Originally Aired: March 21, 1934
Calling All Cars #17, "The Dillinger Case," dramatizes the nationwide manhunt for John Dillinger and his gang following their brazen escape from the Indiana State Penitentiary in September 1933. After the breakout, Dillinger and his accomplices—including Harry Pierpont and Russell Clark—embark on a devastating crime spree across the Midwest, robbing banks from Indianapolis to Wisconsin and leaving a trail of stolen money and dead lawmen in their wake. As federal authorities and local police scramble to stop them, the gang suddenly vanishes, leaving terrified citizens wondering where they'll strike next.
The scene shifts to Tucson, Arizona, where Police Chief Waller and his department maintain their vigilance. When the action moves to a remote desert roadhouse on January 24, 1934, two traveling salesmen encounter a talkative stranger who boasts about his criminal exploits. The episode builds tension as Chief Waller's officers work to track down America's most wanted criminals, demonstrating the intelligence and bravery required to confront such ruthless desperados.