WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:13.880 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. 00:13.880 --> 00:17.520 The names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:17.520 --> 00:28.280 Dragnet. 00:28.280 --> 00:32.240 For Detective Sergeant, you're assigned a juvenile detail. 00:32.240 --> 00:36.840 In the past six weeks, a junior high school has been broken into three times, and extensive 00:36.840 --> 00:39.160 damage has been done by vandals. 00:39.160 --> 00:46.320 Your job, investigate. 00:46.320 --> 00:47.560 Was Monday, March 9th. 00:47.560 --> 00:48.560 Was cold in Los Angeles. 00:48.560 --> 00:50.680 We were working the day watch out of juvenile detail. 00:50.680 --> 00:51.680 My partner's Frank Smith. 00:51.680 --> 00:52.680 The boss is Captain Powers. 00:52.680 --> 00:53.680 My name's Friday. 00:53.680 --> 00:55.360 We're on our way out from the office. 00:55.360 --> 01:00.560 It was 8.32 a.m. when we got to the Hillside Junior High School, the Vice Principal's office. 01:00.560 --> 01:01.560 Good morning. 01:01.560 --> 01:02.560 May I help you? 01:02.560 --> 01:03.560 Yes, ma'am. 01:03.560 --> 01:04.560 Police officers. 01:04.560 --> 01:05.560 We'd like to see Miss Ridley. 01:05.560 --> 01:06.560 Oh, yes. 01:06.560 --> 01:07.560 You've been here before, haven't you? 01:07.560 --> 01:08.560 That's right. 01:08.560 --> 01:09.560 Miss Ridley's expecting you. 01:09.560 --> 01:10.560 You can go right in. 01:10.560 --> 01:11.560 Thank you very much. 01:11.560 --> 01:12.560 Come in. 01:12.560 --> 01:13.560 Good morning, officers. 01:13.560 --> 01:14.560 Come in, please. 01:14.560 --> 01:15.560 You can sit down. 01:15.560 --> 01:16.560 Thank you. 01:16.560 --> 01:19.560 You seem to be getting more than our share of trouble. 01:19.560 --> 01:20.560 Yes, ma'am. 01:20.560 --> 01:21.560 What is it this time? 01:21.560 --> 01:25.560 Same as before, a little more serious. 01:25.560 --> 01:26.560 Cafeteria? 01:26.560 --> 01:27.560 Yes. 01:27.560 --> 01:28.560 Wait until you see the place. 01:28.560 --> 01:29.560 Just downright vandalism. 01:29.560 --> 01:30.560 Food thrown all over on the walls and the floor. 01:30.560 --> 01:31.560 But they didn't stop there. 01:31.560 --> 01:32.560 What do you mean? 01:32.560 --> 01:33.560 The student supply store was broken into. 01:33.560 --> 01:34.560 In fact, that's where the entrance was made. 01:34.560 --> 01:35.560 Yeah. 01:35.560 --> 01:36.560 The girl in charge says that a number of items are missing. 01:36.560 --> 01:37.560 What was taken? 01:37.560 --> 01:41.640 I think the students used in school, notebook, pencil, fountain pen, and a 01:41.640 --> 01:47.080 little bit of a 01:47.080 --> 01:58.160 transportation book taken to those the kind of kids use on the buses and streetcars. 01:58.160 --> 01:59.160 That's right. 01:59.160 --> 02:00.720 Well, they have serial numbers, don't they? 02:00.720 --> 02:02.520 Yes, we keep a record of them in the office. 02:02.520 --> 02:04.720 They'll be able to give us a list of the numbers on the missing books. 02:04.720 --> 02:05.720 Oh, yes. 02:05.720 --> 02:06.720 All right, fine. 02:06.720 --> 02:07.720 What if we take a look at that store room? 02:07.720 --> 02:08.720 Surely. 02:08.720 --> 02:09.720 It's right next to the office. 02:09.720 --> 02:14.240 I wasn't so sure the last time, but I am now. 02:14.240 --> 02:15.240 What do you mean? 02:15.240 --> 02:19.440 I thought who's responsible for this. 02:19.440 --> 02:21.040 You got an idea who might have done it? 02:21.040 --> 02:25.760 Well, I'm pretty sure it must be a student or a former student. 02:25.760 --> 02:27.240 Why do you say that, Miss Ridley? 02:27.240 --> 02:29.360 No, there's the window they entered. 02:29.360 --> 02:36.440 Somebody must have known that this window opened under the store room. 02:36.440 --> 02:38.720 Screen's torn here and the window's broken. 02:38.720 --> 02:42.960 You know somebody special in mind who might have done this? 02:42.960 --> 02:43.960 No. 02:43.960 --> 02:48.240 It wouldn't be fair to cast suspicion on any boy or girl without proof. 02:48.240 --> 02:51.560 Well, have you had trouble with any students since we were here last? 02:51.560 --> 02:52.560 Yes. 02:52.560 --> 02:54.040 What was wrong, ma'am? 02:54.040 --> 02:57.560 During study periods, a group of five boys were causing minor disturbances. 02:57.560 --> 02:58.560 Uh-huh. 02:58.560 --> 02:59.840 But it's all been straightened out. 02:59.840 --> 03:01.640 I had a talk with the leader of the group. 03:01.640 --> 03:04.520 Found out he wanted to take part in school athletics. 03:04.520 --> 03:09.280 His parents didn't want him to, afraid he might be injured. 03:09.280 --> 03:11.400 So I called them in for a conference. 03:11.400 --> 03:14.960 We talked and they finally agreed to let the boy participate in school sports. 03:14.960 --> 03:15.960 Uh-huh. 03:15.960 --> 03:17.360 That's all there was to it. 03:17.360 --> 03:18.920 Haven't had any trouble since. 03:18.920 --> 03:20.520 How about the other boys? 03:20.520 --> 03:21.880 They weren't really bad. 03:21.880 --> 03:24.120 Without a leader, they just settled down. 03:24.120 --> 03:25.840 I'm sure it wasn't any of them. 03:25.840 --> 03:26.840 Uh-huh. 03:26.840 --> 03:30.800 What if you could tell us if anything has been moved in here? 03:30.800 --> 03:31.800 No. 03:31.800 --> 03:33.120 This is just the way we found it. 03:33.120 --> 03:34.120 Uh-huh. 03:34.120 --> 03:36.400 I wonder why they didn't mess this room up, too. 03:36.400 --> 03:38.800 I don't know. 03:38.800 --> 03:43.880 I've been teaching for 20 years and I'm pretty sure of one thing. 03:43.880 --> 03:44.880 What's that, ma'am? 03:44.880 --> 03:49.800 Children do wrong, but not because they want to be tough or brave. 03:49.800 --> 03:51.680 Usually because they're afraid of something. 03:51.680 --> 03:52.680 Uh-huh. 03:52.680 --> 03:54.840 Most of them are pretty frightened kids. 03:54.840 --> 03:55.840 They need help. 03:55.840 --> 03:56.840 Well, we'll buy that. 03:56.840 --> 04:00.680 The problem is, what happens to them if they don't get it? 04:00.680 --> 04:03.400 I'm afraid you know the answer to that one better than I do. 04:03.400 --> 04:04.400 They'll still be around. 04:04.400 --> 04:05.400 Yes? 04:05.400 --> 04:17.320 They'll still be frightened adults. 04:17.320 --> 04:21.040 In the cafeteria, we found conditions about the same as we had after the previous acts 04:21.040 --> 04:23.040 of vandalism at the school. 04:23.040 --> 04:26.880 The refrigerator had been ransacked, cartons of milk along with containers of ice cream 04:26.880 --> 04:31.240 and frozen foods had been smacked against the walls and the floor. 04:31.240 --> 04:35.760 The tables had been overturned and the chairs had been thrown around and broken. 04:35.760 --> 04:38.200 The floor was covered with glass. 04:38.200 --> 04:41.360 Frank put in a call to latent prints and they sent a crew out to go over the storeroom and 04:41.360 --> 04:43.360 the cafeteria. 04:43.360 --> 04:47.360 Miss Ridley told us that she had already notified school security. 04:47.360 --> 04:50.880 Before we left, she furnished us with a complete list of stolen articles and the serial numbers 04:50.880 --> 04:53.800 for the missing student transportation books. 04:53.800 --> 04:55.760 We returned to Georgia Street and met with Captain Powers. 04:55.760 --> 04:57.120 You're pretty sure it's jubilant? 04:57.120 --> 05:00.560 Yeah, the kind of stuff it was taken and the damage done, sure points that way. 05:00.560 --> 05:01.760 Any help from Miss Ridley? 05:01.760 --> 05:04.000 Yeah, but she couldn't give us any names. 05:04.000 --> 05:05.000 No teacher-pupil problem. 05:05.000 --> 05:08.440 Yeah, she mentioned a minor case, but said it had been cleared up. 05:08.440 --> 05:11.800 This is the third time in six weeks for the school, isn't it? 05:11.800 --> 05:12.800 Yeah. 05:12.800 --> 05:14.520 Kids don't usually travel very far for these deals. 05:14.520 --> 05:16.320 There's a good chance it's some of them from the school. 05:16.320 --> 05:19.760 Well, now the way it looks, if they try to peddle this stuff to the other kids, we might 05:19.760 --> 05:20.760 be able to get a lead on them. 05:20.760 --> 05:22.760 There's a hitch to that, though. 05:22.760 --> 05:23.760 What do you mean? 05:23.760 --> 05:26.320 Well, Miss Ridley said that she was going to make an announcement to the student body. 05:26.320 --> 05:27.320 Yeah. 05:27.320 --> 05:30.800 She said she'd be on the lookout for the stolen artichokes. 05:30.800 --> 05:32.080 Kids that took the stuff are in school. 05:32.080 --> 05:33.400 They might lay low for a while. 05:33.400 --> 05:34.400 That's it. 05:34.400 --> 05:35.400 How much was taken? 05:35.400 --> 05:37.200 About $500 for the school supplies. 05:37.200 --> 05:38.600 Pretty good haul. 05:38.600 --> 05:39.600 Yeah. 05:39.600 --> 05:40.960 What do you want to do about it? 05:40.960 --> 05:44.080 Well, if it's all right with you, Frank, and I'd like to put a stake out on the school. 05:44.080 --> 05:45.400 All right, when? 05:45.400 --> 05:47.920 We know the janitors work into the early morning hours on Fridays. 05:47.920 --> 05:48.920 Yeah. 05:48.920 --> 05:51.600 So it figures the school must be broken into sometime on Saturday or Sunday. 05:51.600 --> 05:53.120 All right, when do you want to start? 05:53.120 --> 05:54.120 This coming weekend. 05:54.120 --> 05:57.000 Okay, I'll arrange a clearance for you with school security. 05:57.000 --> 05:58.800 Any more help you need, let me know. 05:58.800 --> 05:59.800 Well, we're dead. 05:59.800 --> 06:00.800 It must have something against the cafeteria. 06:00.800 --> 06:02.280 The place was a real mess. 06:02.280 --> 06:03.280 Yeah. 06:03.280 --> 06:04.280 Bad enough the first couple of times. 06:04.280 --> 06:06.280 Didn't leave anything in the freezer this trip. 06:06.280 --> 06:07.520 Sure doesn't make much sense. 06:07.520 --> 06:08.520 I don't know. 06:08.520 --> 06:09.520 Maybe it does. 06:09.520 --> 06:10.520 What? 06:10.520 --> 06:11.520 Each time they hit the cafeteria, right? 06:11.520 --> 06:12.520 Yeah, that's right. 06:12.520 --> 06:13.520 And they didn't tear up the store room? 06:13.520 --> 06:15.520 Well, threw a few pencil boxes around. 06:15.520 --> 06:16.520 That's about all. 06:16.520 --> 06:17.800 Yes, but every time food has been destroyed. 06:17.800 --> 06:18.800 That's right. 06:18.800 --> 06:20.480 Well, we got a reason for doing it. 06:20.480 --> 06:21.480 Yeah? 06:21.480 --> 06:24.760 Somebody that can't resist the urge to eat all the time doesn't like being overweight. 06:24.760 --> 06:28.400 So without knowing why they do it, they destroy food. 06:28.400 --> 06:29.520 It could be a part of it, anyway. 06:29.520 --> 06:31.520 It's only a theory, but it might hold water. 06:31.520 --> 06:36.440 Yeah, that's true, but we don't know if it's a gang or after, or just one person. 06:36.440 --> 06:38.800 Another thing, they've broken in three times. 06:38.800 --> 06:40.160 Might have been by different kids. 06:40.160 --> 06:41.160 Good questions, all of them. 06:41.160 --> 06:42.160 Yeah. 06:42.160 --> 06:43.160 That's why you get paid. 06:43.160 --> 06:44.160 To get the answers. 06:44.160 --> 07:02.400 We kept in contact with Ms. Ridley during the rest of the week, but as far as she knew, 07:02.400 --> 07:04.640 none of the stolen articles showed up. 07:04.640 --> 07:08.040 Captain Powers talked with the school security section of the Board of Education, and Frank 07:08.040 --> 07:10.760 and I staked out in the school on Saturday and Sunday. 07:10.760 --> 07:13.080 There was no disturbance. 07:13.080 --> 07:14.960 We went back the following weekend. 07:14.960 --> 07:16.640 Saturday passed without trouble. 07:16.640 --> 07:17.640 Sunday, 7.34 p.m. 07:17.640 --> 07:20.640 We were sitting in the vice principal's office. 07:20.640 --> 07:21.640 Frank. 07:21.640 --> 07:22.640 Yeah? 07:22.640 --> 07:23.640 Come on. 07:23.640 --> 07:24.640 Frank. 07:24.640 --> 07:25.640 All right, son. 07:25.640 --> 07:26.640 Come on. 07:26.640 --> 07:27.640 Party's over. 07:27.640 --> 07:28.640 What? 07:28.640 --> 07:29.640 Come on. 07:29.640 --> 07:30.640 Grab him, Frank. 07:30.640 --> 07:31.640 Let me go. 07:31.640 --> 07:32.640 Let me go. 07:32.640 --> 07:33.640 Take it easy, boy. 07:33.640 --> 07:34.640 Now, take it easy. 07:34.640 --> 07:35.640 This isn't going to help. 07:35.640 --> 07:36.640 Just hold still. 07:36.640 --> 07:37.640 What's your name? 07:37.640 --> 07:38.640 Jerry. 07:38.640 --> 07:39.640 What's your last name? 07:39.640 --> 07:40.640 Beth. 07:40.640 --> 07:41.640 Jerry. 07:41.640 --> 07:43.240 What's your last name? 07:43.240 --> 07:44.240 Beck. 07:44.240 --> 07:45.240 You've done this before? 07:45.240 --> 07:46.240 Come on, son. 07:46.240 --> 07:47.240 Answer me. 07:47.240 --> 07:48.240 All right, let's go. 07:48.240 --> 07:49.240 You going to put me in jail? 07:49.240 --> 07:50.240 We'll see. 07:50.240 --> 07:51.240 I'm not afraid of you cops. 07:51.240 --> 07:52.240 There's no reason you should be. 07:52.240 --> 07:53.240 Why'd you throw all this food around? 07:53.240 --> 07:54.240 I don't know. 07:54.240 --> 07:55.240 You haven't got a reason? 07:55.240 --> 07:56.240 No. 07:56.240 --> 07:57.240 I sure went to a lot of trouble to catch me. 07:57.240 --> 07:58.240 Not too much, son. 07:58.240 --> 07:59.240 Huh? 07:59.240 --> 08:00.240 You made it easy. 08:00.240 --> 08:18.000 Before leaving the school, Frank called school security and notified them of the broken window 08:18.000 --> 08:20.520 and the damage done by Jerry Beckel. 08:20.520 --> 08:23.820 We drove back to Georgia Street to question the subject further. 08:23.820 --> 08:26.080 On the way down, he refused to say anything. 08:26.080 --> 08:29.640 The office he told us he lived at 1206 Walnut Street. 08:29.640 --> 08:33.280 He said he was going to check Central Juvenile Index at 842 p.m. 08:33.280 --> 08:34.280 That's all. 08:34.280 --> 08:35.280 Not going to tell you anymore. 08:35.280 --> 08:36.280 Now let's get one thing straight, son. 08:36.280 --> 08:37.280 You're in trouble. 08:37.280 --> 08:39.080 We'd like to help you, but you've got to play ball with us. 08:39.080 --> 08:41.040 We'll level with you, but you've got to play it the same way. 08:41.040 --> 08:42.040 Do you understand? 08:42.040 --> 08:43.040 Yeah. 08:43.040 --> 08:44.040 All right. 08:44.040 --> 08:46.320 Now we can't do anything for you unless you want us to. 08:46.320 --> 08:49.000 Unless we know why you do these things, it'll be pretty hard for you to find a way out. 08:49.000 --> 08:50.000 Is that clear? 08:50.000 --> 08:51.000 I guess so. 08:51.000 --> 08:53.800 Well, the only way we can find out is if you tell us the truth. 08:53.800 --> 08:54.800 So? 08:54.800 --> 08:55.800 Yeah. 08:55.800 --> 08:56.800 My boy has no previous record. 08:56.800 --> 08:57.800 All right, how about it? 08:57.800 --> 09:00.800 You ready to answer our questions now, son? 09:00.800 --> 09:01.800 Sure. 09:01.800 --> 09:03.840 But it won't do any good. 09:03.840 --> 09:04.840 Why do you say that? 09:04.840 --> 09:06.840 You can't change my looks, can you? 09:06.840 --> 09:07.840 Well, why? 09:07.840 --> 09:08.840 There's no reason to do that. 09:08.840 --> 09:09.840 You look healthy to me. 09:09.840 --> 09:10.840 Sure, I'm healthy. 09:10.840 --> 09:11.840 Fat and ugly, too. 09:11.840 --> 09:14.840 That's why I had the trouble with Miss Ridley. 09:14.840 --> 09:17.840 Well, I suppose you'd tell us about it. 09:17.840 --> 09:19.840 She kicked me out of school. 09:19.840 --> 09:20.840 Why? 09:20.840 --> 09:21.840 Fighting. 09:21.840 --> 09:22.840 Who were you fighting with? 09:22.840 --> 09:23.840 Different guys. 09:23.840 --> 09:24.840 Why'd you fight? 09:24.840 --> 09:25.840 Called me names. 09:25.840 --> 09:27.840 Well, I'd go ahead. 09:27.840 --> 09:28.840 It's my fault. 09:28.840 --> 09:30.840 I can't help how I look. 09:30.840 --> 09:32.840 You sure that's why you had the fights? 09:32.840 --> 09:33.840 It wouldn't let me alone. 09:33.840 --> 09:35.840 Suppose you think I'm real good looking, huh? 09:35.840 --> 09:37.840 Son, I told you we'd level with you. 09:37.840 --> 09:38.840 You're not an ugly kid. 09:38.840 --> 09:40.840 Now, it seems to me you're imagining a lot. 09:40.840 --> 09:41.840 Sure. 09:41.840 --> 09:44.840 I suppose they call me Lard Barrel and Witch Man, 09:44.840 --> 09:46.840 because they imagine it, too. 09:46.840 --> 09:48.840 Maybe they got another reason. 09:48.840 --> 09:49.840 Like what? 09:49.840 --> 09:50.840 To needle you. 09:50.840 --> 09:51.840 If you didn't let them know it bothered you, 09:51.840 --> 09:53.840 they probably wouldn't have kept it up. 09:53.840 --> 09:54.840 They called you names to get you into fights. 09:54.840 --> 09:55.840 Don't you think that's it? 09:55.840 --> 09:56.840 That's what you say. 09:56.840 --> 09:58.840 Well, that's what we believe. 09:58.840 --> 10:00.840 She didn't have to kick me out of school. 10:00.840 --> 10:01.840 How many fights you have, Jack? 10:01.840 --> 10:02.840 I don't know. 10:02.840 --> 10:03.840 Well, you must have some idea. 10:03.840 --> 10:04.840 Quite a few. 10:04.840 --> 10:06.840 Miss Ridley talked to you? 10:06.840 --> 10:07.840 Yeah. 10:07.840 --> 10:09.840 She gave you more than one chance, didn't she? 10:09.840 --> 10:10.840 Yeah. 10:10.840 --> 10:11.840 The kids kept asking me. 10:11.840 --> 10:13.840 Wouldn't let me alone. 10:13.840 --> 10:15.840 You don't like Miss Ridley, do you? 10:15.840 --> 10:16.840 Why should I? 10:16.840 --> 10:17.840 Is that why you broke into the school? 10:17.840 --> 10:18.840 Maybe. 10:18.840 --> 10:19.840 How many times you go in? 10:19.840 --> 10:20.840 Three. 10:20.840 --> 10:22.840 Did you steal the things from the star room? 10:22.840 --> 10:23.840 Yeah. 10:23.840 --> 10:24.840 Where are they? 10:24.840 --> 10:26.840 You live with your father and mother? 10:26.840 --> 10:27.840 Yeah. 10:27.840 --> 10:29.840 Any brothers or sisters? 10:29.840 --> 10:31.840 Two brothers, three sisters. 10:31.840 --> 10:32.840 Well, now when you had the trouble at school, 10:32.840 --> 10:34.840 did Miss Ridley talk to your parents? 10:34.840 --> 10:35.840 No. 10:35.840 --> 10:36.840 She didn't get in touch with them at all, huh? 10:36.840 --> 10:39.840 Sure, she tried, but they didn't go in to see her. 10:39.840 --> 10:41.840 Is there any reason why they didn't? 10:41.840 --> 10:43.840 Oh, it just didn't go, I'd say. 10:43.840 --> 10:44.840 Well, I guess we'd better go out 10:44.840 --> 10:46.840 and have a talk with them this time. 10:46.840 --> 10:47.840 Why? 10:47.840 --> 10:49.840 Well, I'll have to know about this trouble that you're in. 10:49.840 --> 10:50.840 Maybe if we talk to them, 10:50.840 --> 10:51.840 we can sort of work this problem out together, 10:51.840 --> 10:52.840 don't you think? 10:52.840 --> 10:53.840 That won't do any good. 10:53.840 --> 10:54.840 Why not, son? 10:54.840 --> 10:56.840 I think I'm fat and ugly. 11:09.840 --> 11:10.840 Jerry Becker went on to say 11:10.840 --> 11:12.840 that he was now attending the Jansen School, 11:12.840 --> 11:14.840 one of two maintained in the city for juveniles 11:14.840 --> 11:16.840 who have difficulty making adjustments 11:16.840 --> 11:18.840 in normal school life. 11:18.840 --> 11:20.840 He also told us that on all three occasions 11:20.840 --> 11:23.840 he had been alone when he broke into the Hillside School. 11:23.840 --> 11:25.840 We drove out to his home. 11:25.840 --> 11:28.840 It was a small frame house, badly in need of repair. 11:28.840 --> 11:30.840 We met his father, Henry Becker. 11:30.840 --> 11:32.840 We told him the reason for our visit. 11:32.840 --> 11:34.840 So you just can't stay out of trouble. 11:34.840 --> 11:36.840 First it's fighting and you get kicked out of school. 11:36.840 --> 11:37.840 Now this mess. 11:37.840 --> 11:38.840 What's the matter with you anyhow? 11:38.840 --> 11:39.840 I don't know, Dad. 11:39.840 --> 11:40.840 Excuse me, Mr. Becker, 11:40.840 --> 11:42.840 but this kind of talk is going to get us anywhere. 11:42.840 --> 11:44.840 Your son has a definite problem and he needs help. 11:44.840 --> 11:45.840 Sure, he's got a problem. 11:45.840 --> 11:47.840 He's no good, never has been, never will be. 11:47.840 --> 11:48.840 You want to take the boy outside? 11:48.840 --> 11:49.840 Sure. 11:49.840 --> 11:51.840 Come on, son. 11:51.840 --> 11:53.840 I suppose you're going to give me the answers. 11:53.840 --> 11:55.840 You sound like you think it's my fault he got into this trouble. 11:55.840 --> 11:57.840 You might have helped keep him out of it. 11:57.840 --> 11:59.840 Sure, just follow him around all day and night, 11:59.840 --> 12:01.840 slap his wrist when he steps out of line. 12:01.840 --> 12:03.840 You were asked to go over to his school when he had trouble before. 12:03.840 --> 12:04.840 Why didn't you go? 12:04.840 --> 12:05.840 I didn't have the time. 12:05.840 --> 12:07.840 I got to worry about five other kids. 12:07.840 --> 12:08.840 They got to eat. 12:08.840 --> 12:09.840 Can't be taking time away from work 12:09.840 --> 12:11.840 just because one of them can't keep his nose clean. 12:11.840 --> 12:12.840 What about your wife? 12:12.840 --> 12:13.840 What do you mean? 12:13.840 --> 12:15.840 Couldn't she have gone over to the school? 12:15.840 --> 12:16.840 Why don't you ask her? 12:16.840 --> 12:17.840 Is she here now? 12:17.840 --> 12:18.840 No. 12:18.840 --> 12:20.840 Gone out, probably at a movie. 12:20.840 --> 12:23.840 She has to have some fun, so she leaves me with the kids. 12:23.840 --> 12:27.840 Is there any reason why she couldn't go and talk with Miss Ridley about your son, Jerry? 12:27.840 --> 12:29.840 Yeah, she figured it was his own problem. 12:29.840 --> 12:31.840 He has to learn to fight his own battles. 12:31.840 --> 12:33.840 Well, that's fine when you know what you're fighting. 12:33.840 --> 12:34.840 Your boy doesn't. 12:34.840 --> 12:35.840 It's nothing to matter with him. 12:35.840 --> 12:36.840 That's where you're wrong. 12:36.840 --> 12:38.840 Your son has an inferiority complex about his looks. 12:38.840 --> 12:39.840 Oh, big deal. 12:39.840 --> 12:41.840 That's one of the things that's wrong with him. 12:41.840 --> 12:44.840 You're trying to tell me he gets into trouble because of the way he feels about his looks? 12:44.840 --> 12:46.840 It's possible that's a good part of it. 12:46.840 --> 12:47.840 You're going to have to go to jail? 12:47.840 --> 12:49.840 I'm afraid he will. 12:49.840 --> 12:51.840 Don't you put kids on probation sometimes? 12:51.840 --> 12:53.840 Let the parents look after them? 12:53.840 --> 12:55.840 Yeah, when they have parents. 12:55.840 --> 12:57.840 Couldn't you do that for Jerry? 12:57.840 --> 13:01.840 If you could show the authorities that you'd be responsible for them, it might work out. 13:01.840 --> 13:02.840 I could do that. 13:02.840 --> 13:04.840 There's something more you've got to do. 13:04.840 --> 13:17.840 Find time to talk to him. 13:17.840 --> 13:21.840 We took the subject along with the recovered stolen property back to Georgia Street. 13:21.840 --> 13:27.840 The next day, Miss Ridley came down and identified the articles as those taken from the school's storeroom. 13:27.840 --> 13:31.840 She said that Jerry Beckal had been in numerous fights before he was dismissed from school. 13:31.840 --> 13:35.840 During her investigation of the disorder, she found that Beckal had provoked several of the fights. 13:35.840 --> 13:41.840 She went on to say that the subject had been a below average student, showing little interest in academic work. 13:41.840 --> 13:44.840 A petition was filed on Beckal's behalf with a juvenile court. 13:44.840 --> 13:48.840 The petition was sustained and he was placed on probation with the Los Angeles County Probation Department 13:48.840 --> 13:51.840 and allowed to remain in the custody of his parents. 13:51.840 --> 13:54.840 March 31st, 8.06 a.m. 13:54.840 --> 13:56.840 I just picked up the reports for yesterday. You want to check them over? 13:56.840 --> 14:00.840 Yeah, all right. Thanks. 14:00.840 --> 14:02.840 I saw the skipper on the way in. 14:02.840 --> 14:03.840 Yeah? 14:03.840 --> 14:05.840 You remember that Austin boy? 14:05.840 --> 14:06.840 Car thief, wasn't he? 14:06.840 --> 14:10.840 Yeah. Violated his probation. Picked up again last night. 14:10.840 --> 14:14.840 Too bad. 14:14.840 --> 14:18.840 What was that kid's name on the hillside school? He ain't that heavy set boy. 14:18.840 --> 14:20.840 Hmm. One who thought he was so ugly? 14:20.840 --> 14:21.840 Yeah, that's the one. 14:21.840 --> 14:22.840 Beckal or something, wasn't he? 14:22.840 --> 14:23.840 Yeah. 14:23.840 --> 14:24.840 What about him? 14:24.840 --> 14:28.840 Look here, the description on this report fits him. Listen to this. 14:28.840 --> 14:32.840 In some states the subject said to her, what are you smiling for, because I'm so ugly? 14:32.840 --> 14:34.840 It might be. What's the charge? 14:34.840 --> 14:36.840 Pretty bad this time. 14:36.840 --> 14:37.840 Yeah? 14:37.840 --> 14:39.840 Attempted robbery and shooting. 14:39.840 --> 14:59.840 Music. 14:59.840 --> 15:02.840 The robbery and shooting had occurred the previous night about 7.30 p.m. 15:02.840 --> 15:08.840 We checked with the Georgia Street Receiving Hospital and we found the victim, Linda Cotterly, had been treated for a minor flesh wound in the leg. 15:08.840 --> 15:11.840 She'd been shot with a.22 caliber pistol. 15:11.840 --> 15:15.840 The hospital report showed that she'd been released and allowed to return home. 15:15.840 --> 15:19.840 We contacted the officers working the case and checked the reports that had been filed. 15:19.840 --> 15:21.840 We asked if we could talk to the victim. 15:21.840 --> 15:25.840 Frank and I drove out to the address and we were admitted by her sister. 15:25.840 --> 15:27.840 Linda Cotterly was lying on a couch in the front room. 15:27.840 --> 15:30.840 We identified ourselves and asked her if she'd mind going over the story for us. 15:30.840 --> 15:32.840 I told the other officers all about it. 15:32.840 --> 15:36.840 Yes, we understand that. We saw their report, but we appreciate your telling us just what happened. 15:36.840 --> 15:38.840 Well, I guess I won't do no harm. 15:38.840 --> 15:41.840 I suppose if more of you know about it, you'll have a better chance to catch the little stinker. 15:41.840 --> 15:42.840 That's right, ma'am. 15:42.840 --> 15:44.840 I shouldn't have said that. 15:44.840 --> 15:45.840 Ma'am? 15:45.840 --> 15:47.840 Little stinker. He was a big stinker. 15:47.840 --> 15:48.840 Oh, yeah. 15:48.840 --> 15:50.840 Could have killed me. Gives me cold chills thinking about it. 15:50.840 --> 15:51.840 We don't understand. 15:51.840 --> 15:53.840 I wonder if you'd do something for me. 15:53.840 --> 15:54.840 Yes, ma'am. What's that? 15:54.840 --> 15:57.840 There's an afghan on the sewing machine in the dining room. Would you get it for me? 15:57.840 --> 15:58.840 Sure. 15:58.840 --> 15:59.840 Thank you. 15:59.840 --> 16:01.840 Why don't you tell us the story? 16:01.840 --> 16:02.840 Sure. 16:02.840 --> 16:05.840 Well, you know I was shot in the leg right here? 16:05.840 --> 16:06.840 Yes, we know. 16:06.840 --> 16:09.840 At first I thought it was just some kid playing a joke. 16:09.840 --> 16:10.840 Here you are, ma'am. 16:10.840 --> 16:15.840 Oh, thank you, Mr. Smith. Would you just drape it over me? Gently now. 16:15.840 --> 16:16.840 All right. 16:16.840 --> 16:18.840 That's fine. Thank you. 16:18.840 --> 16:19.840 Yes, ma'am. 16:19.840 --> 16:21.840 Now, you said you thought it was a joke when this boy tried to hold you up. 16:21.840 --> 16:24.840 Yeah, he was so young looking. Couldn't have been born 15 or 16. 16:24.840 --> 16:25.840 Yeah. 16:25.840 --> 16:30.840 He was sort of chubby. Didn't look mean at all. I guess I should have been scared, but I wasn't. I just smiled. 16:30.840 --> 16:32.840 Did he say anything when he approached you? 16:32.840 --> 16:33.840 About it being a holdup for me? 16:33.840 --> 16:34.840 That's right. 16:34.840 --> 16:36.840 No, came up to me. He had a gun in his hand. 16:36.840 --> 16:37.840 That's when you smiled. 16:37.840 --> 16:38.840 That's right. 16:38.840 --> 16:39.840 Then what happened? 16:39.840 --> 16:41.840 He got a real mad look on his face. Made him look tough. 16:41.840 --> 16:42.840 Is that when he spoke to you? 16:42.840 --> 16:43.840 How'd you know? 16:43.840 --> 16:44.840 Once in the report. 16:44.840 --> 16:49.840 That's right. I'd forgotten. Well, then I guess I can skip the part about what he said. 16:49.840 --> 16:51.840 We'd like to hear his exact words if you can remember him. 16:51.840 --> 16:54.840 He said, what are you smiling for? Because I'm so ugly? 16:54.840 --> 16:56.840 Mm-hmm. Did you get a good look at him? 16:56.840 --> 16:58.840 Yes and no. 16:58.840 --> 16:59.840 How do you mean that? 16:59.840 --> 17:03.840 Well, I did see him, but I don't remember his face too well. I know he was young. 17:03.840 --> 17:06.840 Not too good looking, but it's hard to say just what he did look like. 17:06.840 --> 17:08.840 You think you'd know him if you ever saw him again? 17:08.840 --> 17:12.840 Oh my. It's pretty dark. I'm not sure. 17:12.840 --> 17:14.840 All right. What happened after he spoke to you? 17:14.840 --> 17:17.840 I said no, meaning I didn't think he was ugly. 17:17.840 --> 17:20.840 And they told me to give him my purse. That's when it happened. 17:20.840 --> 17:21.840 What was that, then? 17:21.840 --> 17:24.840 Well, I got scared. I knew he wasn't fool, and I screamed and started running. 17:24.840 --> 17:26.840 Then I heard the noise, gunfire. 17:26.840 --> 17:27.840 Go ahead. 17:27.840 --> 17:30.840 Then I felt a sting on my leg when the bullet hit me. 17:30.840 --> 17:36.840 Kept on running, went past a vacant lot. Kept screaming, and then I saw a man across the street open his front door and looked out. 17:36.840 --> 17:40.840 I ran up to him, told him I'd been shot, and he called the police. 17:40.840 --> 17:43.840 When you said this person was chubby, did you mean he was fat? 17:43.840 --> 17:47.840 Well, he was kind of big around the middle. His face was sort of round like. 17:47.840 --> 17:48.840 How about his hair? Was it dark? 17:48.840 --> 17:49.840 Yeah. 17:49.840 --> 17:51.840 Did you notice if it was straight or wavy? 17:51.840 --> 17:54.840 No. Tell me, you got an idea who this kid was? 17:54.840 --> 17:56.840 Well, we're not sure. 17:56.840 --> 17:57.840 Well, then, one thing. 17:57.840 --> 17:58.840 What's that? 17:58.840 --> 18:01.840 That kid should be taught a lesson. Only one thing to do with them when they're that rotten. 18:01.840 --> 18:03.840 Flatten them around a little and just forget about them. 18:03.840 --> 18:04.840 Well, that's the trouble here. 18:04.840 --> 18:05.840 Hmm? 18:05.840 --> 18:07.840 That's what they did to this boy. 18:14.840 --> 18:21.840 Frank and I went back to the office and checked the records on the petition, and we found that the subject's father, Henry Beckel, was employed at a lumber yard. 18:21.840 --> 18:24.840 We drove down to the place and found him stacking lumber in the back lot. 18:24.840 --> 18:26.840 What's on your mind this time? 18:26.840 --> 18:28.840 How's Jerry been getting along? 18:28.840 --> 18:29.840 All right, I guess. 18:29.840 --> 18:30.840 Attending school regularly? 18:30.840 --> 18:33.840 As far as I know, haven't had any bad reports. 18:33.840 --> 18:34.840 What's he been doing nights? 18:34.840 --> 18:38.840 He stays in the house. Goes out once in a while, never too late. Why? 18:38.840 --> 18:39.840 Where was he Monday night? 18:39.840 --> 18:40.840 Home. 18:40.840 --> 18:41.840 All night? 18:41.840 --> 18:42.840 Yeah. 18:42.840 --> 18:43.840 How about Tuesday? 18:43.840 --> 18:46.840 After supper, he went out for a while, came in early. Why? 18:46.840 --> 18:48.840 How's your son been acting lately? 18:48.840 --> 18:49.840 What do you mean? 18:49.840 --> 18:50.840 Has he had any trouble at school? 18:50.840 --> 18:53.840 I told you, I haven't had any bad reports from him. 18:53.840 --> 18:54.840 How about at home? 18:54.840 --> 18:56.840 No trouble, we're trying to help him. 18:56.840 --> 18:59.840 Well, as far as you know, he's been in pretty good spirits, is that right? 18:59.840 --> 19:02.840 Look, you know he's no ball of fire, but he seems to be happy enough. 19:02.840 --> 19:03.840 Uh-huh. 19:03.840 --> 19:04.840 What is all this anyway? 19:04.840 --> 19:06.840 We're just checking something out. 19:06.840 --> 19:09.840 Well, the way you ask questions, it sounds like you think Jerry's in trouble again. 19:09.840 --> 19:10.840 No, we didn't say that. 19:10.840 --> 19:13.840 Well, you don't have to. I know what you're getting at, and I don't like it. 19:13.840 --> 19:14.840 No reason to get upset. 19:14.840 --> 19:18.840 They're right. How would you feel? Jerry's been released to my custody. 19:18.840 --> 19:21.840 You're as much as telling me I haven't been doing the right thing. 19:21.840 --> 19:24.840 Well, if you're sure of that in your own mind, you don't have anything to worry about, do you? 19:24.840 --> 19:27.840 Well, I've done what I can, but I can't watch him all the time. 19:27.840 --> 19:29.840 What's he supposed to have done this time? 19:29.840 --> 19:30.840 We're not sure he's done anything. 19:30.840 --> 19:33.840 He wouldn't be nosing around if he didn't have some reason. 19:33.840 --> 19:34.840 Just something we gotta check. 19:34.840 --> 19:38.840 All right. But if he got off on the wrong foot again, don't try to pin any tails on me. 19:38.840 --> 19:42.840 I've been doing the right thing, but I don't mind telling you, I've never been too sure he would straighten out. 19:42.840 --> 19:43.840 Is that right? 19:43.840 --> 19:45.840 Yeah. But I'm doing what I can for him. 19:45.840 --> 19:46.840 Yeah? 19:46.840 --> 19:50.840 I feed him, I put clothes on his back, I put a roof over his head. What more can I give him? 19:50.840 --> 19:52.840 You own a gun, Mr. Beckel? 19:52.840 --> 19:53.840 What? 19:53.840 --> 19:54.840 I said you own a gun. 19:54.840 --> 19:55.840 Yeah, why? 19:55.840 --> 19:56.840 What kind? 19:56.840 --> 19:57.840 22 pistol. 20:07.840 --> 20:10.840 We drove over to the Jansen school and we talked to the principal. 20:10.840 --> 20:14.840 We explained our business and he told us that Jerry Beckel hadn't been in school all day. 20:14.840 --> 20:17.840 We drove out to the boy's home and we met his mother. 20:17.840 --> 20:20.840 She said he wasn't there, but he'd probably be home about five o'clock. 20:20.840 --> 20:23.840 We went back to the car and waited. 20:23.840 --> 20:26.840 At 4.30 p.m. Henry Beckel returned from work. 20:26.840 --> 20:29.840 He drove into the yard and we met him at the back door. 20:29.840 --> 20:31.840 So you're here again. 20:31.840 --> 20:33.840 That's right. Let's go in the house, Beckel. 20:33.840 --> 20:35.840 If you want it. 20:36.840 --> 20:37.840 Go ahead. 20:41.840 --> 20:43.840 You want to tell me what this is all about now? 20:43.840 --> 20:45.840 We'd like to talk to Jerry first. 20:45.840 --> 20:47.840 If you want to see him, why didn't you go over to his school? 20:47.840 --> 20:49.840 We did. He wasn't there today. 20:49.840 --> 20:51.840 The kids are up to their old tricks again. 20:51.840 --> 20:52.840 Oh, they found you. 20:52.840 --> 20:53.840 This is my wife. 20:53.840 --> 20:54.840 We met. What's the trouble? 20:54.840 --> 20:56.840 Jerry again. He wasn't in school today. 20:56.840 --> 20:57.840 That all? 20:57.840 --> 21:00.840 We should get out of the kitchen so I can pick supper. 21:00.840 --> 21:01.840 Yeah. 21:01.840 --> 21:03.840 You guys want to come on into the other room? 21:03.840 --> 21:04.840 All right. 21:06.840 --> 21:09.840 While we're waiting for your son, I wonder if you'd get that gun for us. 21:09.840 --> 21:10.840 Why should we? 21:10.840 --> 21:12.840 You've got no choice, fellow. 21:12.840 --> 21:13.840 In the closet. 21:13.840 --> 21:15.840 You said that before. Now where is it? 21:15.840 --> 21:16.840 Over there. 21:19.840 --> 21:20.840 Where? 21:20.840 --> 21:22.840 In that box. A small flat one. 21:22.840 --> 21:23.840 This one here? 21:23.840 --> 21:24.840 Yeah. 21:30.840 --> 21:32.840 When's the last time you fired this? 21:32.840 --> 21:34.840 I don't know. It's been quite a while. 21:36.840 --> 21:38.840 What do you think? 21:39.840 --> 21:41.840 Smells like it was fired recently. 21:41.840 --> 21:43.840 What time does Jerry usually get home? 21:43.840 --> 21:45.840 We eat at 5.30. He'll be here by then. 21:45.840 --> 21:46.840 Uh-huh. 21:46.840 --> 21:48.840 You don't have to worry about him not showing up. 21:48.840 --> 21:51.840 He might skip school, but that fat lazy slob won't miss a meal. 21:51.840 --> 21:54.840 He eats twice as much as the other kids. No wonder he looks like he does. 21:54.840 --> 21:55.840 Hi, Mom. 21:55.840 --> 21:56.840 Let's go. 21:56.840 --> 21:57.840 Right. 21:59.840 --> 22:00.840 Hi, son. 22:00.840 --> 22:01.840 Hi. What do you want? 22:01.840 --> 22:03.840 Fred, we're going to have to take you with us. 22:03.840 --> 22:04.840 Can he eat first? 22:04.840 --> 22:06.840 It won't hurt him any, dummy. Some of you will look at him. 22:06.840 --> 22:08.840 Looks like a fat toad. 22:08.840 --> 22:09.840 Well, why don't you say so? 22:09.840 --> 22:11.840 All right. Doesn't make any difference. You'd like to be rid of me anyway. 22:11.840 --> 22:12.840 Take it easy, son. 22:12.840 --> 22:14.840 You all want to hear it? Okay, I'll tell you. 22:14.840 --> 22:16.840 I shot her. 22:26.840 --> 22:29.840 We took Jerry Beckle down to Georgia Street for further questioning. 22:29.840 --> 22:33.840 After the outbreak at his home, he quieted down and refused to say anything more. 22:33.840 --> 22:36.840 We talked to him for an hour and he finally admitted the whole story. 22:36.840 --> 22:38.840 All right, son. Why'd you take the gun? 22:38.840 --> 22:40.840 To get some money, I guess. 22:40.840 --> 22:42.840 Now, was that the only way you could get it? 22:42.840 --> 22:43.840 I don't know. 22:43.840 --> 22:44.840 You could have gotten a job. 22:44.840 --> 22:45.840 I tried to. 22:45.840 --> 22:46.840 Yeah? 22:46.840 --> 22:47.840 Nobody wanted me. 22:47.840 --> 22:49.840 Well, how many people did you ask for work? 22:50.840 --> 22:52.840 Just one place. 22:52.840 --> 22:53.840 And then you gave up? 22:53.840 --> 22:56.840 That was enough. I knew I wouldn't get a job. 22:56.840 --> 22:58.840 Did they tell you they wouldn't give you work? 23:01.840 --> 23:04.840 I didn't have to. I knew just the way they looked at me. 23:05.840 --> 23:07.840 Did you ever ask your father for money? 23:07.840 --> 23:10.840 Yeah. He gave me and he just read me off. 23:10.840 --> 23:11.840 What'd he say to you? 23:11.840 --> 23:17.840 What he always does, I'm fat, lazy, not good for anything but put my feet under the table and eat. 23:17.840 --> 23:19.840 So you decided to get out and rob somebody, huh? 23:19.840 --> 23:20.840 Yeah. 23:20.840 --> 23:22.840 Why'd you shoot at the woman? 23:22.840 --> 23:23.840 I'm not sure. 23:23.840 --> 23:25.840 But she didn't do you any harm, did she? 23:25.840 --> 23:29.840 No. She made me mad, laughed at me, just like all the rest. 23:29.840 --> 23:30.840 She did, huh? 23:30.840 --> 23:32.840 Sure. Because I'm fat. 23:32.840 --> 23:34.840 Did she say that? 23:34.840 --> 23:37.840 No. I could tell what she was thinking. 23:37.840 --> 23:38.840 You could, huh? 23:38.840 --> 23:41.840 People shouldn't laugh at somebody just because they're fat. 23:41.840 --> 23:42.840 Yeah. 23:42.840 --> 23:43.840 They got no right to do that. 23:43.840 --> 23:45.840 Maybe. But how much did you have? 23:45.840 --> 23:46.840 Huh? 23:46.840 --> 23:47.840 When you shot her. 23:55.840 --> 23:57.840 The story you have just heard is true. 23:57.840 --> 24:00.840 The names were changed to protect the innocent. 24:00.840 --> 24:07.840 On July 14th, trial was held in Department 98, Superior Court of the State of California, in and for the County of Los Angeles. 24:15.840 --> 24:22.840 Jerome Howard Beckel was remanded to the juvenile authorities and placed in the foster home where he was assured of 24-hour supervision. 24:22.840 --> 24:28.840 One of the conditions of his probation was that he received psychiatric aid by a doctor appointed by the court. 24:28.840 --> 24:36.840 Dragnet, the story of your police force in action is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.