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This is the city.
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Los Angeles, California.
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In the 1890s, freight and passenger
travel from the San Fernando Valley
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to the Los Angeles plain came
by wagon over the Cahuenga Pass.
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Thirty years later,
hundreds of automobiles
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turned out for the
opening of the Mulholland
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Highway, bumper to
bumper, a hint of the future.
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By 1928, there was one horseless carriage
for every two and a quarter people.
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00:00:42,809 --> 00:00:45,989
Today, there are over 4
million cars in the county
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and seven freeways have
replaced the dirt roads of yesteryear.
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00:00:51,452 --> 00:00:54,264
With hundreds of thousands
traveling these freeways daily,
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there are bound to
be some problems.
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Most are accidents.
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Occasionally they
get more involved.
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That's when I go to work.
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I carry a badge.
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The story you're
about to see is true.
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The names have been
changed to protect the innocent.
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It was Monday, August 12th.
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We were working the day watch out
of Los Angeles Police Commission,
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Investigation Division.
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The boss is Captain
George Milemore.
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My partner is Bill Gannon.
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My name is Friday.
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We had a meeting
with Captain Milemore.
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The commission had decided to crack
down on dishonest tow truck operators.
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In the trade they are
known as wildcatters.
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Bill, Joe, what do you
know about wildcatters?
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Freelance tow truck
drivers cruise the streets
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and the freeways
looking for a tow job.
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A driver's license from DMV and a
rig to drive and they're in business.
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Behind the wheel they are
subject to the same laws we all are,
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but some of them are writing
their own business rules.
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Yes, sir, but there
are plenty of good tow
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operators, honest men
who do an honest job.
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Charge fair prices, help keep
traffic moving, sometimes save lives.
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Correct and the city
needs every one of
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them, but it's a highly
competitive business,
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even cutthroat.
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That means the bad
as well as the good.
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Fortunately, the good
outnumber the bad by far.
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- But the bad spoil it for
everybody.
- That's it.
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Whatever happened to the idea
of a tow truck association, Captain?
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It's still an idea.
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Maybe someday tow truck owners will get
together to establish business standards,
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police their own. We hope so.
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In the meantime it's up to us.
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And that's why the official
police garages fit in the picture.
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Right. Chief Rodin has authorized
a new regulatory program.
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From now on, OPG drivers will wear
grey uniforms and this shoulder patch.
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They'll also wear a replica of
this patch on their uniform caps.
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This way any motorist who asks
a police officer to call a tow truck
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will know he is getting help from
one of our licensed 16 garages.
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With established towing charges
and standard rules of operation.
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That's right. And we'll
inspect those 16 garages often.
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If any fail to measure up, we'll
find others to take their place.
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- There's only one problem.
- What's that, sir?
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Sixteen OPGs aren't enough. There
are far too many wildcatters operating.
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The public is being
swindled every day.
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Complaints from motorists.
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Everything from misrepresentations
to gross overcharging.
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- Hard to prove.
- You know it.
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Usually just within the law.
But we got a little leverage.
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Yes, sir.
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Tow trucks operate out of repair
shops. That's where the big money is.
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- Drivers work on a percentage of
what they haul in.
- Yes, sir.
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The Police Commission issues permits to
all the auto repair shops in Los Angeles.
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All right, sir. We'll get to
work on these right away.
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- Good. They're urgent. And Joe.
- Yes, sir?
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Don't forget what I said
about that leverage. Use it.
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Six of the complaints given
us by Captain Milemore
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had been made against the same tow
truck operator, a man named John K. Anzo.
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All six had been
made in the past month.
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10:30 a.m.
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We began with the
first complainant.
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Her name was Phoebe Kensington.
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She lived in an old apartment house in
the 200 Block on West Catalina Avenue.
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- Yes.
- You're Mrs. Kensington, are
you?
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I'm Ms. Kensington.
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We're police officers. I
wonder if we might talk to you.
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What about?
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You wrote a letter about
a man who towed your car.
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Oh, yes.
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Wouldn't you like to sit down
and talk about it, ma'am, inside?
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Well, my babies are asleep.
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In your letter you said that you were towed
from the Harbor Freeway, is that right?
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00:05:01,435 --> 00:05:05,515
Well, I had to turn sharply. One of
those hippies cut right in front of me.
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I struck the fence.
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Mr. Anzo said it would cost $12
for towing my car and $30 to fix it.
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I wrote you that in the letter.
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Yes, ma'am, you did, but you didn't
say whether you signed a contract.
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- Contract?
- Yes, ma'am, for Anzo's
services.
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Oh, yes. Well, I
suppose I did, but that
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didn't give him the
right to do what he did.
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Well, what did he
do, Ms. Kensington?
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- He fixed the wrong door.
- How is that, ma'am?
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I struck the fence
on the right side.
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He repaired the door
on that side but claimed
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the door on the left
side needed fixing too
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so he did. It cost me $30 more.
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Do you know how much $72 is to a
woman in my position, young man?
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Yes, ma'am. I believe
I do. Did you pay him?
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Well, he wouldn't let me
have my car until I did.
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You'll get me my
money back, won't you?
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- I'm afraid we can't do that.
- I don't understand.
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When you signed the
contract, you paid him.
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All you can do now
is file a civil suit.
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- You mean go to court?
- Yes, ma'am.
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This is ridiculous.
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I complained to the police.
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I expect you to do something.
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Yes, ma'am.
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Instead you do nothing
except wake up my babies.
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11:15 p.m.
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The tow truck driver John K. Anzo
had obviously cheated Ms. Kensington,
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but he had not committed a
crime that we could prosecute.
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We headed for the Hollywood address of
the second complainant, Mrs. Perry Chance.
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Yeah, what do you want?
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- We're looking for Mrs. Chance.
- Who wants her?
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Police officers.
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Yeah. Well, she ain't here.
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What is it, Fats?
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These guys say they're cops.
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- You fellas here about the
letter?
- Yes, ma'am. That's right.
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Come on in.
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I'm Margaret Chance.
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This is my husband.
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- Everybody calls him Fats.
- What letter?
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- I filed a complaint with the
law.
- About what?
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00:07:07,027 --> 00:07:09,706
About 250 bucks for hauling that
heap of yours! That's about what.
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There's no complain. Forget it!
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- Go shave and put on a shirt,
would you, Fats?
- There is no complaint!
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The car was mine! I was
driving and nobody got hurt!
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You were as potted as a
geranium and you know it.
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00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:22,986
The first solid week's worth you get
in three months and what happens?
136
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You tank up and rapped
your car on a telephone pole.
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Along comes Anzo and you fork over
250 bucks to haul you and your car in,
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250 bucks cash!
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00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:36,699
- Is that how it happened, sir?
- You better believe it's how it
happened.
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This Anzo character is no dummy. I
figure he knows a live one when he sees it.
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Hooks up and hauls away
before the police show.
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That way my husband beats a
drunk driving rap, doesn't he?
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- Mr. Chance?
- Anzo, I never heard of him.
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- Did you pay him in cash?
- I just said I never heard of
nobody named Anzo!
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Where is your car now?
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- I sold it.
- I sold it, what was left of it.
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Fats does extra work at the
studios when he can get it.
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Things are pretty slow
these days. We have to eat.
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- There's only one thing I can't
figure out.
- Yes, ma'am.
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Anzo, how did he get
to the wreck so fast?
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There are plenty of
tow truck drivers who
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cruise the city looking
for somebody in trouble.
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They are called wildcatters.
That's what Anzo is.
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Most of them have shortwave
radio receivers in their trucks
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so they can monitor ambulance
calls, even tune in on police bands.
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Argh!
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Argh!
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- Officer?
- Yes, ma'am.
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Anzo, you'll get him?
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We'd have more chance if
your husband would testify.
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He won't but I will.
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Your evidence is just hearsay.
Anyway it was a cash deal.
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Anzo would most likely deny it.
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He's got all the angles
figured, hasn't he?
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00:08:43,289 --> 00:08:45,501
- No, ma'am, not all of them.
- What do you mean?
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00:08:45,525 --> 00:08:47,303
Six people sent in complaints.
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00:08:47,327 --> 00:08:49,494
You're only the
second one we've seen.
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The next victim had
written his letter in Spanish.
169
00:09:00,674 --> 00:09:02,868
We called in and asked
Danny Galindo to meet
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00:09:02,892 --> 00:09:05,010
us at the complainant's
place of business.
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1:20 p.m.
172
00:09:08,481 --> 00:09:10,927
We arrived where
Maria Arruba worked.
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00:09:10,951 --> 00:09:14,396
She was a cook in a tamale
house near 61st in Santa Fe.
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Along with Danny Galindo
we interrogated her.
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00:09:17,223 --> 00:09:19,301
Tell her we got her letter
and we'd like to help her.
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Okay.
177
00:09:24,898 --> 00:09:26,142
Muchas gracias.
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00:09:26,166 --> 00:09:28,244
- She says she understands.
- All right, good.
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00:09:28,268 --> 00:09:30,190
Now, according to her
letter, she says a man
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00:09:30,214 --> 00:09:32,248
driving a yellow truck
offered to help her and
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00:09:32,272 --> 00:09:35,852
he asked her to sign something.
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00:09:42,448 --> 00:09:45,695
Maria Arruba told us Anzo
insisted she sign a piece
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00:09:45,719 --> 00:09:49,666
of paper before he tow her car
from the scene of a minor accident.
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00:09:49,690 --> 00:09:51,719
Although she couldn't
understand what he was
185
00:09:51,743 --> 00:09:53,703
saying, she knew what
he wanted her to do.
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00:09:53,727 --> 00:09:56,305
Later she learned she
had signed a blank contract
187
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and had to pay him $75
before he'd release her car.
188
00:10:00,701 --> 00:10:02,779
She also said Anzo
had not repaired it.
189
00:10:02,803 --> 00:10:05,782
He had simply pulled a bent
fender away from a wheel.
190
00:10:05,806 --> 00:10:09,518
She was then able to drive
her car without difficulty.
191
00:10:09,542 --> 00:10:12,588
If we could prove Anzo had persuaded
Maria Arruba to sign a blank contract,
192
00:10:12,612 --> 00:10:14,757
we might have a case.
193
00:10:14,781 --> 00:10:17,711
The charge would be
business conduct contrary
194
00:10:17,735 --> 00:10:20,163
to the general
welfare of the public.
195
00:10:20,187 --> 00:10:22,320
We decided to talk to Anzo.
196
00:10:25,992 --> 00:10:27,203
2:30 p.m.
197
00:10:27,227 --> 00:10:29,672
We arrived at Anzo's garage.
198
00:10:29,696 --> 00:10:32,608
1 Atom 78 Roger
frequency 19 clear.
199
00:10:32,632 --> 00:10:36,012
1 atom 26 1 atom 26 see the
woman is probably already there now.
200
00:10:36,036 --> 00:10:37,780
- John Anzo?
- He's not here.
201
00:10:37,804 --> 00:10:39,615
- You expecting him?
- Could be.
202
00:10:39,639 --> 00:10:40,783
- Police officers.
- What's the beef?
203
00:10:40,807 --> 00:10:42,752
What makes you
think there's a beef?
204
00:10:42,776 --> 00:10:45,188
- Well you said you're fuzz,
ain't you?
- We'd like to talk to Anzo.
205
00:10:45,212 --> 00:10:48,091
- Like I said, he ain't here.
- When do you expect him?
206
00:10:48,115 --> 00:10:49,792
- You're going to lean on him?
- That depends.
207
00:10:49,816 --> 00:10:52,128
- Ah, that figures.
- How is that?
208
00:10:52,152 --> 00:10:55,397
A guy like Jake tries to help people when
they need help and what does it get him?
209
00:10:55,421 --> 00:10:56,789
Suppose you tell us, mister.
210
00:10:56,813 --> 00:10:58,901
The name is Jones,
Eddie Jones. I fix cars.
211
00:10:58,925 --> 00:11:00,569
Jake pulls them
in and I fix them.
212
00:11:00,593 --> 00:11:05,108
We're in business, private enterprise,
JKA Towing and Auto Repair.
213
00:11:05,132 --> 00:11:07,610
- You Anzo's partner?
- I just fix cars.
214
00:11:07,634 --> 00:11:11,047
He's moving up fast, Jake. Opens
up a new place in a couple of months.
215
00:11:11,071 --> 00:11:13,449
- Two more trucks, maybe three.
- Is that so?
216
00:11:13,473 --> 00:11:16,853
You cops are all alike. Jake started
from nothing. He was broke flat.
217
00:11:16,877 --> 00:11:21,157
He built this from sweat and blood,
long hours, sometimes 18, 20 a day.
218
00:11:21,181 --> 00:11:23,192
I saw it happen, all of it.
219
00:11:23,216 --> 00:11:25,895
Now, you want to bust him for the
way he looks after people in trouble?
220
00:11:25,919 --> 00:11:28,686
You said it, mister. We didn't.
221
00:11:36,930 --> 00:11:40,076
Eddie? Can I help
you, gentlemen?
222
00:11:40,100 --> 00:11:41,543
- You John Anzo?
- Right.
223
00:11:41,567 --> 00:11:43,512
Police Commission Investigation.
We'd like a word with you.
224
00:11:43,536 --> 00:11:45,381
And why not? Let's
go into the office.
225
00:11:45,405 --> 00:11:47,817
Eddie, busted radiator and some
body work. Order's on the seat.
226
00:11:47,841 --> 00:11:51,988
Come on.
227
00:11:52,012 --> 00:11:55,524
3818 Tujunga Apt. 4 in the rear.
228
00:11:55,548 --> 00:11:57,927
You always monitor
the police calls, do you?
229
00:11:57,951 --> 00:12:00,229
- There's no law against it, is
there?
- There is if you do it for gain.
230
00:12:00,253 --> 00:12:01,964
No, sir, not me.
231
00:12:01,988 --> 00:12:04,967
Did you tow and repair a car for a
woman by the name of Maria Arruba?
232
00:12:04,991 --> 00:12:06,169
- I don't know.
- I'd have to check my records.
233
00:12:06,193 --> 00:12:09,105
- Would you do it now?
- Sure. Arruba you say?
234
00:12:09,129 --> 00:12:11,207
That's right.
235
00:12:11,231 --> 00:12:13,742
- It might help if I knew when.
- Within the last 30 days.
236
00:12:13,766 --> 00:12:16,979
Business had been pretty good. I'm
fixing a move. This place has had it.
237
00:12:17,003 --> 00:12:18,747
- Arruba you said?
- First name Maria.
238
00:12:18,771 --> 00:12:20,216
Oh, sure. I remember her.
239
00:12:20,240 --> 00:12:22,785
Couldn't speak much English.
We had a go-around about the price.
240
00:12:22,809 --> 00:12:24,153
Guess she must have filed
a complaint or something.
241
00:12:24,177 --> 00:12:27,423
- Yes, sir. She did.
- Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
242
00:12:27,447 --> 00:12:29,158
Here, see you for yourself.
243
00:12:29,182 --> 00:12:31,760
That's her signature
authorizing the tow and repairs.
244
00:12:31,784 --> 00:12:33,196
How much repair work did you do?
245
00:12:33,220 --> 00:12:34,730
One fender was smashed
down against the wheel,
246
00:12:34,754 --> 00:12:36,966
the radiator needed some
help, and a headlight was busted.
247
00:12:36,990 --> 00:12:39,001
- And you took care of it.
- No.
248
00:12:39,025 --> 00:12:40,556
A day or two after I
towed her in, she shows
249
00:12:40,580 --> 00:12:42,205
up here with a nephew
I think she said he was.
250
00:12:42,229 --> 00:12:44,740
Smart kid. Claimed I made
her sign a blank contract.
251
00:12:44,764 --> 00:12:47,576
He said they'd take the
car right then without repairs.
252
00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:49,145
I pulled out the fender
and gave them the car.
253
00:12:49,169 --> 00:12:51,314
- For $75?
- Pretty expensive tow, wasn't
it?
254
00:12:51,338 --> 00:12:53,149
It's all there.
255
00:12:53,173 --> 00:12:55,784
Flares at the scene of the accident,
check motor at scene of accident,
256
00:12:55,808 --> 00:12:57,453
hook up and tow,
two days storage.
257
00:12:57,477 --> 00:12:59,488
Well now, it still
figures high, doesn't it?
258
00:12:59,512 --> 00:13:02,791
Look, the kid tried to get
tough. I had a contract.
259
00:13:02,815 --> 00:13:05,328
If he'd been decent about it
we might have come to terms.
260
00:13:05,352 --> 00:13:07,730
I'd had a little talk with the
nephew. They decided to pay.
261
00:13:07,754 --> 00:13:10,132
Do you keep all your
records here? Yes, I do. Why?
262
00:13:10,156 --> 00:13:12,434
Would you mind
showing them to us?
263
00:13:12,458 --> 00:13:17,639
Federal and state tax, business license,
county license, Board of Equalizations?
264
00:13:17,663 --> 00:13:20,176
Help yourself. I've
got nothing to hide.
265
00:13:20,200 --> 00:13:22,444
Now, if you gentlemen will
excuse me, I've got to make a living.
266
00:13:22,468 --> 00:13:24,480
Well, don't you want to stay here
while we go through these things?
267
00:13:24,504 --> 00:13:26,304
Why? I trust you.
268
00:13:31,511 --> 00:13:33,684
The records of JKA
Towing and Auto
269
00:13:33,708 --> 00:13:36,058
Repair indicated that
John Anzo had opened for
270
00:13:36,082 --> 00:13:41,063
business 14 months ago with
an initial capitalization of $2000.
271
00:13:41,087 --> 00:13:43,132
Anzo was listed
as the sole owner.
272
00:13:43,156 --> 00:13:44,767
Several other names were
listed as salaried employees
273
00:13:44,791 --> 00:13:48,537
with normal deductions
for tax purposes.
274
00:13:48,561 --> 00:13:53,442
Among these was the mechanic we had
talked to, Edward L. Jones, shop manager.
275
00:13:53,466 --> 00:13:55,697
Anzo maintained a
checking account at a
276
00:13:55,721 --> 00:13:58,381
nearby branch of the
Mercantile National Bank.
277
00:13:58,405 --> 00:14:01,839
His record showed a balance of
several thousand dollars in that account.
278
00:14:04,577 --> 00:14:06,055
5:10 p.m.
279
00:14:06,079 --> 00:14:08,657
I went to report our
progress to Captain Milemore.
280
00:14:08,681 --> 00:14:12,628
Bill stopped off at R&I to request
a possible make on John Anzo.
281
00:14:12,652 --> 00:14:16,565
It was a long shot but we needed
more than we had and we knew it.
282
00:14:16,589 --> 00:14:18,767
All right, how are you doing
on the Arruba compliant?
283
00:14:18,791 --> 00:14:20,336
Well, we haven't
got much so far.
284
00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:23,205
Just Anzo's claim that Maria
Arruba spoke a little English,
285
00:14:23,229 --> 00:14:25,174
when she can't
spoke a word of it.
286
00:14:25,198 --> 00:14:27,910
You're on Anzo's original request
for a permit with the commission?
287
00:14:27,934 --> 00:14:29,812
Yes, sir, we did. There's
nothing out of order.
288
00:14:29,836 --> 00:14:31,981
He lists himself as sole
owner, you know, the usual.
289
00:14:32,005 --> 00:14:34,750
- He's batting a thousand.
- Yes, sir, he is so far.
290
00:14:34,774 --> 00:14:36,986
A woman signs a contract
knowing full well what she's doing
291
00:14:37,010 --> 00:14:40,889
and then stands still
for a $30 overcharge.
292
00:14:40,913 --> 00:14:44,693
Another woman signs something
without knowing what it is but pays anyway.
293
00:14:44,717 --> 00:14:47,129
A drunk pays off because
he is afraid of the truth.
294
00:14:47,153 --> 00:14:49,040
They all make Anzo
as legal as traveler's aid,
295
00:14:49,064 --> 00:14:50,933
and there's no way of
knowing how many others
296
00:14:50,957 --> 00:14:53,469
have been victimized without
even writing a complaint.
297
00:14:53,493 --> 00:14:56,505
Misrepresentation not, comporting with
the public welfare aren't easy to prove.
298
00:14:56,529 --> 00:14:58,307
- That's the trouble.
- Yes, sir. I know.
299
00:14:58,331 --> 00:15:01,577
We need evidence strong enough to
stand up before a hearing examiner.
300
00:15:01,601 --> 00:15:03,779
- It's your job to get it.
- Yes, sir.
301
00:15:03,803 --> 00:15:05,081
- Captain.
- Bill?
302
00:15:05,105 --> 00:15:07,783
R&I ran the name John
K. Anzo, Joe. He's clean.
303
00:15:07,807 --> 00:15:10,186
- Only on paper.
- All right.
304
00:15:10,210 --> 00:15:12,276
- Yes, sir?
- Prove it.
305
00:15:21,187 --> 00:15:23,832
Thursday, August 15th, 9:20 a.m.
306
00:15:23,856 --> 00:15:27,403
We interviewed everyone who had
filed a complaint against John Anzo.
307
00:15:27,427 --> 00:15:30,906
We failed to find anything that could
be used as evidence against him.
308
00:15:30,930 --> 00:15:34,042
The local newspapers had taken
an interest on the wildcatters too.
309
00:15:34,066 --> 00:15:37,212
They sent one of their
feature writers to get the details.
310
00:15:37,236 --> 00:15:39,715
Then anyone involved in the
crackup can ask a police officer
311
00:15:39,739 --> 00:15:42,284
to radio for a tow from
an official police garage.
312
00:15:42,308 --> 00:15:44,252
No, they don't have to
be in an accident, Vince.
313
00:15:44,276 --> 00:15:47,756
Maybe they've stalled, can't get their
engine started, out of gas, flat tire,
314
00:15:47,780 --> 00:15:49,792
anytime they need
assistance away from home.
315
00:15:49,816 --> 00:15:52,661
So that gives the OPGs an edge
over the competition, doesn't it?
316
00:15:52,685 --> 00:15:56,031
Well, the OPGs are all owned
and run by private businessmen.
317
00:15:56,055 --> 00:15:58,200
There's no financial
tie-in with the department.
318
00:15:58,224 --> 00:16:01,002
If there's any edge at all, it's because
they're willing to play it straight,
319
00:16:01,026 --> 00:16:04,272
- meet department standards and
not overcharge.
- I see.
320
00:16:04,296 --> 00:16:08,043
Every official police garage is inspected,
checked out at regular intervals.
321
00:16:08,067 --> 00:16:12,481
A garage that doesn't cut it just isn't an
OPG anymore. Another one takes its place.
322
00:16:12,505 --> 00:16:15,784
- You said there are 16.
- One for every geographical
police division.
323
00:16:15,808 --> 00:16:17,753
Now, when the number
of divisions are increased,
324
00:16:17,777 --> 00:16:19,888
- so will the number of OPGs.
- Yup.
325
00:16:19,912 --> 00:16:21,906
Finding other garages
that come up to OPG
326
00:16:21,930 --> 00:16:24,292
standards won't be hard
because most of them do.
327
00:16:24,316 --> 00:16:26,428
What's this dodge I hear
some tow driver use?
328
00:16:26,452 --> 00:16:28,930
Telling the motorists he'll get a
ticket if he stalled on a freeway.
329
00:16:28,954 --> 00:16:33,369
Scare psychology to sell a fast tow.
It's rough being stuck on a freeway.
330
00:16:33,393 --> 00:16:35,604
Some wildcatters
milk it for all its worth.
331
00:16:35,628 --> 00:16:40,075
- Like how much?
- Well, $5 to change a tire, 10
for a short can of gas.
332
00:16:40,099 --> 00:16:41,377
What's that? A short can?
333
00:16:41,401 --> 00:16:43,579
All right, now suppose you
run out of gas on a freeway.
334
00:16:43,603 --> 00:16:45,113
I leg it to the nearest station.
335
00:16:45,137 --> 00:16:48,417
Not if you're a woman, you
don't. Along comes a wildcatter.
336
00:16:48,441 --> 00:16:51,319
He always has a
five-gallon can of gasoline.
337
00:16:51,343 --> 00:16:55,657
He sells you the gas for $10 but he
only pours two gallons in your tank.
338
00:16:55,681 --> 00:16:58,394
- Suppose I don't want an OPG
tow?
- That's your privilege.
339
00:16:58,418 --> 00:17:01,897
Okay. I'm dealing with a wildcatter.
Are there any rules I should follow?
340
00:17:01,921 --> 00:17:06,635
Don't agree to a tow without getting a
filled-in contract that lists all charges.
341
00:17:06,659 --> 00:17:08,457
Don't allow your car
to be hauled away until
342
00:17:08,481 --> 00:17:10,138
you know exactly
where it's being taken.
343
00:17:10,162 --> 00:17:11,480
There shouldn't be
any trouble about that.
344
00:17:11,504 --> 00:17:12,941
Tow trucks are required
to have their address
345
00:17:12,965 --> 00:17:14,209
and phone numbers painted
on both sides, aren't they?
346
00:17:14,233 --> 00:17:16,144
Yeah, that's right.
347
00:17:16,168 --> 00:17:18,093
But some freelance
drivers have working
348
00:17:18,117 --> 00:17:20,416
arrangements with more
than one repair garage.
349
00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:22,279
By the time you locate
your car, chances
350
00:17:22,303 --> 00:17:24,352
are you've run up extra
charges for storage.
351
00:17:24,376 --> 00:17:25,754
- Another thing.
- Yeah?
352
00:17:25,778 --> 00:17:27,956
Don't let a wildcatter
look under your hood.
353
00:17:27,980 --> 00:17:30,225
- Why not?
- That look will cost you 10
bucks.
354
00:17:30,249 --> 00:17:32,694
- Excuse me. Talk to you a
minute, Joe.
- Gannon?
355
00:17:32,718 --> 00:17:34,262
- Vince.
- Thanks, Joe. I think I got all
I need.
356
00:17:34,286 --> 00:17:36,632
Right, Vince. I'll see you.
357
00:17:36,656 --> 00:17:38,667
Crime report from
Ted Condell, AID.
358
00:17:38,691 --> 00:17:40,803
They picked up
something on JKA Towing.
359
00:17:40,827 --> 00:17:43,338
- The complainant is an OPG
driver.
- Is that right?
360
00:17:43,362 --> 00:17:46,942
He was summoned to an accident this morning
at 7:30 by a patrolman out of Wilshire
361
00:17:46,966 --> 00:17:50,779
Division. Seems he reached the
scene the same time as the JKA driver.
362
00:17:50,803 --> 00:17:52,881
There was an argument
over whose tow it was.
363
00:17:52,905 --> 00:17:57,820
The JKA guy threw a punch, attacked
the OPG driver. Charged him with 242.
364
00:17:57,844 --> 00:18:00,055
- JKA driver make
the tow, did he?
- He sure did.
365
00:18:00,079 --> 00:18:03,992
He's named here in the
report, Edward L. Jones.
366
00:18:04,016 --> 00:18:05,661
- One more thing.
- What's that?
367
00:18:05,685 --> 00:18:09,164
They found a JKA business
card in one of the accident victims.
368
00:18:09,188 --> 00:18:12,033
Tow drivers usually leave their
card with the motorists, don't they?
369
00:18:12,057 --> 00:18:14,636
It's considered proof the motorist
agreed to a tow. That's not unusual, is it?
370
00:18:14,660 --> 00:18:16,738
- This time it might be.
- Well how do you figure?
371
00:18:16,762 --> 00:18:19,196
The victim, he's in the morgue.
372
00:18:24,704 --> 00:18:26,815
We put in a call to the
county coroner's office
373
00:18:26,839 --> 00:18:29,585
and requested a full report
on the accident victim.
374
00:18:29,609 --> 00:18:31,524
If we could prove the
JKA business card had
375
00:18:31,548 --> 00:18:33,622
been placed on the body
after death, we'd have
376
00:18:33,646 --> 00:18:37,826
all the evidence we needed for
the commission to move against JKA
377
00:18:37,850 --> 00:18:40,851
and to add a charge
of grand theft auto.
378
00:18:43,355 --> 00:18:45,000
We talked to Eddie Jones.
379
00:18:45,024 --> 00:18:46,635
- You just missed him.
- We want to talk to you.
380
00:18:46,659 --> 00:18:48,871
- I'm busy.
- Monday you told us you fixed
cars.
381
00:18:48,895 --> 00:18:51,072
Anzo pulls them in and
you repair them, is that right?
382
00:18:51,096 --> 00:18:53,375
- Your memory is okay.
- You never drive the truck.
383
00:18:53,399 --> 00:18:54,977
I got a license. Do
you want to see?
384
00:18:55,001 --> 00:18:57,012
Does that mean you
drive the truck sometimes?
385
00:18:57,036 --> 00:19:01,249
Jake drives days. Sometimes I work nights
until the morning. I don't sleep so good.
386
00:19:01,273 --> 00:19:04,085
- So it's against the law?
- Ever heard of assault and
battery?
387
00:19:04,109 --> 00:19:06,221
The crumb was
moving in on my tow.
388
00:19:06,245 --> 00:19:08,256
- You ever been
in trouble before?
- What kind of trouble is that?
389
00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:09,725
Sure I belted him.
390
00:19:09,749 --> 00:19:11,693
A guy has got to stand
up for his rights, don't he?
391
00:19:11,717 --> 00:19:13,562
Nobody ever handed me nothing.
392
00:19:13,586 --> 00:19:15,296
- You said it was your tow.
- Can you prove it?
393
00:19:15,320 --> 00:19:17,666
- I gave him my card.
- You gave him your card.
394
00:19:17,690 --> 00:19:19,701
Sure. The guy
who belongs to this.
395
00:19:19,725 --> 00:19:20,936
How did you make
it to the accident?
396
00:19:20,960 --> 00:19:23,438
Radio. I was cruising.
I heard the call.
397
00:19:23,462 --> 00:19:26,508
The driver of this car, what did he say
to you when you gave him your card?
398
00:19:26,532 --> 00:19:28,109
Nothing. He was in a bad way.
399
00:19:28,133 --> 00:19:29,711
I told him I'd take
care of his car.
400
00:19:29,735 --> 00:19:31,647
He looked at me
and nodded. That's all.
401
00:19:31,671 --> 00:19:33,114
Just saw it and nodded his head.
402
00:19:33,138 --> 00:19:35,417
- And that's your story, is it?
- It's the truth.
403
00:19:35,441 --> 00:19:37,485
How much do you have
invested in this business, Eddie?
404
00:19:37,509 --> 00:19:39,220
- How much?
- 14 months.
405
00:19:39,244 --> 00:19:41,623
- 14 months, that's all?
- I don't get you.
406
00:19:41,647 --> 00:19:44,760
Monday you told us Anzo was
broke when he opened up here.
407
00:19:44,784 --> 00:19:47,429
His records show he
started out with $2000.
408
00:19:47,453 --> 00:19:49,865
Now, where did he get it?
- I don't know. Ask him.
409
00:19:49,889 --> 00:19:53,001
- We will but we thought you'd
know.
- Yeah? Why?
410
00:19:53,025 --> 00:19:55,960
Your interest in the
business, Eddie, it shows.
411
00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:09,618
11:30 a.m.
412
00:20:09,642 --> 00:20:13,121
We wanted to talk to Anzo but first,
we had to check out a couple of things.
413
00:20:13,145 --> 00:20:16,725
While Bill contacted the county coroner
for the report on the accident victim,
414
00:20:16,749 --> 00:20:21,763
I called R&I to request a run on Eddie
Jones for a possible criminal record.
415
00:20:21,787 --> 00:20:24,365
All right, Jones,
Edward Lawrence.
416
00:20:24,389 --> 00:20:27,803
3657 Danker.
417
00:20:27,827 --> 00:20:29,004
Yeah, that's right.
418
00:20:29,028 --> 00:20:33,441
Male Cauc, Grey-black, Hazel,
419
00:20:33,465 --> 00:20:38,513
5'10, 165, 7-10-25.
420
00:20:38,537 --> 00:20:40,048
Right. Thank you.
421
00:20:40,072 --> 00:20:41,516
About 7:45.
422
00:20:41,540 --> 00:20:42,818
Uh-huh.
423
00:20:42,842 --> 00:20:44,086
No chance at all.
424
00:20:44,110 --> 00:20:46,254
Thanks.
425
00:20:46,278 --> 00:20:48,811
Coroner's office says
the victim died on the
426
00:20:48,835 --> 00:20:51,392
way to central receiving
approximately 7:45.
427
00:20:51,416 --> 00:20:53,211
And the AID report
shows Jones slug the OPG
428
00:20:53,235 --> 00:20:55,097
driver at 7:30 so the
victim could have been
429
00:20:55,121 --> 00:20:57,733
alive when Jones gave
him his business card.
430
00:20:57,757 --> 00:21:00,368
Yeah. But didn't Jones claim the victim
looked at him and nodded his head?
431
00:21:00,392 --> 00:21:02,403
That's what he said.
432
00:21:02,427 --> 00:21:04,187
Coroner's office
says the victim was
433
00:21:04,211 --> 00:21:06,441
rendered unconscious
at the moment of impact.
434
00:21:06,465 --> 00:21:09,277
Can the coroner prove that the
victim never regained consciousness?
435
00:21:09,301 --> 00:21:11,769
He will swear
an affidavit to it.
436
00:21:15,741 --> 00:21:17,886
Tow truck drivers
follow a pattern.
437
00:21:17,910 --> 00:21:20,288
They usually work
the same general area.
438
00:21:20,312 --> 00:21:23,180
It took us 20 minutes
to locate John Anzo.
439
00:21:24,283 --> 00:21:26,662
12:50 p.m.
440
00:21:26,686 --> 00:21:29,931
While Bill stayed with the car for a
possible call from Communications
441
00:21:29,955 --> 00:21:31,466
on the Eddie Jones
R&I we had requested.
442
00:21:31,490 --> 00:21:36,304
I talked to John Anzo for
the second time in four days.
443
00:21:36,328 --> 00:21:38,707
We appreciate your
cooperation, Anzo.
444
00:21:38,731 --> 00:21:40,341
I'll give you the
help I can, Sergeant.
445
00:21:40,365 --> 00:21:42,443
Maybe you can clear
up a couple of things.
446
00:21:42,467 --> 00:21:43,645
Fire away.
447
00:21:43,669 --> 00:21:45,781
What do you know
about Eddie Jones?
448
00:21:45,805 --> 00:21:47,415
I know I couldn't get
along without him.
449
00:21:47,439 --> 00:21:50,052
- Well he said I ought to ask you
something.
- Like what?
450
00:21:50,076 --> 00:21:52,821
Like where you got the
$2000 to start in business.
451
00:21:52,845 --> 00:21:54,122
Oh, I don't have
to tell you that.
452
00:21:54,146 --> 00:21:56,058
No, sir. You don't
have to tell me anything.
453
00:21:56,082 --> 00:21:58,894
But if you're clean, you should
be as anxious as I am to prove it.
454
00:21:58,918 --> 00:22:02,430
Now, we've had six complaints about
you, seven with the one this morning.
455
00:22:02,454 --> 00:22:04,232
That many complaints
deserve investigation, don't they?
456
00:22:04,256 --> 00:22:05,533
What about this morning?
457
00:22:05,557 --> 00:22:08,570
Eddie Jones assaulted
another tow truck driver.
458
00:22:08,594 --> 00:22:10,438
Eddie's got a temper, but
he must have had a reason.
459
00:22:10,462 --> 00:22:13,141
He said he did. Now Anzo,
did you get the money from him?
460
00:22:13,165 --> 00:22:14,309
- The $2000?
- Yes, sir?
461
00:22:14,333 --> 00:22:15,643
From Eddie? What if I did?
462
00:22:15,667 --> 00:22:16,812
That'd make him your
partner, wouldn't it?
463
00:22:16,836 --> 00:22:17,979
I suppose it would.
464
00:22:18,003 --> 00:22:19,681
- Is he?
- Is he what?
465
00:22:19,705 --> 00:22:21,950
- Your partner.
- I don't think that's any of
your business.
466
00:22:21,974 --> 00:22:24,018
Your application for
permit with the Police
467
00:22:24,042 --> 00:22:26,254
Commission lists you
as the sole owner of JKA.
468
00:22:26,278 --> 00:22:28,857
Now if you have a partner,
a silent partner like Eddie,
469
00:22:28,881 --> 00:22:31,860
and you fail to show it on your
application, your permit can be revoked.
470
00:22:31,884 --> 00:22:33,494
- You know that, don't you?
- On what grounds?
471
00:22:33,518 --> 00:22:36,798
- Fraudulent application.
- That's a technicality,
Sergeant.
472
00:22:36,822 --> 00:22:38,666
Besides I haven't said
Eddie was my partner.
473
00:22:38,690 --> 00:22:41,436
Maria Arruba doesn't speak
any English, not one word.
474
00:22:41,460 --> 00:22:43,438
Now, how did you
explain that contract to her?
475
00:22:43,462 --> 00:22:45,273
She seemed to understand
what it was all about.
476
00:22:45,297 --> 00:22:47,175
That drunk you took for
everything he had on him,
477
00:22:47,199 --> 00:22:50,212
what technicality made
that job worth 250 bucks?
478
00:22:50,236 --> 00:22:51,947
I don't know what
you're talking about.
479
00:22:51,971 --> 00:22:54,282
I'm talking about the way you
and your partner do business.
480
00:22:54,306 --> 00:22:57,185
You know what. Suddenly I
can't understand a word you say.
481
00:22:57,209 --> 00:22:58,920
I'll let my attorney do
my listening for me.
482
00:22:58,944 --> 00:23:00,255
You do that, Anzo.
483
00:23:00,279 --> 00:23:03,625
A call just came in on Tech
2. The R&I on Eddie Jones.
484
00:23:03,649 --> 00:23:07,763
Six priors. Felony assault and
kidnapping. Both out of state dismissed.
485
00:23:07,787 --> 00:23:11,199
Four subsequent arrests in Los
Angeles dating back five years.
486
00:23:11,223 --> 00:23:14,636
All 242 and 415.
All convictions.
487
00:23:14,660 --> 00:23:16,171
It sounds like Greek to me.
488
00:23:16,195 --> 00:23:18,606
Well, we'll do more for you than
you did for the Arruba woman.
489
00:23:18,630 --> 00:23:23,366
- What's that?
- We'll see that you get an
interpreter.
490
00:23:40,052 --> 00:23:42,730
The story you have
just seen is true.
491
00:23:42,754 --> 00:23:44,914
The names were changed
to protect the innocent.
492
00:23:47,492 --> 00:23:51,139
On September 9th, the hearing was held
before the Police Commission Examiner,
493
00:23:51,163 --> 00:23:52,607
City of Los Angeles.
494
00:23:52,631 --> 00:23:56,800
In a moment, the
results of that hearing.
495
00:23:59,472 --> 00:24:01,983
Evidence presented at the
Police Commission hearing
496
00:24:02,007 --> 00:24:05,000
firmly established the
fact that Edward L. Jones
497
00:24:05,024 --> 00:24:07,789
was a partner in JKA
Towing and Auto Repair.
498
00:24:07,813 --> 00:24:11,359
The hearing examiner's recommendation
to the Police Commission led to final
499
00:24:11,383 --> 00:24:15,464
revocation of Anzo's permit on the
grounds that he conducted business
500
00:24:15,488 --> 00:24:18,500
in a manner not comporting
with the public welfare.
501
00:24:18,524 --> 00:24:22,726
Charges of grand theft auto and assault
are pending against Edward L. Jones.
502
00:24:25,598 --> 00:24:28,024
The governor of the
State of California
503
00:24:28,048 --> 00:24:30,812
signed into law Assembly
Bill 1650 which now
504
00:24:30,836 --> 00:24:33,648
gives the authority to all local
police departments in the state
505
00:24:33,672 --> 00:24:36,351
to regulate all tow
car service operation,
506
00:24:36,375 --> 00:24:38,609
including the licensing thereof.
42062
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