THE BIG MANNEQUIN and THE BIG KEY DRAGNET

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers - June 3, 2026

Episodes: "The Big Mannequin" and "The Big Key" (Dragnet)

Host: Jon Hagadorn
Description: This episode features two classic Dragnet radio dramas, starring Jack Webb as the methodical Sergeant Joe Friday. Both stories immerse listeners in detailed police investigations from the golden age of radio, highlighting themes of trust, addiction, and the relentless pursuit of justice in mid-century Los Angeles.

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Episode Overview

The episode presents two complete Dragnet cases:

1. "The Big Mannequin" – A methodical missing persons case turns into a homicide investigation.
2. "The Big Key" – An intense manhunt for a violent drugstore bandit brings home the dangers faced by police and civilians alike.

Each story unfolds in signature Dragnet style: factual, restrained, and focused on the meticulous work of law enforcement.

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The Big Mannequin

Main Theme

A seemingly routine missing persons case quickly evolves into a tense murder investigation, reflecting on alcoholism’s toll, betrayal among acquaintances, and the impact of relapse and desperation.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Opening Scene: Squad Room Banter

• Light-hearted debate between officers about a controversial football game play.
  • “You know, Joe, looks to me like that last play of the game's gonna end up like the Dempsey Tunney thing.” — Officer Jesse (02:31)
• Quickly interrupted by the call to action: a missing husband.

2. Interview with Mrs. Helmer at the Mannequin Store

Time: 05:28–10:49

• Mrs. Helmer is distressed about her husband Jason's disappearance.

• She explains Jason, a former alcoholic who hasn't drunk in 10 years, went to the racetrack with Fred Madison, intending to collect a debt or take legal action.

• Fred was supposed to pay back a bad check; instead, he draws Jason into a web of excuses and alcohol.

• Tone of fear: more than worrying about her husband’s safety, Mrs. Helmer dreads his possible relapse.

  “We've been so close the last 10 years, ever since he stopped drinking. I guess that's what I'm afraid of more than anything else. Him starting up again.”
  — Mrs. Helmer (09:40)

3. Investigating Fred Madison’s Whereabouts

Time: 10:55–13:15

• Officers consult Fred's wife, Lorna Madison, at her restaurant job.

• Lorna reveals Fred is a chronic drunk and hints at a pattern of self-sabotage.

  “He doesn't work. He just drinks... The only money he's got is what he can borrow from other people or steal from my purse.”
  — Lorna Madison (12:02)

• Lorna provides a lead: Fred is likely at David Neeson's house, drinking.

4. Confrontation and “Tin Can Bank” Wild Goose Chase

Time: 13:59–21:22

• The detectives find Fred intoxicated at Neeson’s house. He alternates between uncooperative and self-pitying.
• Fred claims to have repaid his debt with money from his "bank" — a tin can buried at a former home’s barbecue pit.
• When the officers check this out, the barbecue has been demolished, and the story unravels.

5. Discovery of the Crime and Confession

Time: 22:26–25:51

• Helmer’s car is found abandoned and hidden; Helmer’s murdered body is in the trunk.

• During interrogation, evidence links Fred to the scene, including fingerprints on Helmer’s wallet.

• Faced with the evidence, Fred breaks down. He confesses to the crime, blaming desperation, drinking, and the fear of jail over the unpaid debt.

  “He was gonna send me to jail... It happened real quick. Maybe if I hadn't been drinking it might not have been this way.”
  — Fred Madison (25:27)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On "hiding money":
  “Mine's always open, of course, you don't pay any interest. But it's there, and it's always open.”
  — Fred Madison (19:20)
• Sergeant Friday's calm persistence:
  “You can make it easy on yourself. Well, how come up with the right answers?”
  — Sgt. Joe Friday (24:31)

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Outcome

The episode closes with classic Dragnet certainty:

“Frederick Carson Madison was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree and received sentence as prescribed by law. On recommendation of the jury, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the state penitentiary, San Quentin, California.”
— Announcer (26:03)

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The Big Key

Main Theme

A manhunt for a drugstore bandit escalates as the criminal’s desperation grows more violent, testing the resolve and resourcefulness of the LAPD.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Pattern of Drugstore Robberies

Time: 29:20–35:31

• Friday and Smith are tasked with stopping a man who’s robbed 12 drugstores, targeting both cash and narcotics.

• The latest robbery at Tishner’s Pharmacy is recounted with dark humor and old-LA detail.

  “I'll say one thing for the guy though — he's very neat. Tied good and honest.”
  — Harry Tishner (32:20)

• Notably, the bandit’s signature: stealing licorice whips from the candy jar with his bare hands — a forensic clue.

2. Crime Escalates: A Drugstore Owner Attacked

Time: 39:14–43:23

• The bandit’s violence turns brutal during the 13th robbery—George Railor is beaten gravely.

• A young employee, Calvin Webster, gives a stark account:

  “Mr. Railer's yelling, and the robber's hitting him. ... I thought about running back and trying to help, but Mr. Railer don't like for nobody to do something different than what he says.”
  — Calvin Webster (41:59)

3. Stakeout & False Leads

Time: 44:04–47:47

• Police mount a rolling stakeout, but after a week, there’s a lull and a false alarm: an unrelated suspect is wounded after shooting at a police officer.

  “This is the call in the book no officer wants to get... it means that somebody has decided that lawful authority has no meaning for them.”
  — Frank Smith (45:31)

4. Break in the Case: The Key

Time: 47:43–51:16

• Routine domestic dispute call becomes a breakthrough. Mrs. Kearney, frustrated with her husband’s infidelity, tells officers she could "put him in San Quentin in five minutes."
• Subtle detail: A plastic key tag identifies the stolen car as used in the drugstore holdups.

5. Standoff and Arrest

Time: 52:22–53:17

• Frank and Friday stake out the house. Keith Kearney arrives. A tense confrontation as he tries to reach his front porch, gun in hand.

• After a brief struggle, Kearney is subdued and survives, despite his wife's emotional outburst.

  “Never is when you pull a gun.”
  — Sergeant Joe Friday, after Mrs. Kearney claims it was not a fair fight (53:25)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the criminal’s habits:
  “This is the same guy I’ve been reading about in the papers — he’s mean. Real mean.”
  — Calvin Webster (43:20)

• On the importance of small details:
  “Plastic tag on them. Had a license number. One of the stolen cars used in a drugstore holdup.”
  — Frank Smith (51:38)

• On justice:
  “And he'll pay it.”
  — Frank Smith (43:34)

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Outcome

“Keith Jarris Kearney was tried and convicted on nine counts of robbery in the first degree and received sentence as prescribed by law.”
— Announcer (53:35)

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Notable Structural Features & Tone

• Dragnet’s signature realism: The scripts, performances, and pacing invoke procedural authenticity — no melodrama, just facts and emotional candor.
• Recurring motif: the toll of addiction (alcohol in the first case, narcotics in the second) and its corrosive effect on relationships and judgment.
• Police work highlighted: the methodical, often frustrating slog through interviews, false leads, and paperwork.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 01:26 | Dragnet “The Big Mannequin” opening | | 05:28 | Interview with Mrs. Helmer at mannequin shop | | 10:55 | Interview with Lorna Madison | | 13:59 | Interrogation of Fred Madison | | 22:57 | Discovery of Helmer’s car and body | | 24:17 | Fred Madison confrontation, prints, and confession | | 29:20 | Dragnet “The Big Key” opening | | 30:01 | Robbery at Tishner’s Pharmacy | | 39:14 | Description of violent robbery at Raylor’s Drugstore| | 44:04 | Stakeout and false lead | | 47:34 | Call about Mrs. Kearney and key breakthrough | | 51:32 | Keith Kearney arrest scene | | 53:35 | Sentencing summaries |

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Conclusion

This double-feature of Dragnet encapsulates why golden-age radio drama endures: tight plotting, moral complexity, and a reflective, world-weary authenticity from its characters—anchored by Jack Webb’s cool delivery. The stories confront the consequences of addiction, deception, and violence, showing the price paid by victims, suspects, and those who chase them.

Memorable, gritty, and as “just the facts” as ever—radio police procedural at its finest.

Transcript

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[John Hagedorn (Host)]

welcome back, everyone, to 1001 Radio Days. This is your host and storyteller, John Hagedorn. Today, two episodes of Dragnet, starring Jack Webb as Sergeant Friday. Enjoy.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is tr. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Dragnet Announcer]

Dragnet,

[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a missing person's detail. You get a call that a man has failed to return to his home, there's reason to suspect foul play. Your job, investigate.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It was Friday. January 2nd was overcast in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of homicide division, Missing persons detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Warman. My name's Friday. I was on my way back from communications, and it was 8:12am when I got to room 24. Squad room.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Well, it's hard to believe, isn't it?

[Lorna Madison]

Hmm.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

January 2nd. Another year gone by.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

You see this evening sports page?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I didn't. Why?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Still talking about that Rose bowl game?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, that's all.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

You know, Joe, looks to me like that last play of the game's gonna end up like the Dempsey Tunney thing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The what?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

The Dempsey tunic fight.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, I don't think it will.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Oh, yeah. Big controversy over that last play.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, since when? All the sports writers agree.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Well, that's where you're wrong, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you figure that? I read them all. Examiner, Times, Herald News, the Mirror. They all agree. The officials Called it right. All the sports writers, huh? Every one of them,

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Apparently. You haven't seen this.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I've never seen that paper before in my life. No, that's where you're wrong, Joe.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

All the writers don't agree on that last play. See? Finchley Crockett right there. You can see for yourself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Finchley Crockett.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who's he?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Only the sports editor, that's all.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The editor of what? What paper is this, Jesse?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

County Realist. Picked it up tonight on my way in.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, well, the game's over, so let's just forget about it. What do you say?

[Fred Madison]

Oh, sure.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Just overlook the only right call on the game, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just pass it right by, Joe.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Finchley Crockett's never been wrong. Called the World Series, the All Star Game. Picked the heavyweight champ before the fight.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's accurate, Joe. Good for him. But it's over and the score still stands. Next year's another game. Okay, listen to this.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

I'm gonna read this column to you. The Bird says by Finchley Crockett.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's the name of the column? The Bird. Bird. Crockett. Who? When? Oh, I forgot to tell you.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

When Crockett played for the Trojans, his nickname was the Bird.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't remember anybody by that name playing for usc. No, Joe.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Jcu. Jesse County Trojans.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah, sure.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Listen to what he says. It is a rare treat when the editor of a small town paper gets to see one of the nation's bowl games. But your editor was so treated this week at the county seat. As you all know, the new television transmitter is now operating. And it is a rare treat. As you know, there's nothing like being at the game. But it is a rare treat when the editor of a small town paper gets to see one of the nation's bowl games.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's a real great guy, Joe.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

And in closing, yours truly would like to go on record and say that the last play of the game was a complete mystery to me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Fred Madison]

Go ahead.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

That's it, Joe. He made his point.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's all there is to the entire column.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Well, that's it. It proves that all the sports writers didn't agree on the last play of the game.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I get it. Missing Persons Friday. Yes, ma'.

[Fred Madison]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right. All right, we'll be right out. No, ma'. Am. Right away. Bye.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

What do you got?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Missing husband?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wife says he and another man went out this afternoon. He's over three hours late getting home. It's kind of early to start worrying, huh? No, not the way she puts it.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm a fellow with him. Yeah, her husband was gonna have him put in jail. 8:32pm Frank and I left the office and drove out to. The address was located on Agatha Street. The lettering on the window read Helmer's Mannequin Rental and Sales. The store was dark except for a single light at the rear of the place. We knocked and a small woman in her 50s answered the door. We identified ourselves and she asked us in.

[Jerry App Representative]

You want to come back to the office?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Jerry App Representative]

Watch your steps there. It's kind of dark.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Thank you. These dummies sure look like real people.

[Jerry App Representative]

Yes, we specialize in life, like models. I've been working on the books, trying to keep my mind off of what's happened. You want to sit down?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's all right, Ms. Helmer, you go ahead. You want to tell us what this is all about?

[Jerry App Representative]

Now Jason's gone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's your husband's name, Jason Helmer?

[Jerry App Representative]

That's right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How old is he?

[Jerry App Representative]

He's 53. He had a birthday last October.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Why do you think something's happened to him?

[Jerry App Representative]

Because it's not like him to do a thing like this without telling me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You told me on the phone that you'd heard from him. Is that right?

[Jerry App Representative]

Not from him. Fred Madison called me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When was that?

[Jerry App Representative]

I guess it was about 5:45. Might have been six, no later.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, what'd this fellow Madison say to you?

[Jerry App Representative]

Told me that Jason was coming right home.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Were they together when he called?

[Jerry App Representative]

You know, Fred said they were.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Did you talk to your husband?

[Jerry App Representative]

No. At the time, I didn't think it'd be necessary.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You know where they called from?

[Jerry App Representative]

Fred said some bar.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Did he mention a name?

[Jerry App Representative]

No, and I didn't ask. I guess I was afraid to.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Jerry App Representative]

Well, Jason used to drink quite a bit. We had a lot of trouble over it. Seemed like everything was falling apart. And then he straightened up and quit. He hasn't had a drink of liquor in 10 years. When Fred called, I thought that maybe he'd gotten Jason started again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did he say your husband had been drinking?

[Jerry App Representative]

No, no, he just told me that Jason was leaving the barn to be right home.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Was he driving?

[Jerry App Representative]

Well, I don't know, ma'.

[Fred Madison]

Am.

[Jerry App Representative]

My husband hurt his shoulder a couple of days ago. He wrenched it. I don't think he's able to drive very well. He might try to make it with one hand. Our car has that automatic drive thing, you know, you don't have to shift gears. Yes, Ma', am, but I don't think he'd have driven.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Did he leave in your car?

[Jerry App Representative]

Yes. Fred told him he'd drive.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd they go?

[Jerry App Representative]

Well, like I told you on the phone, to the races.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Your husband usually go there?

[Jerry App Representative]

No. The only reason he went today was to collect some money.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

From who?

[Jerry App Representative]

Fred.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's the man your husband was gonna put in jail, is that right?

[Jerry App Representative]

Yes, that's right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why?

[Jerry App Representative]

Well, he's owed us some money for quite a while. About four months ago, Jason asked him for it. Fred wrote a check.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Jerry App Representative]

It wasn't any good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to go ahead?

[Jerry App Representative]

Well, Jason tried to get in touch with Fred and wanted to give him the chance to make good on the check. Was never able to catch him at home. Talked to him on the phone, but Fred was never there when my husband went over to see him. Yeah, Jason told him to have the money this morning and the bad check would be turned over to police.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wow.

[Jerry App Representative]

Fred showed up here this morning. We thought he'd come to pay the money, but he told us he didn't have it. Jason said there wasn't any reason to spend more time on it. Said they might as well go to the police. That's when Fred told us that he could get the money out at the racetrack. He wanted Jason to drive him out there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is that what happened?

[Jerry App Representative]

Yeah. At first, Jason didn't want to, you

[Lorna Madison]

know, with his sore shoulder.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Jerry App Representative]

He told Fred to take a bus. Fred said he didn't have any money and begged my husband to drive him. Told him how he'd pay the money he owed and have enough to get home. Yeah, well, they Left here about 11.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Did this Fred Madison say who he was going to get the money from?

[Jerry App Representative]

No, just that it was some friend.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you give us a description of your husband's car?

[Jerry App Representative]

Yes, I've got the license number, too, if you want it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about a description of both men?

[Jerry App Representative]

Well, I can give you that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Jerry App Representative]

Ms. Elmer, the sergeant?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Jerry App Representative]

You've been through this kind of thing before. You ought to know. What's that about Jason. Do you think he's all right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I wouldn't know, Ms. Helmer. We'll try to find out.

[Jerry App Representative]

We've been so close the last 10 years, ever since he stopped drinking. I guess that's what I'm afraid of more than anything else. Him starting up again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This man I can understand.

[Jerry App Representative]

Do you think he might have started up again?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I wouldn't know that either, but I'd Say things might be in your favor.

[Jerry App Representative]

Well, how's that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, 10 years is a long time.

[Jerry App Representative]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Good habits are hard to break too. Before we left the store, we got a complete description of Jason Helmer and Fred Madison. We also got Madison address and the license number of the car they were driving. Mrs. Halmer gave us a recent photograph of her husband. And we checked with R and I on both men. We found a record on each one of them. Helmer had been booked 12 times for drunk. The last one was over 10 years ago. Madison had been picked up for drunk, suspicion of burglary and writing checks without sufficient funds. We checked the jails and the hospitals and we found that neither man had been booked in the last five hours. We went back to the office and got a local on an APB on both man and the car. 9:46pm we drove out to talk to Fred Madison. There was no one at home. But we got the information that his wife was employed at a restaurant on Clay Street. We went over to see her.

[Lorna Madison]

Can I help you?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Yeah, like to see Mrs. Madison, please.

[Lorna Madison]

Who are you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Police officers. This is my partner, Frank Smith. My name's Friday. Here's our identification.

[Lorna Madison]

Uh huh. Well, I'm Lorna Madison. What do you want?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A few questions we'd like to ask.

[Lorna Madison]

You mind going in the back to talk? Don't want everybody in a place to know my business.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh. What booth?

[Lorna Madison]

Back here. Hard enough to keep the job. Go ahead, sit down.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Thank you.

[Lorna Madison]

Can I get you some coffee?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, thank you. No, ma'.

[Mrs. Madison]

Am.

[Lorna Madison]

I don't have to ask you what this is all about.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I guess big fine.

[Lorna Madison]

Something about Fred.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Lorna Madison]

What'd he do?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we're not sure that he's done anything yet, Ms. Manderson.

[Lorna Madison]

Then why are you here?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We're trying to find him.

[Lorna Madison]

He is in trouble.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

We just want to talk to him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Could you tell us where he might be?

[Lorna Madison]

He should be home with you. Tight there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, we have.

[Lorna Madison]

Well, I don't know then. He left this morning. Said he'd be home early.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Have you heard from him?

[Lorna Madison]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did he say where he was going

[Lorna Madison]

when he left the racetrack?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Was he going with anybody? Would you know?

[Lorna Madison]

He didn't say.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What kind of work does your husband do, Ms. Madison?

[Lorna Madison]

He's a collector.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Lorna Madison]

He collects corks and bottles. Ma', am, I'm trying to tell you. He doesn't work. He just drinks.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Then how could he afford to go to the races?

[Lorna Madison]

He can't. The only money he's Got is what he can borrow from other people to steal from my purse.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did he say why I was going to the races?

[Jerry App Representative]

No.

[Lorna Madison]

I don't care what he does anymore. I've tried to help him, but he doesn't make any effort to change. Just goes on drinking and feeling sorry for himself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Any idea where he'd go if he was drinking?

[Lorna Madison]

Any place where he can mooch a drink? If you can try it here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you give us the name of any of the places?

[Lorna Madison]

Yeah, I can tell you. But will you tell me what he's done?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, it's just like we said, Ms. Madison. We're not sure that he's done anything yet.

[Lorna Madison]

That's the truth.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Madison]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We just like to talk to him.

[Lorna Madison]

All right. I think I can help you find him. I got a phone call earlier this evening.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

From your husband?

[Lorna Madison]

No, from a friend of ours in the Valley. David Neeson. Fred had called him. Fred wanted to use his place tonight. Davis said he could. I asked him if Fred had been drinking. He said he couldn't tell, but I know he has. Follows a pattern.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's that, Ms. Manson?

[Lorna Madison]

He's done it before. Go out to David's place, drink himself into a stupor. David always calls me, so I won't worry. Could I have something in your offices?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Lorna Madison]

If you find him there, will you do what you can for him?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you think it's going to do any good?

[Lorna Madison]

What do you mean? Mr. Friday?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't think he'd take our help, would he?

[Lorna Madison]

Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He didn't want yours. Miss Madison gave us the address of the place where her husband was supposed to be. We also got the address and phone number of David Neeson. We put in a call to him, but he hadn't heard from Madison. Frank and I left the restaurant and drove out to the street. San Fernando Valley. On the way out, it started to rain. 3113 Norhoff street was a small redwood house. We parked the car and walked up onto the porch. Frank tried the door. Better try it again. Yeah.

[Fred Madison]

Yeah. Who's there?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Madison, open the door.

[Fred Madison]

Sorry, I know, or anything.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on, Madison, open up.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Doesn't sound like he's doing too good.

[Fred Madison]

What do you want?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let's talk inside.

[Fred Madison]

Sure wouldn't keep anybody out at night like this. Come on in.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Police officers.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Yeah.

[Fred Madison]

Let's go over by the fire. It's cold out here in the middle of the room.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You Fred Madison?

[Fred Madison]

Well, that's what you call me when you pound it on the door.

[Narrator]

That's right.

[Fred Madison]

You friends of Dave's?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We've talked to him.

[Fred Madison]

He's a nice fellow, old Dave. This his house, you know?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, we know.

[Fred Madison]

Nice place. Roof's tight. Good bar. He's a great friend, old Dave.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on, get up.

[Fred Madison]

Yeah. How you fellows like to drink? You know, something keep the chill out.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, we don't want one.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And we think you've had enough, too.

[Fred Madison]

Well, how about you, mister?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

No.

[Fred Madison]

Okay, but don't say I didn't try.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Put the glass down, Madison. You're gonna have enough trouble answering our questions as it is.

[Fred Madison]

Well, that's just where you're wrong. Yeah. One thing everybody says about old Fred, he can handle his booze. You never seen old Fred swinging?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Put that glass down. Okay.

[Fred Madison]

Like to cooperate? Mind if I sit down here?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll help you. Sit right here.

[Fred Madison]

All right. Old Dave ought to get some cushions for these benches.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to start talking now?

[Fred Madison]

Whenever you're ready.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What'd you do today?

[Fred Madison]

All day?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Fred Madison]

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd you go?

[Fred Madison]

Took a little ride out to the track.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Races?

[Fred Madison]

Yeah, Took a little ride.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you go by yourself? I said, did you go to the races by yourself?

[Fred Madison]

As a matter of fact, I didn't.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who'd you go with?

[Fred Madison]

Friend of mine.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

What's his name?

[Fred Madison]

Well, you don't know him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Give us his name.

[Fred Madison]

Jason.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Homer, tell us what happened.

[Fred Madison]

Well, nothing. We drove out there and saw the horses.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Did you make any bets?

[Calvin Webster]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Then why'd you go?

[Fred Madison]

I like horses.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You know. That's not the reason. Now, come on.

[Fred Madison]

Okay. I went out to collect some money.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

From whom?

[Fred Madison]

Why are you asking all these questions?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you get the money?

[Fred Madison]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What'd you do with it?

[Fred Madison]

I don't think that's any of your business.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You do anything wrong with it?

[Calvin Webster]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, then you don't mind telling us,

[Harry Tishner]

do you pay to Bill?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

To who?

[Fred Madison]

Jason.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

How much you owe him?

[Fred Madison]

A hundred bucks. Listen, I don't like all these questions. The way you guys came in here, I don't like it at all. I don't think I'm gonna answer anything more for you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I think you are. Where'd you go after you left the track? Come on. Madison told you.

[Fred Madison]

Drove out to the Valley.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Halmer go with you?

[Fred Madison]

Yes, he did.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who drove?

[Harry Tishner]

Me.

[Fred Madison]

Jason has a sore shoulder.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Fred Madison]

We stopped at a bar, had a couple of drinks. Halmer was feeling pretty good that he got paid.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

How about Halmer? Did he have anything to drink? Who, Halmer?

[Calvin Webster]

Yeah.

[Fred Madison]

Yeah, a couple.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What was the name of the bar.

[Fred Madison]

What?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The bar. What's the name of it?

[Fred Madison]

Well, I don't know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You stopped at a place and you don't know the name of it.

[Fred Madison]

That's the way it is. It doesn't matter what name's on the outside anyway. Just what's on the bottles. That's what's important.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

All right. What happened then?

[Fred Madison]

Jason said he had to go home. He wanted me to call his wife and tell her he was on the way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you?

[Fred Madison]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What time was that?

[Fred Madison]

I guess about 5, 30. Someplace in there?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Fred Madison]

Well, we sat around and had a couple more and then he left.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

You stayed on after Halmer left? Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who paid for the drinks?

[Fred Madison]

Well, what do you think? Me?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How much money did you collect out at the track?

[Fred Madison]

100 bucks. Collected it and then paid Jason.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, let's see your wallet.

[Fred Madison]

Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on, get it up. How much money have you got?

[Fred Madison]

I don't know. Not much.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll take a guess. Will you?

[Fred Madison]

20, $30.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Open your wallet and count it.

[Fred Madison]

Well, might be better if you did.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I said you count it.

[Fred Madison]

Okay, but don't get mad at me if I do it wrong.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll try not to. All right.

[Fred Madison]

10, 20, 25, 26, 27, $27. That and the change I still got in my pocket. You want me to count that, too?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Never mind.

[Fred Madison]

I'll be glad to do it for you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let me see your wallet.

[Fred Madison]

Certainly. Here you are.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You keep the money. Now give me the wallet.

[Fred Madison]

Wallet's a present from my wife. Real nice. A cordovan leather. Not a stitch in it, you know, all folded.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay. Here. Put it back in your pocket. Yeah.

[Fred Madison]

Thank you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd you get the money, Madison?

[Fred Madison]

From in my wallet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Before that, I had it. Since when?

[Fred Madison]

This morning.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I won't hold.

[Harry Tishner]

Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We got it that you were broke this morning.

[Fred Madison]

I got it now. Now I have got it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You have, huh?

[Fred Madison]

You think I'm a thief, isn't that it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll let you tell us.

[Fred Madison]

No deal, huh? I didn't steal it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, then where'd you get it?

[Fred Madison]

From my bank.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When'd you get it?

[Lorna Madison]

Tonight.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You're gonna have to do a little better than that, Madison.

[Fred Madison]

Well, I don't know why.

[Harry Tishner]

Be perfectly happy to prove it to

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

you when you're ready, huh?

[Fred Madison]

All right, I'll show you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Take you right out there.

[Fred Madison]

You think all the banks close at the same time, don't you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Fred Madison]

Well, you're wrong. Mine's always open court. Of course, you don't pay any interest. But it's there, and it's always open.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, let's go.

[Fred Madison]

Sure. Take you right out there. It's out in Canoga Park.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You got a coat?

[Fred Madison]

No, sir. Hey, how about a little drink before we go, huh? Kind of warm.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Put that down.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

I told you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Once you've had enough of that, there

[Fred Madison]

ain't that much hate to figure what happened if I ever ran out. I hate to think about it. Be terrible to have to go without it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I'll tell you something.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

What's that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

If that bank of yours isn't there, you're gonna get the chance. Because of Fred Madison's condition, it was difficult to know how much of the truth he was telling us. We went back to the car and started to drive toward Canoga Park. On the way, we stopped and put in a call to Mrs. Helmer. Her husband still hadn't returned. Madison directed us to drive to a ranch type house on Kelvin Avenue. By the time we got there, it stopped raining. We parked the car and walked up to the house. There were no lights on and no answer when we rang the bell.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

All right, Madison, you through playing games now?

[Fred Madison]

Banks out in the backyard.

[Harry Tishner]

What backyard?

[Fred Madison]

There's a barbecue out there. Banks at tin can near there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, show us.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Sure.

[Fred Madison]

I used to live in this house, that's all.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Fred Madison]

Always figured that someday I was gonna need some money. One time I just went out and buried some. Figured there'd be a time when I was gonna need it. Yeah, It's a tin can at a barbecue.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What time are you here today?

[Fred Madison]

I don't know. I don't have a watch.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Haven't got any idea.

[Fred Madison]

Sorry. That catch is kind of tricky. You gotta pull it towards you. Always meant to fix that when we lived here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, now, where's the barbecue?

[Fred Madison]

One of you got a flashlight? Now let me have it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You tell us where you want it pointed.

[Fred Madison]

See? You don't trust anybody.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where's the barbecue?

[Fred Madison]

It's over in the corner of the yard, right near the fence.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where? Over here.

[Fred Madison]

No. Swing the light over to the left.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

There's nothing there.

[Fred Madison]

Maybe I made a mistake. It's been a while since I've been here. There must be any other corner of

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

the yard over here, huh?

[Lorna Madison]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, take a good look. You're not doing so good tonight, are you, Madison?

[Fred Madison]

I don't understand. I saw it today.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Probably the owner of the house, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll check with him.

[Fred Madison]

Sure. Don't understand it. Right in the corner of the yard near the fence. Some of you fellas you're looking for.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Police officer? Sir.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

We tried the door.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There wasn't anybody home.

[Fred Madison]

You want to tell me what this is all about?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You live here, do you?

[Fred Madison]

That's right. What are you looking for?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You know anything about a barbecue pit in the backyard here?

[Fred Madison]

Yeah. Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to tell us where it is?

[Fred Madison]

I tore it down. Three months ago,

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We returned Fred Madison to the office for further interrogation. Frank and I attempted to talk to him without result. He said he couldn't remember where he'd gotten the money. He couldn't tell us where Jason Halmer was. We put in a call to the

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

missing man's home, but he still hadn't returned.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We rechecked the hospitals and the jails without result. 1:14am we were ready to give it

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

up for the night.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Frank went over to the office and I got Madison ready to leave.

[Fred Madison]

You going to take me to jail now?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You called it. Come on, Joe, hold it up. Madison, what do you got?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

A call just came in about Helmer's car.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I just found it. While men from the business office took Madison over to the main jail for booking, Frank and I drove out to the Valley again. Halmer's car had been found about a mile off Topanga Canyon Boulevard on Farview Road. It was back off the road and partially hidden by the trees.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

When we got there, a radio car was standing by.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We talked to the officer. Take a look at the back stuff

[Fred Madison]

on the ground there. I covered it with the boxes in case it started to rain again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's good.

[Fred Madison]

These stains here on the ground.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't know if they're gonna mean anything.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

You got anything we can use to open this trunk?

[Fred Madison]

I'll check our car.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. What do you think? I don't know.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Better get in touch with the crime lab.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Have him come out and go over the place.

[Fred Madison]

Yeah, I got something.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thanks.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Can you get it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Put that light over here, will you? Yeah.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

How's that?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

That's better.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You need some help? No, I think I got it here once more.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Ought to do it now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. There we are.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Get it open now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thought maybe we'd be wrong. Yeah. Helmer. We put in a call to the crime lab and they came out and made an investigation of the scene. From what we could tell, Halmer had been killed by some sort of blunt instrument. His empty wallet was in the trunk beside the body. 6:48am we had Fred Madison brought from his cell.

[Fred Madison]

I feel lousy. My head feels like it. Don't belong to me.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Why don't you tell us the truth?

[Fred Madison]

You haven't told me what this is about. There's no reason why I should answer your questions if I don't know what you're trying to get at.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We told you we want the truth.

[Fred Madison]

All these questions over and over. The same things.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You can make it easy on yourself. Well, how come up with the right answers?

[Fred Madison]

But I told you.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Yeah, like the bar you went to called the I don't know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Huh?

[Fred Madison]

I'd tell you the name if I knew. I've been drinking pretty good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll get it right.

[Fred Madison]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here. Joe. Madison. Yeah. This is about your bank. What do you mean? This explains where you got the money. What? When you took a currency from Helmer's wallet, you left three perfect prints on one of the celluloid envelopes.

[Fred Madison]

You mean something has happened to home?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You tell us.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Come on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You can drop the bluff. These prints are enough to indict you. You wanna tell us?

[Fred Madison]

He was gonna send me to jail. I. I didn't get the money at the track. I tried to get him to give me some more time.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Yeah, he was so righteous about it.

[Fred Madison]

Said I had enough time. He was gonna go to the police.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Fred Madison]

I pleaded with him, but he wouldn't listen. It happened real quick. Maybe if I hadn't been drinking, it might not have been this way. I don't know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Fred Madison]

When I started to think about the big trouble it was in, I figured it was all a kind of money.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Isn't that right?

[Fred Madison]

There really was a guy at the track, you know. He was gonna lend me the money to pay Homer. If he'd have owed me, the money

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

would have solved everything goes another way.

[Fred Madison]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That money you owed Helmer. Yeah. He could have worked for.

[Dragnet Announcer]

Frederick Carson. Madison was tried and convicted of murder in the first degree and received sentence as prescribed by law. On recommendation of the jury, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in the state penitentiary, San Quentin, California.

[Fred Madison]

You have just dragnet the authentic story of your police force in action. And starring Jack Webb, a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio.

[Ryan Reynolds (Mint Mobile Ad)]

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[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Dragnet Announcer]

Dragnet,

[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail. In the past five weeks, an unidentified hold up man has robbed 12 drugstores. He's taken money and narcotics. There's no lead to who he is or where he is. Your job. Find him.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

It was Tuesday, March 16. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A robbery detail.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is chief of Detective Stad Brown.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

My name's Friday.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

We're on our way out from the office and it was 9:36am when we

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

got to the corner of Hobart Boulevard in Westmoreland. Petitioner drugstore in the back. Now,

[Harry Tishner]

something you want?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

We'd like to see Harry Tishner.

[Harry Tishner]

Hey, I'm him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Police officers. This is Frank Smith. My name is Friday. Hello.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

How you do, sir?

[Harry Tishner]

About the robbery, huh?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Would you like to tell us what happened?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I was robbed.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

We'd just like you to tell us how.

[Harry Tishner]

Oh, oh, now I'm with you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, I'm right with you.

[Harry Tishner]

Let's go back and sit down. Get to telling the story and time just melts away.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yes, sir.

[Harry Tishner]

Might as well be comfortable while we all fall out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

This all right here?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Harry Tishner]

Like a phosphate or something?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, no, thank you.

[Harry Tishner]

Okay. And let's quit all this fooling around and get out of business. Want me to tell you about the hold up?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, we'd like to help.

[Harry Tishner]

Good, good. That's just what I'm going to do.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Harry Tishner]

Aren't you going to take anything down right?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Well, yes, sir, as soon as you tell us a story.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, if you'd like to start in.

[Harry Tishner]

Well, came in about eight.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

That was this morning?

[Harry Tishner]

Yes. Just walked right in the door, came back to the prescription counter and stood

[Ms. Kearney]

there,

[Harry Tishner]

had this little Piece of paper in his hand. I figured it was from a doctor, you know, prescribed medicine.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Harry Tishner]

Was it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, go ahead.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

What was it?

[Harry Tishner]

Note written on there like this. This is a stick up. Don't make any noise.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Was a note, huh?

[Harry Tishner]

Just pushed the note across the counter. I didn't have to have anybody push me off a cliff to know what was going on.

[Lorna Madison]

No, sir.

[Harry Tishner]

I was being robbed.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Yes, sir. Do you want to Go ahead?

[Harry Tishner]

Well, after he showed me the note, he kind of pushed me back into the little room at the rear of the store in a kind of store place.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Now, did he say anything to you at all?

[Harry Tishner]

Not a word. Just pointed with that gun for me to get into the back room. I went.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

I see. What happened then?

[Harry Tishner]

He pushed me down to the floor and then tied my hands and feet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you use?

[Harry Tishner]

You mean the tie me up?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Rope. Oh.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Well, did he bring it into the store with him?

[Harry Tishner]

No, sir. He picked it up in household on his way back to the prescription counter.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

I see. Go ahead, please.

[Harry Tishner]

Soon as we got the storeroom, he took off the label and then undid the rope, he made a loop and put it around my feet. Next thing I knew, I was all crushed up like a rolled roast ready for the oven.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Harry Tishner]

I'll say one thing for the guy, though.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Harry Tishner]

He's very neat. Tied good and honest?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Harry Tishner]

Other officers, the ones in the black and white car, you know?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Harry Tishner]

Them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, what about them?

[Harry Tishner]

Oh, yeah. Well, they took the ropes with them. He said something about taking them to a laboratory. Well, you can see if you want to. It's very neat.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

What happened after the band had tied you up?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Robbed me.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

You personally?

[Harry Tishner]

Yes, personally and otherwise?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, sir, would you please tell us?

[Harry Tishner]

Well, first off, he went to the safe and took the tin box out, opened her right up and took the money.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Is that all he stole from the cash box?

[Harry Tishner]

Yeah. I had some government bonds in there, but he didn't take those.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Harry Tishner]

Guess he knew they wouldn't do him any good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, sir.

[Harry Tishner]

He didn't take them. Took the money, but didn't take the government bonds.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

According to what you told the officers this morning, the thief took a supply of narcotics too. Is that correct? Yes, he took.

[Harry Tishner]

Got them from the safe too.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Well now, after he finished with the safe, what happened?

[Harry Tishner]

He left. He walked out of the place. He just ambled right out.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

During the time he was in the store, he didn't say anything at all. Is that right?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Did anybody else Come in while he was here.

[Harry Tishner]

You mean like a customer?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. No.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Oh, excuse me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That might be our office, Mr. Tishner.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

We left this number.

[Harry Tishner]

Okay, if it is, I'll tell you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Harry Tishner]

Tishner.

[Fred Madison]

No drugs, huh? Oh, yeah.

[Harry Tishner]

Mrs. Kent.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Weather. Uh huh.

[Harry Tishner]

No, shouldn't be.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Harry Tishner]

No, I can't do that. If you have your doctor call me, I'll make it up and send it over.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Harry Tishner]

No, no, not without a prescription, huh? Okay, well, I'll call you when it's ready then. And you can send Lanny over.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Right.

[Fred Madison]

Bye.

[Harry Tishner]

Mrs. Cantworthy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Huh?

[Harry Tishner]

Oh, well, if that's the way you feel, I won't. Oh, sure.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay. Goodbye.

[Harry Tishner]

I can't imagine why she'd say a thing like that. Just no reason at all, sir. Mrs. Cantworthy told me when her son comes over to get the prescription not to give him any candy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, I see.

[Harry Tishner]

I usually throw in a liquor swifter though. Don't want me to do it.

[Fred Madison]

It's too bad.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Wonder if we could go ahead with the description?

[Harry Tishner]

Sure, I guess so.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Well now, from what you told the investigating officers, the man's about 35 to 38. That right? Light in color, 5ft 10, 175 pounds. No visible marks or scars. Is that right?

[Harry Tishner]

Well, I guess that's pretty close.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Well, if there's anything different, we'd appreciate you telling us now.

[Harry Tishner]

No, not with you. Because I can't understand why Ms. Cadworthy say a thing like that. Any lick, little bitty thing.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yes, sir, we understand.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Like that couldn't hurt anybody. Yes, sir.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Would you be able to identify the hold up man if you saw him again?

[Harry Tishner]

Oh, yeah, no trouble. I'd know him. He'd never say a thing like that, sir, the fellow who robbed me.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

What do you mean?

[Harry Tishner]

Oh, on the way out, the way I was laying, I saw him stop right up there with a Canon magazine. Stopped dead in his tracks. He went over to help himself, took the top off and helped himself to a handful. Sure must like them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What was that, sir?

[Harry Tishner]

Licorice whips. Just reached into the jar and took a handful.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

After that he left.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Harry Tishner]

Yeah, as soon as he put his gloves back on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What was that?

[Harry Tishner]

Couldn't work. The top of the jar with the gloves. So he took em off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, used his bare hands.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

10:02am Frank put in a call to Harlan Stall and Leighton. Fingerprints. We asked him to come out and go over the glass candy jar. While we waited for him, Frank and I checked the list of stolen narcotics with the druggist, Harry Tishner. We also made arrangements for him to come downtown and look through the mug books. When the glass candy jar was checked, Harlan Stahl was able to come up with two partial prints. They were enough for comparison, but not for identification. 11:15am Frank and I left the store and spent the rest of the afternoon checking out the list of names we'd gotten from the stats office. Several of the possibles looked good, but after each one of them was investigated, we still didn't have a suspect in custody. Wednesday morning, March 17, at 8:06am Frank and I met in the squadron.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Morning, Joe. Hi. Tried to call you this morning. Thought maybe you'd want to stop and have some breakfast.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, I left the house early.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you check the book? Yeah. Anything?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Skipper wants to talk to us.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I figured that'd happen. Is he in now? Yeah. Well, come on, let's get it over with. Come in. Yeah, that's right.

[Captain Donahoe]

No, not yet. I'm gonna try and line it up this afternoon. Yeah, I'll call you back.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here. They're here right now. Bye. Do you wanna see us, captain? Yeah, come in.

[Fred Madison]

Sit down. Going in.

[Captain Donahoe]

I won't tell you who's on my back about this thing. And you don't give me any excuses.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Sure. Where are you?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Still in front of the first store.

[Captain Donahoe]

That's how long ago?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It's been five weeks. What do you know about him?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Wma description, Clothes match on all the jobs.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Close enough so we know it's the same guy.

[Captain Donahoe]

Okay, what else?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

He uses a stolen car to get to the store. He drives it away, isn't too careful to hide the license plate. We've been able to come up with three out of the five.

[Captain Donahoe]

Check the cars out?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Clean. Not a print on them. Nothing else?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Picked up something yesterday. Should help when we nail them.

[Captain Donahoe]

What's that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, Stahl listed a couple of partials

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

from a candy jar. Gonna be enough for comparison.

[Captain Donahoe]

Can't make the suspect on him, huh?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, it's not enough to classify.

[Captain Donahoe]

What about the narcotics he's taking? You show up any place?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, not that we can find. We've been down all the alleys.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There's nothing there.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Talk to Lucarelli. Hop Squad's got nothing on it.

[Captain Donahoe]

If none of it's showing up, then it could mean he's using the stuff himself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's what we got figured.

[Captain Donahoe]

How about the stat's office?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

They spend much more time down there. They're gonna put us to work with the machines.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Informants?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

They've given us Smiles, that's about all.

[Captain Donahoe]

You think they're holy?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No. Come over here.

[Captain Donahoe]

Take a look at the map. The way he's picking the places, he set up a pretty definite operating schedule.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here.

[Captain Donahoe]

Dennis Boulevard, Kingsley Drive, Western Adams, Washington. The rest of them, they're all grew up in this area. Yeah, you gotta figure he's gonna keep working the vicinity until he hits em all. Then maybe he'll move on to something else.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Might help if we could come up with a reason that he's working there.

[Captain Donahoe]

Anything he can come up with has gotta help.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, we know it's true that he's

[Captain Donahoe]

been using the narcotics himself. It's just a matter of time before we hand this one over to Homicide. He's gonna walk into a store, somebody's gonna give him trouble. If he's on the needle, he isn't gonna take it. Yeah, so it adds up to a big stop.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The past.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Well, if we work the area, it's

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

gonna take a lot of men, you know. Well, get him.

[Captain Donahoe]

I've talked to Stoner. He's taking care of all the help you need from here. There'll be four teams available. You can call Metro Division for whatever else you need.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

All right, we'll set it up for

[Captain Donahoe]

the night, then check with Communications. Make sure you get the three ways working right. This guy's been pressing his luck for a long time. Yeah, I'm bound to run short on it sometime.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Robbery, Donho? Yeah. When? Mm. Okay, we'll take care of him.

[Captain Donahoe]

Looks like you just got partners.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Captain Donahoe]

Your boy just made it 13 drugstore out on Pico. Yeah, they don't expect the victim to live.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Frank and I left the office and drove over to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. We talked with the officer on duty. He told us that the victim's name was George Railer. He owned a small neighborhood drugstore at the corner of Pico Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue. He went on to say that he all of the particulars of the beating,

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

but that it had occurred during the

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

commission of a robbery. We talked to Dr. Sebastian. He told us that the elderly man was suffering from a fractured skull, broken ribs and possible internal injuries. He added that from Railer's appearance, it looked as if he'd been beaten about the head and shoulders with a heavy instrument and then kicked in the chest. We left word to call as soon as he could be questioned. Then we drove over to the store on Pico.

[Calvin Webster]

Yes, there's something I you can do for police officers. Well, how's Mr. Rail? Are you seen Him?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, we haven't yet.

[Calvin Webster]

You heard anything? Is he gonna be all right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we don't know that yet.

[Calvin Webster]

I sure hope so. The guy who hit him sure did a job. Just beat him something awful.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, we know.

[Calvin Webster]

Not enough just hitting him. But then he knocked him down and stomped him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Awful.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

You hear when it happened?

[Calvin Webster]

Yeah, I saw the whole thing.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

You want to tell us what happened?

[Calvin Webster]

You mean for the investigation?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Fred Madison]

Okay.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

You want to give us your name first?

[Calvin Webster]

Calvin Webster.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

You work here in the store, do you, son?

[Calvin Webster]

Yeah, that's right. Sort of a general left hand.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What was that?

[Calvin Webster]

Well, you see, Mrs. Raylor's his right hand.

[Fred Madison]

I'm the left.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, she wasn't here today.

[Calvin Webster]

And Don having her hair fixed. Probably just as good.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

All right, Webster, you want to tell us?

[Calvin Webster]

Well, fella came in about 8:30, right after we opened. Came in and went back to the prescription counter. I was going back to tell him that Mr. Raila would be right out. And then he was.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Railer?

[Calvin Webster]

Yeah, he was back checking the stock on Vitamin P. We do a big business in them. I have to have a pretty careful watch on the supply. Wouldn't want to get caught short.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, go ahead.

[Calvin Webster]

Well, the fellow, the hold up man, you know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Calvin Webster]

We took this little piece of paper out of his coat. I figured it was a prescription.

[Fred Madison]

Looked like it.

[Calvin Webster]

Well, it wasn't. It turned out to be the note where he said he wanted the money.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Did you see the note?

[Calvin Webster]

Well, not so as I can read it. First, I knew there was something wrong when Mr. Railer started to yell at the guy. Told him to get out of the store. Ran around the car and tried to grab him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Calvin Webster]

Yelling all the time for me to call the police.

[Harry Tishner]

Call the cops. Call the cops.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Like that. He yelled at me. What'd you do?

[Calvin Webster]

I looked to see if I had a dime.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What?

[Calvin Webster]

Well, you see, in the past, Mr. Raylor's had trouble with people making phone calls on a private phone. So he had one of those little

[Fred Madison]

lock things put on it.

[Calvin Webster]

You can answer incoming calls, but you can't phone out.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

I see.

[Calvin Webster]

So I needed a dime to call the cops. Yeah, well, I didn't have one. Only 75 cents for my lunch.

[Fred Madison]

A half and a quarter.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Calvin Webster]

Well, all this time, Mr. Railer's yelling. He's yelling and the robber's hitting him. And I didn't know what to do. I thought about running back and trying to help, but Mr. Railer don't like for nobody to do Something different than what he says?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yeah.

[Calvin Webster]

He told me to phone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Calvin Webster]

Well, then all of a sudden, bang. The fella hit Mr. Railer with a gun. Took it right out of his pocket and hit him on the head. Next thing, Mr. Railer's on the floor, this fella's stomping him. Why couldn't you stand by no more? So I went back to help.

[Fred Madison]

Too late.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What was that?

[Calvin Webster]

It was too late. Mr. Raylor was on the floor and this guy was pointing a gun at me and was leaving the store. I didn't see how it'd help any to try and stop him.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Was there anybody else in the store at the time?

[Calvin Webster]

No, just Mr. Raylor and me. We just opened up.

[Fred Madison]

Still kind of getting ready for the day.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Did you get a good look at this guy?

[Calvin Webster]

Oh, yeah, I saw him.

[Fred Madison]

Good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Then you'll be able to give us a description?

[Calvin Webster]

Yeah.

[Fred Madison]

I'll tell you how he looked.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you see if he drove a car?

[Calvin Webster]

I guess so.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Don't you know for sure?

[Jerry App Representative]

Well, no.

[Calvin Webster]

I didn't go out after him. I figured that it would take somebody a lot bigger than me to stop him. Besides, I had to take care of Mr. Raylor.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Did you see the gun he was using?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Yeah.

[Calvin Webster]

I got a real good look at it when he was sitting in the bars.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

That's fine. What kind of a gun was it?

[Calvin Webster]

A pistol. You know, like you see in the movies.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Now look, son. Was it a revolver or an automatic?

[Calvin Webster]

I think it was a revolver. Had a barrel on it.

[Harry Tishner]

Short.

[Jerry App Representative]

About that long.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

We'd like you to come downtown and

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

look at some pictures, if you would.

[Calvin Webster]

At the city Hall?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Harry Tishner]

I'll be glad to help out as

[Calvin Webster]

soon as Mrs. Railer comes back.

[Fred Madison]

I'll go with you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, fine.

[Calvin Webster]

I can't leave the store alone, you know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Huh.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

You want to give us the description of the man now?

[Harry Tishner]

You bet.

[Lorna Madison]

Sure.

[Harry Tishner]

If you catch the fella, so do we.

[Calvin Webster]

This is the same guy I've been

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

reading about in the papers.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

That's right.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

He's mean.

[Calvin Webster]

Real mean. Doing a thing like that to Mr. Railor.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, we know.

[Calvin Webster]

Been getting away with it for a long time. Isn't he just like a guy running up a bit?

[Fred Madison]

Big bill?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

That's right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And he'll pay it.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

As soon as someone arrived to take care of the drugstore, we took Calvin Webster down to the City Hall. He was shown all of the mug books and pictures of recent parolees. He was unable to make an Identification. We had him return to his home, and then Frank and I checked with Dr. Sebastian over at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. He told us that the latest victim had been transferred to the county hospital and was out of the country. Critical stage. He went on to say, however, that it would be several hours before we'd

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

be able to talk to him.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

We checked with Captain Donahoe and Lieutenant Stoner. We also contacted officers from Metropolitan Division and made arrangements for the additional cars that we need in setting up the rolling stakeout. That night at 7:30pm the plan was put into operation. 10 undercover cars maintained a watch on the drugstores in the area. All suspicious vehicles were checked on. All pedestrians loitering in the vicinity were interrogated. Our suspect remained free. Three days went by without result. The bandit had stopped his operations. On Sunday, March 21, Frank and I were driving up Western Avenue just north of Pico.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

What do you think?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't know.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Maybe after he had that trouble with Railer, he decided to call it quits.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Doesn't figure, huh? Guy that's had the break sea has not going to let something like a beating stop him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, hope you're right.

[Ms. Kearney]

All units on frequency 1, standby. All units on frequency 1, standby.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Might be a good one.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Yeah.

[Jerry App Representative]

Standby 1J14.

[Ms. Kearney]

All units in the vicinity of 1947 Wilton Place. 1947 Wilton Place. An officer needs help. Code 3. All units in the vicinity of 1907 Wilton Place.

[Jerry App Representative]

An officer needs Help.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Code 3.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

You got the land?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here you are.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Think it might be our boy?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll know in a minute.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

An officer needs help.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Of all the calls in the book,

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

this is the one that no officer wants to get. Not because of an outdone sense of loyalty to a fellow police officer, but because it means that somebody has decided that lawful authority has no meaning for them. Such a person is an extreme menace to every citizen in the city. By showing that they have no respect for the competence of an armed professional officer, they have also shown that they will not consider for an instant the life of an unarmed citizen. By the time we arrived at the scene, there were 14 police units in attendance. From one of the officers we got the story.

[Calvin Webster]

You know, was working the street, saw this young guy run out of liquor store.

[Fred Madison]

Stopped to see what was going on.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yeah.

[Fred Madison]

Told him the fellow to stop.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Didn't make any difference.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Kept going, huh?

[Fred Madison]

Yeah. Officer in the car, told him to stop, read, shoot.

[Calvin Webster]

And the suspect turned around, fired the policeman.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

How is he? Flesh wound.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

What about the suspect?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, he didn't get the chance to

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

fire more than twice. That him over there? Yeah. Anything from the owner of the liquor store?

[Fred Madison]

Well, just that the suspect tried to hold him up.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

He walked in, showed him a note. The owner went along with it, handed

[Calvin Webster]

over the money, and then the suspect left.

[Harry Tishner]

That's it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Better take a look.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Yeah, well, it might be a break.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A hard way to get it, is it? Yeah, I'll take a look.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

How about it?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

I can't tell for sure.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Huh.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Description doesn't match too good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, I don't think it's our suspect.

[Dragnet Announcer]

You are listening to Dragnet. The authentic story of your police force in action.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

The wounded police officer was taken to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital for treatment. The suspect was removed to the county morgue. Pictures were taken, and when they were shown to the victims of the drugstore bandit, they all said he was not the man we were after. The rolling stakeout continued without resisting. During the next week, we answered several 211 calls in drugstores. But the M.O. the thief used eliminated him as our suspect. Thursday, March 25th. Frank and I checked into the squadroom.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

How's it going, Joe?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, kind of tired.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Yeah, we get this one wrapped up and I'm going to try to take

[Fred Madison]

a few days off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Robbery Friday?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yes, that's right. No, we're handling. But when was that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Would you like to give me that address?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Yes, I have it. We'll check it out.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Might be something. Yeah, thanks for letting us know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Drive. What was that?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, if it turns out, we'll let you know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Right.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Thanks again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Bye.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

What do you got?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Call from a radio unit out in Hollywood.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yeah, they answered at 4:15 this morning.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Woman and her husband were having a brawl.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Man had left when the officers got there. The woman refused to make a complaint.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

She placed the original call?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, it came from one of the neighbors.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uhhuh.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

When the officers were leaving, the woman said she'd handle the beef herself. Said she'd take care of her husband.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Called him a lousy hold up man.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yeah, she made the statement she could put him in San Quentin inside of five minutes. Well, if he's the guy we're looking

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

for, I don't think we can do it that fast.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, we can. Sure.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

We left the office and drove out to the address I'd gotten on the phone. It was a small one story house set well back on the lot. When we got there, the lights were on. Frank and I went up the front

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

door and rang the bell.

[Ms. Kearney]

Yeah, Ms. Kearney, that's right.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Police officers like to talk to you.

[Jerry App Representative]

What about?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Might be better if we talked inside.

[Jerry App Representative]

All right.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

It's my partner, Frank Smith. My name's Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How you do, Fry?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

You alone here in the house?

[Ms. Kearney]

Mister? Baby and me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see. Where's your husband?

[Ms. Kearney]

Look, before I start telling you a

[Jerry App Representative]

lot, why don't you let me know

[Ms. Kearney]

what this is all about?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

We got a report from a radio car that there was a disturbance here this morning. Is that right?

[Ms. Kearney]

Wasn't anything me and Keith had a beef. Not even worth calling the cops about.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

The officer said you made the remark

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

that your husband was a hold up man.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

That you could send him to prison. Is that right?

[Ms. Kearney]

They talk a lot, don't they?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

They listen more.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Lady, you want to tell us what you meant?

[Jerry App Representative]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, go ahead.

[Ms. Kearney]

You go back and tell the little boys in the playsuits they're wrong on this.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is that so?

[Ms. Kearney]

Yeah. Because I meant nothing.

[Lorna Madison]

Nothing at all.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Pretty serious thing to say without a reason, though, isn't it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Morning.

[Ms. Kearney]

I had a reason, March.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

You want to tell us what it was?

[Ms. Kearney]

I don't see why not. You cops start nosing around, you'll find out anyway. I got trouble with my old man.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What kind of trouble?

[Ms. Kearney]

He's out with other women. Didn't come home last night. We had a beef about it. The cops were called and they used their big ears. You guys made the trip out here for nothing. Now beat it. Now look what you've done. He's playing fine and you come in here and raise a big stick. You got him all upset.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

I'll get it. Hey, here you are, fella. Hey, no reason to cry.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

What's your husband's full name?

[Ms. Kearney]

Keith J. Kearney.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

How long you lived in Los Angeles?

[Ms. Kearney]

A little over six weeks.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where you from?

[Ms. Kearney]

Idaho.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Your husband ever been in trouble with the police before?

[Ms. Kearney]

Keith's got a hard time not being in trouble with anybody.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Has he ever been arrested?

[Ms. Kearney]

I don't know.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

How long you been married?

[Jerry App Representative]

Seven years.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

And you don't know if he's ever been arrested?

[Ms. Kearney]

No, I don't.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

You got a picture of your husband?

[Ms. Kearney]

You mean that you can have.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'd like to take a look at it. Yeah.

[Lorna Madison]

Out of luck. I haven't got one.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Does he work?

[Jerry App Representative]

Not if he can help it.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Doesn't hold a job of any kind?

[Lorna Madison]

No.

[Ms. Kearney]

Keith's a professional avoider. He doesn't like anything steady. Beginning to look like he means me, too.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

What's he do with his time?

[Jerry App Representative]

Nothing.

[Lorna Madison]

Just lives it.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Is he here in the evening?

[Ms. Kearney]

If he was, it wouldn't have been the beef this morning and you wouldn't be asking a lot of questions. I don't know what you're trying to get me to say, but I can't

[Jerry App Representative]

go along with you.

[Ms. Kearney]

You got a problem with Keith, then talk to him. Leave me out of it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll get it.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

You know where your husband is now?

[Fred Madison]

No.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

You don't have any idea?

[Jerry App Representative]

Not the least.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There you are, little fellow. Here's your keys.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Your husband drive a car?

[Ms. Kearney]

Yeah.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

What kind is it?

[Ms. Kearney]

41 Plymouth.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When do you expect your husband back?

[Jerry App Representative]

When he walks in the door.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, Ms. Kearney. I think that'll do it.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Sorry if we've caused you any trouble.

[Jerry App Representative]

You have and you're not.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, let's go, Frank. Good night. Good night.

[Lorna Madison]

Good night.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Better check on the husband, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Wait a minute. Get a good look at those keys that the baby was playing with? No. Why?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Plastic tag on them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Had a license number? Yeah.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

One of the stolen cars used in a drugstore holdup. Frank and I went back to the car and drove around the block, parking up the street from the Kearney residence. We called the name of the man and his wife into R and I, but there was no record on either one of them. Because of the remark made by his wife and the finding of the car keys, it was decided to stake out on the house and wait for the husband to return. 7:30pm 8:39pm the lights in the house

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

went out, but there was still no sign of Keith Kearney.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

10, 10:30. We called the office and told them we'd wait it out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

10:45pm Joe. Yeah?

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

You see what kind it is?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Looks like a Plymouth now.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Checks out, huh?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let's take him. All right, Kearney, hold it up.

[Mrs. Madison]

Watch it, Joe.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Give it up, Kearney.

[Mrs. Madison]

Keep away from me, Cap.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

He's trying to make his house.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Kearney, you're not gonna make the front porch.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

Don't give your family any more trouble than they got. Now throw down that gun.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, let's give it back to her.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

He's down, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on,

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Kearney.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Kearney.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Careful. Come on, Kearney.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Throw that gun away.

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

You hear me?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Looks like he's hurt bad. Yeah.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

How about it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He'll live. Call an ambulance.

[Officer Joe (possibly Joe Friday's partner or colleague)]

Right.

[Mrs. Madison]

You kill him? Did you kill him?

[Frank Smith (Joe Friday's partner)]

No, ma', am.

[Mrs. Madison]

He dead. You killed him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He'll be all right.

[Mrs. Madison]

Don't lie to me. Poor Keith. You didn't give him a chance. Not fair. He didn't even have a chance.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You saw it all, lady.

[Mrs. Madison]

Yeah, and it wasn't even a fair fight.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Never is when you pull a gun.

[Dragnet Announcer]

Keith Jarris Kearney was tried and convicted on nine counts of robbery in the first degree and received sentence as prescribed by law. Robbery in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment for a period of not less than five years.

[Fred Madison]

Dragnet is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.

[John Hagedorn (Host)]

Thanks for joining us at 1001 radio days. If you enjoy our show, please do take a moment and send us a review. If you want to catch up on old episodes, try our new website at bestof1001stories.com. That's best of1001stories.com. See you there.

[Libsyn Ads Representative]

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