Dragnet: The Big Chet 04/10/1956

Summary

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Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Dragnet: The Big Chet (04/10/1956)

Episode Date: August 11, 2026
Original Air Date: April 10, 1956
Featured Detectives: Sgt. Joe Friday and Frank Smith
Main Theme: The pursuit and capture of a pair of professional robbers terrorizing Los Angeles' jewelry stores and supermarkets

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Overview

In this classic Dragnet episode, detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith are tasked with tracking down a duo responsible for a string of armed robberies across Los Angeles. As the detectives search for leads, they turn to an ex-con informant for help, setting up a tense undercover operation. The episode spotlights the painstaking and methodical processes of 1950s police work, the risks taken by informants, and the relentless pursuit of justice.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Progression

1. The Crime Spree & Investigation Begins (04:47–07:51)

• Summary:

  • A series of 11 robberies targeting jewelry stores and supermarkets over three months, all following the same MO: the suspects lock victims in the back room after feigning innocent intentions, then rob the safe.
  • Suspect descriptions are given: one tall, red-haired man with a stutter, one smaller, dark-haired accomplice.
  • The police have few leads and mounting pressure.

• Notable Quote:

  • “11 jobs in three months. All the same MO, all the same descriptions. None of them add up to anything we can make.” — Joe Friday (05:40)

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2. Informant Offers a Lead (07:52–11:46)

• Summary:

  • Joe and Frank visit ex-con Rod Nealan, who voluntarily reaches out after seeing news reports. He suspects two men frequenting a bar on 3rd Street (Chet and Vince) are the robbers.
  • Rod describes their behavior and the presence of a woman with them.
  • Detectives arrange with Rod to gather more intel undercover, giving him money to cover his bar tabs and specific info to collect (addresses, car details, etc).
  • The personal risk Rod takes is acknowledged, highlighting both the danger and his attempt to "pay back" the cops for prior kindness.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “[The two guys] ordered bourbon, but the girl ordered one of those weird mixed things... Real weird. Well, I looked over at her. Usually the only people ordered things like that are young kids... The bartender said the big one was called Chet and the little guy's named Vince. He didn't know much about them, just that they had a lot of money to spend.” — Rod (08:39–09:37)
  • “You guys have helped me plenty of times. Maybe I can kind of pay you back this way.” — Rod Nealan (11:28)
  • “I’m 37. I got 28 years to go. Yeah, I want to be around for that. Social Security.” — Rod Nealan (11:38–11:46)

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3. Surveillance, Frustration, & A New Break (11:54–14:45)

• Summary:
  • Rod’s attempts to spot Chet and Vince at the bar yield no results; the suspects disappear.
  • A similar robbery happens in San Francisco with the same MO, supporting the theory that the suspects were operating out of town.
  • Rod goes missing. Detectives grow anxious about his safety.

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4. The Suspects Return & Tensions Mount (14:45–16:08)

• Summary:
  • Rod resurfaces by phone (sounding afraid), disclosing that Chet and Vince are back in town with lots of money and a new car.
  • Rod feels his cover is blown: “He thinks they’re onto him.”
  • He provides a car license plate, leading detectives to "Ms. Dolly Keene".

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5. Interview With The Landlady (16:08–23:09)

• Summary:

  • Friday and Smith visit Dolly Keene’s apartment building and question the amusingly chatty landlady, Mrs. Townsend (and her parrot, Sinbad).
  • Townsend describes Dolly as a troublemaker with a red-haired boyfriend (matching the description), confirms she recently bought a new car, and mentions a sister living nearby.
  • Investigators learn Dolly is out, possibly planning to leave town.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “She’s just the type that’s always running around, gallivanting...and her boyfriend, all that drinking, loud parties.” — Mrs. Townsend (19:18)
  • “Sinbad and I talk all the time. Of course, I do mostly actual talking, but he understands. Real smart bird.” — Mrs. Townsend (19:04)

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6. Stakeout & Showdown (24:13–27:08)

• Summary:

  • The detectives stakeout Dolly’s apartment. Late at night, Dolly and a man arrive in a matching new car.
  • Police attempt to apprehend them. A second suspect (Vince) tries to flee, resulting in a tense standoff with shots fired.
  • One suspect is wounded and apprehended; others initially escape.

• Notable Moment (Tense Exchange):

  • “Vince, get out of here! It’s the cops!” — Suspect in car (25:28)
  • “All right, mister, throw that gun down here. Come on…” — Joe Friday (26:07)

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7. Final Arrests & Confessions (27:08–30:14)

• Summary:

  • Wounded suspect gives up the identities of Chet (Chester Rayburn) and Dolly.
  • Friday and Smith, aided by backup, track the fugitives to Dolly’s sister’s apartment, where another standoff ends with the suspects’ surrender.
  • Dolly’s sister and Dolly both claim they were forced to help under duress.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “A couple more minutes, we had it made. Couple more minutes, that's all.” — Chester Rayburn (29:52)
  • “One more big job to that one more and we'd be through. Well, wise guy, where are we now?” — Dolly Keene (30:00)
  • “Right where he said you'd be.” — Joe Friday (30:04)

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8. Case Resolution & Sentencing (30:59–31:31)

• Summary:
  • Epilogue details: suspects Rayburn and Vince Robert Parker are tried and convicted on nine counts of first-degree robbery. Dolly Keene is found guilty as an accessory.
  • Sentences: Not less than five years for the robbers, up to five years for being an accessory.

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Memorable Moments & Character Interplay

• Humanizing the Informant:
  Rod’s desire to go straight, voiced in his reflections about past mistakes and hopes for the future, lends emotional depth uncommon in procedural crime shows.

• Comedic Relief:
  Mrs. Townsend’s monologue about her parrot, Sinbad, and her gossipy asides inject much-needed levity into the suspense-filled episode.

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Case Introduction & Suspect MO: 04:47–07:51
• Informant Rod Nealan’s first tip: 08:03–10:55
• Setting up surveillance/undercover operation: 11:05–11:46
• Rod’s disappearance and return: 14:23–14:50
• Landlady interview (Mrs. Townsend & Sinbad): 16:08–23:09
• Stakeout and attempted arrest: 24:13–27:08
• Final confrontation and arrests: 29:04–30:14
• Sentencing and epilogue: 30:59–31:31

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Notable Quotes (Speaker & Timestamp)

• “11 jobs in three months. All the same mo, all the same descriptions. None of them add up to anything we can make.” — Joe Friday (05:40)
• “You guys have helped me plenty of times. Maybe I can kind of pay you back this way.” — Rod Nealan (11:28)
• “Sinbad and I talk all the time. Of course. I do mostly actual talking, but he understands. Real smart bird.” — Mrs. Townsend (19:04)
• “Couple more minutes, we had it made… A couple more minutes, that's all.” — Chester Rayburn (29:52)
• “Right where he said you'd be.” — Joe Friday (30:04)

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Tone & Style

The episode’s tone is taut, methodical, and understated—classic to Dragnet, where facts and dialogue take precedence over spectacle. The dialogue is clipped and realistic, the humor deadpan, and the characters, especially the informant and landlady, are given authentic voices.

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Conclusion

“The Big Chet” is a strong example of the Dragnet formula: patient surveillance, the use of informants, careful police legwork, and the inevitable, satisfying capture of wrongdoers. The balance of tension, character, and period detail provides an authentic window into mid-century American law enforcement.

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Transcript

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Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we

[Detective Joe Friday]

bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Commercial Announcer]

Sound off for Chesterfield.

[Narrator / Announcer]

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[Commercial Announcer]

First cigarette with premium quality and both regular and Kingsize. Chesterfield brings you Dragnet.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail. A pair of hold up men have been staging a series of robberies in your city. You have their description. You know their Method of operation, your job.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Get them.

[Narrator / Announcer]

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Don't you want to try a cigarette with a record like this? Chesterfield.

[Commercial Announcer]

Dragnet, the documented Dr. Of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your

[Detective Frank Smith]

police force in action.

[Detective Joe Friday]

It was Tuesday, September 6th. It was warm in Los Angeles.

[Detective Frank Smith]

We were working the day.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Watch out. A robbery detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Didium. My name's Friday. I was on my way into the office and it was 8:02am when I got to room 27. A robbery. Joe, is that you?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you just get in? Yeah, a couple of minutes ago. The last run from the staff's office come in here? No, I called them. They said It'd be about 10. Hey, you look kind of beat. Yeah, I had a little trouble sleeping last night. Huh. Went over this thing someplace. The guys must have made a mistake. I can't figure. Yeah, I would kind of figure an angle, too. Saw the Skipper this morning. What'd he say about us? When I asked how we were doing, I told him we had a couple of things cooking. He didn't say anything. Guess he's getting plenty of heat from the front office. His pills are getting bigger. Stomach's giving him trouble again, I guess. Yeah, he had some this morning. Looked big enough for a horse. I never saw such big pills, Joe.

[Narrator / Announcer]

He could hardly swallow them.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Purple, too. 11 jobs in three months. All the same mo all the same descriptions. None of them add up to anything we can make.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Yeah, Skipper said he had a call from the insurance company that underwrote the

[Detective Joe Friday]

jewelry store they hit last Thursday. Yeah, but the guy was real nasty. Said if we couldn't clean it up, he was going to the police commission, get some action that way. Robbery Friday. Who? Oh, yeah, Rod. Yeah, sure, I remember. How's it Going. That's good. What?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, I guess he'd come right down. All right.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Sure.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Okay, Rod.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Thanks.

[Narrator / Announcer]

We'll be right there.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Remember Rod Neelam, the guy we nailed for robbery five years ago? Neymar. Yeah, I know who you mean. He wants to see it. Says you got some information. Yeah, about the guys we're after. For the past three months a pair of hold up men have been victimizing the owners of large jewelry stores and supermarkets. In each case the descriptions of the two suspects is the same. Suspect number one was described as WMA, 30 to 35 years old, red hair, tall and lean. Suspect number two was described as WMA, 25 to 30 years old, 5 foot 7, £120. Victims reported that the larger of the two bandits had a slight stutter, but neither of them had any visible marks or scars. In each instance, the method of operation the bandits used was the same. The two men would enter the store at about 10am the smaller of the two thieves would ask to use the telephone. They go to the rear of the store and Mary would produce a.32 caliber automatic. The other man would pull a sawed off shotgun and together the two of them would take the victim's hands and feet and lock them in a rear room. Then they'd rifle the safe and lean. None of the victims could tell us if the pair used a car. Everyone concerned had been shown mug books but they were unable to make an identification. The ammo had been run through the stats office but after the possibles had been checked out we had nothing. Communications had been gotten off to George Brereton up at CII Sacramento, but they were unable to help us in making an identification. For three months the hold up men were able to get where they wanted and when they wanted. It seemed as if we were unable to stop them. All sources of information had been checked but they netted us no new lead. 8:25am Frank and I drove over to see Rod Nealan. He worked in the small machine shop

[Detective Frank Smith]

on South La Brea.

[Detective Joe Friday]

He checked with the shop foreman and got permission to talk to us. He led us to a small lunch stand around the corner from the shop. We ordered a cup of coffee and Rod told us why it called.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I got to reading the papers right about these hold ups and figured maybe I could give you guys a hand.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, you can use it, Ron.

[Detective Frank Smith]

You guys were pretty nice to me when I got picked up, so I

[Detective Joe Friday]

figured I owe you a favor. What's the information you got Ron?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, I was in the bar the other Night. Friday night, placed down on third, you know, having a beer. Yeah. Well, I sat there for a little bit chewing up a storm with a bartender and these two guys come in, got a girl with them.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, the three of them go over to a booth, sit down and order a drink. I didn't pay much attention to them. You know, it's none of my business. Yeah, go ahead. Well, when they put in their order, bartender and me got kind of laughing about it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Why is that?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, the two guys ordered bourbon, but the girl ordered one of those weird mixed things. You know, cream de mints and cream de cocoa and chopped up ice. Real weird. Well, I looked over at her. Usually the only people ordered things like that are young kids. I asked the bartender about it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah? He said that's all the girl ever ordered.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Said they came in, all the signs stated customs.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What makes you think the other ones were after Ron?

[Detective Frank Smith]

The way they looked and acted. Two fellas were loaded with money, had

[Detective Joe Friday]

a roll to choke a horse.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Right then I didn't think much about it. Figured maybe they were just trying to impress the girl, you know? Didn't really think much about it. Then on the way home, I stopped

[Detective Joe Friday]

and picked up a morning paper. I read about the robberies. I noticed the descriptions you had on them.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Hit the two guys in the bar to a tee.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Tall, redhead, short, dark fellow.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Big one. Even had that stutter.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You got any names on these two fellas?

[Detective Frank Smith]

No, I didn't hear anything. Not from them anyway. I. I asked the bartender. He said the big one was called Chet and the little guy's named Vince. He didn't know much about him. Just said they came in a lot and had a lot of money to spend.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Any idea where they lived?

[Detective Frank Smith]

No, I don't think he knew.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How about a car? Did you see one? No.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Like I said, I was there when they came in and I left before they did. If I'd known what the bit was, I'd have stuck around, tried to get some more information for you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I didn't even figure it until I

[Detective Frank Smith]

got home and saw the papers.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You heard anything around about the two men? Not a thing.

[Detective Frank Smith]

That's straight. You know, I'm carrying a lunch bucket now. I got a job and I keep my nose out of trouble. I had enough jail.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I don't want any more of it. Well, that's good to hear, Rod. I learned no more.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Tough to learn it that way, but I guess there ain't no other. I'm sure I'm clean. I'm gonna Stay that way. Like I said, though, you guys were nice to me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You gave me a break.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I want to help you out, you know, sort of say thanks.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, Ron, we appreciate it too. You know that.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Listen, anything I can do, I'm with you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

S. Where is this bar?

[Detective Frank Smith]

It's a place on third called Tad.

[Detective Joe Friday]

A little junk. Yeah, we know it.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Most of the guys come in, are there for contact, you know, trying to set something up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, that's just it, Rod. What do you mean? Well, I think that if Frank and I walk into the place, somebody will make us sure we're known there. We'll burn the place, lose the two men.

[Detective Frank Smith]

So? Well, you want me to hang around

[Detective Joe Friday]

there, keep you posted?

[Detective Frank Smith]

But you know what the guys are doing.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, it's kind of you, Rod.

[Detective Frank Smith]

They found out I was playing footsie with you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

They knew me.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Sure he'd know that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, you know, we'll give you all the help we can if you want to do it.

[Detective Frank Smith]

It's gonna be a little expensive sitting in there. Can't just sit without ordering something, you know?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. Oh, here's 10 bucks. That ought to keep you going for a while.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah, it will for a while. What do you want me to find out?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, get an address if you can. Find out where these guys work, what they do for a living, if they own a car. Get the license number if you can. Who the girl is, where she lives, just as much as he can, you know.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Okay, I'll get back to you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

But we'll be around. You won't have to look far.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I hope not. Two guys get onto me, I got big trouble, you know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, you don't have to do this if you don't want to, Ron.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Well, I want to.

[Detective Frank Smith]

You guys have helped me plenty of times. Maybe I can kind of pay you back this way. I know I don't have to do a show. It was my idea. Okay by me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

If you guys will stay close, we will.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Though let's put it this way, you guys just stay close by. I'm 37. I got 28 years to go.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, I want to be around for that.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Social Security.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We got the description of the girl who'd been seen with the two suspects. Then Frank and I drove back to the office. We checked the names Chet and Vince through the moniker files in R and I came up with several possibles, but they were eliminated for the next three days. We contact with Rodney. He would report for work at 8am Finish up at 5, and then after a dinner downtown, he'd Spend the evening in the bar down on 3rd Street. During that time he had no contact with the two men. They failed to make an appearance at the bar. The kickbacks from up north arrived, but we got no new leads from them. Saturday, September 10th. Frank and I met with Nealam for lunch. He told us that he hadn't seen the suspect since the night he told us about. He said that the bartender told him that they hadn't been in the place on Third Street. 3:16pm Frank and I checked back into the office. Well, that went no place. I wonder where they are. I don't know, Joe. Nothing around town on them. Maybe they decided they were running their

[Detective Frank Smith]

luck a little close, huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, it could be, but they got no reason to quit. As far as they know, they're in the clear. There's nothing to scare them off? No. You think Rod is playing ball with us? I don't know. There's no reason not to. He came to us, we didn't go to him. Kathy learned his lesson. Takes a lot of nerve to do what he's doing. Glad to see he's playing it straight, though. Yeah. You want to check the book?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Anything there? No, nothing.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Call from Fay.

[Detective Joe Friday]

He wants me to call her before I leave the office.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Got a couple of teletypes here, Joe.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. Here's our answer. What pelotite from San Francisco jewelry store

[Detective Frank Smith]

was heisted for $150,000?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Two men, one with a sawed off shotgun. We sent a teletype to San Francisco immediately asking for full details on the holdup. The answer gave the MO that the two thieves had used and their descriptions in every detail. The operation matched that of the two men we were looking for. We put in a call to Rod ne, but we found that he hadn't reported for work that day. Frank and I drove out to his apartment, but his landlady told us that she hadn't seen him since the day before. Frank and I checked the places where he ate and where he spent his time. When he wasn't working, none of his friends had seen him. We spent the next two days looking for him from a bartender on 7. We heard that Rod had been in the place on Sunday, the night before, and at that time he'd been pretty drunk. The bartender said that he appeared frightened and nervous. Monday, September 12, 5:30pm Frank and I checked into the office to sign out for the day. I'll sign us out. All right. I'll check the box. I got it, Robbie. Friday?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, where you been? We've Been looking all over for you. We thought something had happened.

[Commercial Announcer]

What?

[Detective Joe Friday]

When? Yeah, we'll take it easy. Rod. Yeah, we'll get to you. Yeah. What model? You got the license number? Just a minute. All right, go ahead. 2N3. 9291.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Yeah.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Okay.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, we'll see you there. All right. Be careful.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Rod.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. Says he's been trying to get ahold of us all day. Because he didn't want to leave his name. Two suspects are back in town. Rod says they got a bankroll like Fort Knox sporting a new car. He got the number. Better check it right away. Where's he been? Well, he said he was worried. He's been trying to stay out of sight. Said we better get the guys fast. Yeah, he thinks they're onto him. Our informant, Rod Nealon, told me on the phone that he'd been hiding for the last two days. He said that on the night the robbery suspects had gotten back into town. The bartender had let it drop to them that Rod had been asking questions. Said that he tried to call us at the office several times. But he found that we weren't in. He was reluctant to leave his name or a message. For fear that the two hoodoons might in some way find out about it. Frank drove over to his apartment, but found that he wasn't there. When I'd spoken to him on the phone, he told me that he'd wait there until we could pick him up. The landlady at his place hadn't seen him. And told Frank that she didn't even know that Rod was in the building. While Frank was gone, I checked the license number of the car through rdmv. They called us back to tell me that the car was registered to a Ms. Dolly King at 18924 Elmwood Drive, Hollywood. Frank got back to the office and we drove out to see the girl. On the apartment register, she was listed as the tenant of apartment 406. We knocked at the door to the manager's apartment and waited.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yes?

[Detective Joe Friday]

You're the manager, ma'?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Am?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yes. Something I can do for you?

[Detective Joe Friday]

We're police officers. We'd like to talk to you. Here's our identification.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

I see. Friday.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. It's my partner, Frank Smith. How do you do?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

How do you do? I'm Barbara Townsend. If you'd like to come in and talk. Might be better than the hall.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you very much, Ms. Townsend.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Mrs. I'm a widow woman. Husband died seven years ago.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sorry to hear that, ma'.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Am.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

It's all Right, Miss Friday. I'm used to being a widow. Now just sit down. We can have our talk.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you.

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[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

now then, what was it you want to talk about? Something I've done, I hope.

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, Ms. Townsend, it's about one of your tenants. A Ms. Dolly Keene.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Oh, that one might have known it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Why'd he say that?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Man, just because I always knew she was going to cause trouble here. I knew it. I told Sinbad about it. Told him a lot of times.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sinbad?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yeah, that's him over there in the cage.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Old bird, huh?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yeah, Sinbad and I talk all the time. Of course. I do mostly actual talking, but he understands. Real smart bird. Real smart little fella.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Why do you say that?

[Detective Joe Friday]

You knew Ms. King would cause trouble.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

And she's just the type that's always running around gallivanting away, sir. And her boyfriend, all that drinking, loud parties. She's got a lease or she wouldn't be here. Now, I tell you, a couple more parties and I'm gonna see a lawyer, see if I can't break it. The lease, I mean.

[Narrator / Announcer]

That's right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

About this boyfriend of hers, do you happen to know his name?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

No. No, I don't. I didn't have nothing to do with her. She's not the friendly type at all. Doesn't like birds. Told me right out loud. Sinbad heard her. Heard her say it plain as anything and brooded about it for days. Wouldn't either.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Could you give us a description of the man?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Saw him a couple of times. Tall man, over six feet, red hair, had a kind of stutter. I never talked to him. I just heard him when they came in. My door's right near the front, you know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Am.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Do you have any other friends in the building?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Ma'? Am, do you know?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Oh, no, no. Isn't anybody in the building likes her? Well, except that Mr. Newton on the second floor. He's kind of flighty. Impressed with a pretty girl, you know. But she's not friendly with anybody.

[Detective Joe Friday]

She have any visitors? Anyone who came to see her?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Just her boyfriend, the red headed one. Then there was the other one. I don't think he was a friend of hers, though.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What other one's that man?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

He's a little man. Dark. I think he's a friend of the boyfriend? Seemed that way to me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Any of them drive a car? Would you know?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Well, I don't know about the others, but Ms. Keane just got one. Brand new, 1953. Don't know where she got the money for it, but by golly, she's got the car.

[Narrator / Announcer]

She worked, man.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

I don't know when she signed the lease. She told me that she was a designer for a clothing company out here. That's a fact. She's got mighty cushy hours. Things to come and go whenever she pleases.

[Detective Joe Friday]

But when did she get the new car, do you know?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

A couple of days ago. She told me that she had to go out of town on some business. Wanted me to keep an eye on her apartments. She didn't have to tell me that. I'm the manager here. Of course, I'm gonna watch the police.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am, about the car, please.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Oh, yes. Well, she had it when she came back. Just drove up in it smartish. Please Told me that she wanted a garage for it. So she didn't want to leave it on the streets at night. I told her she just has to wait. We got 18 units here and only 10 garages. All of them are taken. I told her she just have to wait. She said she maybe leave it over to her sisters for a few days.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Her sisters?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yeah, she has a sister in the neighborhood someplace.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You know where she lives?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

No, I don't. Pretty sure it's someplace in the neighborhood.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Would you know her sister's name?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Well, sorry I can't help you out there either. She's married. Don't know her married name. Ms. Keane? Never mentioned.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How about mail, Ms. Townsend? Ms. Keene get much mail?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

I couldn't tell you that. They got their own Keeneys. Opened their own mailboxes. I got no way of telling what they get.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Of course, I couldn't see in through the little slots in the mailbox. He got a few letters. I couldn't tell you where they were from, though.

[Detective Joe Friday]

She in now? Would you know?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

No. I mean, I don't think she's in. I haven't heard her. Usually she comes in laughing and carrying on, so I'd know if she was in. What's all this about, anyway? What's she done?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, we just want to talk to her, Ms. Townsend.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Like that, is it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Ma'?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Am?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Got something secret to talk about?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, ma', am, it's not that. It'd be better if we talk to her, that's all.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Well, I hope she got the chance to. Last time I saw her, she talked about leaving town.

[Commercial Announcer]

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

[Narrator / Announcer]

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[Detective Joe Friday]

In the company of the manager, Frank and I went through the girl's apartment in the closets we found clothing that indicated that she'd returned to the place. We called the office and told them that we were setting up a stakeout on the building. Frank and I went downstairs and parked the car up the street. Frank was in the front seat of the car. I stayed in the back. 8:30pm There was still no sign of the girl. Frank called the office and found that our informant, Rod Nealon, was still missing. We waited. 9:30pm 10 11:30pm A car answering the description of the girl pulled up in front of the apartment building. Joe. Yeah, I see him.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Car matches.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You see the license? No, not from here. Two people in the car, Girl and a man. Yeah, well, let's try it. Right. I'll cover the other side, huh? Right. Excuse me. Yeah?

[Narrator / Announcer]

What is it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Like to see your identification, please? Well, what for?

[Narrator / Announcer]

I'm told nothing.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Police officers like to see your id.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I don't know what what this is all about.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, mister, get out of the car.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I don't know what you guys are trying to prove with all this getting so a guy can't take his girl out anymore without cops robbing. Joe. Looks like the other one in the

[Detective Frank Smith]

car that just pulled up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Vince, get out of here. It's the cops.

[Commercial Announcer]

I'll get up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, get your hands.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Lousy cops. You'll never get him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Stand still.

[Narrator / Announcer]

You'll never get him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

He's probably got your partner by.

[Detective Frank Smith]

All right, get back in the car.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

What's going on here?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Lousy cops.

[Detective Frank Smith]

They think they got us.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Vince is a good shot.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, give me those ignition key ladies.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

What for?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Give them to me. Now, both of you stay in the car. Over here. How about it?

[Detective Frank Smith]

He's up there on the second floor.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, come on, mister, give it up.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Get away from me, cop. Get away.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Throw that gun down here. Come on, throw that gun down.

[Narrator / Announcer]

What do you figure, Joe?

[Detective Joe Friday]

I don't know. Telling me. I'll go up.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Bye.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How about it? I don't see him.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Stop it. Don't you give up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I cannot kill it anymore.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Please.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, mister, throw that gun out here.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Come on, throw it out here.

[Detective Frank Smith]

All right,

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

there it is. You got it?

[Narrator / Announcer]

I'll give you a break.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I got it, Joe. All right, come on. Put your hands against that wall.

[Detective Frank Smith]

All right, shot me now leave me alone. I'm hurt.

[Narrator / Announcer]

You see that?

[Detective Joe Friday]

I'll shake him. Thanks. Clean.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Call a doctor.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Give me a doctor. I'll bleed the best.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Don't give me a dog.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Not hurt that bad.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Now, come on, let's go. I'll give you a hand. Come on. Come on.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

I saw who was shooting about. Oh, shot him, huh?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, ma'.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Am. I better call Georgia Street. Frank, get the other ones in the car. Yeah, I'll stay here with this one. Frank, what's the matter?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Something wrong?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, I got to get out of. Broadcaster gone. When the number two suspected started firing at Frank, I handcuffed the first suspect and I went to Frank's aid. On returning to the car, we found that both suspects had escaped. The man was still handcuffed, so moving around would be difficult for him. A broadcast was gotten out to all units in the area on the two escaped suspects. The car they'd driven was still parked out in front of the apartment. An ambulance arrived and removed the wounded suspect to the county hospital. Before he was taken away, he gave us the names of his two accomplices, of Chester Rayburn and Dolly Keane. We called the office and told him what had happened. Additional teams of men were sent out to help us canvas the area. Frank and I went through the personal effects of Dolly Keen. In the desk drawer, we found a telephone book. And one of the numbers in the book bore the name. Sith gave a telephone number and an address three blocks from the apartment house. We got in touch with Captain Didion and informed him of the development. Additional men from Metro Division were sent out to cover the address listed in the telephone book. Captain Didion also told us that our informant, Rodney had been found in a rooming house on 3rd street where he'd been hiding since the two bandits had gotten back into town. It was placed in protective custody. Frank and I went over to the sister's apartment.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yeah? What do you want?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Police officers. You Patricia Saxon?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yeah, so what?

[Detective Joe Friday]

I want to look at your apartment.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

What for? There's nothing here means anything to you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sister been here tonight?

[Detective Frank Smith]

No.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

I haven't seen her last couple of days.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Anyone here with you?

[Detective Frank Smith]

No.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We're gonna have to look.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Yeah, maybe I don't want you to.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's tough, lady. I must shake it down. Frank? Yeah?

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

There's no one here. Isn't anybody with me?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Closet in the bedroom.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Better stay away from there. He's got a shotgun.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Cover that side.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Frank. Yeah.

[Narrator / Announcer]

All right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Rayburn, open the door slow. And throw that gun out here. Rayburn, we'll tell you once more. We know you're in there. Now throw that gun out here. That coming out? Yo.

[Commercial Announcer]

All right, cop. Here it is.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I don't want no trouble, you hear? No, no trouble. Shoot. Got the gun.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. Come On. Get up, Raymond. On your finger. You're too Miss Keen. Come on out there.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Don't you. Please don't. We didn't mean nothing. Don't shoot. We get up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, come on out of there. Keep your hands in your head.

[Detective Frank Smith]

There.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I got him. Wasn't anything else I could do.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

Had to do what they tell me. Came here with that gun and wanted something to cut those handcuffs off with. Had to do what they said.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

They killed me if I didn't.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I know it.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

They'd have killed me.

[Narrator / Announcer]

A couple more minutes, we had it made. A couple more, more minutes, that's all. That's all we needed, though. We got up north, he never got us. We'd have had it made.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

One more big job to that one more and we'd be through. Well, wise guy, where are we now?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Right where he said you'd be.

[Various Female Characters (e.g., Barbara Townsend, Ms. King, Ms. Saxon)]

What you're.

[Narrator / Announcer]

The story you've just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Commercial Announcer]

On January 18, trial was held in Department 87, Superior Court of the State of California. In and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Now, here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you. George Feniman. Did you know that Chesterfield shows up year after year as first choice of Young America? Now that's based on a survey made in 274 colleges and universities. The reason is we're first with premium quality in both regular and king size Chesterfield. It's a good mild smoke with a wonderful taste.

[Commercial Announcer]

Chester Lloyd Rayburn and Vincent Robert Parker were tried and found guilty on nine counts of robbery in the first degree. They were sentenced to the state penitentiary for the term prescribed by law. Robbery in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment for a period of not less than five years. Lillian Keane, alias Dolly Keane, was tried and convicted of being an accessory. She received sentence as prescribed by law. Aiding a principal in a felony. As punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of not more than five years.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, in the fight against an old enemy, polio medical research has armed us with a powerful new weapon, gamma globulin. Used soon enough, it can prevent the paralyzing effects of polio. But first, you must furnish the raw material, blood. Doctors urgently need your donation of blood to make gamma globulin. So call the Red Cross. Please don't put it off. It's too important. Call the Red Cross tomorrow and make an appointment to give blood.

[Commercial Announcer]

Technical advice comes from the office of chief of police w.h. parker, los angeles. Police department technical advisors, captain jack donahoe, sergeant marty wynn, sergeant vance brazier. Heard tonight were ben alexander, peggy weber, peter lee, scripts by john robinson, music by walter schumann, hal gibney speaking.

[Narrator / Announcer]

For a million laughs, tune in Chesterfield's Martin and Lewis show Tuesday on the same NBC station and sound off for Chesterfield, either regular or king size, you'll find premium quality Chesterfield much milder. Chesterfield is best for you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Chesterfield has brought you dragnet. Transcribed from los angeles us.

[Narrator / Announcer]

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[Narrator / Announcer]

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[Narrator / Announcer]

Tonight it's adventure with barry craig on NBC.