Dragnet: The Big Customer 06/22/1954

Summary

Dragnet: The Big Customer – Detailed Summary

Episode Title: Dragnet: The Big Customer
Original Air Date: June 22, 1954
Release Date: July 1, 2025
Hosted by: Choice Classic Radio
Description: Old-time radio fans are treated to one of Dragnet’s gripping tales, showcasing the meticulous detective work that defines the Golden Age of Radio's greatest detectives.

---

Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with Detective Sergeant Joe Friday, portrayed by the iconic voice of Jack Webb, introducing the case. The story revolves around a routine robbery that escalates into a violent confrontation, leading to multiple injuries and a police shooting.

---

The Robbery Incident

At 10:56 PM, Joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, respond to a robbery detail at the Montgomery Store on Georgia Street. The store owner, Keith Montgomery, and his wife, Irene Montgomery, find themselves embroiled in a life-threatening situation.

• Joe Friday (00:54): “Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.”

Irene provides crucial details about the events leading up to the incident:

• Irene Montgomery (02:03): “Keith and me were sitting in the back room playing cribbage... These two men came in.”

The robbers demand money, leading to a tense standoff where one of the assailants brandishes a spring-loaded knife.

• Irene Montgomery (02:49): “Short fella had this kind of knife with a spring blade...”

Escalation and Violence

As the situation escalates, Keith Montgomery confronts the robbers, attempting to de-escalate the situation, which results in him being physically assaulted and ultimately fatally stabbed.

• Irene Montgomery (03:18): “Thought he was gonna cut Keith.”

In an attempt to save her husband, Irene intervenes, leading to her assault by the robbers.

• Irene Montgomery (03:58): “I tried to get the men out of the place...”

The conflict intensifies when a special officer, Kenneth Holman, arrives, only to be shot by one of the robbers during the chaos.

• Joe Friday (06:06): “He thought it was just an argument.”

Investigation and Suspect Identification

Following the tragic events, detectives Friday and Smith launch a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend the suspects. They gather eyewitness testimonies and analyze evidence, such as the license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions provided by bystanders.

• Narration (08:09): “The car was put under surveillance and our office had been notified.”

They trace the suspects to Edwin Vargas, who owns the car used in the robbery. Interviews with Vargas' wife, Edna Vargas, reveal potential motives linked to financial distress and personal conflicts.

• Edna Vargas (15:35): “He's a salesman for an insurance company downtown.”

Intriguing developments arise when Edna mentions Vargas' association with Vic Noble, suggesting underlying tensions that might have contributed to the crime.

Breakthrough and Arrest

Through diligent detective work, including surveillance and cross-referencing with criminal records, Friday and Smith identify Nicholas John Roxford and Henry Taylor Larson as the primary suspects. Their efforts lead them to a boarding house where the suspects are temporarily located.

• Narration (21:06): “Henry Taylor Larson and Nicholas John Roxford were tried and convicted of murder in the first degree.”

During the final hours of the investigation, Irene Montgomery is apprehended and provides a pivotal confession that implicates Larson as the mastermind behind the robbery.

• Irene Montgomery (24:27): “The whole thing was his idea right from the start.”

Her testimony cements the detectives' case against the criminals, leading to their eventual arrest and conviction.

---

Conclusion and Aftermath

The episode concludes with the successful resolution of the case, highlighting the relentless pursuit of justice by Detectives Friday and Smith. Larson and Roxford are tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, underscoring the episode's theme of law and order prevailing through meticulous detective work.

• Narration (25:19): “Henry Taylor Larson and Nicholas John Roxford were tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. On recommendation of the jury, they received maximum sentence and were executed in the lethal gas chamber at the State Penitentiary, San Quentin, California.”

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Key Takeaways and Themes

• Dedication to Justice: Detective Friday's unwavering commitment to solving the case exemplifies the relentless pursuit of justice, a hallmark of the Dragnet series.

• Impact of Crime on Individuals: The emotional toll on the Montgomery family highlights the personal tragedies that stem from criminal activities.

• Methodical Investigation: The episode showcases the importance of thorough investigation, evidence analysis, and witness testimonies in solving complex cases.

---

Notable Quotes

• Joe Friday (00:54): “Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.”
  [Timestamp: 00:54]

• Irene Montgomery (02:03): “Keith and me were sitting in the back room playing cribbage... These two men came in.”
  [Timestamp: 02:03]

• Irene Montgomery (24:27): “The whole thing was his idea right from the start.”
  [Timestamp: 24:27]

• Narration (25:19): “Henry Taylor Larson and Nicholas John Roxford were tried and convicted of murder in the first degree...”
  [Timestamp: 25:19]

---

Conclusion:
Dragnet: The Big Customer masterfully blends suspense, character development, and procedural accuracy, providing listeners with a compelling narrative that underscores the essence of effective law enforcement. Through detailed storytelling and authentic dialogue, the episode remains a quintessential example of old-time radio detective drama.

Transcript

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[Irene Montgomery]

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[Joe Friday]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Irene Montgomery]

Dragnet.

[Joe Friday]

You'Re a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail. A special officer has been shot during a routine patrol. His assailants have escaped into the city. There's no lead to their whereabouts. Your job find them. Was Saturday. May 21. Was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the night. Watch out. A robbery detail. My partner is Frank Smith, the boss of Chief of Detective Stad Brown. My name's Fire. We were on our way back from the scene and it was 10:56pm when we got to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital treatment room.

[Ms. Montgomery]

That's you, doctor?

[Joe Friday]

No, ma' am. Police officers. Doctor said we could ask you some.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Questions about the robbery.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. It's my partner, Frank Smith. My name's Friday. Hello, Ms. Montgomery.

[Ms. Montgomery]

You heard anything about Keith? Is he all right?

[Joe Friday]

Well, the doctor's still with him.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Is he gonna be all right?

[Joe Friday]

We better talk to the doctor about that.

[Ms. Montgomery]

I think he tried to stop the man from robbing us. Tried to throw him out of his door?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. Now, can you tell us what happened?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Well, I guess so, if the doctor said I could.

[Joe Friday]

Well, anytime you don't feel like going on, just tell us, please.

[Ms. Montgomery]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

What time did the man come into the store?

[Ms. Montgomery]

About 9:30. Right around in there?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Keith and me were sitting in the back room playing cribbage. We usually play a couple of games before we close up, especially when business is kind of slow. These two men came in. Keith went out to wait on them.

[Joe Friday]

Did you go with him?

[Ms. Montgomery]

No. Wasn't any reason to. Just two customers. No reason for me to go out. Looked like they came in together.

[Joe Friday]

You could see them from where you were?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Oh, yes. We had the card table set up right in the doorway of the back room.

[Joe Friday]

All right, ma' am. So I could go on.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Keith went out and asked them what they wanted One of them said he wanted a bottle of vodka. Keith asked him what kind and the man said it didn't make any difference. Said he wanted 100 proof, though.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Keith got the bottle off the shelf and came back, told the man how much the bottle was. And that's when the other man pulled out the knife.

[Joe Friday]

You say the second man drew the knife?

[Ms. Montgomery]

That's right. Short fella had this kind of knife with a spring blade where you push a button and the blade snaps out. You know how?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. Did the men know you were in the back room?

[Ms. Montgomery]

They must have. All he had to do was look through the door and they'd have seen me. I wasn't trying to hide.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Feel like going on?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Yes. Doctor gave me some kind of pill. It makes me a little numb, but I feel all right.

[Joe Friday]

All right, please, go ahead. Now, what happened after they pulled this knife?

[Ms. Montgomery]

The short one told Keith to give him the money. Said it was a holdup.

[Joe Friday]

Could you remember his exact words?

[Ms. Montgomery]

I don't know. Things he said. All right, old man, this is a stick up. Put all the money in the register in a paper bag and don't cause any trouble. This is near as I can remember. That's what he said.

[Joe Friday]

All right. What happened then?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Well, Keith told him to get out of the store. Said the two of them were too young to get mixed up in that kind of foolishness. Told him to get right out. Little fella, the short one with a knife, grabbed Keith and told him they weren't playing games. But if he knew what was good for him, he'd do like he was told. Had the knife right at his chest. Thought he was gonna cut Keith. That's when I came out of the back room, when I thought they were gonna hurt Keith.

[Joe Friday]

All right, you go on, please.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Yes. I want to get this over and tell you what you need to know so you can catch the fellas.

[Joe Friday]

All right, ma' am. What happened when you came into the store?

[Ms. Montgomery]

I tried to get the men out of the place. Told them that if they knew what was good for them, they'd leave right then.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Might as well have been talking to a wall. They didn't pay any attention to me. Yeah, that's when I tried to get to the phone. I wanted to call the police.

[Joe Friday]

What was your husband doing at this time?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Standing there, trying to keep from moving into the knife. This short little fella had it pressed right against his chest. Had the point right here. Keith made any kind of a move he'd have been stabbed. When they saw me go to the phone, the tall one grabbed me and hit me with his fist closed. Hit me about as hard as he could. As soon as he did that, Keith seemed to go crazy. Wrenched himself away from the one with the knife and jumped on the tall man. Fought him as hard as he could. Terrible, the way it happened. The tall man hit Keith along the neck with the edge of his hand and knocked my husband down. Then the little fella jumped on him. Held his knife right at his throat and told him to take the money and put it in a bag. That he didn't want any more trouble or he'd kill us both.

[Ed Vargas]

All the time he had the knife.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Right here at Keith's throat?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. Your husband did what they said?

[Ms. Montgomery]

That's right. He opened the register and gave him the money. Put it in a paper bag. I thought they'd leave after that, but they didn't. Only made it matter.

[Joe Friday]

Why was that?

[Ms. Montgomery]

You know, wasn't enough money. Only about 30 or $35. They said we had more in the back room. They wanted that too. Said for us to get it or they'd kill us.

[Joe Friday]

Well, did you get it for them?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Yes. I went back and took it out from where we hid it. Handed it right over. What did the doctor say about Keith? He must have said something.

[Joe Friday]

Frank, would you check with Dr. Sebastian, see what's going on in there? Yeah, I will. What'd you go on, please.

[Ms. Montgomery]

After they got the other money, the two men left the store. Put the cash in the paper bag and walked out. Said for me to stay still for five minutes or they'd come back and kill Keith and me.

[Joe Friday]

When did the special officer come into the store?

[Ms. Montgomery]

We didn't, ma' am. He drove up when we were arguing with the men on the sidewalk. And after they left the store, Keith got up and ran after them. Tried to hold him.

[Joe Friday]

Did the officer know what was going on?

[Ms. Montgomery]

No, not at first. He thought it was just an argument. When he walked up, Keith tried to tell him that the store was being robbed. But the tall robber said it was just a personal fight. That it didn't concern anybody else but Keith and him.

[Joe Friday]

Were you on the sidewalk at the time?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Yes, right beside Keith.

[Joe Friday]

I see.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Robert said that Keith was just an old crackpot trying to cause trouble. That the officer should forget about it. I guess it didn't sound very good to him because he said it'd be better if Keith and the men talked to a policeman. That's when the tall hold up, man grabbed the gun and shot at the officer? Yes. Grabbed the gun out of his holster and shot him in the stomach.

[Joe Friday]

What happened then?

[Ms. Montgomery]

The smaller of the two stabbed Keith a couple of times and both of them ran down the street.

[Joe Friday]

Did you see where they went?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Yes, they got into a car that was parked about a half a block away, jumped into the car and left.

[Joe Friday]

All right, Ms. Montgomery, just a couple more questions. Now, did either of the two men use a name at any time?

[Ms. Montgomery]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Well, when they were talking to each other, did they use a name of any kind? Do you remember?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Yes. When they shot the officer, the big one, he did the shooting. He said, come on, Hank, let's get out of here. Like that, he said it.

[Joe Friday]

I see. Now, is there anything outstanding about the two men that you can remember? Anything that would make them easier for us to identify?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Oh, I can't think of anything right off the. Just that one was tall and the other one was short. That's all I can think of about.

[Joe Friday]

How tall?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Do you remember the big one?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Over six feet. I'd say he was about six feet three, maybe even more.

[Joe Friday]

Did he have any special marks or scars that you can recall?

[Ms. Montgomery]

No, no, nothing like that.

[Joe Friday]

How about the short one? Anything to make it easier for us to identify him?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Just his fingernails.

[Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Ms. Montgomery]

They looked like he'd never cleaned them. Real long and dirty. I remember that.

[Joe Friday]

Was there anything else?

[Ms. Montgomery]

No.

[Joe Friday]

Did either of them speak with any kind of an accent? Would you remember?

[Ms. Montgomery]

No. Sounds just like anybody else. Nothing special about him.

[Joe Friday]

I see. Joe? Yeah, Frank? See you a minute?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Did you find out about Keith? Did you talk to the doctor?

[Joe Friday]

He'll be right in to see him if I.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Is Keith gonna be all right? Why don't you tell me what's happened?

[Joe Friday]

Try to take it easy, ma' am. The doctor will be right in.

[Ms. Montgomery]

All right, but time to hurry. Please. Please.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, we'll do that. Did you call County? Yeah, they're operating at home. How's he doing? Well, as soon as they get the bullet out, he should make it. Moon's not serious. What about Keith Montgomery? He just died. Knife wound. The story we'd gotten from Irene Montgomery was pretty much the same as Special Officer Kenneth Holman had given us. Immediately after the robbery, a local and an APB had gone out on the suspects. In canvassing the neighborhood, the investigating officers had found two eyewitnesses to the shooting stabbing, a man and a woman had been parked in an automobile directly across the street from The Montgomery store. They'd been able to give us a description of the car that the suspects had driven away from the scene, along with the last three numbers on the license plate. While Frank and I had been talking to Mrs. Montgomery, Officers Benson and Herman from robbery Detail had been going through the Department of Motor Vehicle Records looking for the owner's name. Information on the method of operation used in the crime was sent to the stats office and the run was started. The moniker file at R and I was checked for a suspect with a nickname, Hank, who matched the description of the smaller thief. The two eyewitnesses were brought into the city hall to go through the mug books for a possible identification. While Frank went to the office to check with Benson and Herman, I worked with the witnesses.

[Irene Montgomery]

Not this page.

[Joe Friday]

How about here?

[Irene Montgomery]

No, I don't see him here either. All right, now wait a minute. This fella here. See this one? Yeah. It's not the hold up man, but he's got same kind of ears close to his head like. Yeah, same kind of ears.

[Joe Friday]

You sure it's not the man though?

[Irene Montgomery]

Uh, this got ears like him.

[Joe Friday]

All right, Mr. Steele, would you go on, please?

[Irene Montgomery]

I remember those years. I used to go to school with a kid that had ears like that. Junior high school.

[Joe Friday]

That's it.

[Irene Montgomery]

Mean kid. I never forget him. He's real mean.

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[Irene Montgomery]

I thought of him for at least 15 years. Never forget him, though. Mean.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Irene Montgomery]

He waited for me after school once. Had a big fight. I don't even know what it was about. Big fight. Really beat me up. Sure like to meet him now. Be a different story.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. How about right here? Do you see any of the suspects on these pages?

[Irene Montgomery]

No, no picture in this book. You got another one?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I get it all right.

[Irene Montgomery]

Say, how. How many more got of these things anyhow?

[Joe Friday]

There's quite a few. You can see them right here on the shelf.

[Irene Montgomery]

You want me to go through all of them?

[Joe Friday]

Well, we'd like to have you check the pictures. Yes, sir.

[Irene Montgomery]

It's gonna take a while.

[Joe Friday]

You and your wife are the only two people who can give us an identification.

[Irene Montgomery]

How about the woman who was held up? What's her name? Mrs. Holman.

[Joe Friday]

No, Montgomery. Holman was the officer who was shot.

[Irene Montgomery]

Yeah, yeah. What about Mrs. Montgomery? Can't she tell you about the robbers?

[Joe Friday]

She's under the care of her doctor. Her husband died, you know.

[Irene Montgomery]

What, from being stabbed?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. That's right.

[Irene Montgomery]

That's too bad. We didn't know what it was all about, you know.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Irene Montgomery]

Me and Harry are just sitting there. All of a sudden there's this fight and a shot. We didn't know what the crakes was.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. I wonder if we can go on.

[Irene Montgomery]

With the books here. Oh, yeah?

[Joe Friday]

How about right here?

[Irene Montgomery]

No, no, not here.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Mm. Mm.

[Irene Montgomery]

Say, he's.

[Joe Friday]

He's mean.

[Irene Montgomery]

What'd he do?

[Joe Friday]

Robbery.

[Irene Montgomery]

Yeah. Yeah. You can tell. Look at the face. You can always tell.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. See?

[Irene Montgomery]

Nah, I don't see him here.

[Joe Friday]

Perry, sir.

[Irene Montgomery]

Perry Nicholson. That's the guy's name. One with the close ears. I remember it now. Haven't thought of it. Fifteen years. Perry Nicholson.

[Joe Friday]

Bully. Yes, sir.

[Irene Montgomery]

Sure like to meet old Perry now. It'd be a different story if he won the fight now. Oh, different story.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Joe. Now, hold up. Car? Yeah, they just found it abandoned. Two officers in the radio unit had found the car in a parking lot at the corner of Rosemont Avenue and Waterloo when the vehicle was discovered and the similarity to the description that had been broadcast was noticed. The car was put under surveillance and our office had been notified. Frank and I left the city hall and drove out to the parking lot immediately. Car was placed under surveillance again and we checked it through dmv. We found the car was owned by an Edwin Vargas, 1879 Moss street out in Burbank. We checked the name through R and I, but we found that he had no criminal record in our file. We drove out to see Vargas while Frank covered the rear of the place. I rang the bell of the house and waited.

[Ed Vargas]

Yeah?

[Joe Friday]

Like to see Mr. Vargas.

[Ed Vargas]

Well, he's not in right now. Anything I can do?

[Joe Friday]

You know where he is?

[Ed Vargas]

No. I imagine he got held up downtown. Probably working late.

[Joe Friday]

What if it'd be all right if I wait for him?

[Ed Vargas]

I'm not sure. You mind telling me who you are?

[Joe Friday]

Sorry. Police officer. My name's Friday.

[Ed Vargas]

What'd the cops want Ed for?

[Joe Friday]

Might be better if we talked to him.

[Ed Vargas]

You alone?

[Joe Friday]

Anybody else in the house, ma' am?

[Ed Vargas]

No.

[Joe Friday]

Your husband owned a 1953 dark blue Ford sedan Yes. Driving it tonight, is he?

[Ms. Montgomery]

Well?

[Joe Friday]

Sure.

[Ed Vargas]

He took it to work with him this morning.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Might be better if I waited inside, huh? All right.

[Ed Vargas]

Come on in. I don't know what this is all about, but you can bet it's some kind of mistake. Ed's never had no trouble with a cop. Never none.

[Joe Friday]

Where's that door lead? Over here.

[Ed Vargas]

Bedroom.

[Joe Friday]

All right if I take a look? Go ahead.

[Ed Vargas]

You ain't gonna find anything.

[Joe Friday]

Put that over there. The bathroom?

[Ed Vargas]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Just the one bedroom.

[Ed Vargas]

No need for anymore. Me and Ed don't have any children.

[Joe Friday]

Kitchen this way?

[Ed Vargas]

Yeah. Say, if you're looking for something, maybe if you'll tell me what it is, I can help you.

[Joe Friday]

Just want to check the house, ma' am. Is this all the rest of the house?

[Ed Vargas]

I told you, we don't need any more room.

[Joe Friday]

Let me see. Just unlocking your back door, ma' am. My partner's out there cry crank. See here. No, no.

[Ed Vargas]

Who is this? Another cop?

[Joe Friday]

This is my partner, Frank Smith. Ms. Vargas. Hello.

[Ed Vargas]

Seems to me you should be able to tell me what this is all about.

[Joe Friday]

Mr. Friday, can you give us a description of your husband?

[Ed Vargas]

Why?

[Joe Friday]

Might help us to get him out of trouble, maybe.

[Ed Vargas]

He's in no trouble. You got something on your back and you're trying to dump it on Ed, and it isn't going to work.

[Joe Friday]

You want to give us a description?

[Ed Vargas]

What do you want to know?

[Joe Friday]

How tall is your husband?

[Ed Vargas]

6, 3.

[Joe Friday]

How old?

[Ed Vargas]

32.

[Joe Friday]

What color is his hair?

[Ed Vargas]

Kind of sandy. Look. What is this, a third degree? What are you trying to prove with all these questions?

[Joe Friday]

You just want to get at the truth, ma' am.

[Ed Vargas]

It's a kind of hard way to do it, if you ask me.

[Joe Friday]

Well, I'm sorry for causing you any trouble.

[Ed Vargas]

You are?

[Joe Friday]

Where does your husband work?

[Ed Vargas]

He's a salesman.

[Joe Friday]

Who for, ma' am?

[Ed Vargas]

Insurance company downtown.

[Joe Friday]

Usually work this late?

[Ed Vargas]

No, I told you that.

[Joe Friday]

But you think he's at work tonight?

[Ed Vargas]

Yes.

[Joe Friday]

Well. And you wouldn't mind if we called him, would you?

[Ed Vargas]

I'm not gonna have you causing him any embarrassment.

[Joe Friday]

Don't Worry about it. Ms. Vargas. Would you like to give us the number?

[Ed Vargas]

It's in the phone book. Look under emergency numbers.

[Joe Friday]

You want to make a call? Yeah.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Look.

[Ed Vargas]

What do you think he's done?

[Joe Friday]

Police? Businessman.

[Ed Vargas]

I'm his wife. I got a right to know.

[Joe Friday]

It'll be better if we talk to him.

[Ed Vargas]

I think that's what you say.

[Joe Friday]

Your husband ever been in trouble with the police before?

[Ed Vargas]

Not that I Know of how long you lived here. You mean in California?

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Ed Vargas]

I was born here.

[Joe Friday]

How about your husband?

[Ed Vargas]

Been here a couple of years.

[Joe Friday]

Where's he from?

[Ed Vargas]

New York State.

[Joe Friday]

Where in New York State?

[Ed Vargas]

A little place right outside of Utica.

[Joe Friday]

Ever been in trouble back there? Would you know?

[Ed Vargas]

Well, if he was, he didn't say anything to me about it.

[Joe Friday]

How long has he had the job?

[Ed Vargas]

Since a week after he came out. Ed's a smart guy. He'd have no trouble getting work.

[Joe Friday]

How about it? I talked to the building superintendent. Yeah? He says Vargas left at 5:30 this afternoon. The description of the owner of the car used in the holdup coupled with his absence, made him a prime suspect in the robbery. We continued to talk to his wife. She gave us some of the background on Vargas. She told us they'd only been married a little over a year. That they were still trying to pay off the debts that her husband had incurred before their marriage. She went on to say that in the last few days he'd been depressed about their finances. And that on that morning Vargas had said he'd figured a way out for them. Frank called the office and the broadcast was gotten out asking if the man be picked up and detained for questioning. 1:15am we asked Mrs. Vargas about her husband's friends.

[Ed Vargas]

Isn't anyone Ed's real close to?

[Joe Friday]

Well, is there one man he's with more than the others would, you know, maybe somebody he works with?

[Ed Vargas]

No. Unless maybe it's Vic. Ed don't have much to do with him though. He knows I don't care for him. Don't like to have him around.

[Joe Friday]

Who's that man?

[Ed Vargas]

Vic Noble. He works in the same office as Ed.

[Joe Friday]

What's he look like?

[Ed Vargas]

Oh, not much. Little guy, kind of nondescript. Never did figure out he could be a good salesman. I'd never buy anything from him. Honestly, he makes me nervous just to have him around. Oh, excuse me.

[Joe Friday]

Yes? Go out ahead. If it's your husband, it might be better if you didn't tell him we were here.

[Ed Vargas]

All right.

[Joe Friday]

Hello?

[Ed Vargas]

Yeah, honey, where you been? What do you know? When? Uh huh. Well, did you call the police? Well, you should have called him right away. Yeah. No, I'll drive right down, pick you up. You wait right there. Uh huh. Well, right away. I try. Well, look, tell me where it is. Oh, yeah, yeah, I know. Turn left. Yeah, all right, I'll find it. You wait right there, will ya? All right. Goodbye.

[Ms. Montgomery]

Bye.

[Ed Vargas]

That was Ed.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Ed Vargas]

You're gonna have to find yourself Another boy, ma' am. Well, whatever this is, it has something to do with Ed's car, doesn't it?

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Ed Vargas]

And you're all wrong about Ed. He couldn't have had anything to do with it.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Ed Vargas]

Ed's car was stolen tonight.

[Joe Friday]

We got the address of the bar where Ed Vargas had called from. Frank and I drove down and talked to him. He told us that he'd left work and stopped in the bar for a couple of drinks before he went home. However, when he left the place, he found that his car was gone. He returned to the bar and spent the next several hours trying to figure out what to do. We talked to the bartender, and he verified Vargas's statement that he'd been in the place all evening. He was released from custody and allowed to return home. Frank and I continued to talk to the bartender.

[Irene Montgomery]

Gotta get ready to close up pretty quick.

[Joe Friday]

Just a couple more questions, Will.

[Irene Montgomery]

You mind if I clean up the back bar while we talk?

[Joe Friday]

No, sir. Go right ahead.

[Irene Montgomery]

Thanks. What do you want to know?

[Joe Friday]

You told us that Vargas came in about a quarter of six. Is that right?

[Irene Montgomery]

Near as I can remember, yeah. Give or take a couple of minutes on either side.

[Joe Friday]

But he was here before seven, for sure. You meet anybody here?

[Irene Montgomery]

How far is this gonna go?

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Irene Montgomery]

His wife gonna find out if I tell you.

[Joe Friday]

Not from us.

[Irene Montgomery]

Well, Ed and the missus haven't get along so good lately, you know? Been beefing a lot? No, Ed's a funny guy. He don't like no trouble at home. Soon as Sarah started giving him problems, he found another girl. Kid that works in his office. They usually drop in here for a couple of drinks before he goes home. Nothing serious going on with him, Just they like to sit and talk. Ed's all the time telling her how this wife doesn't understand him. Old line. But I think he means it.

[Joe Friday]

He was in here with a girl tonight, was he?

[Irene Montgomery]

Yeah, just like all week. Every night they come in about a quarter to five, sit in the back booth, have a couple of martinis, and then they leave. I think maybe Ed drops her off on the way home. She don't have a car.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Irene Montgomery]

Tonight they had more than just a couple of drinks. I think maybe there was something wrong, you know, Little problem.

[Joe Friday]

What about?

[Irene Montgomery]

Look, people come in here to relax. They all got something on their minds. I make it a practice not to eavesdrop or interfere.

[Joe Friday]

What was their problem, do you know?

[Irene Montgomery]

Sarah won't hear it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, we told you before.

[Irene Montgomery]

Yeah, wouldn't want her to come around here cause no beef. She's jealous, you know.

[Joe Friday]

Real jealous, that's how.

[Irene Montgomery]

Oh, yeah. Anyway, Ed must have told the girl that he was thinking of leaving his wife. Because tonight she told him to do something about her as she was walking out. Had a little kind of tiff, and then she left. After that, he went out to get the car and found it been stolen.

[Joe Friday]

Where'd he leave it, do you know?

[Irene Montgomery]

Lot? Behind the building.

[Joe Friday]

Did he leave the keys in the car?

[Irene Montgomery]

I don't know. You saw him when he left, carrying a big load. He don't remember. Probably did, though.

[Joe Friday]

You have anybody else in here tonight that looked like Vargas?

[Irene Montgomery]

What do you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Well, as tall as he was, maybe. A lot of tall people come in here, we understand. Were there any tonight?

[Irene Montgomery]

A couple, yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Any of them come in with a short fellow, about five, six or seven?

[Irene Montgomery]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

What time do they come in?

[Irene Montgomery]

About a little after 7.

[Joe Friday]

When they leave? I don't know.

[Irene Montgomery]

Maybe 7:30, quarter of 8. I'm not sure. There's one of the tables back there. I served them a couple of times. Didn't take much notice when they left. They paid for the drinks when I brought them. Left a half a buck tip took off.

[Joe Friday]

They come in here regular, do they?

[Irene Montgomery]

Yeah, a couple times a week, maybe more.

[Joe Friday]

They usually together?

[Irene Montgomery]

Oh, I've never seen them any other way. Except once. I'd rather not remember that time.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Irene Montgomery]

Came in here early. Spent the whole night here, boozing. Got pretty plastered. I had to take Nick home. He couldn't make it alone.

[Joe Friday]

Which one is Nick? Short one little guy. What's he do for a living?

[Irene Montgomery]

Nothing I ever heard of.

[Joe Friday]

Well, how's he live?

[Irene Montgomery]

Any way he can. Always seems to have dough. I think maybe some kind of gambler. Something like that. Always loaded. Way he looks, though, you'd think he was some kind of mechanic. But he's not, all right. Sure, he dresses nice. Always got a good suit on. But he doesn't know how to carry it off.

[Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Irene Montgomery]

Nice fingernails. I don't think he ever cleans them.

[Joe Friday]

We got complete descriptions of the two men. They match those of the thieves perfectly. The bartender closed the place and took us down the street to a hotel where he said he'd taken Nick Rocksford. We talked to the desk clerk, but we found that Roxford had moved several months before. By checking with some of the people in the hotel, we got a forwarding address for him. Was a cheap rooming house down on South Pico. Frank and I went by the city hall and ran the name through R and I. We found that Roxford had an arrest record for petty theft in adw. He'd served a term in the county jail and was at present under the jurisdiction of the court. His mug shot was pulled and taken out to the witnesses for identification. We checked with the manager of the boarding house and we found that Roxford and a Henry Larson were registered in one of the rooms in the company of the manager. We went up to the room, but the pair wasn't in. We contacted the office and told them where we were. They told us that Roxford had been positively identified as one of the hold up men. We settled down to wait for the suspects to come back. 3:30am 4, 5. 5:15am Sounds like somebody's coming.

[Irene Montgomery]

There wasn't no other way. You was there. Didn't see you doing nothing to stop it. You shot the cop. I still think so.

[Joe Friday]

All right, hold it right there.

[Irene Montgomery]

What are you doing here?

[Joe Friday]

Police officers. You're under arrest.

[Irene Montgomery]

All right, look out. Frank.

[Joe Friday]

Get up. Made it kind of rough, didn't he? Yeah, he did. All right. Come on, get up. Come on, get on your feet. Let's take him downtown. Yeah.

[Irene Montgomery]

I better check the cuffs.

[Joe Friday]

Don't want them too tight. No, you might hurt them. Huh? Two suspects were taken downtown to the interrogation room. Henry Larson was handcuffed to the chair in Robbery while Frank and I talked to Nick Rocksford.

[Irene Montgomery]

It's a bad beef, I know it. You guys are gonna find out.

[Joe Friday]

Why don't you tell us about it?

[Irene Montgomery]

Ain't gonna tie no robbery wrapped to me.

[Joe Friday]

Look, we've already done it. The witnesses gave us a positive identification on you.

[Irene Montgomery]

How could they? They never seen me.

[Joe Friday]

We got a picture of you is pretty good. You want to tell us about him?

[Irene Montgomery]

I got nothing to say. I want a lawyer. I ain't going to talk till I see a lawyer.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Irene Montgomery]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

Do you know the old man died?

[Irene Montgomery]

I don't know nothing about no old man.

[Joe Friday]

His wife says you're the one who stabbed him.

[Irene Montgomery]

She's crazy.

[Joe Friday]

He's willing to take it to court.

[Irene Montgomery]

It'll never stick.

[Joe Friday]

What do you think it will? We think we can make you for first degree.

[Irene Montgomery]

What about Hank?

[Joe Friday]

Who? Larson?

[Irene Montgomery]

Yeah. What happens to him?

[Joe Friday]

Same charge.

[Irene Montgomery]

You know it yet?

[Joe Friday]

Well, you're the first one to hear.

[Irene Montgomery]

What if I give you a hand?

[Joe Friday]

How do you mean that?

[Irene Montgomery]

Well, suppose I tell you it was Hank's idea. The whole thing go any better with Me?

[Joe Friday]

You know we don't decide that.

[Irene Montgomery]

Well, it seems like if I helped you be better with me. All right.

[Joe Friday]

You want to tell us about it?

[Irene Montgomery]

I'll make you a deal.

[Joe Friday]

No deals.

[Irene Montgomery]

Look, just promise me you won't tell Hank if I give you the real story, huh?

[Joe Friday]

All right, go ahead.

[Irene Montgomery]

Well, the whole thing was his idea right from the start. He cased the store. The whole thing was his idea.

[Joe Friday]

What about the car?

[Irene Montgomery]

Well, that was Hank's too. He spotted it. Said it'd make a good deal. You check the car, you'll find his prints all over it.

[Joe Friday]

What happened after that at the store?

[Irene Montgomery]

Well, it was Hank again. I didn't want no part of it. Hank made me. Said if I backed out, he'd get me. He's a big man. He gets mean when he's crossed. I wasn't about to give him no trouble.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Irene Montgomery]

Well, we got to the place and he made me go in. He made me take a piece of the action.

[Joe Friday]

Now, wait a minute. Let's back up here and get this straight. You trying to tell me all the time you wanted no part of it?

[Irene Montgomery]

No, you gotta believe it.

[Joe Friday]

The way we got it, you were having a time with a knife.

[Irene Montgomery]

Well, I got scared, that's all. I got scared. I didn't know what I was doing.

[Joe Friday]

Sure you did.

[Irene Montgomery]

Look, you gotta believe me. I'm telling the truth. It was all Hank's idea. The whole thing. I want no part of it.

[Joe Friday]

Never did. All right, just. Just keep your voice down, will you?

[Irene Montgomery]

I told you. Now you know about the whole thing. You won't tell Hank, will you?

[Joe Friday]

What difference does it make?

[Irene Montgomery]

He finds out I told you, he'll kill me.

[Joe Friday]

Remember I asked you before, huh? What difference does it make? Henry Taylor Larson and Nicholas John Roxford were tried and convicted of murder in the first degree. On recommendation of the jury, they received.

[Irene Montgomery]

Maximum sentence and were executed in the.

[Joe Friday]

Lethal gas chamber at the State Penitentiary, San Quentin, California. Dragnet is a presentation of the United.

[Irene Montgomery]

States Armed Forces Radio Service.