Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true.
The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
You're a detective sergeant.
You're assigned a robbery detail.
You get a teletype warning you that two holdup men are heading for your city.
You know they're armed and dangerous.
Your job, be ready for them.
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 to an actual case transcribed from official
police files.
From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force
in action.
It was Tuesday, April 5th.
It was raining in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch out of robbery detail.
My partner is Frank Smith.
The boss of Chief Detective Fab Brown.
My name is Friday.
I was on my way back from R&I and it was 8.46 a.m. when I got to room 27A, squad room.
Frank?
Yeah, no, back here.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
I'm going to the office.
Frank?
Yeah, no, back here.
How about it?
Turning things?
Yeah, a couple of names and not a massive description.
One of them is supposed to be in.
This afternoon's mail, I said they were sent on an American special.
It'll be easier when we know who we're looking for, huh?
Yeah, it will.
Friday, Smith?
Yeah, skip it.
You got a minute?
Right there.
Good morning.
Yeah.
Close the door, huh?
Yeah, sure, skip.
Sit down.
Here, come on.
Sit down.
Here, take a look at this.
What is it?
About the Merton brothers.
I just talked to Leopold.
Sheriff from Las Vegas?
That's right.
Gave me as much as he could on the Merton.
Check our records.
There's nothing on them here.
It's unlikely.
From what Leopold says, they're fresh out from the East.
In Amatau?
No, someplace in Georgia.
They're trying to run it out.
Bolton, we got to pull a couple of gas station holdups over there.
Anything else?
Yeah, at least they think so.
Well, burning business.
Yeah, I think so.
Burning their records, the boys got into town a couple of months ago, no visible means,
with plenty of money.
Hung around the places on the Strip, gambled, drank, had themselves quite a time.
Yeah?
The department over there started to wonder where the money was coming from, put a couple
of men on them full time.
What'd they find out?
Not much.
Merton's party's cozy.
They were finally picked up on a drunk charge, mugs and printed.
Nothing to hold them on, so they were released.
Yeah.
Next morning, they skipped town, left clean.
On the way out, they stopped long enough to kick in a couple of those gas station motels,
you know, along the highway.
Oh.
It worked pretty good.
The victims make the identification right away?
Yeah.
As soon as they saw the pictures, sheriff's office notified Baker.
Highway Patrol there was waiting, but they must have gotten through before the word went
out.
We've been able to trace them through Barstow, Victorville, on through Pear Blossom, Little
Rock.
They worked hard all the way.
What do you mean?
Three service stations, two restaurants, one motel.
Anything on them here in LA?
Not yet.
A matter of time.
We've got to get them before they...
Yeah.
All the victims tell the same story.
These two guys are off their rockers.
When it stacks up, they're well armed.
The car they're driving is cold and they're on the needle.
Tell us where we got it.
Leephold says they kept a couple of dates with known pushers in Vegas.
As far as he could tell, there wasn't anything past.
That doesn't mean it didn't happen.
Well, that's the story.
Get on it.
Okay, scooper.
I told you before, it's a matter of time till they try to put somebody around here in town
for a couple of crazy gunmen, high on H, bad combination.
Somebody's got to lose.
Well, we've got to get them before they...
Yeah.
All the victims tell the same story.
Get on it.
We've got to get them before they try to put somebody around here in town for a couple
of crazy gunmen, high on H, bad combination.
They've got to lose.
Get on it.
Get on it.
Get on it.
Get on it.
Get on it.
Get on it.
Get on it.
Get on it.
Get on it.
Get on it.
Get on it.
here on the face if it didn't hit me as hard as it did turn it didn't that thing
so did you pull them go not too good tell you the truth I was more concerned
to take a care of my husband and paying attention to them a hoodlum I don't know
where men like it come from there's something wrong with the way they were
brought up truth come out will probably be their parents or to be in jail not
the boys at all might be right not the boys fault settle for 425 p.m. we
received a communication the FBI telling us that the Merton brothers are wanted
by the state of Alabama for escape a complete record on the two men was also
sent they've been arrested a total of 26 times for everything from petty theft to
kidnapping according to the kickback they'd escaped from a road gang while
serving a sentence to possession of narcotics we contacted the authorities in
Alabama and asked them to forward all available information on the suspect
after talking with Captain Donahoe Frank and I went over the first three
stations we kept more we asked him to supply a list of places the two brothers
might turn for a narcotic contact he gave us a list of several places in town
and the names of men we could talk to 8 16 p.m. we started to check them out yeah
what would they you think that the hey was around why you looking for him want
to talk to him what about what we wanted you to know we'd ask for you when we
you guys come that's right no where's Patsy I don't know come on we got word
that he hasn't been more than three blocks away from here in the past four
years now where is he I told you I don't know you're not being smart Mr. Hey
back room they long yeah far as I know what you do nothing different playing
a solitaire yeah you want some you have to hear what that's right
sit down I know you I don't think so you're in the wrong room police office we
got some questions for you I don't guarantee the answer at the start go you
heard from the Martin brothers who Grady and Ethan Martin no name you don't know
mm-hmm red queen on the black king like a term over that's the baby I'm looking
for first time today yeah first win too bad didn't pay for the deck I don't make
killing all right now come on hey what do you know about the Martin I told you
nothing now I come to me what other guys in town they're gonna need a the way we
got it you can steer them to it old friends again all right get your coat
why let's take a ride for what we can't talk here let's go downtown what's a nice
place there's nothing wrong with right here all right then what do you know
what's in it for me why information like that ought to be worth some you know we
can't do anything for you come on let's go how long you think you're gonna be
able to hold long enough how you make that well I'll tell you we'll take you
downtown process you pass the word you copped out told us about a half a dozen
people in town thing like that gets around you're gonna be in trouble you'll
come back with what we want to know well that's kind of crummy it almost built the
blackmail you called it we didn't you really do that we would all right
crushed out all the roads what do you want to know about the murders you know
I met him yeah where place down the street last night what is it a bar hotel
hotel there now no we just use the room to me know where they are now what they
want you called it H you do them any good no I told you the truth and I'm
pushing anymore why they come to you heard I could turn them on what'd you
tell them I couldn't help him I told him I try and line something up stall you
know I I don't want any part of that action you know I could have a piece of
it they have to be no why well these guys are too far out they must be
shooting seven eight caps a day just most of the time cooking them out of
their skull you got anything that'll help box them in I know hey maybe the broad
what do you mean well they're dragging abroad with a big one let's be six to
when I start you know her I've seen her around where you start from drinks
downtown got too rough for some of the managers they tied the candle he's been
floating for a couple of months ties into some guy who paid the bill soon as
he wises up she drops and goes on the power you got a man dress oh I can't name
it some flea bag on fifth I think yeah I don't know she might chip me with it not
steady enough mm-hmm she's smart you know how he looks you do a real good one
of the holiest women I ever met yeah looks like she should be wearing a
bridal where can we get in touch with it well it's hard to say since he's running
with the Merton's yeah you might try the tenor hearts why then to dive on six he
has to show for the place when they kicked her out you were freelance she
still hangs around I think well how'd you leave it with a murder huh they're
gonna contact you I know they might want me to call you if they do yeah we'd
appreciate that okay you got a card here thanks I'll give you a ring all right
anyway we'll hear from you right yeah there you are you see what you should
have banked the game I lost no you didn't huh you won
we returned to the office and ran the name and description of the woman through
the record section we came up with a package listing arrest the violation of
section 647 5 of the penal code and 42 20 LAMC
listening drinks he served two terms in the county jail and at the present time
was not on parole we got her address and drove out to see her
landlady at the apartment house told us she was out and wasn't expected back at
any certain time Frank and I drove down to the tenor heart a small bar on 6th
Street we found the woman sitting on one of the front stools hi honey like to buy
a drink your name James some letter names don't mean anything here just
friends so it really counts and how about it that's your name you guys that's
right you asked me for ain't done nothing we're not rousing you want to
talk to you about what let's get outside be easier talk there I got a choice not
much Henry yeah David's to I'll be right back go right out here we can talk in the
car go ahead get her
okay what's the base you work here do you mean this place that's right ah once
no I come in have a couple of drinks that's it what do you live I've been
around top you're right out here to pass the time of day when you have a couple
of questions not the power for that uniform you're gonna send a suit out to
ask about a traffic accident what do you do with your time then move around
lay it out for me what when first the week huh okay slept late Monday got up
about 1 30 a bad night Sunday woke up with a real head tagged the bar on the
corner a couple of Bloody Mary's went home changed my clothes and met a friend
you want to give us his name ain't going any farther not for much Nick Pfeiffer
okay what happened I was out with him until maybe 2 30 that's in the morning
yeah came home went to bed slept until about 11 32 mm-hmm got a call from a
couple of friends who just got into town get their name same deal same deal a
couple of brothers they met a girlfriend of mine in Las Vegas he gave him my
number how about the names Ethan and Grady Merton okay met them a couple of
drinks and go out to the beach for lunch came back to town at dinner takes us up
to last night you see them today no you couldn't call me
second well said they had some kind of business deal take care of this evening
after that they were gonna pick me up well here about an hour that's the
reason for the muscle the Martin brother might be a game going on on their side I
want that clear they pulled a boo-boo they did it themselves no help from me
as I'm concerned they both got soft spot what do you mean miss calls soft they
say what this business was they had to take care of no mention something about
somebody oh one of money something like that so they were gonna collect didn't
say where though not to me they were rigged last night though
didn't leave a lot of doubt all those guns going out to collect they weren't
gonna do it nice
we called the office and told them what happened another team of men were sent
out to help us cover the place Frank and I took up our positions in the back of
the barn we waited 1 15 a.m. 130 145 what do you think John I don't know I did not
show up
hey John got an idea this morning yeah well I was saving I always have trouble
you know try all the things they tell you let the ladder stay on two and a half
minutes hot water all the things you're supposed to do I've tried them off I
came up with the answer you did it yep what is it this time new kind of
razor razor yeah I got thinking about saying gave me the idea how does that
work say is my wife I know that she's shaving now you don't understand she's
not shaving well no oh you last night she gave herself one of those home
permanents and I got the idea from that for the new razor yeah they got those
permanent things for different kinds of hair like hair that's hard to curl
medium easy to curl easy you know how does I know what's coming here hmm well
somebody invented a razor for tough beard medium beard like there's you do
all right you're gonna invent it are you know I'm not gonna you know I am with
those things it's got the idea though I'd you like to buy one if they had him
tough beard find one right away first day every answer
here comes I look like Lady Martin just came in there yeah my brother is might be
outside wait a minute while we move
and let it all the way let's go take it outside right
all right Martin hold it up he's leaving Joe come on calm down take it easy
police officer take it easy all right come on get up come on get over there by
the wall dance still
Joe Luger so I put your hands down the back when you shoved me around for cop
you're gonna be sorry about what your brother you'll find it you got a fat
mouth mr. Now where is he I won't let you go on daddy man that's right you turn
them on and you talk to me guys like you always cause me trouble now I get cheap
bum I don't know what even season you're gonna be sorry when he hears about this
I'm fair way to get you you can't dig far enough to get away you'll find you
and pay your back that's enough now let's go you tell her you're gonna collect
interest on it she'll be sorry not alone I feel have company
the other team of men remained at the bar in the event the other suspect
returned we took rating Martin to the city hall for questioning empty your
pocket come on empty them out
well change please can't get you spend my let me see your arms bring on come on
let me see your arm what for there's two ways to do this you take your choice
all right when you have your last pop you got a prove it that won't be hard all
we got to do is drop you on an iso selling will be screaming for sure you
get all the money you can on that I'll book it myself let me see the wallet
nothing wrong with your reach
mr. Pink slip on your car yeah what Nevada that's what it says yeah
what was he for nothing like carrying then up what happens now you hit me turn
around forgot that mention Martin huh he here what's it for
I'm a sub Henryk's Arms Hotel that we've been saying I'm not gonna say anymore
you want me to talk it's got to be with the lawyer I know my rights you can't
make me say no huh we got all we need
we had Grady Martin taken to the main jail and held the answer charges of
violation of section 211 PC 3 26 a.m. Frank and I left the office and drove
out to the Hendrix Island with a large private home in the Crenshaw area that
had been converted into a hotel Frank covered the back entrance to the
building and I walked up the step you know it's 330 hope you've got a good
reason coming around here this time of night police officer coming ready to do
him five feet what more police business listen this is a clean place there's no
problem that's the way I wanted this we all want it yeah sure now who's in room
five three couple guys what are the names I don't know some white where is the
room to them only seen you a couple of times all right does one of them look
like this picture come in here way get some light huh
now let's take a look oh this is how we hear that's right hmm well here yes
that's one of them yeah you know well I wouldn't have any way of knowing that
tenants come and go as they please see long as they don't let the water run
don't have no loud parties we don't bother where is the room is the third
floor rear okay this hall go to the back door yeah you got to go through the
kitchen say can you tell me what this is all about they better if we didn't gonna
be in shoot I don't think so well if there's I can give you a hand I got a
pro game the really used to hunt dogs I'm dead you know that won't be necessary
I think yeah don't know you any back there yes sir right through there it
looks like a closet with you another door and you can go on up you have a key to
the room yeah yeah why would you go with you might be better if you stayed here
yeah yeah well I'll get my gun guard the front door he won't get out I'll guard
it
this is down this way yeah easy no no
no funding yeah look.
Thank you behind a belt.
I put it on the card wake I thought you got it just.
Come on up.
Now, how'd you get to me? How'd you do it?
We did.
I should have killed you all the time in the world and I didn't do it.
I should have killed you.
Yeah, you should have.
Perfect shot and I couldn't do it. No reason at all.
It wouldn't have cost me any more.
Would that so?
Yeah, sure. They never executed anybody in this state for killing a cop.
It wouldn't have cost me any more.
We've got a bigger bill and you can pay now.
Come on.
The story you have just heard is true.
The names were changed to protect the innocent.
On August 18th, trial was held in Department 98, Superior Court of the State of California,
in and for the County of Los Angeles.
In a moment, the results of that trial...
Ethan Gifford Merton and Grady James Merton were tried and convicted of robbery in the first degree,
five counts, and received sentence as prescribed by law.
Robbery in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary
for a period of from five years to life.
Because of the viciousness of their crimes, their sentences were set to run consecutively.
A hold was placed on them by the state of Alabama in the event they are paroled.
You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files.
Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department.
Technical advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Fance Brasher.
Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Herb Ellis, Virginia Gregg, Vickie and the others.
The
You have just heard Dragnet, a series of authentic cases from official files.
Technical advice comes from the Office of Chief of Police, W.H. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department.
Technical advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Fance Brasher.
Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Herb Ellis, Virginia Gregg, Vick Rodman, Bert Hollins.
Script by John Robinson, music by Walter Schumann, Hal Gitney speaking.
Watch an entirely different Dragnet case history each week on your local NBC television station.
Please check your newspapers for the day and time.
Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet transcribed from Los Angeles.