Dragnet - Big Escape

0:00Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Fatima cigarettes. Best of all long cigarettes brings you dragnet. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to robbery detail. Two armed bandits have robbed a large jewelry store in your city. One of the suspects escapes. One is apprehended. He's identified as a friend of yours. Your job? Send him to prison. If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes. Fatima is the long cigarette which contains the finest Turkish and domestic tobacco.

1:05Superbly blended to make Fatima extra mild. That's why Fatima has a much different, much better flavor and aroma than any other long cigarette. That's why Fatima is doubling and redoubling at smokers. So if you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes. Smoke Fatima. 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 Tuesday, February 8, it was cold in Los Angeles. We're working the night watch out a robbery detail. My partner is Ben Romero, the boss is sad brown, she'll be detected, his name's Friday. I was on the way over from the city hall and it was 8.35 pm when I got the second floor of the Georgia Street receiving hospital.

2:10Treatment room. Go, all right. All right, all right, Ben. How's it going? Okay. It hurt for a while. I'm going to stop giving in in the action. Sixth of a grain of morphine, no vacating injection. Bullets still on your shoulder? That's about ready to take it out. Since they got the wound clean, here's the soap and water left. Alcohol's fungely. How's it looked at it? There's the extra air shower penetrating wound from the Delphide area. Bloods, blood, it doesn't have salt tissue right here. No bone involvement. Okay, the bullet was spent. That's great. Feel okay? Feel it out. We'll try to get it up. Okay, please. All right. I'll see you now. Why don't you use tarot gel? Interrogation room. Rettles and tops. Let me have the probe, nice. Yeah. Do you have anything on that? No. That's it. You hear that? Hear what? Okay, to the slug of the probe. Oh. Nice.

3:10Of course, that's it. Thanks. There we go. Oh, it's steady. You call your wife? No, she doesn't worry. Head is boy. On the market forever? Give it to me with you, I will. Necessarily sailing solution. Never get the wound. No sign of tarot's partner, huh, Joe? Got it, got me? No, not yet. No. Still, Dessie, please. How long do you know this, Tarot? Before he went wrong, I mean. I met him in the army. Helped him wind up a job when he got on his two beds. Sure is funny. Making a friend of yours pulled an armed robbery. Much of surprised, you know? Kind of. You want me to drive you home when the doc's finished you? Let's go back to office and talk to Tarot first. Okay. But all right, Doc. No. You're staying right here in America tomorrow morning. I'm got a temperature by then, I might really shit. Oh, it's only a flash wound, Doc. I feel all right. I'm not taking any chances with gunshot wounds. Infection set in, you were laid up, I'd have the pension committee to answer to. Staying here sounds like an order. It is.

4:10You can pick them up and pin that forward my line. Okay. Are you going to need anything, Ben? Yeah. I'm full and I tell my wife I won't be home for dinner. My name was Max Tyler, white. Male American, age 32. Dark hair, brown eyes, medium build, married, father of twin boys. He was a friend of mine. He served together in the army overseas and won the war. And he started coming back to my job on the force and Max went back to his old job. He didn't fit him anymore. He stopped working and started drinking. His wife didn't help much. He started with small trouble but it grew fast. On the afternoon of February the 8th, Tuesday, Ben and I surprised two men holding up a mainstream jewelry shop. Shots were exchanged and Ben received the flash wound in the shoulder. One of the hold-up men escaped. The other one was apprehended. His name was Max Tyler. Hi, Larry. Hi, Joe. Glad you got here. Tyler says you won't talk to anybody but you.

5:11Okay, boy. Thanks for standing by. Sure. I'll be outside. You need anything. Max. Joe. You're in deep this time you shot a cop. I didn't. The guy was with me. I didn't fire once. You were in on the job. Yeah. And don't expect presents. I don't expect anything, Joe. If I had you came back, I don't want to talk to those other cops. I work in the same department they do, same job. It's easier to talk to you. What's your story? I was crazy to try. No, I'll advice, Joe, but I didn't know what I was doing. Believe me, I just didn't really... I wouldn't buy it, Max. You told me the same thing 14 months ago when they picked you up for those bombs. You were passing. Sure, I hung some paper, but I know who a Joe you know of that. I was drinking. I needed a door for Dorothy and a kid. You got to believe me. I need a birth. I said that before, too. I went to the bat for you. I got up with six months and three years probation. Now you turn up with another paper. I know, Joe.

6:11I'm sorry. You're sorry once, Max, and it works, but one free ride's enough for anybody. Now that's it. Did I say I wanted that kind of a break? I'll serve my time, Joe. I'll serve every day, I owe. And when what can you tell me you couldn't tell the other cops? I want to ask you a favor. Yeah. I know you're going to hook me on this. So while I'm doing my time, Dorothy and the kids are staying with relatives out in the neighborhood. Sure. Just keep an eye on him, you know, Joe. I don't mean do. Dorothy can work with you. Kind of watch out for him, or? Give him a break, Joe. It's not there for him. Hey, do it, Joe. Yeah. Sure I'll take care of it. Well, you do something for me. Anything you want, Joe. Let's have a straight story who was the guy with you on that hold-up this afternoon. Chris did, George. You know him? A full-some shut guy, Black hair. Yeah. You know, he's got a room above the red-aw bar down on his third near Broadway. That's where he hangs out. Where can we find Chris to know? Oh, maybe there. I don't know.

7:11I'll give you a list of the places he goes. It's all his friends I've met. He sure wrote me. Said there was going to be a rusted. You were carrying an SNW-38 shirt? Sure. When they got outside, the jewelry shop, Chris, the jam, the gun in my hand. I had to put it away, get it out of sight. Believe me, Joey, wrote me into this. It sounds like an alibi, no. This is your second time around, Max. It sounds like one. Okay, I got nothing coming. Don't forget about Dorothy and the kids. I promised you. Now you want to give me a full statement on the hold-up now? And you say, Joe. I'll call for a snider for you. Joe. Yeah. I'm sorry. I am. I believe you. You got the feeling too late. That's all. Max Tyler was arraigned in municipal court two days later. Bale was set at $10,000. Three days after that came his preliminary hearing in municipal court. At his arraignment in Superior Court, five weeks after he'd been apprehended.

8:12Tyler entered a plea of not guilty. A date was set for his trial and superior court. It means I'm the hunt for George Crest, a Max as a cop, was went on. I wasn't a sign of him. Our informants had no lead on him and the all points bullet in containing all the information we had on Crest have brought in nothing. On Monday, March 22nd, the trial of Max Tyler was held in Superior Court. Ben and I were subpoenaed to appear. The victim of the hold up, the jewelry store manager, was the first to testify. He was questioned by both the prosecutor and the council for the defense. He left the stand at 11.25 a.m. Get his lead, Your Honor. Council for the defendant. Before the next witness test, the person I'd like permission to approach the bench. Mission granted. Council for the prosecutor, may also be. Only what they're talking about, though? Something, sir. Hello. George is shaking his head, but the defendant is going back to the council's table, sir. Council for the defense. Your Honor, my clients desire to change his plea to guilty. The defendant arrives in base in court.

9:16Max Tyler, is that your true name? Yes, Your Honor. On the 12th day of March of this year, in Superior Court, Department 83, he said in Congress, saying, Mr. State of California, who appeared to have more been arraigned on the charge of robbery in the first degree. At that time, he pled not guilty to the charge in question. Is that now your desire to change that plea? Yes, sir, it is. We've reached this decision to be your own pre-builder. Yes, I have. There's been no force employed, no promise of maturity or reward, and we do should reach this decision. Now, sir? Council for the prosecutor. Yes, Your Honor. Max Tyler, in 12th day of March of this year, in Superior Court, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California, you are arraigned on the charge of robbery in the first degree. At that time, you entered a plea of set forthness information. How do you now plead guilty or not guilty? Dilly. Is it stipulated that at the time of the commission of the robbery, the defendant presumed a deadly weapon to a winner's honor?

10:18stipulated. Court conflicts in the degree of robbery in the first degree. Your Honor, in the interest of justice, the people moved to dismiss count two assault with a deadly weapon. At this time, your Honor, the defendant waived time for sentencing and asked that he be sentenced immediately. Just a moment. Max Tyler, it's the judgment of this court. On the 8th of February of this year, you did enter the premises set to 3108 East Main Street in the city. And there, in the attempt to prolong the stake of personal property, the possession of another from these persons and immediate persons, and against his will. Further, the set of tempers made while you were armed with a dangerous, and deadly weapon. Tyler, this court finds you guilty of robbery in the first degree. Count two dismissing. Yes, you do. In this court, you return to County Jail. Share up a clasperate in the State Penitentiary where you'll serve the sentence is described by law. Court's set for demon.

11:20Thank you. This is Tyler over there. He's taking it pretty hard. Come on, we better go see her. Hello, Dorothy. I'm loving, Joe. Oh, my God, do without him. Children. I'll give it to you straight, Dorothy. You didn't do much to keep Max out of this. You drank right along with him. You don't spare those kids. That's my opinion. I know it. Don't make it in front of you. I'll do anything I can for the kids, Dorothy. That's all. Who am I going to do without him? I can't be alone without Max. It's not right. It's not right. Neither's armed robbery. Goodbye, Dorothy. Before the end of March, Max Tyler was delivered to San Quentin State Penitentiary where he started serving his term. His wife, Dorothy Tyler, got a job as a telephone operator. She and her children continued living with her relatives down an angle with. I helped them out whenever I could. Six months went by. Every two weeks, Faithfully Tyler wrote me a letter from prison.

12:21I answered most of them. While Ben and I worked on other jobs, the search for George Preston went on. We failed to uncover a single lead. Ten months passed. Tuesday, January 16, 1949, 4pm. I checked in for work as usual. Hi, Joe. Hold up. Yeah, did you pick up the mail? Hmm, hmm. Is that in your box from San Quentin? Tyler. How's he doing anyway? Good. Clean record. Got himself a pretty fair job in the prison library. Yeah. I talked to the warden up there. Says Tyler ought to be eligible for parole in about a year. If he keeps his nose clean. You're going to bed for Tyler again. I don't know. See what happens. How can you see anything in that guy? He's giving you nothing but trouble. A lot of people are giving him the same. Maybe that explains it. Not for me, it doesn't. I wouldn't trust him with dirty laundry. I got it. Come here. It's Aubrey Friday. Joe, I'm a Dorothy Tyler. I got to talk to her. Yeah, Dorothy. What's the matter? I found Krista. I saw him. What? George Krista. I know where he is. I saw him downtown. I followed him to his place.

13:21He sure it was him. I'm positive. He's saying that 134 Jesse Street. It's a Roman house. Just off Alameda. 134 Jesse. Got it. Thanks, Dorothy. Come on, Ben. Eight minutes. Eight minutes later, Ben and I were interviewing a landlord at 134 Jesse Street. Cheap Roman house down on the south end of the city. A landlord's name was Peterson. We showed him Krista's mug shot and he told us he was in Room 11. We went up a dark narrow stairway to the second floor. And here we are. Number 11. I'd stand clear. I'll try the door. It's open. Yeah. Bill, have a look. He's a snail. He's passed out. Come on, slip the cuffs on him. That was easy. I got his gun. He's been drinking all right.

14:21I have a big hangover. You'll have a long time to get over it. George Krista was booked at Caudi Jail on suspicion of robbery. Two months and three weeks later in Superior Court, he was tried and convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in first-degree robbery. Sentenced to the state penitentiary. The day after Krista was sentenced, I was called to the office of Chief of Detective Stad Brown. Friday, this max Tyler is coming up for parole in a couple of months. He's a friend of yours, isn't he? That's right, in a way. You've been writing letters to the warden. You talked to the parole board about him. Understand you're helping on his kids. A few presents. They haven't had much of a break. They're just youngsters. Working hard to get Tyler's parole, do you think he's worth it? Well, I was off both him and his wife. And then she gave us that tip about Krista. Tyler's got such a good record up a queue. I figured they'd earned another chance. You're sticking the chin out, Joe. We're helping the conduit of parole. I think you'll realize that. Well, I believe he's a good risk now. Chief, he's pretty weak in some things. He needs direction. That's all. His wife's getting better. She might help more than she did. Hope both of them will work it.

15:21If anything happens, I know I'm going to get it from all sides. You really think some men deserve another chance, don't you? Yes, I do. I wouldn't want you working for me if you didn't. Two more weeks went by. Tuesday, April 11, 19. Ben came down with a bad cold and had to lay off work. At the same time, a new gang started the hold-up campaign among the liquor stores out in the Wilshire District. A new rash of armed robberies broke out in the central area. There was an attempted bank robbery. It was a bad week. Ben got back to work in Saturday. Rough time, huh, Joe? Busy, yeah. Did you beat that cold, aren't you? Sure, I feel much better. Dr. Gammie's a new medicine. What's good? That's fine. Maybe I'll knock off early tonight if nothing's doing. It's a good idea. I shouldn't be too much tonight. Tell the truck for you. Just came in. Oh, thanks, Larry. Sure. Smotted, Joe. What is it? Max Tyler. He broke out of prison this morning. You are listening to Dragnitz, authentic stories of your police force in action.

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17:31In the course of his career, the police officer has afforded two diverse views of the criminal. At first, the rookie cop has taught to distrust the criminal of every turn without exception. He's schooled in the thousand and one ways in which the criminal operates. His psychology is mode of operation. Then, when he's thoroughly acquainted with the methods of the criminal and how best to detect them, the police officer starts to learn the most difficult lesson of all. How to distinguish between the confirmed criminal and the law breaker, in whom there is hope of rehabilitation. After nine and a half years of police work, my first experiment in this field was with Max Tyler. I'd given him two chances to prove himself and he'd lost on both of them. So did I. Two months before his parole hearing, which might have given him his freedom, Max Tyler had suddenly decided to escape. How he figured it, I didn't know, but it was my job to find him. At five o'clock that afternoon, Ben and I met in the TVTeket's office. Two officers, Holland and Grayson from the State of Dulled Authority escaped detail with her. Tyler manages escape Grayson. Same old story, they could trust him up there. He had a good job on the prison's wine. They trusted him.

18:36When they found out, he was gone. On the early morning count, could you check these relatives out in England, yeah? Yeah, we have. We've got the homestaked out and recovering all the places we figure he might go. How about Mrs. Tyler? You're getting touched with her, Freddie? All of them told us that she's on a weekend vacation with two kids, staying with friends out at Laguna Beach. We got a call into them, should be hearing from them. As a friendly horse, Freddie was ready for parole. Yeah, I was trying to help him along. I thought the guy deserved a break. He didn't need you, Joey, made his own. I mean, he was feeling bad. He wasn't the only one who pulled Freddie. He had the prison official's buffalo too. Yeah, I know, I helped convince him. We got any leads on Tyler at all, Grayson. I mean, from the time he broke prison. Pretty strange as traced him as far as stocked him and lost the trail completely. Missed that from policing on the street? Yeah, funny. The guy has no money, no car, we know over, no change of clothes. Your figure's getting help from somebody? Could be. She's in the night. Ron speaking? Yeah, just moment. You'll, Freddie. Oh, thank you. Freddie, yeah.

19:36When? Where? I just a minute, we hold on, please. So Tyler's friends down at Laguna Beach. Mrs. Tyler there? No, she called him last night about seven o'clock, told him she changed her plans. She wasn't coming. She won't know which highway would take her to Stockton. We told Tyler's friends in Laguna Beach to contact us immediately if they heard from either Mr. Ortonis' Tyler. We got out on APB on Dorothy Tyler and then we drove out the interviewer relatives in England. They told us that Mrs. Tyler had the two children with her. She had left their house at 6 p.m. the night before by taxi, as far as they knew she didn't own a car. We talked with some of her friends in the neighborhood. The only thing they could tell us was that she had not borrowed a car from any of them. We drove down to the telephone exchange where she was employed as an operator and spoke with a manager, a Mr. Ralph Cartwright. I'm sorry, gentlemen. This is Mrs. Tyler's night off. Is there something I can help you with? When is Miss Tyler doing back work, Mr. Cartwright? She's working the 10 to 7 starting tomorrow, doing it 10 a.m.

20:39We understand that she's on a weekend vacation. Yes, you see, today was payday, so she asked me if she could have her check ahead of time. Said she had the money for the weekend. Would you give her the check? Oh my no, I couldn't give her the check ahead of time. But I did do her a favor just to help her over the weekend. What was that? I loaned her my car. We got a complete description of the car together with a license number and called the office. The information was broadcast to all units throughout the city and teletyped to all points in the state. She put detectives that brown ordered an immediate stake out on the telephone exchange where Mrs. Tyler was employed. The stake out at the home of Inglewood continued. Another day passed. We checked with the bank where Mrs. Tyler means aimed her account. It was 10.25 a.m. when we got back to robbery detail. Gentlemen, what did you find out? In his tire closed your account three days ago with Drew Orner's savings. $46.55. And they're going to go far on that. They weren't about that car she borrowed. Tell the type of care man about an hour ago they found it just outside Santa Barbara abandoned.

21:41Anyone see the Tyler? No report. I wonder how there's four kids making out. We must be crazy in his wife too. She was going to help him pull him escape once he had to drag the kids along. It's the way some parents figure Friday. They owe their children nothing. The children owe them everything. It's all for your Friday. Stay tuned too. Oh, thanks Larry. Friday. This is Hopkins Friday. I'm staying out the phone exchange. Yeah, Bert. Tyler, woman came for a check. We got it. Dorothy Tyler was brought into the city hall where there was one of her children. She was delivered to the juvenile authorities for the time being. Mrs. Tyler was brought to interrogation room. She refused to admit anything to the officers from the adult authority. She said she wanted to talk to me. I went in. She threw her arms around me and started trying. No! No! You won't let him get maxed with you. You won't let him. I'm after him as much as they are maybe more. Where is he? I can't tell you.

22:42Why'd you do it, Dorothy? Why? Well, you know why. I said, well, you know why. I had to see him. I had to do it, right? It's a bum deal. You tried to days for years. I can't get him. If I don't tell him where he is, I won't find him. I'll find him. He's got to eat so do you and the kids. He has to go to work and working with a gun as all he knows. He'll leave a trail. We'll find him. What have you done with the children? Where's Jimmy? They're taking care of him. That's more than you did. Where's your other boy, Vance? Max? Max hasn't. That's fine. You and Max ought to be real proud of yourselves. I had to see him. You know that. I had to see Max. Has he got a gun? As he. How do you use it? No. He just thought of my needed. He hasn't heard anyone. I swear it. You helped him escape, is that right? You helped him. He wanted help. I met him at San Rafael. We drove all night. He didn't hurt anyone, so he has not heard anyone.

23:45Where is he now? Where is he? I don't think he will find him. If I tell you. If I tell you. Would you go alone? I can show you the way. Would you go alone? Yes. All right. I'll take you to Imjo. I trust you. Yeah. I trusted him once too. 5 p.m. Monday, April 25th. Dorothy Tyler Ben and I got in the car and headed north for the coast town of Santa Maria. Acting under orders of Chief of Detective Stad Brown, Larry Thompson from robbery detail followed in another car. Holland and Grayson from the state of Del authority were with him. It was 10 minutes past date when we drove through the town of Santa Maria. Just outside the city, Dorothy Tyler directed us to turn off onto a dirt road. We drove about two miles. She told us to pull up.

24:47The process feels stacked by those trees. You know what I mean? I'll go with you, Joe. I have a maximum understanding. Are you staying here? So the car. I stopped here. It's a car structure. It had to be. It won't shoot unless Max does. You're broke. I said you'd go alone. I'll go alone. Righty? Hello, Grayson. Where is he? Should I tell you? That shack over there across the field, but that clump of trees. He's got one of the kids within that, right? Yeah. He won't be in any trouble. He's armed, the cons up a quentin, so he won't be taking the lily. He'll shoot it out. I talk a lot. Better let us take him. You're not getting paid to the participant. I'll take him alone. I made a promise. The guy in the shack and they have it a breaking promise. I keep mine. Keep an eye on Mr. Tyler, will you be in? Thompson's watching around coming with you. I told her I'd go alone. It's two doors, front and back. Which one you're going in? Front. I'll be around back. Careful, Jim.

25:47Yeah. I'll be right back, Grayson. I started across the field. Shack was about 100 yards from the road. The field was uncalivated and I wasn't sure on my footing. I stumbled over a tree stump. Halfway across the field, the lights in the shack went out. Where's that? Where's it? It's me, Max. Joe Friday. Max? Come on, open up. All right, Max. Why the gun, Joe? I never thought you'd take me with a gun. I never thought I'd have to kick down a door to get you.

26:48If she needs a lot, Max. How'd you find me, Dorke? Where is she? Outside. Your boy over there, Vance. He's sleeping. He's okay. But at your hands. Sorry, Joe. Yeah. You've been good to us, haven't tried to explain. Neither will I, Max. Come on. The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. On June 8th, the police were arrested. To protect the innocent. On June 2nd, trial was held in Superior Court City and County of Marin, state of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. It's amazing how many long cigarette smokers are changing to Fatima. Here are the actual figures. New York division. Fatima sales. Oh, 132%.

27:49Los Angeles division. Fatima sales. Oh, 545%. St. Louis division. Fatima sales. Oh, 548%. Yes, in 1949, more and more smokers discovered that Fatima is the best of all long cigarettes. They found Fatima extra mile. They found Fatima has a much different, much better flavor. They found the name Fatima means the best in cigarette quality. In 1950, enjoy Fatima yourself. Best of all long cigarettes. Max Tyler pleaded guilty to the charge of escape and was sentenced to the term as prescribed by law. He was returned to San Quentin and then transferred to Fultzum Penitentiary, where he is now serving his sentence. You have just heard Dragnet, a new series of authentic cases from official files.

28:53Technical advice for Dragnet comes from the office of our thing chief of police, W.A. Wharton, Law Sanctilist Police Department. Dragnet honors the state of California and the men of the California Highway Patrol. Another of America's outstanding law enforcement agencies. One of these men, Highway Patrol Commissioner Clifford E. Peterson, outstanding administrator and educator in the field of law enforcement, dedicates his life to making yours more secure. Fatima cigarettes. Best of all long cigarettes has brought you Dragnet from Law Sanctilist. Be sure to hear Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Coleman in the halls of Ivy starting tomorrow on NBC.