Dragnet: Red Light Bandit

Dr. Here is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. NBC brings you... Dragnet! You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to robbery detail. A ruthless fiend roams the streets of your city, masquerading as a police officer.

For months, helpless citizens have been robbed, beaten senseless and kidnapped. The criminal is a twisted genius, vicious, cunning. Your job is to get him. Dragnit, the documented trauma of an actual crime, investigated and solved by the men who unrelentingly stand watch on the security of your home, your family, and your life.

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. There was Wednesday, June 4th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of robbery detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Ed Backstrand, Chief of Detectives. My name's Friday. I was on my way back from communications and it was 11-13

When I got to room 27A. Robbery detail. Oh, hi, Joe. Hi, Ben. So get that message to call home. Yeah, bad news. What's the matter? That dog gone kid a mind-chicking pup. Oh, again? Last year it was a mumps.

Year before that, the masons. Every time I get set for a vacation, he decides to catch some. Forget it, Ben. I think what a comfort he's going to be in your old age. Go ahead, lad.

You'll find out. Yeah. How are you, Friday? from here. Fine. What can we do for you? You don't look like you remember me. Oh, no, wait a minute. Name's Savage, isn't it? George? It's Johnny Savage. Johnny Savage, remember that?

Oh, sure. Those liquor store robbers out in the Wilshire district. About six, seven years ago, wasn't it? Ten years, remember that? You want to remember that? You with the trial. We testify in court every week.

Ten years is a long time. It's longer in the state pen. It's a lot longer. Now you cried a little at that trial, didn't you, Savage? You said we beat that confession out of it.

Yeah, that's why I figured I'd drop in for a little visit. Kind of apologized to you, fellas. You gave me a square deal, I guess I kind of lost my head. I figured I'd apologize.

Oh, that's all right, Savage. When did you get out? Couple of weeks ago. I did it the hard way. Served ten flat. I don't know my day. You find a job yet? Yeah, Friday. I'm working nights.

What kind of a job? I'm a laborer in the warehouse, south end of town. Good. You decided to level? Ten years in prisons a long time. You learn a lot of things. Nights are long, you think a lot.

You get things straightened out. I hope you mean that. Sure I mean it, Friday. I've got everything straightened out. I know who my friends are and I know who to watch out for. You sound like maybe on the right track.

I got a figger tomorrow. And like you two fellas, you caught me red-handed and you sent me up for ten years. Well, you did all right, Savage. Five armed robberies. You got off pretty easy.

You got a break, Savage. Make the best of sure I'm not kicking. Ten years, real break. That's right. Well... ...just dropped in for a little visit. Maybe I'll see you fellas sometime. All right, Savage.

Keep your nose clean. Sure. No hard feelings. No. You just took ten years of my life. That's all. There's no such thing as a man going through prison without changing. Ben and I have seen him switching both directions.

Some men learn their lesson after they land behind bars and when they release they turn into good citizens. Johnny Savage was sour. We made a mental note to check him out later on and we went down to the record bureau and pulled his coming out mug.

That's about all we had time for because about an hour later we started to get busy. Hot shot Joe Grabby. On the corner of Selma and Naples, the drugstore, 211 and probable attack. On the corner of Selma and Naples, 211.

What you got, Joe? Selma and Naples, 211 and attack. Come on. 100% mark, Connor. Come on. We got the story from the victim, the store owner, Mr. Thomas. For the most part, it was the usual rundown of an early morning holdup.

There was only one exception. Oh, I've had young Putin's try to hold me up before, but there was nothing like this one. How you mean, Mitch, Thomas? Well, he came in here just before closing and ordinarily I'd have kept an eye out because it's a time to look for him.

But this fella came to the door and said he was a policeman, so I let him in. He looked like a cop. Barge right up to me and the wife behind the counter and pointed a gun.

And she screamed and he hit her in the face with the butt of the gun. Sergeant, it was horrible. That's the way it started and that's the way it kept going. Because most of the victims and most people don't realize that as a citizen, they have the right to check on police officers' identification when in doubt.

And after we got the story from Mr. Thomas and checked the store in the neighborhood, Ben and I headed back for the office. 71, 72, take the call. Go three. Attention, all you... For four blocks away from the last one.

Let's roll on him, Ben. Right, I'll hit the siren you get to that. By the time Ben and I got up to the end of North Baxter, the men from Car 71 were already there.

The victim was telling his story. His face looked like they'd been through a meat grinder. I went just to ship him a car into second to make the hill when I hear the siren behind me, and I say this red light flashing in the side of the O'Mara.

Naturally, I pulled over to the curb and I was just reaching for my driver's license when the cop runs up, yanks me out of the car and studs, clubbing me in the face with the butt of his gun.

Did you get a look at him? Thank you, he's grabbing. No, I'm afraid not. He swum me around and kept me staring into that red light on his car all the time he was beating me.

After a while, everything just went black. When I woke up, my wallet was gone, all my money's. 45 minutes later Ben and I were interviewing the third victim, a young housewife out in the Wilshire district.

Same trademark. He tried to sell me family money but he wouldn't listen. He kept holding me by the throne, he didn't even exist like he enjoyed it. Yeah, alright, alright, Mr. Jameson. Could you tell us how he got in the house?

Dore and rang the bell. I helped him the door but left the burglar chain on. He said he was a policeman. So when he domesticed I opened her all the way I did. And you can't describe the man for us, Miss James.

It was tall. He had dark hair and big hands. It's tall. Tall, dark hair, big hands. You guess the same as mine, Joe? Maybe. Let's wait and see. Come on, let's check with the boss.

Hi, mine. Hi. He's waiting for you. In there. Come on, Ben. He with the takers always, han'em. Sit down. Yeah, all right, you two, let's have it. The guy with the red light? Yes, the guy with the red light posing as a policeman.

Why hasn't he been picked up? You know as much about it as we do, Ed. We got our first call around midnight. He knocked over a drugstore out on Selma. He hasn't stopped working since.

Didn't you get any definite lead on him? No description? No license number? Nothing. He's tall, big hands dark here, that's all. Fine. Either of you got any ideas? It could be anybody's skipper with that description.

You sure it wasn't anybody on the force? We sent all the victims down to personnel. Lowry showed him the mug book of all police officers. Wasn't one of our men. Works fast. Drug, store, motorist, and pedestrian.

The housewife, off in the wheelchair district. Went right in the house after her. Four of them. Right in her old. Five. Huh? There's a 20 year old kid in the next room. Came in just before you got here.

Couple of hours ago he was sitting in the car with his girl up in model and drive. His red light bandon comes along, slugs him, and kidnaps the girl. She didn't have. She still missed?

Not a trace. When did this happen? They brought the kid over from Georgia Street Hospital. We can talk to him now. He's had a bad time right in here. Pete, we're going to have to ask you a few more questions.

Oh, yeah. OK. It feels a little better now. This is Sergeant Friday and Sergeant Romero. Bye, Pete. Hi. Can you tell us what time the trouble started? How about 10, 15, 10, 30? Sally and I were sitting in the car talking about wherever we're going on our honeymoon.

We're gonna be married next month. And then this car pulls up behind us and starts splashing a red spotlight on us. And a guy runs over and pulls open the door. He said he was a cop.

Did you get a good look at his car? I think it was a black sedan. You got to look at the man, Pete. No, no, I didn't. It was pretty dark and he kept me staring into that red spotlight.

It all happened so fast. Then he started slugging me and I went down. What happened then? Well, the next thing I knew Sally was screaming. He had one hand on a throat and he had a backed up against the side of the car.

He was beating her with the other hand. He said, some kind of a short Billy clum. I got up and I started forming. He slugged me again. When I came to, Sally was gone. Anybody check the area up there, Ed?

Yeah, Davis and Griffin didn't find a thing. Oh, Sergeant, you gotta find it. You got to. I wouldn't know what to tell her, folks. I wouldn't know what to say. That's all right, Creed Wheelfliner.

You take it easy. Hotshot Ed up in Summit Road near Westmore, a woman, unconscious, ambulance follow-up, possible dead body. Alright, Hanon, look after Pete here. Friday, Romero, let's go. Have a head, Romero, to the right.

Okay, Skip. Yeah, there's the ambulance and the cruiser car. You're a lonely looking spot. Alright, come on. Hiya, Doc. What'd you find? Hiya, fellas. Right over here. It's gonna take her in. Where'd you find it?

Over there, but the side of the road. Somebody driving by, I saw her. They called us. Any identification? This bracelet on her is? Mmm, to my dearest Sally. And Pete. December 25th, 1947. That's a girl alright.

What are the chances, d'ah? I wouldn't bet on him. Pretty bad shape. Well have you seen enough? Yeah. Frandé Romero. Call the crime lab and check the area for footprints and tire tracks. I'll ride back in the ambulance with a girl.

If she regains consciousness, I want to talk to her. Alright? Okay, Ed. I'm each in the office by 8.30. We're working straight through till we get this guy. The office, Giver. What time you got, Ben?

Seven minutes to four. Seven coats of cold. Long guy. Look at that car up there ahead. Let's take a look at it, huh? Black's in there. Hey, look, he's flashing a red spot on that convertible.

Come on. You see this, Joe? Pulling away. Get that gas pedal down to the floor. Oh, already there. He's turning off right. Hit the siren. I'll get the light. Ah! We're gaining a little bend. Next corner to the left.

Yo, where'd he go? It's a fancy driver. Try the alley up ahead to the left here. Must've turned up that cross through. He gets through the alley and doubled back on him. Right. Hurry up, Ben, look out.

Watch it, he's gonna ram it. That hit just in front of the rear bumper. Our car was forced into the cribbing and it turned over. He was real lucky. He kept right on going. But this time Ben and I were sharing a lot.

All we got out of it was a couple of nasty cracks in the head and a few bruises. But it was enough to keep us in a hospital under observation for a day. By this time Ed Backstrand was fuming.

So were the newspapers. During the day we spent in the hospital, a red light banded when our real blitz. We pulled six more jobs, one liquor store, two residential hold-ups, and three car robberies. Five of the six victims were slugged and beaten.

Davis and Griffin had taken over for Ben and me, and by the time we got back in the job, they'd build up a lead for us. We've been working with Wilkerson up an auto theft job.

He's used four stolen cars already. We got the makes and numbers on each one of them. How about the dark sedan he was driving when he rammed us? The boys picked it up this morning out on Sepulvedon.

We're checking it for Prince now. That's fine Dave, you got any description on the guy yet? No luck there Joe, he works too fast. Nothing at all? Same as you had. Tall, black hair, big hands.

Loves to use them. Friday, Romero, got a minute? Okay, skip her. Check you later, Hyundai. Sure thing, boys. Sit down. How do you feel? Pretty fair, Ed. Little stiff here, man. Alright, did Davis fill you in?

Up to date. Okay, I just called the doctor who was handling Sally Wilder. Pete's girlfriend, do you remember? Oh yeah. She's been in pretty bad shape since we found her up there on Summit Road.

This morning she took a turn for the better. She's conscious and her doctor thinks she might be able to talk to us a little bit. Good, when? Better now. I cleared it with the doctor and with her family.

You'll only be able to stay a couple of minutes to make the most of them. That's all. Alright, Ed. We'll check with you later. Hey, Joe. Ben, here's some mail came for you fellas while you were gone.

Oh, thank you, Mark. We're going out there. County Hospital. We ought to be back in couple of hours. Okay. Say, there's been a couple of phone calls, too. Yeah, anything important? I don't think so. The guy just called to say hello.

Said his name was Johnny Savage. He just called us hello. I presume you men are aware of the girl's critical condition. Yeah, that's right, Dr. Froeman. We saw her before she was taken here to hospital.

Ah, yes. You understand, of course, that you'll be able to see her for only a few minutes, and please try your best not to excite her, huh? Right, Dr. Sally isn't able to talk bad, mouth, and face injuries, so your questions will have to be answered simply yes or no, and not at the head.

Okay, we got you. We only have a few questions and we want to know if she can identify the man who beat her from these pictures we got here. All right, Sergeant, this way. Thank you.

Sally, these gentlemen from the police department, they'd like to ask a few questions. Uh-uh. Now there's no need to be nervous or afraid. Simply nod your head, yes or no? Sally, did you see the man who attacked you?

Yes. She says yes. Did you get a good look at his face? You did. All right, Sally. Now you can answer these three together, just yes or no. Was he tall? Did he have dark hair? Did he have large hands?

Alright, you got you. Hand me the photo. Here you go. Thanks. Just one more thing, Sally. I'm going to show you some pictures. Now, take all the time you want before you make up your mind about each one.

If you recognize any one of these men is a person who attacked you, just nod your head. Alright? Here's the first one. Alright, here's the next one. No. How about this one? Here's another. Do you recognize him?

This was the man? Are you sure, Sally? Thank you. That's all. Let's go. Did you find what you wanted Sergeant? Yes, Dr. We did. Here, this one. Nice looking chap. Who is he Sergeant? His name is Savage, Dr. Froman, Johnny Savage. When we got back to the office, we checked in with Ed Backstrand. In five minutes, an all points bulletin and a full description of

the suspect was broadcast every radio car, every motorcycle officer, every sheriff and law enforcement agency in Los Angeles and Southern California. By The nightfall on Manhunt was on. More than a dozen extra patolulents were called in for duty that night when they pulled out of the police for eyes.

The name, the picture, and the whole description of Johnny Savage was in the possession of every officer. The same for the patrolman, whether they walked a beat downtown or out on the residential areas. The picture of Johnny Savage went with him.

Everything was done that could be done. On the second night of the Manhunt far out on the edge of town, Johnny Savage, the red light bandit got his 12th victim, the 63-year-old storekeeper. and then slugging code three ambulance dispatched.

Here it is, Kipper. Time. What'd you get? Well, Krsn lifted the Prince off at Black City, Dan, at Rams' show on me. Yeah. They belong to Johnny Savage. Yeah, good. That's Thor, Kipper, Life's not. It's a savage, all right?

Victim identified him from his mug. All right. We've got enough of this savage guy to put him a knife for life. All we have to do now is to get him. Now look, the way we figure it at this red light bandit is using stolen cars with coal plates.

So there's no way of tracking down the cars at regular commercial garages. He's got to be running private garages someplace around town. Alright, let's get the neighborhood patrolman on the job. Advertising. All of a town.

It's a city ordinance, isn't it? People who rent private garages are bombed by law to register the car in a licensed number with the police. Start a campaign if you want, but find those cars.

Right. Wait a minute. Hello, back strand. Yeah? When? I see. Yeah, thanks. What is it, Ed? It was the hospital. About the girls, Sally. Sally Wilder? What about? She died five minutes ago. That night everybody went back on the job as usual.

The cruiser cars, the patrolmen, the motorcycle officers, and about a dozen decoy cars. Armed police women riding alone in cars or parked in lonely spots with a police officer escort. Our car, ADK, was still in the garage for repairs, so they assigned us another one.

And we started to make the rounds. Everything was usual. Except one thing. We weren't tracking down just a thief anymore, or a say-this-to-like to beat people's faces in. out to get a murderer. It was a perfect night for the suspect, dark, no moon. I gave Ben two to one odds and I put up five dollars that we'd get savage that night. I lost the

five dollars. We cruised until seven the next morning, but there wasn't even a nibble. We had breakfast at the Federal Cafe, a little restaurant down the street from the city hall, and it was about 815 when we got back to the office. We were pretty tired.

Robert D.T. on Romero. I would like to speak to Sergeant Friday. Just a minute. For you, do you? Okay, thanks. Friday talking. Sergeant Friday, I want to talk to you. Well, I'm listening. Go ahead.

I mean, I want to talk to you in person as soon as possible. Can't you tell me over the phone? What is it? I cannot tell you over the phone. It is very important. Can you come now?

Well, I look, Mr. I'm awful sorry, but we're very busy now. Bye, 54, Romona Avenue. Can you come now? But what's this all about? Who is this speaking? My name is Carl Savage. My son's name is John.

Here you go. Need a look and a little play? Yeah. Yeah? I'm Sergeant Friday. You Mr. Savage? Yeah, come in. Okay. This is my partner, Sergeant Romero. How do you do? I will be brief, gentlemen.

I am the father of John Savage. I wish for you to catch him. I will help you. I noticed a name on the mailbox outside, Mr. Savage. Changed the name lately? I changed my name 10 years ago when John first got into trouble.

trouble. My own name I had to change the shame always from him, my son, shame. Mr. Savage has your son been home since he got out of prison? Yeah, many times to ask for money. I would not give him any so he struck me. Last night I read in the newspaper, the little girl he beat up. She is dead. Then I make up my mind.

You know where your son is now, Mr. Sam. not now, no. But our garage has a car in there. It is not his, I know. Also in the garage, I find many license plates. I find spotlights with red glass lens.

But you don't have any idea where we can find. No, but he will come back. He always comes back for money. We're going to station an officer here in the house, Mr. Savvy. Anything you want, if it will catch him. His bad, Sergeant. Like something poison or or throw his back.

See someone vacuumed over him at seven, the wife lived your way? Ten days ago, before they stopped, I barely get through it. My wife is mother. Sergeant, for ten years she is sick, but for ten years she stays alive to see him from prison.

Ten days ago, she died. He did not even come to the funeral. Your son have any idea that you might call us? No, no, I don't think so. But when you catch him, give me a gun.

With my own two hands, I will kill him. Johnny Savage. Before we left, we called Ed Backstrand and we brought him up today. He sent three detectives out to relieve us. Davis, Griffin and Marsh.

We told them to keep an eye on the house and the stolen car in the garage. That night after dinner, Ed Backstrand, Ben and I would out relieve them. We parked the cruiser car in the garage next door, and then we took up our post.

Carl Savage had a light supper, and then he went to bed about nine. The three of us sat at the front windows in the darkened house, and we waited. Ben kept his eye on the garage, outside, across the city, the man unconqued as usual.

Three hours went by, the waiting got monotonous. Franny Romero, look alive, will you? Yes, you're pretty much sorry. It clocks enough to put anybody to sleep. What time you got? Twelve twenty three a.m. Thanks clock kept ticking. We were tired. We took turns keeping each other awake At 10 minutes past two I looked at my watch and then I settled back and tried to find some kind of a comfortable position

They started so faintly it was just like the ticking of the clock same rhythm And then they came closer and the sounds got out of rhythm Backstrans head came up with a snap. Ready. Romero. You hear that? Yeah, I had kept the window once the curtains You see anything?

Yeah. Yeah, somebody's coming. Savage? Can't tell. Wait a minute, he's slowing down. He's going up to drive way to the garage. He's going inside. Watch it, he spotted us. Went over that fence into the yard.

There he is, Friday. You hit him, Joe. Maybe. He's going for the street. He's headed for that car, right? That sedan up on the corner there. Yeah, Romero, go back and get the car. Right, get him.

before he king around. Where's Romero? I don't know. Oh, here he comes now. Get that video on Joe. It's already on it. Alright, give him a call. Any sign yet? No, nothing so far. Next quarter is the right band.

Unit 80K to control 4. 80K to control 4. Flare and keep frequency 4 open. This is an emergency. Dark blue sedan. Control 4. We are in pursuit of the possible red light bandage. Suspect is driving a dark blue 1949 sedan.

License number in the 7th model. 6-1 Robert 784. 4. Use caution, suspect his arm. Code 3. Distinguished on Wilshire Boulevard. Crossing La Brea.

Still pursuing red light bandit. That at east on Wilshire now crossing Rossmoor. On your skipper? Or suspect that at east on Wilshire crossing Western Avenue. Closing in.

There he goes. And go right down Sherman Alley. To dead end. Yup. Control 4. Suspect turns south into Sherman Alley. Closing in on suspect. There he is skipper. Pulling up ahead. He's jumping out. All right, take the mic. We'll you out here. Come on, Ben You need help power. All right, give All right, which way to go Ben?

Starting up the back fire. All right. Keep in business. All right, Sammy. Come on down One more chance, Sammy. Come on down. No use Joe. He's heading up for the room. Come on I'm gonna keep on, let's get him.

Here, buddy. Where'd he go? Alright, savage, you're through. Throw your gun out. Come out with your hands up. Watch it, Joe. He's running for the edge. He's gonna jump. I'll get him. Alright, I'll die back here.

Losing, copper. You dirty, lovely, copper. I'll kill you, man. You're through, savage, you're through. Good, yo. Yeah. Throw the cups on, what do you mean? You just bet. Okay. You wanna smoke? Yeah, you sure use of it.

of him. Thanks. Why that here? I just thinking. Girl Savage, this guy's father. What about him? Nothing. What would you do, Ben, if your son was a murderer? The story you have just heard is true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. John Savage was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. He was executed in the lethal gas chamber at the

state penitentiary. You have just heard the sixth in a new series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice for Dragnet is furnished by the Los Angeles Police Department. Tonight's program is dedicated to patrol officer Robert Steele of the Montana State Highway Patrol, who on the morning of November 2nd, 1947, gave his life so that yours might be more secure.

Dragnet came to you from Los Angeles. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.