The story you are about to hear is true.
Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
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You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to homicide detail. For two months a depraved
criminal has been at work in your city. Men and women have been robbed, brutally attacked.
Your job, get them. If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes.
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Dragnet, 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 from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment,
Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. It was Wednesday, March 7th. It was cloudy
in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of homicide. My partner's Ben Romero, the
boss is Thad Brown, chief of detectives. My name is Friday. I was on the way home from the office
and it was 2 25 a.m. when I got to Collis Avenue. Number 4656. Joseph? Is that you? Yeah,
Ma. Did I wake you? What time is it? A little after two. Oh, you can't keep this up. You've got to have your rest.
Don't worry, I'm okay. Got any cold meat in the icebox? There's some pressed ham,
a few slices of bologna. Didn't you have any dinner? A couple hamburgers and a piece of pie.
I got hungry again. I had some nice beef stew for dinner. There's some left in the icebox.
I'll come down and warm it for you. No, no, all I want is a sandwich, Ma. You go on back to sleep.
You can't live on pie and sandwiches and keep up your strength. I'm working all hours. First thing,
you know you'll be getting sick. You need your food and you need your rest. Nobody cares when you're sick.
You didn't have to get up, Ma. All I want is a sandwich, pie and fix it. You better have a bowlful of stew.
Here, it won't take a minute to warm it up. Nice new potatoes in it. Some of those onions you like, too.
Like Bermuda's. Okay, not too much now. I'll get the milk. It's half past two in the morning.
What kept you so late again? Another steakhouse, the same job. Is that the murder in Highland Park?
No, Ma, the badge bandit, the one that poses as a policeman. Oh, that one.
You certainly ought to do something about him. Yeah, well, I'm trying to. I can't find him.
There was a piece in the paper about it tonight. They say it's just terrible the way he beats up
people and robs them. Yeah. Badge bandit. The way he treats women ought to be a shame. They ought to
put him away. You know, you got some more rye bread. Mm-hmm. You're going to have tomorrow off, Joseph?
Thanks. You know, the captain says we work straight through till we get the guy.
Oh, I thought you were going to have tomorrow off. You ought to tell the captain you need your rest.
You can't go on like this working all hours. You'll be coming down sick one of these days.
Mm-hmm. 15 robberies, 15 assaults, all in two months. Somebody's got to stop him.
You ready? Oh, yeah, I think so. Well, can't they warn the people?
They wouldn't be getting robbed and beaten up if they weren't parked in those lonely places.
Spooning. So silly. Yeah. I'm afraid we can't do anything about that, Ma. It's a public place.
It's a public place. We got to write the park, though, huh? Yeah, I suppose. Let me have your plate.
Right here. Now hold it, hold it. That's fine. Another spoonful. You can't work if you don't eat.
Mm. This is good stew. Yeah, sure it is. But you're down to shop rides nice.
His stewing beef's just wonderful. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Ben work late with you? Yeah, his wife saw too. He
hasn't been home much since we started on this. It's a tough one. Oh, my. Time certainly have
changed since I was a girl. All this robbing, beating up, crazy people. Yeah. Any mail today?
No, just a couple of bills. Well, you set the alarm. I got to check back in at eight in the morning.
Eight o'clock? Why so early? Badge band had got two more victims tonight. They were college kids.
The doctor said he didn't think we should talk to him tonight, so we'll have to see him tomorrow morning at the hospital.
And were they badly injured? Well, pretty bad. A boy took a terrible beating. The girl was attacked, same as others.
Oh, my. Well, it's very good, Ma. I better get to bed. Yeah, well, your face looks so thin. You need all the rest you can get.
I'll get it. Now who can that be? It's almost three in the morning.
Hello. This is Lorman down homicide, Joe. Sorry to bother you. Yeah, Lorman. What is it? Kevin wants you
and America to meet him in Hollywood and Laurel right away. What's the matter now? Attack and hold up in Laurel Canyon 20 minutes ago.
Yeah. Got the area blocked off. Figure they got the man trapped. The victims get out and look at the guy? Same description the badge banded.
I left the house, went over and picked up Ben. We drove out to the edge of the Santa Monica mountains
where Hollywood Boulevard ends and Laurel Canyon begins. We headed back into the canyon to the
blockaded area. Captain Steed from homicide was there waiting for us.
Hi, Skipper. Hi, just a minute. Taylor, call communications again. Have them tell the men out on the
ventour to start moving in. Right, Captain. Sorry to call you back. Couldn't be helped.
How's it shaping up? Wait a minute.
Search detail in the vicinity of Laurel Canyon. Unit 62K reports that they are at Mulholland Drive and Oakstone Avenue.
Nothing further to report. Okay, what did you say, Joe? How's it shaping up? Well, here's a sketch of the area.
It covers just about all the Laurel Canyon district. The badge banded got his victims near the top of this hill here.
Old man in the neighborhood heard a woman scream and phoned in. How sure are we the guy didn't get away?
Well, the man who called in said the banded had trouble starting his car. Finally left it and took off into the brush.
He was headed west down this road here. Captain, I just had a call from communications. The crew from
Leighton Prince are on their way. All right, any report from the detail up on Canyon Road? Nothing yet. I'll stand by the radio. Okay.
How much area we got to cover? From the mouth of the canyon here all the way back to Ventura Boulevard.
On the west here from Lookout Mountain Avenue over to Crestview Drive on the east. How much have we got to go on?
Crowley talked to the victims for a minute before they took him to Georgia Street. Yeah. The guy's
description is the same. Heavy set, blonde hair, chubby face, horn rimmed vassals.
Uh-huh. Well, if he's on foot, there's plenty of underbrush around here to hide him. Just a minute.
I want to get this call in first. Taylor, I have communications contact 72K. Tell them to hold their
line stationary. Yeah. We'll have the others close in from the west to the north. Right. You two better
get up on Groland Drive. Line's pretty thin up there. Use the help. Is that the area where you've
been in the car? Yeah. I want you to cover all the houses in that area. Check with everybody. You can
find the neighborhood. They may be able to help. If they don't answer, find out why. Okay. Now we're making
the rounds in another 10 minutes. Check with you then. All right. Let's go. One more thing. Yes, sir.
I'll tell you what I told the rest of the men. This guy's in a corner and he's got a gun.
There's only one way out for him. Yeah. Make sure it's not you.
3 45 a.m. Ben and I drove up to Groland Drive and joined the search. We started our house to house
canvas of the neighborhood where the suspect had abandoned his car. None of the residents had any
further information to give us. 4 a.m. We kept on checking. 23 hours. It's a long shift. Yeah. I could
use some sleep. My wife of mine is boiling mad. She's even mad at the kid. Yeah? What's the trouble?
Oh, aunt of hers sent down some flower bubs from Oregon yesterday. Bloody old bub. Yeah. The kid was
playing with a little girl next door yesterday and they found a box of flower bubs. They put the mess
of them in a pot of water and boiled them on the stove. What'd they do that for? Who knows?
There's another house up ahead. We better check it. Yeah.
We ought to get some street lights up here. Yeah.
That's nice work. Working people up in the middle of the night. I don't like it any more than they do.
Wish we could make them believe that.
Yeah.
Nice neighborhood up here. I wonder what the price is on these lots. Well, it shouldn't be too high.
Say real estate's coming down. Yeah. What is it? Place officers. Sorry to disturb you. We'd like to
talk to you a minute. Oh, all right. Let me get the door open. What's been going on in the neighborhood
tonight? Some kind of trouble? Cars racing up and down the hill. What's the trouble? Have you noticed
any strangers in the neighborhood last hour? No, I just got to bed 20 minutes ago. I work out a
paramount. We're shooting nights. What's all the commotion anyway? We're looking for a suspect.
He's supposed to be around this area. Well, I haven't seen anybody. I thought I heard somebody
out of the garage a few minutes ago. Went out and looked around, but I didn't see anything. Did you
check to see if your car is still in the garage? No, I left it in the driveway. No, sir. There's no car
in your driveway. Sure there is. Let me show you. Hey, it's gone. Can we use your phone? Yeah. Yeah,
but I saw it just a few minutes ago. The car was right there in the driveway. You think that guy
took my car? Yes, sir. It's a pretty good bet. You got your license number handy there. I don't
remember it. I got it on a card in my wallet. Can you give me communication? Can you give us a
description of your car? It's a Plymouth sedan black. Two door sedan with search detail. Laurel
Canyon. I got some new information for all units in the details. Here's the license number.
Thanks. Will you broadcast this information to all units in the search detail? What was the make and
model of your car? 46 black Plymouth, a two door sedan. Uh, 1946 black Plymouth, two door sedan,
license number, let me see, seven x-ray, two five six nine. This car has just been stolen from
102-11, Groven Drive. Any identifying marks on the car? Well, I left my keys in it. No, no,
sir. I mean any special markings on the car. Maybe a dent in one of the fenders. Well,
yeah, George, hold on. We're getting it. The right headlight went out on me last night. I haven't had
it fixed yet. The right headlight on the car is out. Notify all units in the search detail that we
believe suspect is now in possession of this car. Right, thank you. Let's go. Must have happened in
the last 15 minutes. I heard that noise and I went out to check the car was there then. Well,
here's our card. We'll be checking with you later. Yeah, I sure hope you find it. I don't know how I
can get to work tomorrow without my car. Yeah, we'll notify. Yeah, gee, I sure hope you find it. Thanks
for your help. Come on, Ben.
I don't think he could have gotten that car through the blockade yet. You
know, better start searching the side roads. Yeah, there's one leading off to the left up ahead.
Okay, let's try it.
Wait a minute. There's a car coming down the hill toward us. You're always making time.
Joe, only one headlight on the car. It's coming right at us. Turn around quick. There's no room.
Get over to the inside.
Ben, you all right? Ben.
An ambulance was called and Ben and I were taken to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital.
There I received emergency treatment for multiple cuts and bruises and a sprained left shoulder.
Ben didn't do so well. He had a possible concussion, two broken ribs, and half a dozen
severe cuts about the face and arms. We were then taken to the PNF ward. The next afternoon
we had a visit from Captain Steed and Chief of Detective Stad Brown.
Friday, how are you feeling? Oh, pretty good, Chief. I saw Romaro across the hall. You came out
better needed. Yeah, that's what I hear. You resting any? Much better. No danger involved.
Needs rest. That's about all. How long? Oh, you'll be here two weeks, according to the doctor.
What about you? A couple of days. Too bad, Joe. Bad's been? Yeah. Looks like you two got banged up
for nothing. Oh. After he rammed your car, he ditched the black Plymouth and then we figure he hit
with the underbrush. Yeah. Somehow when we were hauling you and Ben out of that wreck,
he slipped through the line. Any fingerprints on the car? None we could use. It's rotten luck. I
guess it was his night, huh? We're getting more men from Metro Division to help out. And we're
doubling the number of decoys around the city. Police women, huh? We'll have each of them planted
in a parked car along with an officer in every area of the badge bend that's been working.
All he has to do is grab at the bait once. Yeah, if he goes for it. He'll have plenty of time to
choose. We work the same setup every night till we reach him. It's a big operation. Might have to run
it for weeks unless he quits. There's only one way a guy like that ever quits. Yeah. When we stop him.
Saturday, March 10th, 2 p.m. I was released from the PNF ward and went home. Ben stayed on at the
hospital. He had at least another 10 days to go before release. Sunday I spent at home. Monday
afternoon I checked back in at the office and Captain Steed put me on decoy duty for that week
along with policewoman Dorothy River. We were assigned to cover an isolated parking area near
Mulholland Drive in Beverly Glen. It was a nice view but the duty was slow. No sign of the badge
bend. Policewoman River and I waited it out from late evening to early morning from Monday through
Thursday. Friday night came. Same thing. We waited. How's Ben? You see him today? Yeah, he's doing fine.
Be out next week. Grouchy I guess. Oh sure. You want a cigarette? Thank you. You sure tell it's
Friday night. Yeah. In fact, college kids are out in force. What time you got? A quarter to two.
Long nights. Yeah, slow. You cold? No, you? Just a little. It's chilly up here in the early morning.
What's that? A car full of kids just pulling out. Where the car's gone to?
Yeah, the only ones left. Steakhouse got on your nerves. So look if you're cold you can have my coat.
It doesn't bother me. No, no, it's all right Joe. Thanks. It's a beautiful view from up here isn't it?
All the lights. Yeah. You like to dance Joe? What? I said do you like to dance? Oh once in a while I guess.
I'm not too good. Why? Well our club's having its big annual dance two weeks from Saturday. Yeah.
Might get a kick out of it as a former. That leaves me out. I don't own a tux. You could rent one. It'd
be fun. Nah, I'm afraid I don't look good in a tux. I never met a man who thought he did. Why don't you try it?
I might be working. Well I mean if you're not working why don't you come? You going? Well I was
planning on it. Got a date? Yeah, I have hope. There's a car pulling in.
See? Yeah, parked over in back of us. I can only make out one person in the car. Yeah, looks like a man I
can't be sure. All right, come on over closer. We might as well look the part huh? All right.
He's getting out of the car. Is he coming this way? Walking over to the side of the road. He's got a flashlight
looking around. He's built like the badge bandit. Short and heavy set. Yeah, he's turning around. He's
got his flashlight on us. He's coming up on your side of the car. All right, take it easy. You know what to do.
Come on out of that car. Police officer. All right, hold on. Got a gun Joe. Yeah.
Come on. I said out of the car. Both of you. All right. All right. Drop the gun. Drop it.
Oh my god. That's him. Yeah. Now I'll get the cuffs on him. Thanks. I didn't think I hit him that hard. You didn't. I didn't.
Policewoman Dorothy River Knight took the suspect to Hollywood Division where he was
booked on suspicion of robbery. He gave his name as Charles Leon Kirby age 46.
Monday, March 19th, Ben was released from the hospital and checked back in for work.
A special show-up was held at which 10 of the 17 victims definitely identified Kirby as the badge
bandit. The suspect had finally been apprehended. Now we started the slow process of formally charging
the man and presenting our evidence against him to bring him to trial. 10 a.m. Ben and I went across
the street to the sixth floor of the Hall of Justice to present our case against Kirby and
to obtain a formal complaint against him. We met with Deputy District Attorney Broker.
When'd you get out of the hospital Ben? This morning. Sure got sick of that play. Heard about your
accident. That guy sure gave you enough trouble didn't he? Yeah, he's still giving us trouble.
How's that? He got in a tangle with another prisoner out in Hollywood Division. Yeah? The other
prisoner gave Kirby a pretty bad going over. Cut him up and broke his left forearm. They're moving
him in an ambulance from Hollywood to the prison ward at the general hospital. When this happen?
This this morning. I think they're moving him downtown now. Tough one. Now how about your
reports on Kirby? Are they all in order? Here's a summary report. Alleges 10 positive identifications
containing 10 counts of robbery and 10 counts of forcible rape. All right. And here are seven
other crime reports. Only partial identification on these. Okay. What do you got for corroborating
evidence against him? Oh we went through Kirby's apartment. Found at least a dozen pieces of
property that he took from his victims. Mostly watches and jewelry. The victims identified every
piece we found. Okay let me get the details down here. Excuse me Matt. Sure. Broker speaking.
Yeah it's a minute. You Friday. Thank you. Friday. When? Yeah right away. Well that does it. What's
my Kirby? He just broke out of that ambulance. You are listening to Dragnet. The case history of a
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As soon as word of Kirby's escape came through the information was broadcast to all points.
All available cruiser cars and men were rushed to the escape area and a door-to-door canvas got
underway. All of the men were given mug shots of Kirby together with his description.
11 a.m. Ben and I got back to the office. We found a message from Captain Stead to meet him
in the chief of detective's office. No man in that area will further notice. Check the bus depots in
the Union Station. Right. What's the story chief? That's what I'm trying to find out. Where'd he make
the break? Near 4th and Main. Couldn't have picked a better spot. The ambulance had just crossed 3rd
and Main when Kirby slugged the guard. Driver was too busy dodging traffic to notice what was going on
in back. That's a lousy break. Kirby jumped out of the back end of the ambulance and disappeared in
the crowd. No sign of him since. That's fine. Takes us almost three months to reach the guy and he
breaks away on a cheap loop like that. Well he doesn't have many friends in town. He's only got
one we know of. Yeah. A brother. Kirby stays with him pretty often from what we gather. His brother
lives in a roomy house down on Alameda. Anybody check that yet? We've got it staked out. The brother
works at a box factory in the south end of town. Let's cover it too. He's not going far with a
broken arm. What have you got? One shop pulled up 6th Street happened a few minutes ago. Yeah. Here's
the description of the hold-up man. Stocky bill blonde hair horn rimmed lashes. Chubby face. You
were wrong about that broken arm. Come on. 11 20 a.m. Ben and I pulled up at the East Asia pawn shop
on 6th Street. Inside we found the proprietor Morris Brubaker lying propped up against one of
the showcases. It was an elderly man. His face and head showed the marks of a savage beating.
His wounds were hemorrhaging badly and ambulance attendants were giving him first aid.
We showed him Charles Kirby's mug shot. That's the man. I wouldn't make a mistake. That's him.
Was he alone Mr. Brubaker? Yes by himself. He asked to look at a watch and when I
turned to get it he kicked me. I fell against the showcase and cut myself. He pulled me in the back
room. I didn't even know him. He kept beating me. Easy Mr. Brubaker. Let me get this compass on.
How much did he get away with do you know? I'm not sure. Blue suit, blue overcoat, wrap around,
navy blue both. He kept hitting me. All right sir just take it easy though. I'll be out of here in a
minute. He kept hitting me like a crazy man. This is antiseptic might sting a little.
Okay. What else did he take Mr. Brubaker? Can you remember? Yes from the cash register. He took
money. How much? 13, 14 dollars. I can't be sure. When he left your store did you see which way he
was going? No he dragged me in the back room. He locked me in. Ready to move now sergeant. Okay.
I don't know. I saw him going through the shelves there in the back of the counter. I don't know.
What'd you keep there? My account books and my gun. Box of shells too. You want to take a look Ben?
Well my head. Yes sir just take it easy. It's only going to be a minute now.
Account books are still there. Yeah. He got the gun.
4 p.m. Kirby alias the Badge Bandit was still at large. As far as we were concerned the case was
almost back to where it started from 11 weeks before. The suspect was still loose. It was well
armed. Was still free to rob, assault, or murder. We had two big advantages. Kirby's possible broken
arm which would need medical attention and secondly the lead to Kirby's brother. At 5 30 p.m. we had a
report that the suspect was seen purchasing a ticket at a theater box office out on Hollywood
Boulevard. We ran it down. It didn't pay off. At 6 15 a taxi driver thought he spotted Kirby boarding
an outbound streetcar at Figaro and Pico. Was checked out. No results. At seven o'clock Ben and
I got something to eat at a drive-in and we relieved the men on stakeout at the rooming house on
Alameda Street where Kirby's brother was staying. 10 p.m. Midnight. No sign of Kirby. We waited.
At 3 a.m. Hanson and Cummings of Homicide relieved us and Ben drove me home.
It was 3 45 when he dropped me off at Collis Avenue number 4656.
Joseph? That you? Yeah Ma. I didn't mean to wake you. What time is it? Almost four. Oh my.
These late hours you've got to get your rest Joseph. I'll be all right Ma. Got something to eat in the
ice box? There's a little cold meat and some cheese in the cupboard. Just want a sandwich.
You're going back to sleep. I had some nice meatballs and spaghetti for dinner. I can warm some for you.
My kind sandwich is working all hours. You just get sick Joseph and you'll see nobody cares about
you when you're sick. I wish you wouldn't get up Ma. I can fix something. Warm up the meatballs and
spaghetti. You need something substantial. I get it. 4 a.m. I hope it's not that awful.
Hello. Warman down Homicide. Yeah Warman. Thought you'd like to know they just got Kirby.
Where? At his brother's place about 15 minutes ago. Hanson and Cummings grabbed him.
Any trouble? No. Grabbed him before he got to his gun. We just locked him up. Thought you'd like to know.
Yeah. Thanks Warman. Night. Night.
Well that wasn't Joseph. The office Ma. I got Kirby the badge bandit. Oh did they? Well that's nice.
Maybe you'll have some time off now. Yeah. Never fails does it. We work on a case for three months.
Leave it for 30 minutes and it's all over. Well the food's warm. Is there anything else you want?
No no that's fine Ma. You go on to bed. Well all right Joseph. Now don't stay up too long.
All right. Night. Hey Ma. Yes Joseph. Have I still got that old tuxedo around?
The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent.
On June 27th trial was held in Superior Court, Department 87, City and County of Los Angeles,
State of California. In a moment the results of that trial. It's amazing how many long cigarette
smokers are changing to extra mild Fatima. Here is the actual report. From coast to coast
extra mild Fatima has more than doubled its smokers. Yes more and more smokers every day
are discovering that Fatima is the king-size cigarette that is extra mild. Extra mild because
it contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos superbly blended to make it extra mild
to give it a much different much better flavor and aroma. Enjoy extra mild Fatima yourself.
The best of all long cigarettes. It's wise to smoke extra mild Fatima. It's wise to smoke
extra mild Fatima. Charles Leon Kirby alias the badge bandit was tried and convicted in Superior
Court on several counts of armed robbery, rape and assault with intent to commit murder. He was
sentenced to life imprisonment. After serving one year in the state penitentiary he was judged insane
and committed to the state mental hospital at Mendocino. After two months there he escaped.
Charles Kirby alias the badge bandit is still at large. You have just heard Dragnet a series
of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the Office of Chief
of Police W.A. Wharton. This is NBC the national broadcasting company.