my 15 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:19.840 reviews automatically delivered to your kindle by subscribing in the Kindlestorm. 16 00:01:19.879 --> 00:01:22.400 You can try that out free for two weeks. Well, 17 00:01:22.439 --> 00:01:25.840 now it's time for today's episode of Dragnet. The original 18 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:30.400 air date September the twenty first of nineteen fifty and 19 00:01:30.519 --> 00:01:32.480 the title is The Big Pair. 20 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:44.079 The story you are about to hear is true, only 21 00:01:44.120 --> 00:01:46.519 the names have been changed to protect the innocent. 22 00:01:46.799 --> 00:01:53.680 Dragnet. 23 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:02.159 You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to burglary d Unidentified 24 00:02:02.239 --> 00:02:06.000 thieves start a campaign of burglaries in your city. Homes 25 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:07.000 are broken into and. 26 00:02:06.959 --> 00:02:08.560 Stripped of their furnishings. 27 00:02:08.960 --> 00:02:10.560 There's no lead on the criminals. 28 00:02:11.199 --> 00:02:22.439 Your job get them. 29 00:02:22.520 --> 00:02:26.319 Dragnet the documented drama of an actual crime. For the 30 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:29.560 next thirty minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, 31 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:32.080 you will travel step by step on the side of 32 00:02:32.120 --> 00:02:35.159 the law through an actual case, from official police files, 33 00:02:35.520 --> 00:02:39.439 from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is 34 00:02:39.479 --> 00:02:41.479 the story of your police force and action. 35 00:02:44.199 --> 00:02:47.039 It was Monday, August third, was warm in Los Angeles. 36 00:02:47.159 --> 00:02:49.879 We're working a day watch out of burglary detail. My 37 00:02:49.960 --> 00:02:52.840 partner's Ben Romero. The boss's Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives. 38 00:02:52.840 --> 00:02:54.800 My name is Friday. I was on the way back 39 00:02:54.800 --> 00:02:56.400 from the business office and it was nine to twenty 40 00:02:56.439 --> 00:02:59.599 five am when I got through them. Forty five burglary detail. 41 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:02.960 You get all the money together, Joe. 42 00:03:02.919 --> 00:03:04.840 Yeah, dollar from each man in the detail. 43 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:07.479 We got to buy the gift. When's Austin gonna get 44 00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:10.479 married next Sunday. You haven't got too much time. Why 45 00:03:10.520 --> 00:03:12.360 we always have to pick out the gift. 46 00:03:12.360 --> 00:03:13.960 Somebody has to do. If you got any ideas what 47 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:14.719 we got to get him. 48 00:03:14.759 --> 00:03:16.719 Talk to my wife over the weekend. She thinks it'd 49 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:18.560 be nice we get him time to start housekeeping with 50 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:21.360 maybe some nice kitchen table lamp. 51 00:03:21.680 --> 00:03:23.319 Yeah, I don't know if we have enough to do 52 00:03:23.520 --> 00:03:26.560 for a good lamp. But maybe they might like a 53 00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:29.199 bedspread you can always use them, or maybe a nice 54 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:29.800 little blanket. 55 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:33.000 Huh, I don't know. Gotta be careful about those personal things. 56 00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:35.280 What do you mean, what's personal about a blanket? Well, 57 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:37.520 we don't know much about the girl Austin's gonna marry. 58 00:03:37.560 --> 00:03:42.280 She might not need anything. What's that? 59 00:03:44.439 --> 00:03:45.639 Well, what'd you want to know? A little girl? 60 00:03:46.199 --> 00:03:48.280 Since stolen things? 61 00:03:48.680 --> 00:03:50.280 I know that all depends. Why don't you come on 62 00:03:50.319 --> 00:03:51.240 in and tell us all about it? 63 00:03:51.319 --> 00:03:56.240 Huh? Like to sit down a little girl? 64 00:03:57.080 --> 00:03:59.520 I'm twelve years sold Standford? Sorry? 65 00:04:00.000 --> 00:04:00.280 All right? 66 00:04:00.360 --> 00:04:00.520 Now? 67 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:02.080 Would you like to tell us what's been stolen? 68 00:04:02.319 --> 00:04:06.599 Everything? Everything's been stolen? We came back this morning and 69 00:04:06.639 --> 00:04:08.439 found it that way. Grandpa's awful mad. 70 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:11.800 Maybe we better get the facts to start with what's 71 00:04:11.800 --> 00:04:12.360 your name. 72 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:15.360 Ruth Emory Janette Jeannette, that's your last name? 73 00:04:15.639 --> 00:04:18.160 No, Snyder, Ruth emorigion as Snyder. 74 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:19.759 Did you come down here alone? 75 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:20.000 Ruth? 76 00:04:20.319 --> 00:04:22.199 Yes, Grandpa sent me. He's awful mad. 77 00:04:22.399 --> 00:04:24.480 Where do you live with Grandpa? Where's that? 78 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:30.079 We're on College Avenue. Grandpa's lake's bothering him arthritis. So 79 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:31.959 he told me to come down and tell you about it. 80 00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:33.160 About what man? 81 00:04:33.639 --> 00:04:36.399 Everything. We came back this morning on the train and 82 00:04:36.600 --> 00:04:39.240 when we got home we found everything was stolen. It's terrible. 83 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:40.560 What do you mean by everything? 84 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:44.720 I walked all over here to tell you. I'm thirst, sir, 85 00:04:44.839 --> 00:04:45.839 drinking fat in the hall. 86 00:04:45.959 --> 00:04:47.800 Oh, we've got a cool over here. Let me get 87 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:48.360 your copa. 88 00:04:48.639 --> 00:04:49.079 Thank you. 89 00:04:54.839 --> 00:04:55.560 You like to drink? Man? 90 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:55.959 Oh? 91 00:04:56.040 --> 00:04:56.800 No, things. 92 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:07.199 All right, little lady, there you go, Thank you very much. Well, 93 00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:09.399 so I tell us what it's all about. 94 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:13.319 Grandpa and I got back to Los Angeles on the 95 00:05:13.360 --> 00:05:16.120 train this morning. It's been on a trip back to Indiana. 96 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:19.959 We took a taxicab home from the station. When we 97 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:22.879 got there, everything was gone. Everything that the rug in 98 00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:23.800 the dining room. 99 00:05:23.639 --> 00:05:24.720 Yeah, all the furniture. 100 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:27.959 Everything's a bit sold for the chairs, my desk upstairs. 101 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:30.959 The stole everything's been stolen. I want you to find it. 102 00:05:31.040 --> 00:05:33.120 I mean someone broke in while you were gone and 103 00:05:33.160 --> 00:05:34.879 took all your furniture. Is that what you think? 104 00:05:34.920 --> 00:05:35.160 You know? 105 00:05:35.240 --> 00:05:37.879 They did a lock on the back door. It was broken. 106 00:05:38.519 --> 00:05:41.040 They took everything to the dining room rug. That's why 107 00:05:41.079 --> 00:05:44.279 grandpa's home now. He thinks the crooks will be back. 108 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:46.600 He's sitting on the rug because he says if they 109 00:05:46.720 --> 00:05:49.360 take that, they'll have to take him too. We better hurry. 110 00:05:49.519 --> 00:05:51.279 Yeah, Grandpa's not very big. 111 00:05:57.399 --> 00:05:59.759 Am Ben and I drove little ruth and Snyder back 112 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:02.160 to where home on College Avenue was an old fashioned 113 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:04.480 wooden frame structure of few doors up from. 114 00:06:04.360 --> 00:06:05.680 College Avenue in Everett Way. 115 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:08.959 Ruth Anne showed us inside and introduced us to her grandfather, 116 00:06:09.240 --> 00:06:10.040 mister John H. 117 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:11.759 Snyder, aged seventy eight. 118 00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:14.199 He told us that a year ago he and his wife, 119 00:06:14.319 --> 00:06:17.560 ruth Anne's grandmother had come to California from Indiana and 120 00:06:17.600 --> 00:06:20.920 rented the house on College Avenue. The grandmother had fallen 121 00:06:20.959 --> 00:06:23.879 ill and passed away. Suddenly, three weeks ago, he and 122 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:26.040 ruth Anne closed the house and took the body back 123 00:06:26.079 --> 00:06:28.959 to Indiana on the train for burial. On their return 124 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:31.839 that morning, they found the house stripped of every piece 125 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:34.600 of furniture. We checked room by room and listed the 126 00:06:34.600 --> 00:06:37.560 missing articles. We put in a call to latent fingerprints. 127 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:39.759 Do you happen to know the serial numbers of your 128 00:06:39.759 --> 00:06:41.920 home appliances, Missus Noddy, No. 129 00:06:42.000 --> 00:06:45.879 Sir, I've lived with most of the furniture for forty years. 130 00:06:46.560 --> 00:06:48.839 You get to know the things you own in forty years. 131 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:50.839 I know it was in my room, Sergeant, my DES's 132 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:52.560 my table and share the bed, the curtains. 133 00:06:52.600 --> 00:06:54.000 I took every Well, how. 134 00:06:53.920 --> 00:06:56.879 About the estimated value of the furniture, sir? What would 135 00:06:56.879 --> 00:06:57.720 you say it was worth? 136 00:06:58.240 --> 00:06:58.639 Dallas? 137 00:06:58.639 --> 00:07:03.079 And since I don't know what's a household of furniture 138 00:07:03.079 --> 00:07:07.279 wor anyone is there? Everybody puts thrown value on their things. Yes, 139 00:07:08.279 --> 00:07:12.480 salad on on a dining set, a wedding present, my 140 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:16.639 hug in the front room table. Solid too got money 141 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:18.959 in their day all gone. 142 00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:23.000 Were there any leans against the furniture? Sir? Did you 143 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:25.279 owe anything on the furniture? I mean there was no 144 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:27.120 trouble with the finance company or anything like that. 145 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:30.360 We didn't even know what the finance company was. When 146 00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:33.600 the wife and I was married. It was sad enough 147 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:34.439 trip as it was. 148 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:38.839 And Ruthy and me get here this morning and everything's gone. 149 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:44.680 All we own, Ruthie, where the thieves broke in? Would 150 00:07:44.720 --> 00:07:47.800 you show the officers please spack this way? 151 00:07:50.360 --> 00:07:52.920 How are you and your grandfather going to make out here, Ruth? 152 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:56.199 Grandpa says, we'll buy two cuts for the night, Army 153 00:07:56.199 --> 00:07:59.720 surplus smooth stove to cook on. We'll have to eat out. 154 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:04.199 Maybe we'll have to go back to Indiana. Grandpa doesn't 155 00:08:04.240 --> 00:08:08.000 have much money. It's on a pension. Where's the back door? 156 00:08:08.920 --> 00:08:10.120 And see what they did to get in? 157 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:16.000 M must use the hammer and the crowbar smashed and 158 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:16.879 playing through. 159 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:18.720 You'll find the crooks, won't you start? 160 00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:21.639 We're gonna try, Ruth. Better have the crime lab check this. 161 00:08:21.800 --> 00:08:22.360 Huh yeah. 162 00:08:22.480 --> 00:08:24.240 How about your neighbors, Ruth? You know an of them? 163 00:08:24.279 --> 00:08:25.879 Well, I know who they are. 164 00:08:26.360 --> 00:08:28.600 I don't know any of them good. They're not very friendly. 165 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:31.160 We'd like to ask you and your grandfather a few 166 00:08:31.160 --> 00:08:31.759 more questions. 167 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:32.080 Ruth. 168 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:36.120 All right, I don't know what I'm going to do 169 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:39.440 when school starts. I stole on, I stop even my composition, 170 00:08:39.519 --> 00:08:39.840 chat it. 171 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:43.360 Then they have to take those what's greaty in Ruthy? 172 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:47.360 I was in age seven, I'll be nba. Why did 173 00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:48.759 they take my school things? 174 00:08:48.919 --> 00:08:51.679 I don't know you see how they got in back there? 175 00:08:51.840 --> 00:08:54.440 Yes, sir, we did, by any chance? Did any of 176 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:57.159 your neighbors know that you and ruth here were going away? 177 00:08:57.600 --> 00:08:58.919 Why I didn't mention it? 178 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:01.159 No? Then no one kept an now on your house 179 00:09:01.159 --> 00:09:01.759 while you were going. 180 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:04.799 No, I didn't figure it was necessary. 181 00:09:05.799 --> 00:09:08.840 I just remember Grandpa, Missus Murton, I told her we 182 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:12.000 were going away. Who's that ruth She wants store down 183 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:15.440 to the corners, bird storeph canaries, other kinds of birds too. 184 00:09:15.919 --> 00:09:18.120 Missus Murton's her name, stores right down the corner. 185 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:20.120 You figure she's the only one who knew you'd be 186 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:22.720 going from the house, or sometimes must have been the 187 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:23.399 only one. 188 00:09:24.120 --> 00:09:25.879 All right, mister Snyder, we'll be back to see you 189 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:28.799 later on. And here's our card. We'll see if we 190 00:09:28.840 --> 00:09:30.399 can't do something to help you out here. 191 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:44.480 Let's see here Friday merrow burglary detail. All right, thank 192 00:09:44.519 --> 00:09:53.240 you boy. Ruthie will show you to the door. Oh say, yes, 193 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:56.120 you understand, but I'd like to apologize anyway. 194 00:09:56.279 --> 00:09:59.399 I just couldn't do it. What's that sir offer you chair. 195 00:10:05.159 --> 00:10:07.879 Ten thirty am, Ben and I called the Salvation Army 196 00:10:07.879 --> 00:10:10.360 and told them the Snyder's situation, and then we went 197 00:10:10.399 --> 00:10:12.840 down the street to the store at the corner of Cooley. 198 00:10:12.519 --> 00:10:13.600 Javenue and Everett Way. 199 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:16.559 The sign on the window said Missus Merton's bird Land 200 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:18.240 Manager Agnes Merton. 201 00:10:18.639 --> 00:10:20.399 We tried the door was locked. 202 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:23.559 Cardboard clock hanging on the glass door read be back 203 00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:26.600 at one pm. So we went back up to Collige 204 00:10:26.679 --> 00:10:28.799 Avenue and we started ringing doorbells. 205 00:10:29.279 --> 00:10:31.080 Some of the residents on the block didn't even know 206 00:10:31.120 --> 00:10:31.720 the Snyders. 207 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:34.200 Of those that did, only two had noticed any activity 208 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:36.360 at the house during the three weeks mister Snyder and 209 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:39.200 his granddaughter had been away. They told us that they'd 210 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:40.919 seen a moving van park in front of the house 211 00:10:40.919 --> 00:10:43.120 about a week before. They also saw a man moving 212 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:45.559 furniture from the house into the van. Neither of the 213 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:48.159 two could describe the vehicle or remember its license number. 214 00:10:48.679 --> 00:10:50.960 Twelve forty five PM. We had a cup of coffee. 215 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:52.399 And a hamburger, and then we headed back for Missus 216 00:10:52.440 --> 00:11:05.080 Merton's bird store. Yes, ma'am, police officers, you have a 217 00:11:05.080 --> 00:11:07.200 few questions for you. 218 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:10.240 Something about free, No, ma'am, but one of your neighbors. Oh, 219 00:11:10.399 --> 00:11:12.840 the Snyders. I lived just at the street running. 220 00:11:12.679 --> 00:11:15.440 Oh, yes, old couple. Poor missus Snyder passed away, you 221 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.360 know a few weeks ago. 222 00:11:16.519 --> 00:11:17.120 Yes, we know. 223 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:20.039 They have a wonderful granddaughter, Ruthy. She and I are 224 00:11:20.039 --> 00:11:23.000 getting to be great friends. The Snyder's having some kind 225 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:23.480 of trouble. 226 00:11:23.519 --> 00:11:25.559 We're investigating a burglary at their house. 227 00:11:25.639 --> 00:11:28.240 Oh that now you'll be fie. 228 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:28.799 Mary. 229 00:11:28.919 --> 00:11:30.840 You heard what I told Blackly just see two fo 230 00:11:30.879 --> 00:11:31.399 wouldn't be. 231 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.720 Fat I guess you knew the Snyders have been away 232 00:11:33.720 --> 00:11:34.679 for the last few weeks. 233 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:36.840 Yes, I did, but they're back. I saw Ruthy pass 234 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:37.759 the window this morning. 235 00:11:37.840 --> 00:11:40.279 Have you noticed any activity around the Snyder's house since 236 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:40.759 you've been going? 237 00:11:41.159 --> 00:11:41.759 Yes? I did. 238 00:11:42.120 --> 00:11:43.600 And just what you noticed? Ms Martin? 239 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:46.759 Well, it was seven or eight days ago. I think 240 00:11:46.840 --> 00:11:49.480 some white moving trucks stopped in front of their place 241 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:52.759 and the two men started moving out to Snyder's furniture. 242 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:53.080 Huh. 243 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:56.000 Thought it was a little strange because Ruthy hadn't told 244 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:59.360 me anything about moving. In fact, she said definitely she 245 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:02.279 and her grandpa was coming back after poor missus Snyder's 246 00:12:02.320 --> 00:12:03.320 funeral in Indiana. 247 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.559 Did you investigate it? 248 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:10.360 All Man's What was that you, Fred? Yes, you ought 249 00:12:10.399 --> 00:12:13.360 to be ashamed. You can see I'm Busy's never out 250 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:14.000 like that. 251 00:12:14.200 --> 00:12:16.399 And all three of them bred Blackie Mary. 252 00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.279 I'll take care of you. 253 00:12:19.720 --> 00:12:22.360 What was I You saw the moving van from the Snyders. 254 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:22.519 Oh? 255 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:25.919 Yes, and I went up to the moving men and 256 00:12:25.960 --> 00:12:28.440 asked them if the Snyders were going back to Indiana. Well, 257 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.799 of course they didn't know anything about it. 258 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:32.480 Did you inquire at the Snyder's house, Well. 259 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:33.039 No, it so happened. 260 00:12:33.039 --> 00:12:33.399 I didn't. 261 00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:34.679 I was on my way to one of the big 262 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:36.559 avia areas in the valley and I just didn't have 263 00:12:36.639 --> 00:12:37.320 time to stop. 264 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:40.000 How about the moving vans? You haven't to notice the last. 265 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:42.240 I don't remember the numbers. 266 00:12:42.120 --> 00:12:44.600 Any identifying marks about the truck. You might remember maybe 267 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:45.440 a sign on the side. 268 00:12:45.720 --> 00:12:48.120 Yes, the side of the truck was painted white and 269 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:50.440 there was large blue lettering on it. Van in storage 270 00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:51.639 that said I remember that much? 271 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.440 Is that all? 272 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:53.480 Well? 273 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:55.720 Yes? As I said, I was in a hurry. I 274 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:57.879 had to pick up three sick canaries out in the valley. 275 00:12:58.039 --> 00:13:00.000 Is there anything else about the Internet? You can remember 276 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:00.879 or anything at all. 277 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:03.960 No, I'm afraid not. 278 00:13:05.080 --> 00:13:05.360 Well. 279 00:13:05.480 --> 00:13:06.840 Thank you very much, missus Merton. 280 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:09.039 Here's our card if you happen to come across any 281 00:13:09.080 --> 00:13:09.919 further information. 282 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:12.840 Yes, all right, I have to go see the Snyders. 283 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:13.600 Maybe I can help. 284 00:13:13.720 --> 00:13:16.240 Bye, goodbye, ma'am. Thank you very much, Yes, goodbye. 285 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:27.360 Yeah, not much help there, not much. Give me an 286 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:31.600 idea though, waiting present for the Austins. Yeah, maybe a 287 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:40.440 couple of canaries and a nice cage. Five pm we 288 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.600 went back to the office. 289 00:13:41.840 --> 00:13:44.919 Reports had come in from two more victims that night, 290 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:47.360 Than and I drove out to interview them. The circumstances 291 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.720 of the theft and them of the criminals matched identically 292 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.639 with the Snyder case. 293 00:13:51.279 --> 00:13:53.320 Both of the families victimized had gone. 294 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:55.919 Off on vacations and neglected to notify either the neighbors 295 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.279 or the patrolmen in their area. 296 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:59.159 Both had allowed daily. 297 00:13:58.919 --> 00:14:01.639 Newspapers to collect on their doorsteps in their absence, and 298 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:04.039 otherwise left signs that their homes were vacant. 299 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:06.720 In both cases, the thieves had forced an. 300 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:09.039 Entrance through a back door or window, stripped the house 301 00:14:09.080 --> 00:14:11.200 of every last piece of furniture, and either hauled away 302 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:13.720 themselves or hired somebody to do it for them. We 303 00:14:13.799 --> 00:14:17.480 started canvassing the two areas where the crimes had been reported. Again, 304 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:20.200 the neighbors saw the moving vans, but none were able 305 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:23.840 to definitely identify the vehicles or their license numbers. Captain 306 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:25.279 Fulton called us into his office. 307 00:14:25.320 --> 00:14:27.279 You're going to have to try harder. I know they're hard. 308 00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:28.759 To get them, to get them, get them fast? 309 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:30.759 Is that about everything we can so force? 310 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:32.600 Given only one small lead. 311 00:14:32.759 --> 00:14:35.720 The thieves seemed to be using a different moving van 312 00:14:35.759 --> 00:14:36.480 on each job. 313 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:40.080 We started the checking the movers around town, the transfer. 314 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:41.600 Companies, they and friends come up with any and yet 315 00:14:41.720 --> 00:14:44.559 no no luck there allows the rackety bad? Since I 316 00:14:44.600 --> 00:14:47.480 came on this detail, whole house, fls of furniture, everything up, 317 00:14:47.519 --> 00:14:48.200 family owns. 318 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:51.240 We'll stay on top of it. The Stat's office may 319 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:51.919 come up with something. 320 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:54.200 How about an outlet for all that stuff that's been stolen? 321 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.440 Thieves can't be sitting on it. 322 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:57.919 Foreign shopping, second hand details been alerted. 323 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:00.840 They're checking regular outlets, auction, how the second hand place? 324 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:01.519 There's nothing yet? 325 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:03.840 What about some kind of preventive idea at least slow 326 00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:06.559 them down? Good dose of publicity on the whole thing 327 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:09.080 with help. Only people wouldn't give it a secret when 328 00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:11.639 they're going away. Neighbors aren't alerted. That's why a lot 329 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:13.120 of them didn't think much of it. When you saw 330 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:14.240 the moving events park. 331 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:16.960 Goes out and drawing blinds, and the newspapers on the 332 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.279 doorsteps didn't help much either. 333 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.440 It's an open invitation. 334 00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:21.240 Well, i'll see what we can do on the publicity. 335 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:24.080 And we've had one campaign on this already. Now excuse me, 336 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.399 regulary Captain Polton. 337 00:15:31.320 --> 00:15:35.080 What's the address? Okay, I god, thank you? 338 00:15:36.919 --> 00:15:39.679 There you go another one. M sixty three are just 339 00:15:39.720 --> 00:15:42.320 call it in family back from vacation. Furniture all gone. 340 00:15:42.320 --> 00:15:43.720 Here's your dress, sire, thank you. 341 00:15:43.919 --> 00:15:44.960 Got to get on it right away. 342 00:15:45.039 --> 00:15:47.279 Let's go. I'll have a little more help for you 343 00:15:47.320 --> 00:15:48.000 on this tomorrow. 344 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.240 Crowley and Barnes will be free. 345 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.559 They can work with the OKI. 346 00:15:51.039 --> 00:16:00.399 Check you later, right, Sorrgy Friday, remember me, don't you missus? 347 00:16:00.399 --> 00:16:00.639 Burton? 348 00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:00.879 Oh? 349 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.120 Sure? 350 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:03.080 The bird story, yes, ma'am. How are you well? 351 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:05.120 They told me to wait here. I guess everything will 352 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:07.039 be all right now. Yeah, I saw it today on 353 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:11.360 Olive Street. Here the truck became to Snyder's house. That's 354 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.240 the license. 355 00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:25.200 Number you are listening to Dragnet. The case history of 356 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:29.519 a police investigation presented in the public interest by Dragnet. 357 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:38.879 Tuesday, August eleventh, six pm. The license number which missus 358 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:41.600 Merton had given us was checked through DMV. We found 359 00:16:41.639 --> 00:16:43.399 that the truck was registered in the name of a 360 00:16:43.440 --> 00:16:46.159 local secondhand furniture dealer by the name of Ralph Grismore. 361 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:48.559 We checked his name to the Police Commission and then 362 00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:51.759 the Eye Bureau. He had a good reputation, no criminal record. 363 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:53.919 Early the next morning we picked up mister Snyder and 364 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:56.399 his granddaughter Ruth, and we drove to Grismore, a secondhand 365 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:59.440 furniture store. We identified ourselves and asked to look at 366 00:16:59.440 --> 00:17:02.519 his bibook. Under the date of July twenty seventh, Brismore 367 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:04.720 had recorded the purchase of more than three dozen articles 368 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.680 of furniture from a house on College Avenue. 369 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:09.079 The address was that of the snyders. 370 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:11.720 Man and a women's sergeant. They said they'd sold their house. 371 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:13.759 And there going east Man said the company worked for 372 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:16.079 a transferred them to Boston, told me how to get 373 00:17:16.119 --> 00:17:16.440 back to. 374 00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:17.319 Take all his new job. 375 00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:20.680 Would you recognize the people if you saw him again, Grismore. 376 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:22.680 Oh, I think so. A woman was a great talker. 377 00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.160 She said. 378 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:25.759 They figured on selling the stuff piece by piece they 379 00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:28.000 get more, but since they had to leave town the 380 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.960 next day, she decided to sell a whole lot to 381 00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:30.400 a dealer. 382 00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:33.000 You got the furniture for a pretty low price, didn't say. 383 00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:34.720 That pretty good price. Yeah, that's why I went along 384 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:36.799 in the fast deal. Wasn't going to talk myself out 385 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:39.119 of a bargain. They wanted to sell fast. I want 386 00:17:39.160 --> 00:17:39.440 to buy. 387 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:42.680 I don't think anything was wrong, Sergeant, Yeah. 388 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:44.920 Missus Snyder, how long a dining room said? 389 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:45.880 That's it? 390 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:49.319 Right over there is sherman snip cigarburne on top, just 391 00:17:49.400 --> 00:17:50.359 above one of the legs. 392 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.200 Know it anywhere? 393 00:17:52.200 --> 00:17:54.160 Seems to me that time I huged the table. 394 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:57.640 I'll look, sergeant, the table my best hear they all 395 00:17:57.680 --> 00:17:59.279 right here? Miss schools up too? 396 00:17:59.400 --> 00:17:59.720 All right? 397 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:02.599 Yeah, they sure stuck me. All right, that's the last 398 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:05.880 fast deal I am. I mean, how did they contact you, Chrismore? 399 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:08.359 What kind of approach did you call me on the phone? 400 00:18:08.359 --> 00:18:10.000 And I came out and gave him the praise alund 401 00:18:10.039 --> 00:18:13.039