- 7 hours ago
Sgt. Friday and Officer Gannon are assigned to investigate an armed robbery.
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00:27This is the city.
00:29Los Angeles, California.
00:32Like any other city, there are a great many ways to make money here.
00:35Or lose it.
00:37This is one way.
00:39In the state of California, it's legal, provided you buy a ticket of admission and place your bets here.
00:44In California, over $600 million is wagered annually at racetracks, all open, above board, and within the law.
00:52Like any other legitimate business where great amounts of money are involved, there are those who cut themselves in for
00:57an illegal percentage.
00:59Sections of this volume were enacted just for them.
01:02It all begins with a 10-cent phone call to a man who keeps his business records on a plastic
01:06tabletop
01:07and who doesn't bother to enter his profit and loss in the company ledger.
01:11Or who keeps his records on a highly volatile material known as flash paper.
01:15A simple kitchen match is often his key to freedom.
01:18When this happens, it becomes part of my job.
01:21I carry a badge.
01:24It was Monday, January 9th.
01:26It was warm in Los Angeles.
01:27We were working the day watch out of Administrative Vice Division.
01:29The boss is Captain Harry Nelson.
01:31My partner's Bill Gannon.
01:34My name's Friday.
01:36Bill Gannon invited me to join him at an interdenominational breakfast sponsored by Police Post 381 of the American Legion.
01:42It was almost over.
01:52The story you are about to see is true.
01:55The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
02:22Gentlemen, again I want to thank our three guests.
02:26And to say that I'm glad so many of you were able to be with us this morning.
02:29And now I'll call on the chaplain of the Los Angeles Police Department for the benediction.
02:34Sergeant William Riddle.
02:36Will you all please rise?
02:43Shall we pray?
02:47Our Heavenly Father, we thank you this morning for one of life's great prizes.
02:52The chance to work hard at a work worth doing.
02:54We thank you for the words law, justice, freedom, and the opportunity we in this room have to protect their
03:00meaning.
03:00Lord, the psalmist has said, through God we shall do valiantly.
03:05We ask that this might be true in our day-to-day battle against crime.
03:10Dismiss us with thy blessing.
03:12Amen.
03:13Amen.
03:15Meeting is adjourned.
03:16Thank you all for coming.
03:23See, I told you you'd enjoy yourself.
03:26It was fine.
03:26You ought to come to more of these, Joe.
03:28Well, I'm not a member of the Legion.
03:30Too bad, but you can come as my guest as often as you like.
03:32How often do they have this breakfast?
03:34Once a year.
03:36You know, there's one thing I didn't know.
03:37What's that?
03:38I didn't know the department had a chaplain.
03:39You didn't?
03:40No.
03:41Why?
03:41Well, I just didn't know, that's all.
03:43How long has he been with us?
03:43Six, seven years now.
03:44I'm surprised you didn't know, Joe.
03:46What else does he do on the job?
03:48Joe, he's the chaplain.
03:49He doesn't have to do anything else.
03:51What else would you expect him to do?
03:53I don't know.
03:53I just wondered, that's all.
03:54Well, it's like I've always said.
03:56What's that?
03:57Joe, you're a heathen.
04:079.28 a.m.
04:08Bill and I returned to the office.
04:10Captain Nelson wanted to see us.
04:11How are you doing on the Westacalp book?
04:13Looks like we got the back office pinned down, but we don't have probable cause for a search warrant yet.
04:18All right.
04:19Maybe North Hollywood's found some daylight for us.
04:21Yeah.
04:21What do they got, Skipper?
04:223.18 out in the valley.
04:23Domino Bar and Grill.
04:24Looks like the bartender's taking the action.
04:26Name's Richard Klinger.
04:28No previous record.
04:29Westerfeld's been seen in the joint.
04:30Seems pretty friendly with Klinger.
04:32You figure operating the location?
04:33That's right.
04:34But you'll have to sit this one out, Gannon.
04:36You worked North Hollywood too long.
04:37Pretty good chance you'd be burned.
04:39You'll continue on the Westerfeld surveillances.
04:40See if you can find a tie between him and that back office clerk.
04:44Yes, sir.
04:44Who's working it out in North Hollywood?
04:51Yes.
04:52Send him in.
04:54Friday, the man you'll be operating with is here now.
04:57Friday and Gannon, Sergeant Bill Riddle, North Hollywood Vice.
05:00Riddle's OIC out there.
05:02Come on in, Sergeant.
05:06Thought you gave a real nice benediction this morning, Chaplain.
05:08Thanks.
05:09One thing I want to make clear, Riddle's had his share of vice experience.
05:13When he's not in those dress blues, he's a policeman like the rest of us.
05:16He's made his share of cases the same as any other man in the department.
05:19Well, maybe there's one slight difference.
05:20What's that?
05:21The only time I drink, he's on the job.
05:319.40 a.m.
05:32Riddle, Gannon, and I met in the squad room to work out plans for operating the Domino Bar and Grill.
05:37Sure never figured it, Chaplain.
05:39What's that, Gannon?
05:40Well, I mean, it's kind of unusual, isn't it?
05:42Maybe, but it's what I want to do.
05:44Is that right?
05:44Yeah, before we moved out here, I had my own church in upstate New York.
05:48If you really think about it, there's a certain affinity between preaching the word of God and being a policeman.
05:52They're both on the side of the right.
05:53Makes sense.
05:54What kind of cover will work best for you?
05:56While I was studying theology, I worked my way through as a part-time surveyor.
05:59That's what they know me as in the bar.
06:01Well, it leaves me out.
06:02I don't know anything about surveying.
06:03You don't have to.
06:04I got enough to carry us through.
06:05You can be the chain man, you know, the guy that holds the rod and helps me measure while I
06:08look through the transit.
06:09Sounds reasonable.
06:10Khaki pants, cloth jacket.
06:12That's the idea.
06:13I'm pretty well accepted in this joint.
06:14They know me as Bill Radford.
06:16But they're still too hinky to take any of my action.
06:17What surveying outfit do we work for?
06:19I'm an independent contractor.
06:21You work with me.
06:22All right.
06:22Now, it's an off day for Santa Anita.
06:24First post for the eastern tracks is around 10 our time.
06:27There's not much local action.
06:28What do you say we throw them a curve and start operating tonight?
06:30Fine.
06:31You know, Chaplain, no matter how you slice it...
06:33What's that?
06:34This has got to do Joe a world of good.
06:42Monday, January 9th, 5.30 p.m.
06:44Bill Riddle and I checked out an unmarked station wagon from the carpool and we drove out to the San
06:48Fernando Valley.
06:51The Domino Bar and Grill was located in the 2000 block on Lancashire Boulevard.
06:55Riddle was known in the place and considered almost a regular.
07:00He pointed out the waitress, Angie.
07:03He said she was friendly.
07:04Riddle was on a first name basis with Richard Klinger, the bartender.
07:10Hiya, Bill.
07:11Ryan Water?
07:11Fine.
07:12Angie?
07:12I'd like you to meet a buddy of mine, Joe Frazier.
07:14Angie.
07:15Hi, Angie.
07:16Haven't seen you around for a couple of days.
07:17Where have you been hiding?
07:18Well, I finally picked me up a chain man.
07:20Joe here.
07:20Good deal.
07:21What do you have, Joe?
07:23Beer's fine.
07:26Why don't we sit at the bar?
07:28Bat the breeze with Dick.
07:29Suits me.
07:40What do you say, Bill?
07:41You got me a chain man.
07:42I'm back in business.
07:43So, Angie tells me.
07:44Glad to hear it.
07:44One draft, one rye.
07:47Keep it.
07:48Buy a mink coat.
07:49Who's he, J.P. Morgan?
07:51No, but he got his unemployment check today.
07:52Well, I'll just pick up a stove.
07:54It's too hot in California for a coat.
07:56You do that.
07:58Kind of slow, huh?
07:59It's a little early, huh?
08:00We do pretty good lake business.
08:01Is that so?
08:02You know, I've been thinking about getting a piano player,
08:03but it's pretty rough to get a permit in this town.
08:05Oh, Dick, say hello to Joe Frazier,
08:06the guy I work with.
08:07Bad night, Joe.
08:08Same here.
08:09So you finally got an assistant
08:10in that surveying job, huh?
08:11Yep.
08:11I'm happy to hear it.
08:12I hated to see all that smart going to waste.
08:14A little tough to get in gear
08:15when you're from out of state.
08:16I know what you mean.
08:18L.A. is not the easiest place
08:19to start shaking hands quick.
08:20This is nowhere city
08:22You think so?
08:23Yeah, they leave the sidewalks out all night here.
08:26They roll up the town.
08:27Where are you from?
08:27Right here, born and raised.
08:29Been the same since I can remember.
08:30Cops keep the lid nailed down,
08:32no action, no nothing.
08:33I haven't been here as long as Joe,
08:34but I gotta go long.
08:35L.A. stands for low on action.
08:38Angie signal.
08:39Checks out at 2 a.m.
08:40Well, now, that's nice to know,
08:41but that's not what I had in mind.
08:43I'm talking about a little tax-free circus money.
08:45You gotta drive all the way down to Caliente
08:47or out to Santa Anita.
08:48Yeah?
08:49I like to have a little something going every day.
08:50Maybe nothing big,
08:51but a little daily recreation don't hurt anybody.
08:53You say you're native here?
08:55That's right.
08:56Well, you ought to know.
08:57Yeah.
08:58It's against the law.
09:12Thursday, January 12th.
09:13Three days went by.
09:14We were certain Klinger was taking action,
09:16but he wasn't taking any from us.
09:183.30 p.m.
09:19Bill picked us up in Unit 1K80.
09:21We cruised the far side of the valley while we talked.
09:23We've been living with Westerfeld.
09:25So far, nothing.
09:26Yeah?
09:26We get him up in the morning, put him to bed at night.
09:29So far, it's the same routine.
09:30Hasn't been near that back office.
09:32And the clerk acts like a hermit.
09:34Stops at a different liquor store every night.
09:36They all sell scratch sheets,
09:37but we haven't seen him buy one.
09:39Mm-hmm.
09:40Goes to the back office, and that's it.
09:41Well, sooner or later,
09:42Westerfeld's gotta shake hands with his clerk.
09:44We'll stay with it.
09:45How are you two doing?
09:47Nothing so far, but Joe has a thought.
09:48Yeah?
09:49There's a waitress in there.
09:49Her name's Angie.
09:50She must know what's going on.
09:51Maybe she'll share it with us.
09:52How do you figure to work it?
09:53Well, tonight Riddle and I'll hang around a little closing.
09:55Maybe I can buy her a breakfast.
09:56I'll fill the skipper in.
09:58Keep in touch.
09:59All right.
09:59Have a good breakfast, Joe.
10:04Riddle and I returned to the Domino Bar and Grill.
10:07We sat in a booth until almost closing time, 1.37 a.m.
10:10Last call.
10:11I'm fine.
10:13Angie?
10:14Yes?
10:15You got any plans when you get off tonight?
10:16Why?
10:17Well, I could take you to the Coconut Grove,
10:19but they'll be closed, too.
10:20Well, then.
10:21How about some breakfast?
10:22Never before noon.
10:24You know, you ought to take them up on it, Angie.
10:26Joe's a nice, round-headed single boy.
10:28Thanks, anyway, Bill.
10:29But you can see Angie and I just aren't star-crossed.
10:32Whatever that means.
10:33Sure you don't want another?
10:34No, thanks.
10:41Doesn't look too promising.
10:43No, I don't know.
10:43I still got 15 minutes before closing.
10:45I'll leave you the wagon.
10:46Good luck.
10:47All right.
10:47See you tomorrow, Bill.
11:05I beg your pardon, sir.
11:08May I join your party?
11:10I'm not having any party, fella.
11:12Do you mind if I sit down?
11:15I'm a little road-weary.
11:19When the rest of your gang gets back,
11:22I will move over.
11:24Okay?
11:25You're carrying quite a load, aren't you?
11:26How do you mean, sir?
11:28You've had a little too much to drink.
11:30No, sir, I have not.
11:32I may have had wine or two,
11:35but I know my capacity.
11:38I do not get drink.
11:40Now, may I buy you a little drunk?
11:42No, and I don't think you can have one either.
11:44Last call's over.
11:45Last call?
11:49Why don't you let me call you a cab?
11:50I have one cab, sir.
11:53Well, don't you think you ought to climb in it and head for home?
11:55Sir, I would just like to have a little toast with your party.
11:59I will buy a round of friends for all of your drinks.
12:02I told you, there's no party here and the bar is closed.
12:05Well, that dirty little Ernie.
12:08What's that?
12:08Ernie, that dirty little Ernie, he lied to me again.
12:12He told me the checker bar was open till all night.
12:16Well, this is the Domino Bar.
12:17The Domino Bar?
12:19Oh, that dirty little Ernie.
12:21He didn't even tell me they changed the name of this place.
12:25Here, drink this.
12:26It'll make you feel better.
12:27What is that?
12:28What do you like in your coffee?
12:30Hot.
12:30No, I mean cream, sugar.
12:32Sugar?
12:33Yeah, sugar turns to alcohol.
12:35It gets you all ground up inside, isn't it all good?
12:40But thank you for hospitality.
12:43Deedle-doo-deedle-dum.
12:47Is she the owner?
12:49Don't you think you better drink that, mister?
12:50The name is Simmons.
12:52Remember the name.
13:01Jay Simmons.
13:03I am from Pismo Beach, sir.
13:05Well, you're a long way from home, aren't you?
13:07That's about a hundred miles up north.
13:08Well, I have been trying to get to Los Angeles for five months now to say hello to the old
13:18gang down here, sir.
13:19You drink that and I'll help you into your cab.
13:21You know, I don't drink and drive, sir.
13:25Incohol and gasoline do not mix.
13:27That's right.
13:28That's right.
13:30I love clam chowder.
13:33Is that so?
13:33I kept looking all over for Pismo Beach just to get a bowl of clam chowder.
13:42I found it.
13:43I have moved my home to Pismo Beach.
13:47I love clams.
13:49You Navy?
13:51Navy.
13:52All right, now.
13:53Don't you think it's about time you headed for home?
13:55Angie, would you mind locking up for me tonight?
13:56Shirley's sick.
13:57Not at all, Dick.
13:58Hope she feels better.
13:59Thanks.
14:00Come on, fella.
14:01I'll get you a cab.
14:02I have one, cab, sir.
14:04I wish to go back to Pismo Beach.
14:06Would you get me a cab which knows which way it is to Pismo and tell it I'll drive?
14:11You're not going to do any driving.
14:13I certainly am.
14:14I'm too drunk to walk.
14:16Come on, let's go.
14:17Let you and I go out the front.
14:19We're okay, huh?
14:26End of the night, Joe.
14:32Yeah, it kind of looks that way.
14:33How about a cigarette?
14:34Got a lockup?
14:35Yeah, I know.
14:36There's no law against smoking after 2 a.m., is there?
14:41No, I guess not.
14:47Who's Shirley?
14:48Who?
14:49I heard Claire say that Shirley was sick.
14:51Oh, you'll have to excuse me.
14:53I'm tired.
14:55Shirley, that's Dick's daughter.
14:57She's 10.
14:57What's the matter with her?
14:58Something to do with her heart.
15:00I don't know exactly.
15:01A murmur, something like that.
15:03Dick's a widower, you know.
15:05Is that so?
15:05Seems like a nice guy.
15:06He is.
15:07How long have you been working for him, Angie?
15:09Oh, he doesn't own the place.
15:10Somebody by the name of Burroughs up north.
15:13I was hired by them in San Francisco.
15:16Told them I wanted to come south, and they put me in here.
15:19Close to three years now.
15:20You must know Klinger pretty well.
15:22Not that well.
15:23But he's been a good friend.
15:24That's all I meant?
15:26Sure.
15:27What is it, Angie?
15:28You don't think much of me, do you?
15:30Never bothered to rate you.
15:31Why?
15:32All men are alike and all that?
15:33I guess.
15:35You meet all kinds hustling drinks in a bar.
15:37I imagine you do.
15:38I say you meet them all.
15:39But they're all alike.
15:41Not all.
15:42You're different?
15:43It's possible.
15:44But not probable.
15:45You rate Klinger pretty high.
15:46Why shouldn't I?
15:48He's straight, he's good, and he's honest.
15:50That about covers it.
15:51You have that tone in your voice like you think he's not.
15:53Well, you'd know more about that than I would.
15:55I just met him.
15:56Dick's a good man.
15:57Takes care of his little girl.
15:59No wife to help him.
16:00He worships that child.
16:02He's good.
16:02If you say so.
16:04I say so.
16:06Good night, Joe.
16:15Tuesday, January 24th, 11.35 a.m.
16:18Riddle and I met again with Bill Gannon.
16:21You do any good, Gannon?
16:22Like the Pilgrims, we're making a little progress.
16:25What do you got?
16:25Spider Westerfeld and his back office clerk are going to meet.
16:28They exchange sheets.
16:29We've gone as far as we can go.
16:31The rest is up to you.
16:32Yeah.
16:32All we need is that phone number.
16:43Tuesday, January 24th, 12.30 p.m.
16:46We hoped that somehow we could persuade Dick Klinger to give us the number of the phone spot,
16:50which would give us the probable cause to have a search warrant issued against Westerfield's bookmaking operation.
16:54It didn't look too encouraging.
16:59How's it going, Dick?
17:01That's so hot.
17:01My little girl's sick again.
17:03Is that so?
17:03What's the matter with her?
17:04She has a bad heart.
17:06Congenital defect of the mitral valve, they call it.
17:08She's going to have to have open heart surgery one of these days.
17:11Sorry to hear it.
17:11Poor little thing.
17:13She's only 10.
17:14Never complains.
17:15Never says a word about it.
17:16She knows she has a bad heart?
17:18Yeah.
17:18The doctor said she'd have to be told.
17:20She has to take it real easy.
17:22No running or playing with the other kids.
17:24Operation like that must cost a lot of money.
17:26Sure does.
17:27And I don't know where it's going to come from.
17:29I've got a little to say, Dov, but not nearly enough.
17:32I want her to have a specialist.
17:33The best.
17:34I don't blame you.
17:35It's too bad you don't have another job you could work part-time at.
17:38A lot of guys in your line pick up a few extra bucks working days.
17:40I've got a little something going on the side.
17:42That right?
17:43Maybe I played too close to the vest.
17:44I don't know.
17:45What's that, Dick?
17:46Well, a few days ago, you two were talking about finding a little action.
17:49Isn't that right?
17:50Yeah.
17:51You still interested?
17:51What do you got in mind?
17:52You want to get a little something down, isn't that it?
17:54You knew that three weeks ago.
17:55Three weeks ago, I didn't know you.
17:57Who's taking the action?
17:58You're looking at them.
17:59What's the setup?
18:00I double the line.
18:0130, 12, and 6 in the first $10.
18:03Pay up to 100 in the daily double.
18:05All right.
18:05How do we get it in?
18:06The clerk will answer, bottle and bond.
18:08You can back 100 proof.
18:10Give your identification.
18:11You're Joe one for Dick.
18:13And you're Bill Fiver, Dick.
18:14You got it?
18:15Yeah.
18:18Here's the phone number.
18:29Wednesday, January 25th, 4.30 p.m.
18:31Riddle, Gannon, and I reported to Captain Harry Nelson.
18:34Klinger told you you'd settle up with him.
18:35Yes, sir.
18:36Once a week, Monday nights.
18:37How much action have you laid in so far?
18:39120 in the past two days.
18:41I'm ahead 35-60, but Riddle's down 50.
18:43All right.
18:44First thing in the morning, Joe, you and Riddle go over to the DA's office and start the ball rolling
18:47on the search warrants.
18:48We'll tentatively plan to go Saturday.
18:50Usual procedure.
18:51Lieutenant Swenson will brief all concerned personnel around 10.30 a.m.
18:55Radio communications coordinated through our office with standby crews ready to stiff any suspected phone spots after we serve the
19:01warrants on Westerfelt in the back office.
19:03Gannon, you serve Westerfelt.
19:05Bowser will take the phone spot.
19:07Yes, sir.
19:07Joe, you and Riddle take the back office.
19:09Yes, sir.
19:10Go time, 12.15.
19:1115 minutes before first post.
19:17Saturday, January 28th, 11.47 a.m.
19:20We had obtained the search warrants.
19:21Riddle and I drove out to the valley.
19:23We headed for the apartment house where the back office was located.
19:2812.15 p.m.
19:37Blast paper.
19:40Stay put, police officers.
19:41Search warrant for the premises.
19:42You're under arrest.
19:51Here are the numbers to the fronts and the codes.
19:54Here are the numbers to the fronts and the codes.
19:59While I informed the suspect of his constitutional rights, Riddle called Captain Nelson.
20:03He told him that we were in and gave him the codes and numbers for the fronts.
20:06We asked that a black and white unit transport the suspect downtown.
20:11Saturday, January 28th, 12.48 p.m.
20:15Angie, do you mind hanging up my coat for me?
20:17Keep it.
20:18You'll need it.
20:19Police officers, you're under arrest.
20:21Conspiracy to commit to bookmaking.
20:22Oh, no.
20:23All right, Clinger, I have to inform you of your constitutional rights.
20:26Look, just a minute.
20:26I won't run out of you.
20:27I'm not going to any place, but can't you give me a couple of days?
20:30My kid's awful sick.
20:31Sorry.
20:32You have the right to remain silent.
20:34It's not as if he murdered somebody.
20:35He broke the law.
20:36You sound like a cheap dime novel.
20:38Do I?
20:39Just for making a little book so he can do better for his kid.
20:42There are other ways.
20:43That little girl of his.
20:45You must feel real proud of yourself when you think about her.
20:49I wish he had.
21:00Saturday, January 28th, 4.38 p.m.
21:03Six suspects, including the head man of the bookmaking operation, Gordon Westerfeld,
21:07were booked for conspiracy to commit bookmaking.
21:09Five of them were released on bail within four hours of their arrest.
21:13A quick evaluation of records seized in the back office indicated that the bookmaking operation
21:17was handling in excess of $75,000 every week.
21:22Identification was found on Klinger bearing the name Ross Clement.
21:25A check of R&I revealed that he was wanted in Pennsylvania for forgery.
21:28He would be held in the central jail, located in PAB, pending extradition.
21:33Wednesday, February 1st, 11.15 a.m.
21:36Cream and sugar?
21:37Yeah.
21:37You just missed a central jail call.
21:39Klinger wants to talk to you and Riddle.
21:41What about?
21:42Just said it was urgent.
21:472 p.m.
21:48Bill Riddle drove in from North Hollywood.
21:50We met with Richard Klinger in one of the interview rooms at the central jail.
21:54My little girl died an hour ago.
21:58Sorry, Klinger.
21:59They never told her what the chances were.
22:02It looked good for the first few hours after the operation.
22:06She thought she was going to get better.
22:08They told me she was talking about riding a horse.
22:10She loved horses.
22:12Then she just fell asleep and was all over.
22:15We're sorry, Dick.
22:17I've got to make the arrangement somehow.
22:20I don't know who to turn to.
22:22I thought I'd ask you.
22:24Sure.
22:25I'd sure appreciate it.
22:26Tell us what you need.
22:27I only got $600.
22:29Hospital bills and doctors.
22:31It doesn't leave much.
22:33It doesn't have to be anything showy, you know.
22:36Just something nice.
22:37We'll take care of it.
22:38You won't need a big coffin.
22:41She's a small girl.
22:43She never had much chance to grow much.
22:48She's got a white dress.
22:49It's hanging in the closet at home.
22:51All right.
22:52She's got some favorite things in a little cardboard jewel box.
22:56When you pick out whatever you think would look nice and make sure they fix your hair.
23:02But the big problem is, you see, we never went to church.
23:07So I don't have a minister or anything like that.
23:10I understand.
23:11Having a nice service.
23:13That's the important part.
23:16Somebody will say the right words.
23:19Can you find someone that can do that?
23:24We've got somebody.
23:41The story you have just seen is true.
23:44The names were changed to protect the innocent.
23:48On April 15th, trial was held in Department 183, Superior Court of the State of California,
23:54in and for the County of Los Angeles.
23:56In a moment, the results of that trial.
24:02Five of the suspects were found guilty under Sections 182.5 and 337A of the California State Penal Code,
24:10Conspiracy and Bookmaking.
24:11The four clerks were each fined $250 and released.
24:16Gordon R. Westerfeld was fined $500 and released.
24:21In the interest of justice, the charges against Ross Clement, also known as Richard Klinger, were dismissed.
24:27He was, however, returned to the state of Pennsylvania to stand trial for forgery.
24:34He was, however, returned to the state of Pennsylvania.
25:26When the judge came to theассhip of the state, the FARMER, he was not even more than placed at all.
25:28The cosises began lasted $500 and kaç to get comercial.
25:28We used to tell because of the former mayor period of the case.
25:28словosition said,
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