Original subtitles

This is the city.

Los Angeles, California.

In the rolling hills just above Sunset Boulevard

lies the exclusive community of Bel Air.

It all looks quiet and serene

just as it did on the morning of November 6, 1961.

On that day Fire Chief Sawyer received a call about a small brush fire in the area.

The fire raged out of control for three days.

It consumed 484 houses, 21 buildings,

and destroyed 6000 acres of watershed.

The fire was finally controlled, not one life was lost.

Bel Air has rebuilt its houses and most of the burn scars have been healed.

Nature can sometimes create havoc for a city,

so can some of its people.

When they do, I go to work.

I carry a badge.

The story you're about to see is true.

The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

It was Thursday, October 24th.

We were working the day watch out of Frauds Division.

The boss is Captain Frankel.

My partner is Bill Gannon.

My name is Friday.

We had just concluded a case involving a trick card artist.

It was a simple bungle but a lucrative one for the swindler.

Fifty victims had paid $5 each

for a fast look at a quick changing playing card.

Hard to believe this joke's store novelty could earn 200 bucks.

Yeah.

Simple kid's magic gimmick,

sliding panels built in to the card.

Push up, king of hearts, push down, queen of spades.

The guy who invented playing cards came up with 52 licenses to steal didn't he?

Yeah. Hand me that arrest report will you. Thank you.

Frauds' Division, Friday.

Yes, sir that's correct.

The machine did what sir?

Yes, sir I understand.

And what is your name?

Yes, sir. Friday, Sergeant Friday.

In about 15 minutes. Yes, sir. Goodbye.

- Department of Employment. - You thinking of changing jobs?

- Their computer came up with a message. - What do you mean?

Seems a man has been collecting disability checks for the past six months.

- Something wrong with that? - Yeah, a little.

The man's been dead for nearly a year.

10:30 a.m.

We arrived at the Department of Employment.

The supervisor of Data Processing was the man who had called us.

His name was Harvey Peterson.

He was waiting for us in the Computer Section.

All disability claims are first recorded as you can see on these computer cards.

And now, let's step across the hall.

The next step is to place those cards into a card reader, which puts them on tape.

This is the card reader.

Now, the information on those cards has been placed on magnetic tape.

Is that right?

The card reader is connected by way of wires to this machine,

the central processor.

We call it the memory.

The information from the card

is loaded into the memory

and the computer validates the data.

Validates the data?

Well, for example it checks that the Social Security Number

has the required 9 digits.

After it's been validated, it's written on the magnetic tape.

That's the magnetic tape machine.

Rewind it and it places the information in sequence.

In sequence?

In order according to Social Security Number for instance.

And from there,

it goes to our high speed printer.

Now that you have some small inkling of what these machines are all about,

let's show you what turned up this morning.

Mike.

That's our console typewriter.

We use it for communicating with the computers.

Mike is requesting information on the Social Security Number in question.

The computer is now searching for that record.

Illegal transaction. Reason for rejection: Record marked deceased.

Is it possible that someone punched the wrong Social Security Number?

We checked it out.

The Social Security Number on the disability claim matched.

But that number belonged to a Tom Mavis and Mr. Mavis died last November.

Now, the name in this card is Robert F. Rosen

and this Rosen whoever he is has collected disability claim

checks for six months according to our records.

Now how come the computer didn't say anything before now?

Because the computer had never been notified that Mavis had passed on.

As far as the computer knew, that Social

Security Number was still on the active list.

Why was that?

Well that's what we'd like you to find out.

It was 11:15.

We went up to Peterson's office.

When Mr. Mavis died, that fact should have been written on a form like this.

Then it would have been registered on a computer card,

which in turn would have coded the fact

that his Social Security Number was invalid,

that it was no longer active.

But the computer never received that information.

It knows now. Why is that?

Look Sergeant Friday, this morning Mavis' widow came in,

after all this time, because she thought her husband hadn't

received the last disability check he was entitled to.

Now, it was at that time that we discovered that Mavis' Social Security Number

had only been placed on the inactive file a month ago.

Before that, it had been very active indeed.

It couldn't have been an honest mistake?

No Officer Gannon, the checks have been cashed.

Well then someone intercepted the form that would have

notified the computer of Mavis' death.

And reassigned his Social Security Number.

That's what we think. Just no other way.

Is it hard to get hold of these death notices before they reach the computer?

Anyone in the department could do it, if he set his mind to it.

- How's that sir? - We're supposed to be here to help others.

Someone has been helping himself.

- Maybe there's another problem. - What's that?

The way it looks to me, there could be any number

of phony claims going through that we don't even know about.

11:35 a.m.

Bill and I drove out to 8148 Granger Avenue.

According to the information on the computer card,

that was the address of Robert F. Rosen.

No Rosen listed here.

Here's the manager Ferguson, apartment A.

Yeah? You fellas looking for an apartment?

Got a nice upstairs corner, two bedrooms, plenty of sun.

- You're Mr. Ferguson? - Ain't ashamed to admit it.

Police officers. This is Bill Gannon. My name is Friday.

- Then you're not looking for an apartment? - No, sir.

We're looking for a man with the name of

Robert F. Rosen. We understand he lives here.

- No. He lived here. - He moved?

- About a month ago I'd say. - How long did he live here?

Oh, five, six months.

- Did he leave any forwarding address? - No.

- Could you describe him? - Yeah.

- Oh, would you describe him? - Yeah.

Yup, about my height, my weight, maybe a few pounds less.

Around 5'9 ", 5'10", 160 pounds?

About. Kind of long blond hair and a little pointy beard.

He wore sunglasses.

Would you say he was a hippie?

Not exactly. Too old for that.

Must be about 35.

I just figured he was in show business, you now.

Did he live here alone?

It was just him all right,

but I wouldn't hardly say he lived here.

He never exactly got around to moving in.

Well, how's that?

Well, he just came by once

in awhile to check his mailbox.

Didn't that strike you as a little strange?

It did, but I don't nose into my tenant's business.

Is that right?

Paid his rent on time, paid cash too.

No wear or tear on the apartment.

And you couldn't ask for a quieter tenant.

All right, sir, I wonder if we might see a copy of Rosen's lease.

Oh, I don't bother with leases.

Just a mess of paperwork.

Ain't no trick to break a lease so why bother with them

is the way I look at them.

First and last month's rent is all I ask for.

Nowadays everyone has got ants in his breeches.

No one sits still for a year at a time.

Now, a lease is ain't worth the paper it's printed.

I see. Anything else you can tell me about this Rosen?

Hmmm, no.

I think I just about covered that particular subject.

Now what is it you want him for?

Routine investigation.

Uh-huh, well maybe you ought to question

the Green Palms Apartment while you're at it.

Why is that?

Well, Howie Levin he manages the Green Palms,

big place, corner of Sunrise and Cedar.

I was mentioning to him at the last meeting

in the North Hollywood Apartment Owners' Association

that I had this strange bird Rosen renting from me.

Would you go on please?

I told him I was getting 125

a month rent just for my mailbox.

And old Howie topped me.

Is that right?

Yeah, he told me he had the same sort of tenant

over at the Green Palms paying him 140.

I'll tell you boys tenants

like that don't grow on trees.

12:03 p.m., we drove over to the Green Palms Apartments

to talk to Howard Levin.

I'm Howie Levin, the manager of the Green Palms.

Yes sir. Police officers Mr. Levin.

0 Is anything the matter? - No sir.

We'd just like to ask you a few questions.

Well, I'd invite you in,

but I just put all my furniture in my last vacancy.

All I got left is a rug.

We could sit on that if you want to.

No, sir, we can talk out here.

Fine. What can I do to help you?

We understand from your friend Mr. Ferguson that you have

a tenant who rents an apartment, but only uses his mailbox.

Oh, Cooper, Arnold Cooper.

He's not my tenant anymore, not that he ever was.

Like you say, he only used the mailbox.

When did he stop using it Mr. Levin?

It's been about a month.

I can check if you need the exact date.

How long did he pay you rent?

I'd say four months.

Can you describe him?

Well, as you know...

He was about 40 years old and he wore horn-rimmed glasses

and he had a hearing aid in his ear.

What about his height and weight?

Oh, about 6'1" I guess.

How much did he weigh?

Oh, I'm not too good on weights.

Well, was he fat? Was he thin?

Medium.

Did Cooper have a lease?

No, Mr. Tatley, he's the owner

of the Green Palms.

He doesn't require leases.

Did Cooper leave a forwarding address for his mail?

No, sir, he did not.

All right, sir,

I'm going to leave you one of our cards.

If you should think of anything, we'd appreciate a call.

Sure thing.

Sergeant Joe Faraday.

No sir, that's Friday.

Sure.

What did this Cooper fellow do? What do you want him for?

We just want to ask him a few questions.

I see.

Thank you very much for your cooperation Mr. Levin.

Anytime.

Is this going to be in the papers?

We wouldn't know about that sir.

Well, I'll give you one

of our cards Sergeant Faraday.

Oh, that's yours.

I'd sure appreciate it if you pass it along to the reporters.

We advertise in the classifieds,

but a mention on the front page never hurt no one.

As Mr. Tatley says,

"Free advertising is the best money can buy."

1:45 p.m., we returned

to the Department of Employment.

The MO of Arnold Cooper matched that of Robert F. Rosen

so we had Peterson run a check on his name.

The computer confirmed our suspicions.

14 disability claim checks had been mailed

to Arnold Cooper at the Sunrise Street address.

I check on Cooper's Social Security Number

indicated that it had once belonged to a Bernard L. Kramer.

Illegal transaction.

Reason for rejection: Record marked deceased.

If the computer knows that this Bernard L. Kramer is dead,

why was it sending out checks to Cooper?

I don't get it Mr. Peterson.

Well, again, the computer apparently only found out recently.

In other words, whoever has been intercepting the notices of death,

keeping the information from the computers,

sooner or later sends the information along.

Is that right?

As soon as the suspects figured their landlords

may start getting too suspicious,

they move to another apartment

with another name and another Social Security Number.

And whoever their inside contact is

simply brings the computer up to date by sending along

the death form with a new date on it.

You said suspects.

Looks that way. So far we have at least Rosen and Cooper

and who knows how many others we don't know about?

Is there any way for us to unwind this thing at your end?

- How do you mean? - Well is there some way for us to find out who's been

supplying these people with the Social Security Numbers?

How many employees do you have who might have access to the files?

Hundreds.

Just about anyone who works in any of our offices.

I guess that doesn't narrow it down very much doesn't it?

No sir, I'm afraid not.

You know Mr. Peterson,

maybe it's true what you read.

I mean about computers eventually putting everyone out of work.

No sir, there'll always be work for people who build

and design them and those who run maintenance on them,

and of course those who feed information into them.

And, as long as there are people who can get

rich by not feeding the information into them.

- Yes? - We'll never be out of work.

Since our only two leads had Valley addresses,

we decided to attend the monthly meeting

of the North Hollywood Apartment Owner's Association.

May I have your attention for a minute?

Before we adjourn for coffee and doughnuts,

Sergeant Joe Friday of the Los Angeles Police Department

has a few words for us. Sergeant Friday?

Thank you Mr. Hanks.

We're faced with a problem.

Now maybe you folks can help us.

If any of you are renting apartments to people

who are suspicious we'd like to know about it.

Specifically, people who don't live in the apartments after renting them,

but who just come around to pick up their mail.

Now, if you've had any such tenants,

please be good enough to tell us.

If you get any in the future, please notify us.

I'm going to leave some of our cards with Mr. Hanks.

It has our telephone number on it.

We'd appreciate a call. Thank you very much.

- Thank you Sergeant. - Sergeant Friday?

Yes, sir?

I had a tenant like that a few months ago.

You want to tell us about it?

Well, it's like you said, he never exactly moved in.

He just came by to collect his mail.

What was his name?

Jackson. Gary Jackson.

Could you describe him?

Ordinary looking guy.

Late 30s I'd figure, about 6'1",

- medium build. - What color of hair?

Blond. Wore a crew cut.

He was an ordinary looking fella except for that scar.

What kind of scar?

Oh, it was a doozy.

It ran halfway down his face, shrapnel wound.

Got it in Korea.

Now, you told us this Jackson

didn't live in the apartment after he rented it.

Didn't you ever wonder why?

I never had a chance to wonder.

I never saw him after he rented.

And then he moved out.

My name is Grange.

I own 24 units at Heavenly Arms over on Ryder place.

I had a tenant like you were talking about... about a year ago.

Name was Bunsen.

He came and went two or three months.

Just came by to collect his mail.

You remember what he looked like?

A little taller than you as I recall.

Had a big nose.

Any marks or scars?

No, but that nose you wouldn't forget.

You wouldn't ever forget it.

I got a tenant now he's got big ears like an elephant.

Yes, sir. Thank you very much.

Anytime.

Officers my name is Elvira Norton.

I want to cooperate.

Yes, ma'am, do you have any information for us?

I certainly do.

I want you to know if I ever have a tenant

like the one you described, I'll surely call you.

Well, thank you very much, Ms. Norton.

We'd appreciate that.

Just want to do my part.

- Yes, ma'am. - I even have one of those "Support Your Local Police"

bumper stickers on my front door.

On your front door?

I don't drive.

Monday, November 18th.

Over three weeks had gone by.

Peterson had confirmed that both Bunsen and Jackson

had received disability claim checks

from the Department of Employment.

But no new leads had developed on the case.

2:15 p.m.

A lot of things don't square on this one Joe.

Like what?

I can't exactly put my finger on it.

Well, usually we don't have anything to go on.

This time, I have the feeling we almost have too much.

We have all these descriptions, Rosen, Cooper, Bunsen, Jackson.

Not one of them has turned up in our mug file.

I know. It's been bugging me too.

There are just too many people involved in this one.

This is the sort of job that calls for two, maybe three people.

We've already got five figuring whoever is working on the inside.

- No, it doesn't make sense. - I know.

And these descriptions, listen to them again.

Rosen: Long blond hair, Van Dyke beard, sunglasses.

Cooper: horn-rimmed glasses, hearing aid.

Jackson had a scar.

Bunsen had a nose like Jimmy Durante.

The next one will probably be the tattooed man or he'll have two heads.

Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?

Just a hunch pal.

I'm guessing when you take away the sunglasses and the beard

and the scar and all the rest of that stuff, you've got one man.

I think you might be right.

Besides from their various trademarks,

the descriptions of all five are pretty close.

Medium built.

About 6 feet, 6'1".

You think the guy is an actor?

Yeah, he could be an actor

or maybe somebody who got a makeup kit for his birthday.

I don't think it'd hurt to pick up those cancelled checks from Peterson

and let Frank in Questioned Documents analyze the handwriting.

Right now.

2:45 p.m., we arrived

at the Department of Employment.

Peterson gave us the cancelled checks which had been signed

by suspects Rosen, Cooper, Bunsen, and Jackson.

3:15 p.m.

We went back to the police building.

We took the cancelled checks directly to Frank Silver

in the Questioned Documents Section of SID.

- Hi, Frank. - Joe, Bill what's up?

Got a few signatures we'd like you to take a look at if you got a minute?

Sure thing. Forgery?

No hints Frank. You're on your own.

Fair enough. Uh-huh.

Muddy E's, big loops,

double loops on the O's, nice slant.

Well, gents, what would you like to know?

How many people are we dealing with on this?

One, Joe.

You're positive Frank?

Definitely.

There's been no attempt to disguise the signature.

Here look for yourselves.

Look at the E's in Robert Rosen

and compare them to the E's in Jerry Bunsen and Arnold Cooper.

Look how muddy all those E's are.

There's no wide space in the letter at all.

And notice how all the O's have double loops at the top...

Very unusual.

And yet all four names share that characteristic.

See?

There are O's in all of them.

See how they all have double loops?

Yeah.

Unusual. And here,

notice how lush and full all the letters with loops are.

The J in Jackson, the J in Jerry,

the P in Cooper.

And all the capital letters are extremely full blown.

Do you notice how oddly proportionate they are

- to the lower case letters? - Yeah.

In addition to which,

all the signatures have exactly the same angle and slant.

One man.

He'd never make it in forgery, Joe.

Well, now don't you worry about him, Frank.

He's been doing just great in frauds.

3:35 p.m., We went back to Frauds Division.

Frauds Division, Friday.

Yes, ma'am I remember.

Yes? Yes, Mrs. Norton?

Uh-huh.

Yes, ma'am you did exactly right.

All right, now try to stall him as long as you can without making him suspicious.

We'll be right over. Yes, ma'am.

It's Elvira Norton, the lady we met at the North Hollywood Apartment's meeting.

She rented an apartment to someone named

Clarence Fischer about three weeks ago.

He never moved in.

Today, he came by to pick up his mail.

She's stalling him in her apartment.

She got his license number.

You think this Fischer's our boy?

If he's got muddy E's and big loops, he's our boy.

We called communications

and requested a rolling make on the license number

Elvira Norton had given us.

The car was registered to a Peggy Thompson, 4211 Carmel Avenue.

I tried to stall him, but he left.

I'll check this Thompson woman out with Peterson.

And while he's at it have him check on Clarence Fischer.

I was outside and I saw him drive up.

That's when I copied down his license number.

He took a letter from his mailbox.

He was getting ready to leave when I asked him in to my apartment.

I told him the Apartment Owners Association had requested

information from all of its members regarding their tenants.

Age, place of birth, that sort of thing.

You know, like a survey?

I was afraid he was going to leave

when I came out here in the hall to phone you.

He was still in there when I got back,

but I could see he was impatient

and I didn't want him to get suspicious.

Yes, ma'am you did the right thing.

He seems like a very nice young man.

He says he's just waiting for his wife and family

to drive off in Florida before moving into his apartment.

Could you describe him?

He's quite tall.

Has a limp poor man.

A limp?

Yes, he hurt himself surfing

when he was in Florida.

He was a surfing champion

of all Florida before his injury.

Oh, and he had those funny sideburns.

What do you call them lamb chops?

- Mutton chops? - That's it.

I talked to Peterson.

According to the computer

Clarence Fischer was mailed a disability check yesterday.

- Must be that surfing injury. - Yes, ma'am.

Peggy Thompson works for the Department of Employment.

- Been there five years. - Yeah.

I got a good description of the girl to go on.

Peterson says she left work early today.

She seemed upset.

She's got a reason to be.

The Department of Employment

had given Bill Peggy Thompson's address.

4:45 p.m.

We arrived at her apartment.

- Is that you honey? - No sweetheart. Police officers.

I didn't call the police.

You should have called your barber.

All right, stand still.

What's this all about?

- He's clean. - What's your name?

- Paul Nichols. - How long you lived here?

Why all the questions?

Oh, we've got more Nichols.

We have questions about Social Security Numbers

and disability claims and empty apartments.

A lot of questions.

Now if they get too tough, you ask your friends for help.

My friends?

Bunsen, Jackson, Rosen, Cooper, Fischer,

oh, and let's not forget Peggy Thompson.

I don't know what you're talking about.

It's my duty to inform you that you have the right

to remain silent during all questioning.

If you waive that right,

anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.

You have the right to the presence of an attorney during all questioning.

If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed for you.

Now do you understand that?

Sure, but I don't understand what you're doing here.

I haven't done anything.

Disability checks.

One made out to Clarence Fischer and a new one Tom Malcolm.

Now do you know what we're doing here?

Peggy had nothing to do with it.

It was all my idea.

Peggy never wanted to do it. She's innocent.

That's not up to us to decide.

What did we do that was so terrible?

We weren't even greedy.

In two years, we've only taken about $40,000.

Most people would have taken a lot more.

Correction fella, most people wouldn't have taken anything.

What's $40,000 to the State of California?

It's called embezzlement.

The suspects were tried and convicted of violation

of the State Penal Code Section 504,

Embezzlement of Public Funds.

The penalty prescribed by law is imprisonment

in the state prison for not less than one year

nor more than 10 years.