Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true.
The names were changed to protect the innocent.
Dragmen.
You're a detective sergeant.
You're assigned to forgery division, shoplifting detail.
An organized gang of thieves has started operating in your city.
In spite of the precautions taken, the thieves are still working.
Your job, stop them.
It was Monday, September 20th.
It was cold in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch out of forgery division, shoplift detail.
My partner is Frank Smith, the boss of chief of detectives Thad Brown.
My name is Friday.
We were on our way out from the office and it was 9.45 a.m. when we got to the eighth
floor of the Whitfield department store.
Yes sir, can I help you?
We'd like to see Mr. Dunropp.
I believe he's expecting you.
Good name?
Joe Friday.
Oh yes.
You want to go right in?
Thank you.
Thanks Frank.
Is this door here?
Yes, go right in.
Come on in.
Hi Jerry.
You know Frank, don't you?
Sure, how's it going?
Hi Jerry.
You boys want to sit down?
Thank you.
I'll have the girls set up.
Okay.
Yes sir.
You want to have them set up, please?
Yes sir.
I'd like to ask you guys a favor.
What's that Jerry?
Forkett thinks this whole thing is her fault.
I'd appreciate it if you could take it easy on her.
We'll do our best.
Sure.
What'd they get away with this time?
Oh here's a list.
Thank you.
Here's a copy for you Frank.
Oh thanks.
You got any idea when they were in?
It's hard to tell for sure.
We're open Friday night and then Saturday's a pretty rough day.
It wasn't until after closing we found it.
I figured they either moved in late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
Miss Evans girl discovered the theft, did she?
No, no she didn't know anything about it.
The stock clerk found it.
He was running through the inventory to replace the coats and suits.
Noticed there were several that couldn't be accounted for.
He called me.
Evans girl's in the department.
I talked to her this morning.
Looks like she waited on the pair.
Is she able to come up with any kind of description?
Yeah, I think she'll be able to help us.
No, excuse me.
Yes?
Miss Evans is here.
Will you send her in please?
Yes sir.
Come in.
You wanted to see me Mr. Dunlap?
Yes would you come in please?
Yes sir.
Oh Miss Evans this is Sergeant Friday and Officer Smith.
They're from the police department.
How are you doing?
Hello.
I don't know why you want to see me Mr. Dunlap.
Told you I didn't know anything about them.
I told you.
You've got to believe me I didn't have anything to do with them.
I never saw them before.
Now you just sit down Miss Evans.
Thank you.
Now the officers are here to just talk to you.
They want to ask you a couple of questions.
There's nothing wrong.
You mean I'm not going to lose my job?
No.
Really?
You're not going to fire me?
We never even considered it.
I don't know how to thank you.
My first job would have a thing like this happen.
Sure appreciate it.
Anything you want to know I'll tell you.
You just ask I'll tell you.
All right Miss Evans.
Have you any idea who might have stolen the merchandise?
Oh didn't you tell them what I said Mr. Dunlap?
I thought it would be better if they heard it from you.
Oh I see.
Well I think I know who they were.
I've tried to remember all the people I waited on.
Everyone.
There's only two that stand out like they were different.
How do you mean different Miss?
Well they didn't seem like the other customers.
You know like they really wanted to buy something.
They just wanted to look around.
I could tell they didn't really want to take anything with them.
We had a course on that in school.
I had to tell if a customer really wanted to buy.
That was one of the class problems to sell a customer who didn't really want to buy anything.
Yes ma'am.
And about these people.
What was it they did that makes you think they might have been the shoplifters?
Well first the way they talked.
I was trying to wait on other people at the same time and they kept me showing them all
kinds of things.
It took me almost a half an hour to clean up after they left.
There were two people is that right?
Yeah a man and a woman.
Can you give us a description of them?
I told Mr. Dunlap all about it.
You want me to go over it again?
I've got it Joe.
I'm having a type for you now.
All right fine.
You want me to tell it again?
Well we'll check it with you yes ma'am.
What kind of things these people want to see ma'am?
Not just about everything at the counter.
They had me so mixed up I didn't know what to do.
I told you I was trying to wait on another customer.
Woman who wanted to buy a suit I kept trying to take care of her.
She finally left.
These two were causing so much trouble every time I left them I couldn't even take care
of the woman.
She got mad and left.
I don't really blame her.
You know Mr. Dunlap there really should be more people up there.
Only three girls and when we get busy they're just on enough to go around.
Lots of customers walk out.
Well we'll see what we can do.
Lots of times they walk out without buying something because there isn't anybody to help
them.
Best woman who walked out.
Could you describe her for us?
I can't beat that.
She was real nice.
Had a lot of patience.
Kept waiting for me to go back and take care of the troublemakers.
Never said a word.
Well can you tell us what she looked like?
Well I'd say she was about 35.
It's hard to say for sure.
She took real good care of herself.
You know hair all nice and good makeup.
Not cheap like.
Nice hands in the manicure.
Was she carrying any packages when she came in?
Do you remember?
Gee I've got to think about that.
I don't think so.
Oh you know a couple of paper bags like from the notions department.
Maybe face cream or cologne.
Things like that.
No large boxes?
No.
I don't see why you're so interested in her.
The other two were the ones who caused the trouble.
They're the ones who must have taken things.
Why are you asking about the lady?
How was she dressed?
Do you remember?
Oh just beautiful.
He had on a gray suit with large lapels.
Kind of peplum that came out like this.
Rhinestone buttons.
Beautifully good taste.
Was she wearing a coat?
Mm hmm.
It was long.
Had a stand up collar.
Real full skirt.
Tight bodice.
Where was she looking at the suit?
Over by the counter.
She'd hold them up you know in front of the mirror.
She knew what she wanted.
Looked at the material.
The way they were made.
She abided if I could have spent a little time with her.
She liked the merchandise.
Liked everything I showed her.
Mm hmm.
How many things did you take off the racks for?
I guess she looked at a dozen styles.
You know a dozen real high style suits.
That seemed to be all she was interested in.
You don't think she had anything to do with the stealing though do you?
Well looks like she was the one who did the actual taking of the merchandise.
The other two were there to keep you busy.
I can't believe that.
She was so nice.
Never seemed to get upset.
Even when I couldn't spend more time with her.
Real nice.
Didn't get upset at all when she couldn't find what she wanted.
I'm afraid you're wrong there.
Mm hmm.
She found it.
We continued to interrogate the witness.
We got complete descriptions of the trio, their physical appearance and their method
of operation matched those of the gang Frank and I had been looking for for the past six
weeks.
Alice Evans was shown mug shots of known shoplifters but she was not able to give us an identification.
We made arrangements for her to come down to the office and check additional mug files.
The average citizen looks at shoplifting as a petty nuisance which businessmen are expected
to endure.
That's not entirely true.
Shoplifting is big business.
Last year hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise was stolen from stores
in the Los Angeles area alone.
Most of the goods stolen by organized gangs is sold to fences for final disposal.
During the course of our investigation we'd been working with stores protective association
incorporating all of the security officers in the larger businesses.
M.O.
Bulletin's had been gotten out on the gangs activities.
From what we'd been able to find out there were three people working as a unit.
Two women and a man.
The three suspects would enter a store and split up.
One of the women would pretend to be looking at merchandise while the other two suspects
would engage the clerk in conversation.
In that way keeping her away from the first member of the trio.
The articles stolen were almost always either coats or suits and we noticed that one line
of merchandise seemed to attract the criminals more than others.
Monday three forty six p.m.
Frank and I went down to a second hand clothing store on fifth street to talk to the owner.
You're right with him.
Toby.
Yeah.
Hi fellas.
What's going on.
Oh yes something's going to talk to you about Toby.
Sure just having a cup of coffee in the back.
Come on up for your cup.
In here.
Sit down get your together.
Thank.
You.
Think special now we're just fishing tell me what you might be able to come up a little
something for it maybe.
You go either of you want sugar no no thanks don't use it.
Just doing part of your work here all right yeah by sheets want to get in the mail tonight
while we don't want to keep you told me no trouble sergeant Max get a little tired anyway
just to stop and have a cigarette.
That's business pretty good I keep it up.
Now what can I do for you you got anything on a boosting gang working around nothing
more unusual why well we got a bunch of given us a little trouble trying to come up with
something to hang together on two men and a woman.
Yeah you got anything on it so nothing worth repeating rumbled around about the three of
them that's about it I had a more on a call you sooner where the information coming from
you know how it is sergeant you hear something here something else there you put them together
you come up with a story but no way to trace it.
You got any idea where the stuff is being sold same answer rumbles got it but all the
loose being shipped out of town some of the back east some goes up north I get a piece
the other day the summer's going to Mexico Mexico yeah most of it ending up in the east
oh you know any reason they'd be hitting one brand morning others got a word that's about
all what's that the gang laying out around town if they'll pay up to twenty five bucks
for a suit you know going price around five maybe six and a half figures that if you can
do better with one line that's what you're going to boost why the price gone up the only
way I can figure it to be worth more in the market anybody approach you if they had you
would have been called right away you know that you got any idea we might be able to
pick up anything on the trio not right out but I'll tell you one thing what's that oh
yeah I got it this forum yeah two men two women a man's a gun sets up the deals makes
shipments how they get the stuff I told you know pick up a kid and offer him a trip ask
him to deliver a suitcase works out good for him carrier doesn't know who he's working
for can't lead the cops back to the operation but the only way I can figure it saying none
of the stolen stuff shown up down here nothing so far well thanks a lot told me if you hear
anything we should appreciate a call to a thing real good coffee going to do I make
it in the percolator you mean that powdered stuff you don't have to make that in the coffee
pot have it I guess. Well thanks again we won't keep you told me. Oh hang on a minute
I guess there are going to do for you by use close guess there was a good sell that's in
the car just want to be sure you're buying stuff bring it in we take a look at it OK
Toby we'll see you later right Sergeant give me a call right I'll be right back. What do
you think of that Sergeant sure in a hurry isn't it now let's see why come on. Yeah right
up there Hey hold it up there. What do you want right I didn't you hear me ask you to
wait back there well sure I heard you know you're talking to me what do you want police
officer step over the car when I ask you a couple questions I haven't done anything
to say it did well why do you want to talk to me what do you want me to come on let's
go all right make a mistake I haven't done anything. Got the wrong man you got no reason
to talk to me. I. Sit still. What are you doing you won't find anything.
I don't know what you guys are after I haven't done anything take your wallet out why I get
out here take the money out of it. You always carry that much money do you know not always
I know you keep the money in your hand give me the wallet. Is your true name
Kenneth Elgin Norris is your right name Yeah you look here now do you know that now we're
doing a little I got a room over on seven you want me to run a make on it yeah will
you hear his ID. One day to control one one K.
A. To control one. Check for one Kenneth Elgin Norris that's N.O.
Double R. I.S. male white American twenty six years five feet ten and three quarters
one hundred and sixty eight pounds black hair brown eyes K.M.A. 367.
What's all that about going to see if you're one of them. You've been in trouble me with
the cops that's right no never why do you leave the clothing store in such a hurry I
remember to have to meet a guy I remember I was like who's the guy friend of mine you
wouldn't know I'll try it guy named Arthur I don't know his last name where we're going
to meet him bar down the street what about the clothes you want to sell what about
what about what I don't know you went in to sell something that you didn't have that
it was going to pick him up from Arthur you don't know his last name No I'll come here
we're going to sell the clothes huh why are we going to sell the clothes that's a silly
question why does anybody sell anything because I needed the money you look like you're
sitting pretty good I got to leave town I'm selling all my stuff I thought said the clothes
belong to the soccer guy well they do but I'm going to sell them for him he said he'd
give me
a piece of the problem why doesn't he sell them so well I don't know you better ask him
we'll try to get the rest of the stuff out of your pocket come on everything you guys
are making a big mistake you know that's not your real big mistake well if we're wrong we'll
tell you here it is comb change cigarettes and the lighter it's all there is you sure
but why would I lie in your pockets inside out well I turn them inside out all of them
the other one too told you I gave everything I had there isn't anything else. Of your foot.
What's this looks like a key what's it for but I don't know it isn't mine maybe it belongs
to Arthur could be it is mine looks like a check locker key done it might be I never
saw before came out of your pocket and no it didn't must have been on the floor all the
time it isn't mine. The.
One
K. It all Roger. I made a mistake looks like you made more than one done it was maybe you're
wrong about the locker key I told you I never saw it before I'm sure you want to sit with
them Frank Yeah I'll get to a phone I just a key what does that prove I don't know let's
find out what it opens. We got the location of the locker and with the suspect Frank and
I drove over and removed a large black suitcase the locks on the case had been broken and
inside we found eleven women's suits of the same type that had been stolen from the Los
Angeles stores all identifying labels have been removed but we were able to find the
tag issued by the National Recovery Board inside the scenes of the suit. We got in touch
with their Los Angeles office they told us that the serial number had been issued to
a San Francisco company. On the way back to the city hall we stopped and searched the
suspect's room thoroughly but we found nothing. When we got to the squad room Frank went to
the business office to arrange a phone call to San Francisco and I took the suspect to
the interrogation room six twenty PM you guys got to believe me that stuff's not mine I
don't know where it came from what you get the key it's not mine I never saw it before
I heard about it I don't care if you want it or not that's the way it is tell us a little
more about this out there with you I told you everything I know where you meet him in
a bar down on me and I told you that before now what's the matter don't you believe me
you're making it tough to believe I'm telling you the truth where the suits come from I
don't know right here take another look at them might help you remember how they went
to suitcase when Arthur gave me that's all I know where do you get I don't know you
steal all I don't know why do you know I just said he wanted to take care of us before he
wanted to sell them as you well he did but we're going to make the pay off after they
were sold he said he'd get in touch with where around he said he'd find me he gave you over
five hundred dollars with
a suit and he said he'd get in touch with you know that's right when sometime he didn't
name a date no just said he'd look me up. How many times you've been arrested you got
the record why ask him they want you to tell us I don't know I forget I'll take a guess
a few times five you got the record was the last time you checked with your parole officer
I forget you know your packages tab no I didn't know until I heard on the radio you had no
idea no one up for burgers all right yeah I said no you know you're going back don't
you yeah I guess not going to look good to have another charge marked on you what do
you mean burglary how'd you dig that one up these suits you can't explain them it isn't
going to look too good is it look I told you Arthur gave him any city get in touch with
you yeah that's right or. Come up with the answer yeah so he doesn't know yeah we can
help him just got through talking with a Georgia writer up north well you check the records
code numbers from the shipment to the Woodfield department store looks like a bunch were after
now who's Arthur you mean the suits were stolen called it who's Arthur look I don't want to
go back to the joint in a beef like that we don't decide that but if I help you guys you'll
take care of me you'll talk to my parole I can't make any deals with you but I don't
want to fall this way that's up to you Mr you're sitting in the middle now which way
do you want to go. Nobody can help you but yourself so there must be a fine friend leaving
you with a bunch of stolen merchandise might be the way he figured it what's the matter
doesn't have to like you. OK I'll go the route now I'll tell you where to find.
We
call the sonographer and Kenneth Norris gave us a complete statement he said that he'd been
approached by a man that he knew only as Arthur and asked to carry a suitcase to St. Louis
once there a man would have him paid at the airport and take the police from him in return
for this service the suspect was to be paid one hundred dollars and his expenses Norris
explained that he decided he could do better by selling the contents of the suitcase himself
this information was forwarded to the St. Louis police department we got a complete
description of the man he knew as Arthur and had the suspect checked through the mug books
but he was unable to make an identification. We got in touch with his parole officer and
told him that we had Norris in custody we asked that we be allowed to detain him for
a few days the following morning we met with Chief Detective Stad Brown and Captain Welsh
was decided that Norris would take us to the bar where he'd met the thief and he'd point
him out Norris would then be brought back to the main jail and book and I would try
to establish myself with this Arthur in that way we'd have a better chance of building
a case that we could take to court and apprehending the entire shoplifting gang. On Wednesday morning
September twenty second Norris Frank and I drove over to Main Street we checked the
bar but the suspect wasn't there we waited in our car which was parked down the street
Arthur failed to arrive he didn't show up at the bar on Thursday or Friday Saturday
twelve forty PM Norris pointed down the street that's him just going in the place tell him
the gray suit there yeah that's him sure I got no reason to lie have I all right yeah
you want to take Norris back to the office I'll go on in OK I'll be right back Sergeant
yeah I'll give you something for free you know what Sam take it easy with Arthur don't
press I mean he's a pretty rough guy but so yeah here he carries a gun a lot of trouble
if he's got it with him unless he tries to use it. I left Frank at the curb and walked
into the bar I saw the man that we knew was Arthur sitting at the rear of the place I
took a seat near the front door and ordered a cup of coffee a few minutes I walked back
toward Arthur. Some you want yeah I wanted if I could have one of your cigarettes machine
up front if I had the price out of what
a pack coming in. Yeah. Got a match how you fix for a break look I just asked you for
a cigarette if you don't want to give me one say so I'll shove off mine in your mouth.
Thank you. Hey you. You're broke all the way to get in town this morning we're from up
north narrowed down look Mr here's your cigarette bag give me one of these doesn't tell you
that my life story you hungry I'm eating for two days. Thanks appreciate this I know you
gonna be in town I don't depend on how things work out you got a job I'm going to look what
you do whatever pays and you what I got some friends around town might be able to use you
take with me in a couple of days might be able to do something for you I'll get in touch
with you meet me here I take the place couple times a week just ask if Arthur's around but
your name what I'm using this season you look me up kid will work some more yeah I'm sure
we will. I sat and talked Arthur for another half hour during that time you wouldn't tell
me his last name and I had no way of finding out anything more about him at twelve ten
I saw Frank drive by the front door that was the signal that the crew of detectives were
standing by to follow the suspect I left the bar and walked down Main Street up to seven
Frank was waiting for me we drove back to the city hall and discuss what had happened
with Chief Brown and Captain Welsh during the next three days Arthur was kept under
constant surveillance he didn't drive an automobile he contacted no one we were able to learn
a considerable amount about the man although he didn't try to make contact with any other
members of the gang it was obvious that he was the prime fence that he was directing
the operation Wednesday afternoon I walked into the bar on Main Street Arthur wasn't
there but the bartender said that he was expecting him I waited at six forty seven p.m. the suspect
entered the place he took a seat at the rear of the bar and motioned me back. I've been
looking for it all right yeah one of you may be able to come up with that job you're talking
about I could sure use
a touch you like to travel but I think you might have some for you got to go out of town
though for dough I wouldn't ask you any other way what I have to do friend of mine has a
suitcase he wants to deliver to a party in Chicago why doesn't he send it by mail doesn't
want it to go that way once it delivered personally I want to pay all your expenses and a hundred
bucks. What's in the suitcase and any of your business what happens if I get picked up I
don't know I'm not carrying anything hot you're going to take my word for it James all right
who do I deliver the suitcase to I'll meet you in the morning I'll give you the bag then
catch ten o'clock playing when you land in Chicago go to the coffee shop you'll be paid
to meet the man and give him a suitcase I know if it's the right guy we'll give you the name
he's the only one who knows what the name isn't when you come in and. What do I need to be
on front of this place today in the morning I'll pick you up one more thing about the money
you won't need any going back when you turn over the suitcase to my friend you'll give
you the hundred you already have your ticket. Sounds OK not as permanent as I'd like to
carry this off we'll be able to do more business I'll meet you here then at eight in the morning
is there a right beyond time and I want you to miss that plane but depends on this deal
I don't want anything to go wrong now don't worry what do I.
I left the bar and met Frank we stood at the front of the place and at nine fifty six p.m.
the suspect came out he called a cab and we followed him he went out to the apartment
where we knew he lived Frank and I waited out front at eleven twenty a car pulled up in
front of the place and three people got out they matched the description of the thieves
in our shoplifting operation they were carrying a large suitcase we waited for ten minutes
and then Frank and I went up to Arthur's apartment. Number four or eight down this way.
I get the dark.
I. Was.
A.
Man. What are you doing here what's it's all about our police officers you're under arrest
as well as a cop I know and I thought I could trust you I thought you were honest you sure
pick them up cop for messenger boy you're real smart I thought I could depend on him I
thought he was honest you don't know what the word mean about it Mr. Do you.
Know.
I. Arthur Nelson Thompson Samuel Donald Hickok Georgia Baxter Nielsen and Dorothy Marie Simpson
were tried and convicted of burglary in the second degree fourteen counts they received
sentence as prescribed by law burglary in the second degree is punishable by imprisonment
in the state penitentiary for a period not less than one nor more than fifteen years.
We have just heard the authentic story of your police force in action and starring Jack
Webb a presentation of the United States Armed Forces radio service.
movie.