Dragnet: The Big Hat 02/15/1955

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Hat (02/15/1955)
Air Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Choice Classic Radio

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Episode Overview

In this episode of Dragnet, detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith are assigned to a high-profile robbery case involving the theft of unset diamonds valued at $80,000 from a Los Angeles diamond merchant. What begins as a straightforward investigation into a bold daylight heist soon spirals into a tangled web of personal relationships, mistaken loyalties, and tragic consequences. The story encapsulates the classic Dragnet style—methodical police work, lean dialogue, and dry LA wit—while exploring the toll crime can take not only on its victims, but also on those peripherally involved.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. The Robbery at George Mars’ Office

• [02:00-04:00]
  • Detectives Friday and Smith receive a "hotshot" call about a diamond heist at Mr. George Mars’ office on Hope Street.
  • Victim describes the perpetrator as a calm, well-dressed man interested in unset diamonds for a supposed business in Sacramento.
  • Quote:
    • Mars: "I tell you, officer, there wasn't anything about him that'd make the person think he was a holdup man. Nothing." (03:58)

2. Witness Testimonies & Description of the Suspect

• [04:50-08:57]
  • Mars struggles to remember physical details but notes the man had manicured hands with polished nails—an unusual touch.
    • Quote:
      • Mars: "His fingernails were manicured...real clean. And with some kind of polish on them." (06:20)
  • Eyewitness Stanley Markin provides a more thorough description: late 20s/early 30s, about six feet, in a dark gray suit, "new Homburg" hat rakishly tipped, and a blue tie.
    • Quote:
      • Markin: "Had a gray suit on. Dark gray. Little red pattern...new Humber, dark. Had it kind down over one eye. Looked real rakish. Like a spy." (08:22, 08:45)

3. Physical Evidence: The Big Hat

• [09:32-10:41]
  • Markin notes the suspect dropped his hat while fleeing; initials "T.R." are found inside, along with the label of a Las Vegas men's store—a potential major lead.

4. Tracing the Suspect’s Escape

• [11:28-12:10]
  • The cab driver who picked up the suspect recalls dropping him at the Toddle Inn Bar and mentions the suspect was interested in airline schedules, suggesting an attempt to flee town.
    • Quote:
      • Cab Driver: "He wanted to know where he could get an airline schedule...Said he was anxious to get out of town." (12:02)

5. The Bar Connection and Romantic Complications

• [12:24-14:24]
  • At the Toddle Inn Bar, the staff reveals the suspect, "Tom," is a regular with connections to waitress Alice Kolbar, who is married but romantically involved with Tom.
  • The bartender is initially wary, concerned for Alice’s reputation because of her infidelity.
    • Quote:
      • Bartender: "She’d be in real trouble if it got out she was seeing Tom. I don’t think her husband would go for it." (15:04)

6. Violence at Alice Kolbar’s Apartment

• [15:15-18:58]
  • Detectives find Alice severely beaten; she is taken to the hospital in critical condition.
  • Husband Irvin Kolbar confesses to hitting her during a fight over her affair with Tom, expressing regret but no knowledge of the robbery.
    • Quote:
      • Irvin Kolbar: "Alice was asleep...I told her I knew all about her and Tom...She wasn’t sorry. Told me how her and Tom were in love and she wanted a divorce...I guess that’s when I hit her." (17:54-18:15)

7. Identification & Arrest of the Suspect

• [20:45-23:13]
  • Hat traced to Las Vegas store; clerk recalls selling it to Thomas Rourke.
  • Rourke is positively identified by both Mars and Markin from mug shots.
  • Police, with Covina PD's help, arrest Rourke at his sister’s home, where the diamonds are recovered. Rourke initially denies involvement but confesses when confronted with the evidence.
    • Quote:
      • Detective Friday: "We got one [hat] that'll fit you." (23:13)
      • Rourke: "Too bad about Alice...She didn’t mean a thing to me. You ought to believe it." (24:04-24:37)

8. Aftermath and Resolution

• [24:04-25:06]
  • Rourke’s confession reveals a callous attitude toward Alice, whose affection meant little to him.
  • The episode ends with both Rourke and Irvin Kolbar convicted—Rourke for robbery, Kolbar for murder, as Alice dies from her injuries.
    • Memorable Closing:
      • Narrator: "The names were changed to protect the innocent." (25:00)
      • "Thomas Emery Rourke was tried and convicted of robbery in the first degree...Urban Franklin Kolbar was tried and convicted of murder in the second degree..." (25:06)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• "His fingernails were manicured...real clean. And with some kind of polish on them. You know what I mean?"
  — George Mars, describing the unusual detail of the robber ([06:20])

• "Seen one, seen them all."
  — Stanley Markin, (with dry Dragnet wit) on identifying criminals ([08:05])

• "When he bumped into me upstairs, he dropped his hat. Blew right off his head. Guy didn’t stop to pick it up. I got it. It’s a good one. Got his name."
  — Stanley Markin, revealing the crucial clue ([10:24])

• "Too bad about Alice... She didn’t mean a thing to me. Nothing at all. I wouldn’t have married her in a bet, tell you that for true."
  — Thomas Rourke, coldly dismissing his lover's affections after her death ([24:04-24:37])

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Timeline of Key Segments

• [02:00] Crime introduced; diamond merchant robbed.
• [03:58-06:27] Victim gives initial account and description (noting manicured nails).
• [07:31-10:41] Eyewitness encounter; the suspect drops his hat, which provides key evidence.
• [11:28-12:10] Cab driver leads police to the Toddle Inn Bar.
• [13:00-15:15] The link to Alice Kolbar is revealed.
• [15:15-18:58] Assault on Alice Kolbar and her husband's confession.
• [20:45-23:13] Hat traced to Thomas Rourke; arrest and confession follow.
• [24:04-25:00] Conclusion; fate of Rourke and Kolbar.

---

Tone and Style

The episode is paced methodically, driven by clipped, matter-of-fact dialogue that typifies Dragnet’s no-nonsense police procedural style. The humor is dry and often understated, with much of the tension arising from the personal and emotional fallout of the crime. The detectives remain professional, persistent, and stoic throughout, channeling compassion toward the collateral victims—but their pursuit of justice is relentless and systematic.

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Final Notes

"Dragnet: The Big Hat" not only follows a classic detective story arc of clue gathering and suspect pursuit, but also underscores the human cost of crime, weaving a subplot of jealousy and unintended tragedy. Anchored by strong character sketches and memorable, economical dialogue, this episode is a vintage showcase of golden-age radio storytelling at its most compelling.

Transcript

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[Detective Joe Friday]

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].

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Dragnet.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Ladies and gentlemen.

[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true.

[Detective Joe Friday]

The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail. You get a call that a well dressed man has held up a diamond merchant. He's escaped into the crowded streets of your city. Your job.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Get him.

[Narrator]

Dragnet the documented drama 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 Police force in action.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Was Tuesday, February 8th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of robbery detail. My partner's Frank Smith, the boss of Chief of Detective Stad Brown. My name's Frank. I was on my way back from communications and it was 12:10pm when I got to room 27. A robbery. Did you get the wire off to Ahern? Yeah. I should have an answer this afternoon. If he doesn't come in, we better call him. Yeah. Want to get something to eat? Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

It's about that time.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Where do you want to go? Well, how about the steak out? Good. I could use a couple enchiladas. Get your hat. You want to tag the skipper before we leave? No, he's not in. I saw him go out with Chief Brown. We can talk to him when we get back, huh?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Let's go. That's a hot one. I'll get it.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

S. Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Diamond merchant. Just hit for a load of unset diamonds.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Big score.

[Detective Joe Friday]

It'll buy A group of enchiladas, huh? $80,000 worth. Frank and I left the city hall and drove over to the address we'd gotten on the hotshot phone. It was a large office building on Hope Street. From the lobby register, we found that the victim of Mr. George Mars occupied suite 318. We checked with the uniformed officers who answered the call. Then we went upstairs to talk with Mars.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I tell you, officer, there wasn't anything about him that'd make the person think he was a hold of me. Mm, nothing.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You wanna tell us exactly what happened?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Well, sure. There's not much to talk about. I was sitting here looking at the papers, checking sales.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Dollar day. Oh, I figured maybe I could get a good buy on some suits. I've been needing them. Figured maybe I could pick up a couple on sale. Not for a dollar, you know, but on sale?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Go ahead. I'm just sitting here reading the paper and all of a sudden the door opens. In comes this fellow.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Nice looking.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sure.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

No reason to think there was anything wrong.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Told me he wanted to see some diamonds on set.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You say why he wanted to see them?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah. Something about opening a store up in the Valley, someplace around Sacramento.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

It felt kind of good, you know, to think a man had come all the way down here to look at stones. I've got.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You say why he did that?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

No, I didn't ask. Lots of times that happens. Been in business quite a while. Word gets around. Anyway, the man said he wants to see some Stones. I went back to the safe to get him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Picked up several trays and brought them out here. When I took another look, he was sitting right there.

[Detective Joe Friday]

There.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Holding the gun. Just as calm as can be. Pointing the old gun right at me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did he say anything to you?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Told me to put the diamonds on the collar, not to make any noise. Said if I played it smart, I wouldn't get hurt.

[Detective Joe Friday]

No.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I wish you could have seen this fella, just as calm as could be. Reached in his pocket, took out a pair of gloves, put them on. Then he scooped all the diamonds into a little bag he was carrying and told me to get into the back room.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Made me lay down on the floor. And then he locked the door. Told me not to make any noise. Said to count to 100 by once.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Before I tried to yell.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

After he locked the door, I heard him leave the office. I started counting.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, Mr. Myers. Can you give us a description of the man?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Outside of the fact he had the gun, I can't tell you anything about him. I've been trying to pull a picture out of my head, but there just isn't anything.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, maybe we can help you.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Go ahead. I don't think it'll do any good.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I must start with his age. How old was he? I don't know.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Medium, I guess. 30, 35?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Older? Younger? I don't know. How tall was he?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Oh, I guess you'd say it was.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I don't know. Well, when you looked at him, did he seem to be larger or smaller than yourself?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

About the same.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, then he'd be about, what, 5, 10, 11?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I guess so. I don't remember.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What about his face? Can you tell us anything about that? Nope. Do you have a mustache?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Might have.

[Detective Joe Friday]

But you aren't sure? No. Wear glasses?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I don't remember.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, now, think real carefully. Is there anything at all that you can remember about him?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah, but it's kind of silly.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, what is it?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

When I came back with the diamonds and he was holding the gun, I noticed his hands.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

His fingernails were manicured.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah, real clean. And with some kind of polish on them. You know what I mean?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, I think so.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Like that?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm. I'll check with the fellows outside, Joe. Maybe they came up with something. Okay.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Mr. Smith?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I'm sure sorry about this, not being able to help more.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, don't Worry about it, Mr. Morris.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I'm sure sorry.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I'll be right back, Joe. All right.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

You have a cigarette, Mr. Friday?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. There you go. Thanks. Here's the light.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I got it. This kind of thing happen to you often?

[Detective Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Oh, where somebody's robbed and can't remember what the hold up man looked like.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Once in a while.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

What do you do about it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Try to find another way.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

You usually find one most of the time. John.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. See you, man. Yeah. What do you got? Well, I checked with the men in the radio unit. I got a guy downstairs, we'd better talk to him. Suspect? No, eyewitness. Frank and I went down to the lobby of the building and we met with the uniformed officers who'd answered the call. They introduced us to Stanley Markin Marin said he'd seen the holdup man and I did.

[Stanley Markin]

Saw him plain as anything.

[Detective Joe Friday]

When was that, sir?

[Stanley Markin]

Yeah, right after he held up old Mars.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Where'd you see him, Paul?

[Stanley Markin]

Right outside the office, right in front of the door. Practically on the way to my place. And this man come out of Mars roaring.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Stanley Markin]

Throw open the door and bam, right into me. Like to knock me down. Really roaring. And this little black leash. You know about this beautiful.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah? Oh yeah.

[Stanley Markin]

Had a death grip on it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, did you get a good look at the man?

[Stanley Markin]

Closer than I am.

[Detective Joe Friday]

To you?

[Stanley Markin]

I did to me. Thought sure I was going to end up on the floor.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. Can you give us a description? Sure.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

What do you want to know? What do you look like?

[Stanley Markin]

Nothing special. Just a run of the mill crook. Seen one, seen them all.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Okay. How old was he?

[Stanley Markin]

Oh, guess about 28, maybe 30.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Around in there.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How tall? Like you be, about six feet. Well, that's what you are. Yes. They're pretty close. Yeah. How was he, Bill?

[Stanley Markin]

Medium. Didn't seem to have a lot of beef. Just average.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How was he dressed?

[Stanley Markin]

Had a gray suit on. Dark gray. Little red pattern going through it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Single or double breasted?

[Stanley Markin]

Single.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What color shirt? White.

[Stanley Markin]

Blue tie. One of them new ones, you know, little thin kind, you know, little bitty knot. Had one of them bar things through the collar, holes in, you know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Stanley Markin]

Square ends.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

What's that on the bar?

[Stanley Markin]

Square ends. Not round like most of them. Square.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Was he wearing a hat?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah.

[Stanley Markin]

New Humber, dark. Had it kind down over one eye. Looked real rakish. Like a spy.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm. Was he clean shaven? Yeah.

[Stanley Markin]

How do you mean?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you have a mustache?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

No, didn't.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Was he wearing glasses? Not that I saw.

[Stanley Markin]

Might have had them, but he wasn't wearing them.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did he say anything to you?

[Stanley Markin]

Not a peep. He just wham. And then he took off. Made me real mad. Guy almost knocks you down then. Doesn't even say he's sorry he took off. And when I thought about it, I went after him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you see if he was carrying a gun?

[Stanley Markin]

I just told you, I went after him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Stanley Markin]

I'm not a coward, but I ain't no fool either. I'd have seen a gun and I wouldn't have gone near it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Stanley Markin]

Guy didn't even wait for the elevators. Just run off the stairs. Fire exit, you know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Stanley Markin]

Down three stories, all the way by stairs. Terry had almost got me, but I was so sore about being run into. And then. No apology, just nothing. I went after him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Stanley Markin]

He got to the lobby and he went out on the street. Thought I had him. Sure there. Place was all crowded a dollar day, you know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, we know.

[Stanley Markin]

Didn't think he'd be able to run far with all them people. He didn't.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Stanley Markin]

He didn't run very far, Only to the curb. And he jumped in a taxi?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Stanley Markin]

Cab took off. I tried to get there before it left, but didn't make it. Too many crowds. I got the number of the cab he took. Got it written down in my office.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Can we go up and get it? Sure.

[Stanley Markin]

Scientifics come out yet?

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Stanley Markin]

Scientifics. You know, fingerprints and all. They come yet?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, not yet.

[Stanley Markin]

Well, they get here and it'll be too doo doo to him. Them guys and their machines. Just a matter of dropping a few cards in some gadget and ping. There's the name.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Well, it'll be a little more than that.

[Stanley Markin]

Yeah, that's what you think. Soon as the Scientifics get here, have them come and see me first thing.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You bet.

[Stanley Markin]

Give him something to really work on.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Stanley Markin]

Yeah, good start on who the fella is.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Stanley Markin]

When he bumped into the upstairs, he dropped his hat. Blew right off his head. Guy didn't stop to pick it up. I got it. It's a good one. Got his name.

[Detective Joe Friday]

12:32Pm the crew from the crime lab arrived and started their investigation of the office where the robbery had taken place. Frank and I got the description of the thief out and then we started to check on the cab number. The suspect's hat was turned over to the crime lab. When Frank and I looked at it, we found the initials TR on the inner band and the name of a men's store in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lt. Lee Jones said they'd run a check on it for us. The stats office started to run on the MO and the Description? Both the victim and Stanley Markin were taken to the City hall to look through the mug books for a possible identification. At 1:26pm we obtained the name of the cab driver who picked up the suspect. The company told us that his regular stand was the corner of 6th and Broadway. When we got there, the driver was out on the call. We waited until 2:14pm when he returned. Yeah, I remember him.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Pick him up in front of the Jerus Building?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right. Now, can you tell us where you took him? Not right off.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

It should be on the way.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Bill, though, would you check for us?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Sure. Just a minute.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I'll get it. A nice break if he's got it. Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah, here it is. I picked him up at 1206 and dropped him at the Toddle Inn Bar over on Fig.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did he go in the place?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah. I was making out the log. I saw him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

He say anything to you on the way over?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

No, nothing special. Seemed kind of nervous. Kept looking back. I figured there was something wrong. But you got so many crackpots in this business, you can't take time to.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Worry about all of them. So what'd he do? Feel a little better if we talk to him about that?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah, sure. Oh, one thing he said might help you out.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Well, he wanted to know where he could get an airline schedule.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Said he was anxious to get out of town.

[Detective Joe Friday]

The cab driver verified the description of the suspect. We put in a call to the airport detail and gave them the suspect's description. The bus depots and railroad terminals were also alerted. 2:47pm we drove over to the Toddle Inn Bar.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Hi. What'll it be?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Police officers want to ask you a couple questions.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Nothing wrong, is there?

[Detective Joe Friday]

I'd like you to tell us.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Look around. You won't find nothing out of line. It's a clean place.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Who's been in here this morning? Huh? How many people have been here? Just a couple.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

It's kind of slow. Why?

[Detective Joe Friday]

We're looking for a man about 28 or 36ft tall, medium build, wearing a dark gray suit. The way we got it, he was here about 12:15, 12:30 today? That's right.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

What's he done?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Was he here?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I don't want any trouble.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You're saying it the wrong way. Now, was the man in here?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Who is he? I don't know. You want us to buy that?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

It's the way it is. If you don't like the color, shove off.

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, you don't mean that, do you?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Look, cop, the door was open when you came in. No lock. Same way when he was here. Came in, had a drink.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's it.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

You try to build anymore, you're gonna find out you lost the paddle.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Get your coat. Huh? You heard me. Move. What are you gonna do?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Take me downtown.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's it. Gotta get somebody.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Watch your place.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We'll wait.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Look, it doesn't seem very fair.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How do you mean that?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I didn't have part of the action.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, why don't you tell us?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

The guy came in, he ordered bourbon and milk. He sat there and drank it, had a couple more and left. Doesn't mean anything to me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

And why you stand in front of him?

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I don't know.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

The place is clean. I like to keep it that way.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Who is he?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Look, I tell you true, I can't pull up a name.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well now, suppose you try.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Tom something.

[Detective Joe Friday]

See you in here often.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

A couple times a week. What's the attraction? Look, why don't you tell me what it's all about. Maybe we can make a deal.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We don't need you on our side. Why does he come in?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

See Alex.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Who's she? Waitress. What's her last name? Colbar. She go with this fella?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I don't know if it's serious. They've been out a couple of times. Dinner and a show.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Where do we find her?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I guess she's home. She don't come to work till 4:30.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You got her address? It's in the book. Get it?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

No other way.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Get it. Okay. Does Tom make a phone call while he was here? No. What did he have to say to you?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

He told me he just wound up a deal. He did pretty good on it. I said he was going home.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You live in town?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Not regular. He's from, I don't know, Nevada, I think.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You say where?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Well, he mentioned some small town. A Boulder city, I think. It's not a street or anything. There.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You want to get the girl's address?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah.

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[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I hope you understand about the poor.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Why I wouldn't go with you from the front.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Tell us. Well, it's Alice Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

She'd be in real trouble if it got out she was seeing Tom. Why? I don't think her husband would go for it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We called the name and description of the waitress into R and I, but we found there was no record on her. Frank and I left the bar and went over to her home. It was a rundown apartment building on Court Street. We checked with a manager, and she told us that the girl's husband left about 9:30 that morning. She went on to say that Alice Kolbar seldom left the place before 3:30 and that as far as she knew, she was still at home. Frank and I went up to talk to her. Probably asleep, huh? Mm. Ms. Kohlbar. The door open? Yeah. Got your flashlight? Yeah. Here. Ms. Colbar. Throw the light over there, Frank. In the corner, near the bed. I'll call an ambulance. Yeah. Tell her to step on it. How'd she look? Like she's dead. In the appearance of the room, there had been a fight. Furniture was overturned. Lamps were broken. Several bottles had apparently been smashed against the walls. The body of Alice Kolbar was lying on the floor near the bed. Her face was buried in the pillows. If she'd used it to ward off additional blows from her attacker. An ambulance crew arrived, and she was moved to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital for treatment. A thorough search of the room failed to turn up anything to lead to the identity of the person who'd beaten her. We talked to the landlady again, and we found that Irvin Kovar, the victim's husband, was employed at a golf driving range out in the Valley. We checked the name and description through the record section. We found that he had one arrest for drunk driving. He'd been fined and placed on probation. 4:26pm Frank and I drove out to talk to him.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I know you'd be here. Is that right?

[Detective Joe Friday]

How's that? Pretty rough. I don't know.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Just all of a sudden it was a beef and I hit her.

[Narrator]

With what?

[Detective Joe Friday]

My hands. What started the argument? Tom. Who's he?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Friend of Alice's.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You know his last name? No.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I never even met him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. Tell us about it, will you?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

What do you don't know already?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Everybody else does. Go ahead.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Been going together for a couple of months. Alice works at a bar. Tom came in all the time. I guess it got pretty serious.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I went by the place last night. Gonna pick her up after work.

[Detective Joe Friday]

She's gone.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Bartender there told me she left with his fellow Tom. I got pretty sore. You can figure what it's like Finding your wife's running around with another man.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I had a couple of drinks. Trying to think what to do. Right then I wanted to kill both of them. A couple of guys in the bar tried to calm me down. I guess I got pretty loaded. One of them took me to his place. I spent the night there. Woke up this morning, went home. You gotta believe me, I wasn't real sore anymore. Mad? Yeah. But not says I was gonna do anything.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Alice was asleep when I got there. I woke her up, Told her I knew all about her and Tom.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Kind of thought she'd be sorry, you know? Say she was wrong. Something like that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

She wasn't. Told me how her and Tom were in love and that she wanted a divorce so they could get married. Tried to talk to her, tell her.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How I loved her. Didn't do any good.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

She said we were all through. For me to pack my things and get out of the. I guess that's when I hit her.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I don't know.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

All of a sudden I wanted to smash her.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's all there is. You ever met this Tom?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

No.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How about the other guys in the bar? They know him to talk to?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I think that's about it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Any idea where he lives? No.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Tried to find out last night. None of the people around the place found out I'd killed him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. You better get your coat. Yeah. What are they going to do to me? That's not up to us.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I didn't kill her, though, huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

She's still in the critical condition.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Guess it doesn't make a difference anyway. We only been married a couple of years.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Won't be much without her.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Never figured it'd end up like this.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Really loved her.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Done anything in the world to make her happy. How do you answer it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that? Why she did it. I wouldn't know.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I asked her. She wouldn't tell me. Just said it was over. She wouldn't give me one reason.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, come on.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Let's go. Can I see her?

[Detective Joe Friday]

We'll check on it.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I want to ask her. Find out why. Maybe she'll tell me now.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, she can hear you. Irvin Kolbar was taken to the main jail and booked in on charges of suspicion of violation of section 245pc, assault with a deadly weapon. We put in a call to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital and we found that the Kohlbar woman had been removed to the county hospital. She was still unconscious. We made arrangements to be called in the event she was able to be questioned. 6:45pm we talked to Lt. Lee Jones. He told us that the lab had been unable to come up with any useful information at the scene of the crime. He said that they'd identified the manufacturer of the hat that the suspect had worn and they gave us their local address. He went on to say, however, that hairs found in the lining of the hat would act as corroborative evidence if the suspect were apprehended. We put in a call to the hat company, but we found that their offices were closed. We contacted the Las Vegas Police Department and asked them to check on the store who sold the garment. We gave them a complete description of the suspect and the initials T.R. with the possible first name of Tom. They said they'd call back the next morning with whatever information they could obtain. Wednesday, February 9th. We got word from County Hospital that Mrs. Alice Colbar had died in her sleep without regaining consciousness. The case was turned over to Homicide officers for completion. Additional teams of men were sent out to the bar where she was employed in an effort to find some trace of the missing suspect. 11:15am. A. Smith. Yeah. Yeah, I'm the one to talk to.

[Narrator]

You.

[Detective Joe Friday]

And what they say. Yeah. How many? It looks pretty good, huh?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

What about a record?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, okay. 1864. 54. Right now. I got it. Yeah, we'll let you know.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Thanks for the help.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Bye.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Las Vegas. What do you got?

[Detective Joe Friday]

I checked with a clothing store where the hat was bought. It's a new model, only been out a couple of months. Remember the guy who bought it? Yeah. Description didn't mean anything, but the initials did. Clerk said the hat was bought by Thomas Rourke. Vegas. Got anything on him?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah, a couple of arrests for robbery.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Do any big time? No, the cases wouldn't hold. They know where he is? You got an idea? Yeah, he's supposed to live out in Kavina. Frank and I checked the name Thomas Rourke through R and I and we found one assault arrest on a man answering his description. The mug shots were pulled and shown to the robbery victim and the witness. Both of them gave us positive identifications. We contacted the Covina Police Department and told them what had happened. They assured us a complete cooperation. Along with Officers J.J. o' Donnell and Sergeant Jim Austin. Frank and I left the office to take the suspect into custody. We met with officers from the Covina PD and we drove to 1854 Eldred Avenue. It was a small redwood house set well back on the lot. In the driveway was a late model Plymouth coupe. From the street, there was no sign of life. The Shades were drawn and the front porch was covered with advertising newspapers. While o' Donnell and Austin covered the rear of the house, Frank and I went up the front door. You all set? Yeah. No one here. All right, take that side. Right. Nothing out back.

[Narrator]

How you doing?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Wait a minute. Closet. I give up.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Don't you one of it.

[Stanley Markin]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I'll do like you say.

[Narrator]

No trouble.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Sir, Please, no trouble.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Keep those hands where I can see them.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Just like you say. Now turn around. Hands on the wall, quick. Yes, sir. Come on, move.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

You won't find anything. Haven't done anything wrong. You got the wrong man.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I'm telling you the truth, sir. I wouldn't lie.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, come on, let's go. Yes, sir. I get a coat.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Point it out in the closet.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Great one.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I'll get it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's this all about, sir? You don't need a picture.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I'm afraid I do. I don't know why you're doing this.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's your car in the driveway? Yes, sir. You live here alone?

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

No, sir. Does my sister's house.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Where's she working? Sir. Here.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Stick it on.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Let's go.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Can I get a hat? Don't bother, huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

We got one that'll fit you. The suspect was taken to the city hall in question for an hour. He maintained that he didn't know anything about the diamond robbery. While Frank and I were talking to him, the other officers were making a thorough search of his sister's house and her grounds. 3:15pm we got word that the diamonds had been found in the backyard of the place. When he was confronted with this information, the suspect made a full confession. 6:08pm he just finished giving us a statement. All right. This is a true statement, is it? Yes. You make it without promise of reward or immunity. There's been no force exerted on you. You give this statement of your own free will, right? Yeah. All right, here. Pay him. Sign all copies.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Too bad about Alice.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Nice kid. Got too serious, though.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is that so? Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

I talked all the time about how she was gonna leave her husband. How we were gonna get married.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sign all copies. Fellow, you missed one here. Get this one here.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

She knew I was going back to Nevada. Wanted me to take.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm. Silly. Yeah.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Nothing between us. Little flirtation, you know, something to kill time. She didn't mean anything to me. Nothing at all.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Don't give me that pen.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

Yeah. I wouldn't have married her in a bet, tell you that for true. She didn't mean a thing to me. You ought to believe it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Look, fella, you don't have to convince us, huh? We'll let you talk to her husband. Ladies and gentlemen, the story you have just heard is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator]

On June 9, trial was held in Department 98, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. Thomas Emery Rourke was tried and convicted of robbery in the first degree and received sentence as prescribed by law. Robbery in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of not less than five years. Urban Franklin Kolbar was tried and convicted of murder in the second degree and was sentenced to the state penitentiary for a period of from five years to life.

[Various Characters (Witnesses, Suspects, Officers)]

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

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[Detective Joe Friday]

7.

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