Dragnet: The Big Little Jesus 12/22/1953

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet: The Big Little Jesus

Release Date: January 14, 2025
Original Air Date: December 22, 1953
Host/Author: Choice Classic Radio

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of "Dragnet," titled "The Big Little Jesus," listeners are plunged into a quintessential detective story set against the backdrop of a Los Angeles Christmas. Hosted by Joe Friday and his trusty partner Frank Smith, this episode masterfully blends elements of mystery, faith, and the spirit of the holiday season to deliver a narrative that is both engaging and heartwarming.

The Theft Reported

The episode kicks off on a chilly Wednesday morning, December 24th, at the burglary division where Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, are stationed. Upon returning from a brief errand to purchase stamps for Christmas cards, Joe is greeted by Frank carrying a stack of holiday boxes.

Frank Smith (02:56): "Hi, Joe."

As the detectives settle in, they are informed of a pressing case: an important piece of religious art, specifically a plaster statue of the child Jesus from the Old Mission Plaza Church, has been stolen. This church, established in 1781, holds significant sentimental value for the community, making the theft both a legal and moral affront.

Investigation Begins

Joe and Frank immediately set out to the scene of the crime. The Old Mission Plaza Church, known for its early Spanish architecture and vibrant community, is described in vivid detail, emphasizing its historical and emotional importance to the parishioners.

Narrator (02:28): "It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of burglary division."

Upon arrival, they meet Father Xavier Rojas, who provides insight into the stolen statue. The crib, a $70 duplication of the Nativity scene, holds not just artistic value but deep emotional resonance for the parishioners, many of whom have personal connections to the church.

Father Rojas (08:25): "Only a few dollars. We could get a new one, but it wouldn't be the same."

Interviews and Suspects

The investigation leads Joe and Frank to interrogate two altar boys, James Corneen and Joseph Heffernan, as potential suspects. However, their inquiries yield little evidence, pushing the detectives to broaden their search.

Their attention then shifts to local pawn shops, a logical avenue for stolen goods to resurface. Their efforts lead them to Mr. Flavin, the owner of a religious store near the church.

Joe Friday (12:00): "We're checking the stores around the mission church."

During their visit, Mr. Flavin dismisses the likelihood of finding the statue, suggesting that a thief of this nature might frequent places like his store. Frustrated but undeterred, Joe and Frank continue their pursuit, ultimately identifying Claude Stroop as a person of interest based on his suspicious behavior around the time of the theft.

Turning Point

The detectives trace Stroop to the Golden Dream Hotel, a modest establishment catering primarily to elderly patrons. Their interaction with the hotel clerk reveals that Stroop has a history of minor troubles but nothing that directly ties him to the theft.

Claude Stroop (22:34): "I'd like to go. You can bet on that."

Despite their suspicions, Stroop maintains his innocence, leading Joe and Frank to their initial dead end. However, their persistence pays off when a young boy named Paquito Mendoza returns the missing statue, explaining that his heartfelt prayers for a red wagon led to the miraculous return of the child Jesus statue.

Father Rojas (26:16): "He didn't find it. He took it."

Conclusion

In a poignant resolution, Father Rojas and the young boy restore the statue to its rightful place in the Nativity scene. The community's faith and the boy's innocent prayers underscore the episode's themes of belief, redemption, and the true spirit of Christmas.

Father Rojas (26:43): "He promises that if he got the wagon, the child Jesus would have the first ride in it."

The episode wraps up with Joe and Frank reflecting on the case, highlighting the often-overlooked miracles that occur amidst the mundane realities of police work.

Notable Quotes

• Frank Smith (02:57): "Christmas cards, huh? Little late, aren't you?"
• Father Rojas (08:25): "Only a few dollars. We could get a new one, but it wouldn't be the same."
• Claude Stroop (22:34): "I'd like to go. You can bet on that."
• Father Rojas (26:43): "He promises that if he got the wagon, the child Jesus would have the first ride in it."

Insights and Themes

"The Big Little Jesus" delves deep into the intersection of faith and duty. While Joe Friday and Frank Smith approach the case with their characteristic professionalism, the narrative also emphasizes the power of belief and the innocence of youth. The miraculous return of the statue serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of Christmas and the unseen forces that guide everyday lives.

Conclusion

This episode of Dragnet stands out not only for its intricate detective work but also for its heartfelt portrayal of community and faith. Through meticulous investigation and unexpected divine intervention, Joe and Frank restore not just a stolen statue but also the hope and faith of a deserving congregation. "The Big Little Jesus" is a timeless reminder of the miracles that can occur even in the most ordinary circumstances.

Transcript

[Joe Friday]

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[Frank Smith]

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].

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true.

[Commercial Announcer]

Dragnet is brought to you by Chesterfield. Made by Liggett and Myers, first major tobacco company to give you a complete line of quality cigarettes.

[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to burglary division. You get a call that an important piece of religious art has been stolen from the oldest church in Los Angeles. There's no lead to its whereabouts. Your job, find it. To sell a product, you have to make it good and keep it good. What do the latest reports show about Chesterfield? Well, our research laboratory has compared it with the leading cigarettes in the country. Chesterfield is highest in quality, low in nicotine. Another good reason why thousands of people are changing to Chesterfield every day. Smoke America's most popular two way cigarette, regular or king size. You'll find Chesterfield really mild, really satisfying. Best for you.

[Commercial Announcer]

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, from official police files, from beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

It was Wednesday, December 24th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of burglary division. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Bernard. My name's Friday. I'd gone across the street to buy stamps for some Christmas cards I was sending out. It was 9:15am when I got back to room 45, burglary. I sat down at a table in the squadroom and I started to address the cards when Frank walked in carrying a stack of Christmas boxes.

[Frank Smith]

Hi, Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Hi.

[Frank Smith]

Christmas cards, huh? Little late, aren't you?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I was gonna send them out Monday, but we had that steak out.

[Frank Smith]

You ought to get married, Joe. Yeah, it's the only system. Faye does all this stuff for me. Laundry, mails, cards.

[Joe Friday]

Only system might help.

[Frank Smith]

You got a big stack there.

[Joe Friday]

Oughta Cut down the list. Look at this here. Upholstery shop. Yeah, they send me a card every year. I never get anything upholstered.

[Frank Smith]

Faye and I ought to go over our list, cut off a few names. I brought in your present. Wanna open it now?

[Joe Friday]

No, I'll wait.

[Frank Smith]

I always opened a couple the day before.

[Joe Friday]

Why?

[Frank Smith]

Well, put you in the spirit ahead of time. I opened Phil's this morning.

[Joe Friday]

Who's he?

[Frank Smith]

Faye's brother in Denver. Gave me a magazine. One of those funny ones.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean, a comic book?

[Frank Smith]

No, one of those funny ones. You know.

[Joe Friday]

No, I don't, Frank.

[Frank Smith]

Well, some of the pages have holes in them. You look through and there's a picture on the next page.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah, I've seen those on the newsstand.

[Frank Smith]

They have cloth pasted in.

[Joe Friday]

Cloth?

[Frank Smith]

In the ads. If you want to buy a suit, they have a sample right there.

[Joe Friday]

You mean you can feel it?

[Frank Smith]

Reach right out and feel it. There was one for $200 a suit.

[Joe Friday]

Sure.

[Frank Smith]

Cloth comes from Scotland.

[Joe Friday]

What's it made out of, Solid gold?

[Frank Smith]

No, they got a special kind of gold over there. It's real smooth.

[Joe Friday]

Not a goat, Frank. A sheep.

[Frank Smith]

Well, it's a special kind of sheep then, because a suit cost $200.

[Joe Friday]

You gonna get one?

[Frank Smith]

I told Fay. She said wear the sample. Anything doing?

[Joe Friday]

Fanning and Pryor were in on that market. Hold up.

[Frank Smith]

They come up with anything?

[Joe Friday]

Pound of air, nothing else.

[Frank Smith]

I hope it stays quiet. I got more shopping to do.

[Joe Friday]

I finished.

[Frank Smith]

What'd you get, Ann?

[Joe Friday]

Stationary set. Some paper and envelopes. Leather binding.

[Frank Smith]

Joe, you'll never learn.

[Joe Friday]

What's the matter?

[Frank Smith]

No woman wants a stationary set. Get her something personal.

[Joe Friday]

Well, it's got her initials on it.

[Frank Smith]

No, no. You want something more sentimental, romantic.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you get, Faye?

[Frank Smith]

It's different in her case.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you get, Fay?

[Frank Smith]

Sewing machine.

[Joe Friday]

That's romantic.

[Frank Smith]

Well, there's in the way.

[Joe Friday]

Why don't you buy her a catcher's mitt? Burglary, Friday. Yes, that's right. You have the right department. All right, Father, we'll be right down. No, you can tell us about it there. Goodbye. The old mission church. They've had a theft collection.

[Frank Smith]

Money.

[Joe Friday]

Statue of the child Jesus. Frank and I checked out of the office and rode over to the church at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Maine. The old Mission Plaza Church, founded 1781. The year Los Angeles became a pueblo. The outside was typical early Spanish design, complete with mission arches. It was made of adobe and painted white. They called it the Queen of The angels, the padres from down in Mexico built it. The devout Mexicans in town still attended services there. 10:05am Frank and I crossed through the courtyard. Used to be the old stable, but the Spanish priest changed all that. When it became a mission, stonemasons paved the stable floor and made it a courtyard. They planted grapevines, trees and flowers. A young priest crossed the courtyard to meet us. He'd been sitting on a stone bench reading his morning prayers, as priests had done here for 172 years. We asked for Father Xavier Rojas, who communicated with us. We were told he was inside. We entered a side door. The church seemed to glow with the hundreds of votive candles flickering on both sides of the altar and at the shrines throughout the church. It was empty except for a few people praying. Surrounding the main altar were several old oil paintings in gold frames. The air was heavy with the scent of Advent flowers. We found Father Rojas up near the sanctuary, looking at the Nativity scene. He told us about the crib. It was a $70 duplication of the scene at Bethlehem. The parishioners had taken up a collection for it 31 years ago. It was put up every year on December 22 and taken down after the holy season. It was beautiful, except that one of the shepherds had lost an arm, the sheep was cracked and the infant Jesus was missing. Father Rojas led us back into the sacristy.

[Father Rojas]

I'm sorry to bother you, man.

[Frank Smith]

It's all right, Father.

[Father Rojas]

Especially now, the holiday season.

[Joe Friday]

We cash our checks. Father. You want to tell us what happened.

[Frank Smith]

Or what you think happened?

[Father Rojas]

I discovered the statue was missing right after the 6:00 mass.

[Frank Smith]

You say for six?

[Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Father Rojas]

I started over to the rectory and stopped by the crib.

[Joe Friday]

Was the statue there before mass?

[Father Rojas]

I don't know, but it was there last night.

[Joe Friday]

How late is the church open?

[Father Rojas]

All night.

[Joe Friday]

You leave it wide open so any thief can walk in.

[Father Rojas]

Particularly thieves. Sergeant.

[Joe Friday]

You say it was there last night, father? How late?

[Father Rojas]

10 or 11 o'clock. We had confessions.

[Frank Smith]

No one saw it after that.

[Father Rojas]

One of the altar boys, he says it may have been there. He thinks it was.

[Joe Friday]

Did he see it?

[Father Rojas]

He's not sure.

[Joe Friday]

What's his name? Pardon me.

[Father Rojas]

Here's the schedule. You'll find the names for every Mass there.

[Joe Friday]

Was there a big crowd at the six o'clock Mass, Father?

[Father Rojas]

Not too many. Seven's the big one. People on their way to work.

[Joe Friday]

Did anyone stay after Mass? Did you notice?

[Father Rojas]

Not especially. I came back here, took off the vestments. I suppose it was 10 or 15 minutes before I went back in the church.

[Joe Friday]

It was empty then.

[Father Rojas]

No people were coming in for the 7 o'clock.

[Frank Smith]

Are these the Alder boys? James Corneen and Joseph Heffernan?

[Father Rojas]

That's right. Joe's the one who mentioned it might have been them.

[Joe Friday]

Did you check with the other priests.

[Father Rojas]

Father, before I called you? None of them knows anything about it.

[Frank Smith]

Just for a check on the pawn shops. How much is the statue worth in money?

[Joe Friday]

What's the point in pawn shops, Father?

[Father Rojas]

Only a few dollars. We could get a new one, but it wouldn't be the same. We've had children in the parish. They've grown up and married. It's the only Jesus they know we understand. And we've had children who died. It was the only Jesus they knew. So many of the people who come here are simple people. They wouldn't understand, Sergeant. It would be like changing the evening star.

[Joe Friday]

We'll do our best, Father.

[Father Rojas]

That's why it would mean so much to have it back for the first mass on Christmas.

[Joe Friday]

It's not very long, father.

[Frank Smith]

Less than 24 hours.

[Joe Friday]

If anything turns up here, you know where to get in touch with us.

[Father Rojas]

Yes. Sad, isn't it? How's that in so short a time? Men learned to steal.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, but consider us, Father.

[Father Rojas]

Us.

[Joe Friday]

If some of them didn't, you and I'd be out of work. 10:50am we notified pawn shop detail. Frank and I checked out the two Aller boys. The first one, James Cornine, said he knew nothing about the missing statue. The second one, Joseph Heffernan, was not at home. His father said he had a part time job, but he'd have him get in touch with us right after lunch. By 11:30am we'd run out of book procedure. We had a man to find. Our only clue he'd been to church. 11:33am we checked the phone books for the names of religious stores in the area. Two of them were closed. We tried the third. When we got there, the only person in the store was an elderly man sitting by a table. In front of him was a large, beautifully carved chess set. We're police officers. My name's Friday. This is my partner, Frank Smith.

[Commercial Announcer]

Great to see you. Caught me in the middle of a big chess match.

[Narrator]

Where's your partner?

[Commercial Announcer]

Up in San Jose. We've been playing for years.

[Joe Friday]

Same match?

[Commercial Announcer]

No, just two or three months on this one. What I meant was we've been playing different matches for years.

[Joe Friday]

I see.

[Commercial Announcer]

You know, we do it through the mail. I send him a Move. He sends me one.

[Frank Smith]

Must keep you on your toes.

[Commercial Announcer]

Except during the holidays, the mail gets all fiddled up. That's no good.

[Joe Friday]

Guess not.

[Commercial Announcer]

Slows things down. That's no good. I like to catch him off guard.

[Joe Friday]

You Mr. Flavin?

[Commercial Announcer]

How do you know? We never met.

[Joe Friday]

Your name's on the window out front, Mr. Flavin.

[Frank Smith]

We checked the other two religious stores in this neighborhood. They're closed.

[Commercial Announcer]

It's the best one anyway. 50% European items.

[Joe Friday]

We're checking the stores around the mission church.

[Commercial Announcer]

For what?

[Joe Friday]

Statue of the child Jesus. Do you have one we could look at? Sure. No, sir. A larger one.

[Commercial Announcer]

You don't want a larger one unless it's for a church. That's why you want a larger one.

[Joe Friday]

Could we see it, please? Your message amplified. Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with podbean. Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform. Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts. Use Podbean to record your podcast. Use PodBean AI to optimize your podcast. Use PodBean AI to turn your blog into a podcast. Use Podbean to distribute your podcast everywhere. Launch your podcast on podbean today.

[Commercial Announcer]

It's not my due to butt in, but unless you live in a big place, this will make your living room all the kilter.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Do most of the people who go to the mission church trade here? Good.

[Commercial Announcer]

Many of them special to kids.

[Frank Smith]

Why kids more religious.

[Commercial Announcer]

Check on yourself. See if kids aren't more religious than you might be. So that's what's wrong with the world. Oh, I don't mean you're wrong with it. Everybody?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Wonder if we could stick to the point, Mr. Flavin? Sure.

[Commercial Announcer]

A lot of people from the mission church come in here.

[Joe Friday]

Do people ever come in and sell back a religious article like a prayer book or rosaries? Yes, sir.

[Commercial Announcer]

Secondhand, you mean?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Commercial Announcer]

Not since I ever been around. It's silly.

[Joe Friday]

Why?

[Commercial Announcer]

People don't have religious articles so they can get rid of them. They have them so they can have them.

[Frank Smith]

But if a man had a statue and wanted to sell it, he'd come to a place like this.

[Commercial Announcer]

Sure, but he wouldn't want to sell it.

[Joe Friday]

He would if it was stolen.

[Commercial Announcer]

No, sir. If a man was to steal a statue, he'd be crazy or something like that. The only place he'd want to go is where crazy people are.

[Joe Friday]

You may be right, Mr. Flavin.

[Commercial Announcer]

I don't know what you fellas are looking for. But if it's somebody who stole a statue, he's crazy. And you won't find him. You won't find him as long as you live or in a million years.

[Joe Friday]

That should cover it. We checked religious stores out as far as Van Ness. We asked the same questions. The owners gave us the same answers. But none of them were as encouraging as Mr. Flavin. Frank and I had lunch and reported back to the Office. It was 1:30pm when we started into the squadroom. The captain was just coming out. I just checked for you in the lunchroom and we've been out on that theft at the mission. May get some action on the Patterson case. They locate him? They think he's on the bus from Sacramento. Well, that means the Bakersfield Police.

[Frank Smith]

We'll wait and see.

[Drew Hefnan]

Are one of you fellow sergeant Freddy?

[Frank Smith]

He is.

[Drew Hefnan]

I'm Drew Hefnan. My father said you wanted to see me.

[Joe Friday]

Well, sit down, son. You didn't have to come in. A phone call would have worked.

[Drew Hefnan]

My father said to get on over. He says that any kid that uses phones is lazy.

[Frank Smith]

We want to ask you about this morning.

[Joe Friday]

You serve 6:00 mass?

[Drew Hefnan]

Yes, sir. I'm senior boy, so I get the six.

[Frank Smith]

You're senior and you take the early trick?

[Drew Hefnan]

Yes, sir. That way if you receive communion, you get to have breakfast sooner.

[Joe Friday]

Father Rojas says you think the statue was there before Mass?

[Drew Hefnan]

I didn't look, but I have a feeling it was there.

[Frank Smith]

A feeling?

[Drew Hefnan]

You know how you have a feeling about something but you're not sure.

[Joe Friday]

Did you stay around long after Mass?

[Drew Hefnan]

I put out the candles and hung up my surplus.

[Joe Friday]

How long would that take?

[Drew Hefnan]

About five minutes, maybe.

[Joe Friday]

Did any of the people at Mass stay on?

[Drew Hefnan]

Some moms do, especially ladies.

[Joe Friday]

Oh.

[Drew Hefnan]

Maybe they don't finish in time or else they start new prayers. I don't know.

[Frank Smith]

So when you left, there were still some women there?

[Drew Hefnan]

No, sir. That was that first. After I went back to the sacristy, there was only this one man.

[Joe Friday]

What man?

[Drew Hefnan]

He comes at 6 o'clock all the time.

[Joe Friday]

Do you know his name?

[Drew Hefnan]

No, sir. But he works down in Olive. You know, paint shop where they paint signs.

[Frank Smith]

Could you describe him?

[Drew Hefnan]

Sort of medium? He was wearing a suit that didn't match.

[Joe Friday]

Didn't match?

[Drew Hefnan]

You know, different pants than coat.

[Frank Smith]

How about his age?

[Drew Hefnan]

Oh, he's pretty old.

[Joe Friday]

Take a guess.

[Drew Hefnan]

About 40 maybe. There's nothing particular about him.

[Joe Friday]

Then why did you notice him?

[Drew Hefnan]

I seen him before. And the bundle? I guess. The bundle out in front I saw him when he was coming out. He had this bundle and he almost dropped it.

[Joe Friday]

How large a bundle?

[Drew Hefnan]

It's hard to say.

[Joe Friday]

Come on, son. Was it large or small? The size of the statue.

[Drew Hefnan]

About that big. Yes, sir.

[Joe Friday]

We located the sign. The suspect didn't work there anymore. But we discovered his name was Claude Stroop. We found out where he lived. 2:25pm we arrived. There was a hotel for men. Mostly old men. Mostly down and outers. Was called the Golden Dream. Police officers. We're looking for Claude Stroop.

[Hotel Clerk]

Hope Claude didn't get in any trouble.

[Joe Friday]

So do we. Is he in? No.

[Hotel Clerk]

He's got room 307. You can check if you like.

[Frank Smith]

He'll take your word.

[Joe Friday]

Were you on this morning? Hmm? Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

The early shift.

[Hotel Clerk]

Well, we don't have shifts. My uncle owns the place. I'm the shift.

[Joe Friday]

Did Stroop spend last night here?

[Hotel Clerk]

Came in about 11.

[Joe Friday]

When did he leave this morning?

[Hotel Clerk]

Around 6, maybe. Before they come back after 8:00 or so, then left. Supposed to be back at 10, then pulls this trick.

[Joe Friday]

What trick?

[Hotel Clerk]

Our program. He knows the other fellas need him.

[Frank Smith]

Program?

[Hotel Clerk]

Here at the hotel? Every Christmas we have a program. Put up a tree and sing. They're mostly old fellas singing like that Makes them remember back when they were kids. Then Jimmy Finn comes on.

[Joe Friday]

Jimmy Finn?

[Hotel Clerk]

He shares number 409. His family once had a lot of money, so he tells the fellas about it. Stories about Christmas. How they had this big log and his grandfather used to start it up. And after dinner, everybody turned over his plate. And there underneath was a $20 gold piece, brand new one.

[Joe Friday]

When Stroup came in this morning, did he have a bundle?

[Hotel Clerk]

I didn't see him come in.

[Frank Smith]

You said you saw him.

[Hotel Clerk]

I saw him go out after, but not come in.

[Joe Friday]

When was that? 8.

[Hotel Clerk]

If you want to look for a bundle, I could give you his key.

[Joe Friday]

We don't have a warrant.

[Hotel Clerk]

It's all right. I know about police. It's all right with me.

[Joe Friday]

It's not with us.

[Hotel Clerk]

I didn't mean that. I just meant it was all right with me.

[Joe Friday]

Good King, we're Feast of Stephen. When the they were three old men. You couldn't tell how much better they would have been with Stroop singing the fourth part. But somehow you didn't care. This was Christmas at the Golden Dream and it sounded fine.

[Commercial Announcer]

Though the frost was cruel when the poor man came in sight Gathering winter fuel.

[Hotel Clerk]

This is the last rehearsal. They got most of the songs down pat.

[Frank Smith]

Sounds pretty Good.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Hotel Clerk]

That's why it's a shame Claude isn't here. He's tenor and they need him to make it sound just right.

[Joe Friday]

Does Troop have a job?

[Hotel Clerk]

No, sir. He used to have jobs. Not much lately, though.

[Joe Friday]

You say where he was?

[Hotel Clerk]

No. He should have. The fellows need him.

[Frank Smith]

When he comes in, will you call us?

[Claude Stroop]

Sure.

[Hotel Clerk]

And not say anything to him?

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Hotel Clerk]

I hope it's nothing serious. For Claude. Fellas, troubles ought to be over.

[Frank Smith]

Troubles?

[Hotel Clerk]

Way back it wouldn't count now.

[Joe Friday]

Tell us anyway.

[Hotel Clerk]

I don't know much about it.

[Joe Friday]

As much as you know. Now, come on.

[Hotel Clerk]

Well, Something back where he used to live. He robbed somebody or something.

[Joe Friday]

What else?

[Hotel Clerk]

That's all it was a long time ago, way far back. But he forgot it all. The robin and everything.

[Joe Friday]

No, not quite. He remembered it this morning.

[Commercial Announcer]

God rest ye Mary, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay For Jesus Christ our Savior was born upon this day to save us.

[Joe Friday]

We went back to the office, ran Stroop's name through R and I. If he'd been booked anywhere. We had no record of it. At least not under that name. 4:15pm Pawn shop detail reported back. No object resembling the statue of the child Jesus had been turned in. 4:18pm I hung up the phone. Patterson's on that Sacramento bus.

[Frank Smith]

I thought Bakersfield had it.

[Joe Friday]

They were supposed to confirm.

[Claude Stroop]

They did.

[Joe Friday]

Hopworth Station. What about Fanning and Pryor? They're still out. Well, they'll be back soon. When's the bus arrive? 6 o'clock. There's plenty of time for them to make it. There's more time for you.

[Frank Smith]

We're still on that theft.

[Joe Friday]

Can it wait? No. What is it? 10. $15 statue. When's the price Determine a case? I realize it's a church statue, but that doesn't give it priority.

[Frank Smith]

It's important to them, Captain Joe and I promise to get it back.

[Joe Friday]

What do you got on it? Nothing much. And why are you so big hearted? Burglary. Friday. When? No, don't say anything. No. Right. It's Claude Stroop. He just walked into the hotel. He's our suspect. Nobody's late to him. No, you'll keep. You can run him down tomorrow. It'll be too late then.

[Frank Smith]

They need it for the first mass in the morning, Skipper. It's kind of a big thing for them.

[Joe Friday]

I'm sorry. I can't juggle details around. So you can get a statue back. If this time. Later on.

[Frank Smith]

We'll do our best.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. You better get over the station. Yes, sir. Will you call Father Rojas over at the mission?

[Claude Stroop]

Why?

[Joe Friday]

Tell him we're too busy to work on that statue.

[Frank Smith]

But we'll do it later. Tomorrow or when we get a chance.

[Joe Friday]

Why can't you call her? Well, we better get over the station.

[Frank Smith]

If Patterson's on that bus, we don't want to miss him.

[Joe Friday]

All right, I'll call him.

[Hotel Clerk]

Friday.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I can send Fanning in priority. Might as well stay on that other thing. Whatever you say, Captain.

[Commercial Announcer]

You are listening to Dragnet.

[Narrator]

The authentic story of your police force in action. There are good reasons why thousands of people are changing to Chesterfield every day. Why Chesterfield is the largest selling two way cigarette in America. Why Chesterfield is best for me and best for you. People these days want facts. When you want people to use your product, you have to tell them what effect it has on people who do use it regularly. That's why a doctor has examined for almost two years a large group of Chesterfield smokers. 45% of them have, on the average, been smoking Chesterfields for well over 10 years. What is the effect on these people from smoking Chesterfield? No adverse effects to the nose, throat and sinuses, says the doctor. Consider Chesterfield's record with these smokers with millions of other smokers throughout America. Another good reason for you to change to Chesterfield. Regular or King size? Chesterfield is best for me. Best for you.

[Joe Friday]

4:43Pm we arrived at the Golden Dream Hotel. The desk clerk was right. Claude Stroop looked like a man who'd had his troubles at bargain rates. Your name Claude Stroup?

[Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Joe Friday]

Police officers. We'd like to talk to you.

[Claude Stroop]

I didn't do anything against the law.

[Frank Smith]

Honest.

[Claude Stroop]

I didn't do anything against it.

[Joe Friday]

You haven't been accused.

[Frank Smith]

Want to take you downtown.

[Joe Friday]

We'd like to talk to you.

[Claude Stroop]

No, sir. I'm not going. I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to talk to anybody.

[Joe Friday]

You're half wrong already. 5:15pm we returned stroop for interrogation. He kept his word. He refused to talk. 6:05pm Frank called Faye, told her he'd be a little late. Stroop didn't move for a whole hour. He sat and stared, but he didn't talk. 6:40pm we got a final report from pawn shop detail. The shops were closed. There was no statue. Stroop still hadn't talked.

[Frank Smith]

Don't you ever want to go home, Stroop?

[Claude Stroop]

If I was to talk, he wouldn't let me go.

[Joe Friday]

Depends on what you'd say.

[Claude Stroop]

I'd say it wrong and I Wouldn't get home.

[Joe Friday]

You won't this way either.

[Claude Stroop]

I'd like to go. You can bet on that. This is the seventh year we had the program, and I never missed a one. Not a single one.

[Frank Smith]

Why don't you tell us what happened, Stoop?

[Claude Stroop]

How would I know you'd let me go?

[Joe Friday]

You wouldn't.

[Claude Stroop]

I might as well, anyway.

[Joe Friday]

All right. What happened from Mass on?

[Claude Stroop]

Well, there was Mass. I came out and started down toward the hotel.

[Joe Friday]

Back up.

[Claude Stroop]

I left my stuff at the hotel and then I picked up George's car. I didn't steal it. He said I could have it anytime I wanted. Only this time I didn't ask him. I took it and started out. Well, I should have asked, but I just didn't. I went over to Grand Avenue for the Christmas bulbs where this fella sells them secondhand. It was coming out of the lot.

[Joe Friday]

That I did it.

[Claude Stroop]

The bumper must have caught the other car. Didn't leave too big a dent. But there was this long scratch. I got out and tried to wipe it off with my handkerchief. You know, spit on it, like. Only didn't do no good. I didn't think anybody saw. I don't know how you fellas found out about it.

[Frank Smith]

I'll check Auto Records.

[Joe Friday]

Right. Stroop? We didn't bring you down here to talk about that.

[Claude Stroop]

You didn't?

[Joe Friday]

No. There's a statue missing from the church. The statue of the child Jesus, you mean?

[Claude Stroop]

I took it.

[Joe Friday]

You took a bundle out of church.

[Claude Stroop]

Yes, sir. That was my other pants for the program tonight. I had a place sewed up and there was a button off. You can check. But I wouldn't take a statue.

[Joe Friday]

I don't think you would either.

[Frank Smith]

He's clear at Auto Records.

[Claude Stroop]

Juan Ho for the program, you mean. It's all right.

[Joe Friday]

Good night, Stroop.

[Claude Stroop]

Good night. Merry Christmas.

[Father Rojas]

Where to?

[Joe Friday]

Well, I don't know. We could stay and work on it tonight.

[Frank Smith]

Wouldn't do any good. We won't find it.

[Joe Friday]

I don't think so.

[Frank Smith]

No use kidding. The priest build his hopes up.

[Joe Friday]

Might as well go tell him now. Merry Christmas. 7:27pm we found Father Rojas. Frank told him how it was that we couldn't get the statue back by morning. But that we'd keep trying during the week. He said he understood. We told him we had to get on. As Frank and I started to leave, the doors at the main entrance to the church opened. It was a good 200ft away. It was hard to be sure, but it looked like a small boy Drawing a bright red wagon behind him. When he got closer, you could see he was no bigger than a pint of milk. It was a luminous eyed little Mexican boy with a face as young as yesterday. The priest seemed to know him.

[Father Rojas]

Paquito.

[Joe Friday]

In the back of the wagon was the missing statue of the child Jesus. He picked it up gently and walked up to the priest.

[Drew Hefnan]

Padre Rojas.

[Joe Friday]

He just stood there looking up at Father Rojas.

[Father Rojas]

Paco Mendoza, a boy from the parish.

[Joe Friday]

Ask him where he found it.

[Father Rojas]

Donde la un contraste? He didn't find it. He took it.

[Joe Friday]

Why?

[Father Rojas]

He says all through the years he's prayed for a red wagon. This year he prayed to the Child Jesus. He promised that if he got the wagon, the child Jesus would have the first ride in it. He wants to know if the devil will come and take him to hell.

[Joe Friday]

That's your department, Father. No.

[Father Rojas]

El Diablo Jesus. Ama. Paquito mucho.

[Joe Friday]

We crossed over to the sanctuary. With the help of Father Rojas, the young boy replaced the infant Jesus in its rightful place. The crib in the nativity scene. Frank and I could have been wrong, but the small plaster statues seemed to approve. Mary, Joseph, the wise men, Gaspard, Melchior, Balthazar, the old shepherd, the young shepherd, the peasant. They all seem to approve. Priest told the boy to go home. He took hold of his wagon, started the long walk out of the church. There wasn't much we could say. There wasn't much to say. We just stood there and watched him go. Halfway up he turned to look back and he went on out.

[Frank Smith]

I don't understand how he got that wagon today. Don't kids wait for Santa Claus anymore?

[Father Rojas]

It isn't from Santa Claus. The firemen fix old toys and give them to new children. Paquito's family, they're poor.

[Joe Friday]

Are they, Father?

[Narrator]

The story you have just heard is true. The names and locations were changed. Ladies and gentlemen, here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you, George Feniman. Friends, remember your cigarette dealer will be open right up to Christmas Eve. And he can take care of your last minute shopping problems with Chesterfields. Chesterfields. And the special Christmas carton featuring the covered bridge. And now, on behalf of the makers of Chesterfield, Liggett and Myers Tobacco Company, their over 6,000 wholesale distributors and 1,300,000 retail dealers. And of course, all of us on Dragnet, we'd like to wish you a very Merry Christmas.