Dragnet: The Big Mole 12/13/1955

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Dragnet - "The Big Mole" (12/13/1955)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Mole
Original Air Date: December 13, 1955
Podcast Release Date: June 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Dragnet, presented by Choice Classic Radio, follows Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith as they investigate a mysterious series of burglaries plaguing a one-block area in Los Angeles. The crimes are distinguished by expertly executed break-ins, unlocked doors, cleaned-out safes, and a lack of any physical evidence. The detectives’ challenge is heightened by the criminal’s knowledge of police stakeouts and apparent familiarity with the stores' security systems. The investigation gradually unfolds with classic Dragnet realism and procedural rigor, culminating in a surprising and ingenious method used by the perpetrator.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. Introduction to the Case (02:10–02:35)

• The episode opens with announcer and narrator summarizing the stakes: repeated store burglaries with no evidence left behind.
• The detectives are tasked with stopping a professional thief (or thieves) operating exclusively at night.

2. Interview with the Victim: Ms. Gladys Nichols (02:35–11:01)

• Friday and Smith visit the Nichols Dry Goods Store where the latest burglary occurred.
• Ms. Gladys Nichols describes discovering her burgled safe and expresses surprise at her burglar alarm’s failure. She humorously insists, “Safe is burgled. A man is robbed.” (05:01, Gladys Nichols in conversation with Vera Johnson)
• Nichols recounts her morning routine, the precise amount stolen ($423.76), and her trust in Alan Hoffman, who has a key to the place.
• She explains the store is insured and provides a list of regular customers, though she’s concerned about them being hassled by police.

3. Suspect: Alan Hoffman (12:11–17:14)

• Hoffman, an interior decorator, confirms his relationship with Nichols and his access to the store, but claims no knowledge of the crime.
• He provides an alibi for the night in question, stating he attended an art exhibition until late.
• Hoffman is openly offended at the detectives’ line of inquiry but ultimately cooperates.
• Memorable moment as Hoffman demonstrates his art:
  “Yeah. I think I'll call it Doves at Sunrise... Finished. Balance is good. Good movement. Doves at sunrise.” – Alan Hoffman (15:16)
• Detectives confirm his alibi (Rudy Nixon), and Hoffman invites them to his upcoming show in a slightly informal and friendly exchange.

4. Escalation: Continued Burglaries (17:23–22:32)

• Despite stakeouts, the burglaries continue unabated, including a hit at a radio/TV store, where larger items are now being stolen.
• The thief remains elusive: “The thief or thieves seemed to know just what stores were under surveillance and seemed to keep clear of them.” (11:10, Narrator)
• Police respond by doubling efforts and checking all possible leads, but nothing solid materializes.

5. Stakeout and Breakthrough (22:32–26:01)

• Friday and Smith stake out a toy shop in the affected area late at night.
• They notice suspicious activity at the store’s ventilator and realize someone is using it to bypass security.
• After the burglar disables the alarm and accesses the safe, the detectives apprehend him as he tries to escape through the ventilator.

6. The Mole’s Hideout Revealed (25:12–26:22)

• The burglar, Dan Warwick, is discovered living in a secret, self-dug underground room accessible via store ventilators.
• The hidden room is filled with stolen goods, creating a shocking revelation.
• Warwick confesses his method:
  “Dug this room myself. Stayed here when you guys were around. Used to just sit there and watch them [store personnel] open the things. Simple once you know how.” – Dan Warwick (26:04)

7. Resolution and Sentencing (27:23–27:39)

• The episode closes with Warwick being tried and convicted on five counts of burglary, sentenced as prescribed by law:
  “Burglary in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of not less than five years.” – Narrator (27:39)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On burglary terminology:
  “Safe is burgled. A man is robbed.” — Gladys Nichols (05:01)

• Hoffman’s Offense:
  “I don't like what you're trying to say... you imply that I might try to knock over that safe.” — Alan Hoffman (14:14)

• The Mole’s Boast:
  “Billy had you guys going, didn't he? ...I used to watch you sit in the vents and watch you. Used to laugh how hard you were trying.” — Dan Warwick (25:46)

• Warwick on his methods:
  “Dug this room myself. Every bit of it. All by myself. Stayed here when you guys were around. Except when I watched you and you and the others. Couldn't figure out how I knew about the safes. Used to just sit there and watch them.” — Dan Warwick (26:04)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Case Introduction: 02:10–02:35
• Interview with Gladys Nichols: 02:35–11:01
• Visit to Alan Hoffman: 12:11–17:14
• Continued Burglaries/Stakes Raised: 17:23–22:32
• Stakeout and Apprehension: 22:32–26:01
• Secret Room Discovery: 25:12–26:22
• Legal Outcome: 27:23–27:39

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Episode Tone and Language

The tone remains matter-of-fact and procedural, underscored by moments of wry humor (especially in the Nichols store scene). The dialogue is brisk, direct, and often laced with period-appropriate colloquialisms, maintaining Dragnet’s signature realism. The discovery of the underground lair is met with understated surprise, fitting the stoic LAPD approach.

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Conclusion

This Dragnet episode delivers a classic “police procedural” mystery, highlighted by sharp character sketches, detail-oriented investigation, and a clever criminal who literally goes underground. The case's resolution—catching a “mole” living beneath the block—adds a memorable twist to the tale. For old-time radio fans and newcomers alike, "The Big Mole" showcases both the ingenuity of criminals and the dogged persistence of detectives.

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Transcript

[Announcer]

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]. Sound off for Chesterfield. Chesterfield, the only cigarette in America to give you premium quality in both regular and king size, brings you. Dragnet.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a burglary detail. A string of store burglaries takes place in your city. The thieves work at night. They leave no physical evidence behind. Your job, get them. Thousands are changing to Chesterfield, both regular and king size. Because Chesterfield is the first and only cigarette to give you premium quality in both sizes.

[Announcer]

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[Narrator]

The same fine tobaccos as in regular Chesterfield. There is absolutely no difference. Except that king size Chesterfield is larger, contains so much more of the same tobaccos. It gives more than a fifth longer smoke. Yes, more than a fifth longer smoke from king size Chesterfield.

[Announcer]

So remember, Chesterfield is the only cigarette to give you premium quality in both regular and king size.

[Narrator]

Buy them either way you like them. Regular or king size. You'll find premium quality Chesterfields much milder. Yes, Chesterfield is best for you.

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

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It was Wednesday, January 23rd. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A burglary detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Wisdom. My name's Friday. We were on our way out from the office and it was 10:36am when we got to the corner of Constance and Westlake. Nichols Dry Goods store?

[Gladys Nichols]

Yes. Something I can do for you gentlemen?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am, we're police officers.

[Gladys Nichols]

Oh, yes, about the robbery.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Frank Smith]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Are you Gladys Nichols?

[Gladys Nichols]

Yes, I am. I'm the owner. I found out the safe had been robbed.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I think you mean your Safe was burgled, Mrs. Nichols.

[Gladys Nichols]

What?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, your safe, it's a technical term. We refer to it as having been burgled, not robbed.

[Gladys Nichols]

Burgled.

[Frank Smith]

Robbed.

[Gladys Nichols]

They took the money out of it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, you see, ma', am, a lot of people make that same mistake. A safe Is burgled and a man is robbed.

[Gladys Nichols]

Oh, yeah. Well, I came in this morning. I didn't get your name.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm sorry. My name is Friday. This is my partner, Frank Smith.

[Gladys Nichols]

Well, I'm pleased to meet you. Like I said, I'm Gladys Nichols.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now if you just tell us what happened here.

[Gladys Nichols]

Oh, sure. Well, I came in this morning, 8:30, just like I always do. Been doing the same thing for the past 10 years. Eight years at the old location. Always opened exactly 8:30 on the dot.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Gladys Nichols]

Miss. Ms. Nichols. I took my maiden name when my husband died.

[Frank Smith]

I'm sorry.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You go ahead, please.

[Gladys Nichols]

Oh, sure. I came in at 8:30 this morning, opened the door and came on in. Everything looked just like it should have. Hung up my coat. Then I rolled up the shade on the front window. After that, I opened the safe and that's when I knew that I'd been robbed. Burgled?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right, ma'. Am.

[Gladys Nichols]

I could tell it right away. Safe was empty. Not a bit of money left. Cleaned it right out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you know how much money there was in the safe, Ms. Nichols?

[Gladys Nichols]

Oh, yes. $423.76. I know exactly. Can't understand it either. It should have gone off. Should have worked. Can't understand why it didn't.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that, ma'? Am?

[Gladys Nichols]

Burglar alarm. Oh, yeah? Not a peep out of it. Nothing. Man that sold it to me said that if anybody so much as looked at something and thought about stealing it, the alarm would go off. But like I said, not a peep. O, I wonder if you'd excuse me for a minute. There's Mrs. Johnson, old customer.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Gladys Nichols]

It won't take a minute.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Amen.

[Gladys Nichols]

Good morning, Vera. Morning, Gladys. I want a pattern and some material. All right. What pattern do you want? Oh, I was over to the concrete the other night. Barbara made some of the cutest pillows I ever saw. Looked like pieces of fruit. You know, watermelon, strawberries. Oh, yeah, I know the ones you mean. She said she saw them in a magazine. Fancy the pattern. But I thought if anybody had had it, you'd be the one. Have you? Sure, it's new. I just got it in a couple of days ago. I guess you heard about my being burgled. No.

[Narrator]

Really?

[Gladys Nichols]

Sure. Last night those two gentlemen back there from the police come in to talk to me about it and you were really raw. Burgled, Vera. Safe is burgled. A man is raw. Oh, now, is this the pattern you Want? Yes, that's the one. See there? I want to make the slice of watermelon and the strawberry. Think they look real nice on the bench in the parlor. Oh, yes.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, they sure would face all those things. Said she wanted to make some. You see them, Joe?

[Frank Smith]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I never am. They're real nice. Probably not too comfortable, but they sure look pretty.

[Gladys Nichols]

How much material do I need for just the tool? I'm not sure. Have to look at the pattern. You want just the melon slice and the strawberry. That right? Yes. Well, for the melon, you need. Let's see. So you want it out of cloth or platinum, but cloth or plastic. You can make them out of either cloth, I think.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, Faye's gonna use plastic. It's better for the kids.

[Gladys Nichols]

You'll need three quarters of a yard of red and a quarter yard of green felt for the hull and the stem. That's for the strawberry. Then for the melon, you'll need a half a yard of white, a half a yard of pink, and a half a yard of green. All right. How about embroidery?

[Frank Smith]

Cotton.

[Gladys Nichols]

You'll need four skeins of the six strand black. I have plenty of that. Well, I'll measure it out for you. There had some excitement around here this morning. All those policemen running around looking for fingerprints and clues. It's real excitement.

[Frank Smith]

Mm.

[Gladys Nichols]

They caught the men yet? No. That's what those two men are here for now. Want to ask them some questions.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Certainly don't look like policemen.

[Gladys Nichols]

Now, why do you say that? Well, you know, they don't look anything like they do in the movies. Never do. You will need some muslin for this, too. You want to get it now? No, I'll pick it up later. Gotta get some batting, too.

[Frank Smith]

All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's the stuff that gives Fay trouble. What batting? You know, the stuff you put inside the pillows. Faye always has trouble with it. Stuff always creeps down to one end of the pillow. You got one real fat end and the other one just hasn't got anything in it. Kind of uncomfortable when you sit on it. Yeah.

[Gladys Nichols]

Just put that on the bill, will you, Gladys? You betcha. Sure hope you get the burglary all straightened out. Oh, I know they will. Thanks for coming in. Now then. I'm sorry to keep you waiting.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's all right. Ma', Am. About that burglar alarm.

[Gladys Nichols]

Yeah?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

About the switch. Are you sure you turned it on when you left the shop?

[Gladys Nichols]

Sure. You just bet I did. I always do. Right after I pull the shade down. I always switch on the system Supposed to ring when anybody tries to get into the place. Didn't work this time. Not even a peep.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, now, you say this time. Do you mean that something like this happened before?

[Gladys Nichols]

Oh, no, no. Just a figure speech. No, never been anything like this before.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I see. Did you notice anything disturbed in the place when you came in? Anything that made you think something might be wrong?

[Gladys Nichols]

No, not a thing. Came in, rolled up the shade and then opened the safe. That's the first I knew about it. Somebody opened it up. Must have known the combination. Just opened it up and took the money.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, does anyone else have a key to your front door here? Anyone besides yourself, I mean?

[Gladys Nichols]

Well, there's Alan.

[Frank Smith]

Alan?

[Gladys Nichols]

Yes, Alan Hoffman. He comes in, straightens up for me. He's a decorator. At least he's trying to be one. He likes to come in and put her with the material. He works in some sort of store during the day and then he comes in here in the evenings and works with the material. You know, tries out different things.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Gladys Nichols]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Does he have the combination to your safe?

[Gladys Nichols]

Oh, no. I'm the only one who has that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you know if he was in here last night?

[Gladys Nichols]

I know I don't. But I know that Alan wouldn't do a thing like this. I'm sure of that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How is it you let this Allen have a key to the place, ma'?

[Gladys Nichols]

Am?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let him have the run of the place when you're not here.

[Gladys Nichols]

Oh, well, I've known Alan for a long time. I knew his mother. We've always been good friends. Once in a while he gets a commission to a house. And he always gets the material he needs from me. He's awfully nice. You'd like it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Frank Smith]

Am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You know where we can get in touch with this Mr. Hoffman?

[Gladys Nichols]

Sure. I can give you his address. Lives over on 9th. Got a real cute place. All modern and all. He does those mobiles, you know, those things made out of wire and plastic, Hangs from the ceiling. Just hang there and go round and around. It's a new art form.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Gladys Nichols]

I don't understand them myself, but I guess there are a lot of people who do.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Are you insured against theft, ma'?

[Frank Smith]

Am?

[Gladys Nichols]

I beg your pardon?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Do you have any insurance against theft?

[Gladys Nichols]

Sure, I have insurance. By golly, that's the first time I thought about it. I always thought that it was kind of a waste of money.

[Frank Smith]

Sure.

[Gladys Nichols]

Glad I have it now. This whole thing won't cost me a cent.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, now, outside of this Hoffman, do you hire anyone else in the store here?

[Gladys Nichols]

No, I don't pay Allen anything. He just comes in and putters. There's no need for anyone else in the store. I have a man come in once in a while to wash the front windows, but no one's steady.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Has there been anyone around regularly? Anyone who'd be in a position to learn the combination of the safe man find out where the switch to the burglar alarm is?

[Gladys Nichols]

No, no, not that I can think. Of course, most of my customers are pretty regular, come in all the time. But I'm pretty sure that none of them would do a thing like this.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What if you could give us a list of the people who come in regularly, Ms. Nichols?

[Gladys Nichols]

Sure I can. But I don't want you to go around bothering them, asking a lot of questions, causing embarrassment. I just won't have it. Money just isn't that important. It doesn't make that much difference, especially since I'm insured.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we won't embarrass anyone. It's just that we'd like to have the list if we could.

[Gladys Nichols]

Oh, well, all right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What time did you close the store last night, Ms. Nichols?

[Gladys Nichols]

6:10, same as always.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You locked the store yourself?

[Gladys Nichols]

Yes, sir, I did.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you notice anyone loitering around outside? Anyone who might have looked a little unusual? Like they were waiting for you to leave?

[Gladys Nichols]

No, I don't think so. If there was anyone, I didn't notice them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Did you leave any sort of a light burning in the place?

[Gladys Nichols]

I beg your pardon?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, a night light. Do you leave one burning you when you close up?

[Gladys Nichols]

Sure, sure. That lamp on the counter, old coffee grinder. I leave that on. Has 150 watt bulb. Throws a lot of light. Of course, you can't see anything from the street when I close up. Just a lot of shadows.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

A big part.

[Gladys Nichols]

Well, I pull the shade down when I leave. Once I had some material fade that was in the window. Since then I pulled the shade down. When it's down, you can't see inside. And the street's tall. Safe. You don't mind, I'd like to make a phone call.

[Frank Smith]

Of course.

[Gladys Nichols]

I want to call those people and tell them what I think of them. They're going to have to make good on that guarantee.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who's that?

[Gladys Nichols]

Burglar alarm people thing didn't work at all. Not even a peep.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

11:18am Frank and I checked by the crime lab to see if they'd been able to come up with any physical evidence from the scene of the burglary. As in the previous cases, there was nothing to work on. For the past month, a series of burglaries had been taking place in the same one block area. The MO in every instance was the same. Somehow the doors to the shops were being unlocked, the safes rifled and then closed up again. In those stores where there wasn't a safe, merchandise was stolen. In all of the burglaries, whoever was responsible for them got away without leaving a trace of physical evidence behind. Store employees were interrogated, owners were questioned. None of them could give us any lead. The MO had been run through the stats office, but they couldn't help it. Stakeouts had been placed on the stores. Extra men were sent out from Metro division to patrol the streets. The men saw nothing, but the burglaries continued. The thief or thieves seemed to know just what stores were under surveillance and seemed to keep clear of them. Wednesday, 12:14pm we ran the name Alan Hoffman through R and I, but we got no make. Frank and I drove out to his home address on 9th Street. He met us at the door and asked us in.

[Frank Smith]

I'm doing some work back here. Mind if I go on with it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, sir, you go right ahead.

[Frank Smith]

Right back here. Sun Fortune. I got a commission to do a place I'm working on some mobiles for.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, is that right?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I think I'll call it Dubs at Sunrise. Sit down any place.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, thanks. Just a couple questions we like to ask you, Hoffman.

[Frank Smith]

Sure, what about it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Were you in Ms. Nichols shop last night?

[Frank Smith]

I don't know, why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you tell us where you were last night?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I think so. I went to an exhibition in Mobile. Place down in Pico. A friend of mine had a one man show. Great ideas, bad color but great idea.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You prove you were there?

[Frank Smith]

Well, sure, if I have to. What's this all about anyway?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I understand you have a key to the shop, is that right?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, Gladys gave it to me. I go down there and check the material, get ideas for decorating.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where do you work Mr. Hawkins?

[Frank Smith]

Right now in the store out on Beverly. Antique Shop. I want to go in business for myself. Interior decoration. I've been working for it a long time. A couple of more good commissions, I'll be able to do it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You work at night down there very often.

[Frank Smith]

You mean at the Gladys?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right.

[Frank Smith]

Maybe a couple of times a week.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What time do you usually get there?

[Frank Smith]

It depends on what I'm doing before. Usually I have dinner, then go by. What's this all about? Anyway. Something wrong?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, you probably know there've been several burglaries down in that area lately.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, heard about them. You figure I had something to do with them, is that it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we're trying to find out who's responsible for them.

[Frank Smith]

Well, it isn't me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You ever notice anyone around the place

[Frank Smith]

when you were there at night? No, not that I remember. Hand me that piece of Balsa, will you Mr. Wood? Here. Yeah. Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here you are.

[Frank Smith]

Thanks. No, I never noticed anyone around there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What time do you finish up at the shop there?

[Frank Smith]

Sometimes. Latest two, maybe three in the morning. Uh huh.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ms. Nichols tell you where the burglar alarm switch is?

[Frank Smith]

Sure I know. Couldn't move around the place without knowing about it. Have half the police force there if that thing ever went off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You got any idea as to how that safe could be opened by someone other than Ms. Nichols?

[Frank Smith]

No. No. She's so touchy about that safe sheet. Never let anyone get near her when she's opening. Even after she finishes the combination, she twirls the dial so you can't tell what number she stopped on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You've looked, have it?

[Frank Smith]

No, I don't like what you're trying to say.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We're not trying to say anything.

[Frank Smith]

You imply that I might try to knock over that sink.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, we didn't say that.

[Frank Smith]

You said the thing asking me if I'd try to see the combination.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I'll just take it easy. Hoffman, if you haven't done anything, you got nothing to be afraid of.

[Frank Smith]

Got nothing to be afraid of. I just don't like your remarks, that's all.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You ever been arrested? I say you've ever been arrested.

[Frank Smith]

Oh no, no. A couple of tickets for running red lights, that's all.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And give us the address of the place where you were last night. Yeah, I suppose so.

[Frank Smith]

You guys really think I had something to do with this, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We got to check everybody out. Hoffman, you came up on the list.

[Frank Smith]

That's all it is, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's all it is.

[Frank Smith]

No Give you the address, you can check there. But I'll tell you. I was there till about 3:30 this morning. And then I went out to get something to eat. I came home about 5 this morning, went right to bed.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anybody see you come in?

[Frank Smith]

No, I don't think so. You guys figure it might be an inside job, these burglars?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Looks like it might be. Yeah, that's the way I've got it figured.

[Frank Smith]

From what Gladys tells me, it's almost gotta be that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ryan?

[Frank Smith]

Sure. Hand me a Piece of red plastic, will you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The what? A piece of red plastic was here. Yeah, that one.

[Frank Smith]

Oh.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah, thanks.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, sure. It's got to be somebody who knows all about the stores. You know when to hit the safes, when not to. The way they walk into the places. No marks on the doors, nothing broken.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You seem to know quite a bit about the burglaries.

[Frank Smith]

Well, you know, I heard about him. Talked to Gladys. Looks like an inside job to me. Say, officer? Yeah? Would you hand me one of those swivels there in the box here? Yeah, yeah, Thanks. Now clip it on here and hang this thing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just hang it up like that.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Huh? All right. Finished. Balance is good. Good movement. Doves at sunrise.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That all it does just hang there, huh?

[Frank Smith]

What do you think of it? Of course, it isn't as good as war recumbent, but gets the feeling across. Don't you think?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure does. Doves at sunrise, huh?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, Doves at sunrise.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about that?

[Frank Smith]

Excuse me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Frank Smith]

Joe Hoffman.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, you get it?

[Frank Smith]

Who?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What? Doves at sunrise.

[Frank Smith]

Sergeant Friday? Yeah, it's your office.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, thanks, officer. Hello? Oh, yeah, Captain. No, we're here now. Yeah, well, he seems to. Yeah? Who? All right, we'll be right in. Right. Well, we got a call today. What, over on Pico? Yeah, right after that. Yeah. Right.

[Frank Smith]

Mm.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wisdom. Yeah, he wants to see us. Yeah, we'll probably want to talk to you later, Mr. Hoffman. We can reach you at this number, is that right?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Either here at the shop, if I'm not at either, Gladys knows where I am.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. I wonder if you could give us the address and the phone number of the place where you were last night.

[Frank Smith]

Sure. Yeah, I've got a piece of paper here someplace. Never can't find anything when you want it. Yeah. Oh, here we go. You. You gotta go out there, huh? Can't take my word for it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That isn't the point, Mr. Hoffman. We can't take anybody's word for it if we don't know it. We gotta check it out, see both.

[Frank Smith]

So here you are. Ask for Rudy. He's the one who had the exhibition. He'll tell you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Rudy, is that it?

[Frank Smith]

Yes, that's right. I was with him all evening. He'll tell you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay. Thanks, Hoffman.

[Frank Smith]

Oh, say, I wonder if you could leave me your card and phone number.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Frank Smith]

Here you are. Thank you. I'd like to give you a call, sir. I'm holding my own show mobile. I'd like to have you two guys there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, thank you very much. You bet.

[Frank Smith]

I'll be calling you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, thanks a lot. What? The cat, Morgan. He's raising the roof. Says he just got a call from the corner pocket there. Leaning all over him.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Says he's tired of answering questions as we better come up with some of the answers for him. 12:58am Frank and I drove over to check on Alan Hoffman's alibi. We talked to Rudy Nixon. He told us that Hoffman had been with him until around 4:30 that morning. that time, Nixon had dropped Hoffman off at his apartment. We drove back to the office and ran the name Rudy Nixon through R and I. But we got no make on anyone answering his description. 5:45pm Frank and I reported for stakeout duty. The night went slow and we came up with nothing. The next morning at 8:16am we checked back into the office. You know, as soon as we get this thing over with, I'm gonna sleep a week. Oh, man, you got company. I'm gonna tell Faye to send the kids out of town. And if anybody calls me, tell them I just left for Hindustan by fast freight.

[Frank Smith]

Well, how'd it go?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Nothing. Skipper. Sat there all night. Not a thing. How about the other guys? Anything from them?

[Frank Smith]

No. I just checked with Metro. None of their cars saw anything. The other men out there came in with the same.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'll get it.

[Frank Smith]

Burglary wisdom.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. What time was that? Right.

[Frank Smith]

We'll send a couple of men right out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Here's the address. They hit again.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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

[Narrator]

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[Narrator]

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[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thursday, January 24, 8:52am Frank and I drove out to see the latest victim of the burglars. The crew from the crime lab arrived and went over the place. The MO Was exactly the same as in the Previous steps. The front door had been unlocked, the safe had been opened, the contents taken, and then the safe closed. There was no physical evidence, however, on one point, the thief had varied his method of operation. The latest victim was the owner of a radio and television store. A check of his stock showed us that an expensive record player and a large stock of records were missing. We checked Metro Division, but they told us that none of their cars had reported seeing anyone on the streets carrying anything that fitted the description of the missing merchandise. The serial number of the set was given to us and a local in an APB was gotten out on it. We talked to Lt. Stevens at Metro and he agreed to double the number of cars cruising in the area that night. Three more teams of men from Burglary were assigned to the stakeout detail. 602:00pm Frank and I checked in for duty. Nothing happened. Two days passed. Still no new leads. All employees of the stores that were victimized were checked and rechecked. Nothing. Saturday, January 26th. Frank and I were assigned to a toy shop in the middle of the block. We waited. 8:00pm 9, 10:30pm Nothing. Oh, boy, I'm stiff. Yeah. Joe?

[Frank Smith]

Mm.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What time you got? 1046. I sure wish I could have a smoke. Yeah. I wonder if he's gonna show. What do you think? I don't know. A long time. 11 o'.

[Frank Smith]

Clock.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We waited. From time to time, we could see the lights of the undercover car go by the front entrance. Midnight, 12:30. Still nothing. Joe, want a piece of this candy bar? No, I'm not hungry. Sure you don't want some? No. I don't know. We've been in every store in this block past the months. I don't think the guy's gonna show. This guy stay. Wait a minute. What's that? Somebody moving something. Sounds like a ventilator, didn't it? Hey, wait a minute. Hold it.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Look. See the ventilator on the firewall? Where? Is it moving? Yeah, something's coming out of there. See? Going for the burglar alarm. See? Look at that. What'd he do? Snapped off the burglar alarm.

[Frank Smith]

Oh,

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

he's at the safe.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Got it open. Come on, let's take him. All right, mister. Hold it right there.

[Gladys Nichols]

Watch it, Joey.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's going for the ventilator. You see him?

[Frank Smith]

Come on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You see him? No. He's up in there somewhere.

[Announcer]

All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on out of there, mister. No, I don't think so. Come on out of there, you. There he is, Joe.

[Frank Smith]

Gun flash.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I see.

[Announcer]

All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on, mister. Throw that gun out here. Get out of here, cop. You come back here, I'll kill you. You got no place to go up there now. Come on, give it up. I'm telling you, you come back here.

[Frank Smith]

I'll kill you.

[Narrator]

I will. I'm warning you.

[Announcer]

I'll kill you.

[Gladys Nichols]

Wait a minute.

[Frank Smith]

Wait.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Don't shoot anymore.

[Announcer]

Please.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Don't shoot anymore.

[Frank Smith]

Please.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I quit. Please. All right, throw that gun out here.

[Gladys Nichols]

Come on.

[Frank Smith]

All right.

[Narrator]

Here.

[Announcer]

There it is.

[Narrator]

You got it.

[Gladys Nichols]

Now, don't do anymore, huh?

[Frank Smith]

Wait.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on out of there.

[Frank Smith]

Come on out of there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What are you talking. You gonna come out of there? All right, we'll let the gun after him. Amazing smoky in here. It's kind of a tight squeeze in it. Certainly, too. Looks like he's got some kind of

[Narrator]

a room up there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you see okay?

[Announcer]

Here we are.

[Frank Smith]

Hey, look at this.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's got himself a room. Yeah, Dug it right out of the earth here. All right, come on. Come out and mind that crate.

[Frank Smith]

All right, get your hands behind your head.

[Narrator]

I'm doing like you say.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

See?

[Narrator]

I got my hands just like you said.

[Frank Smith]

I quit.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I can shake him down. Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Come on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Stand still. Put your hands against the wall. He's clean, Joe. Now, what is all this?

[Frank Smith]

In here, where I live.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, we'll take a look.

[Frank Smith]

How about this, Joe?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This room must be 20ft square. This all the stuff you've stolen? Yeah, most of it. What's your name? Warwick.

[Frank Smith]

Dan Warwick.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Billy had you guys going, didn't he? All right, let's go.

[Frank Smith]

Really had you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Couldn't figure it out. I used to watch you sit in the vents and watch you. Used to laugh how hard you were trying.

[Frank Smith]

Really had you going.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Couldn't figure it out. Yeah, sure.

[Frank Smith]

Come on now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let's go really educate.

[Narrator]

You know what?

[Frank Smith]

I found him. Could have stayed here for years.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Dug this room myself. Every bit of it. All by myself. Stayed here when you guys were around. Except when I watched you and you and the others. Couldn't figure out how I knew about the safes. Used to just sit there and watch them.

[Narrator]

Watch them open the things.

[Frank Smith]

Simple once you know how.

[Narrator]

Really?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How'd you go in all? I bet you did. Running around in circles.

[Announcer]

Real fun.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, but we knew where we were going.

[Narrator]

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

[Narrator/Announcer]

On May 17, trial was held in Department 89, Superior Court of the State of California. In and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator]

Now Here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you, George Fenneman. Friends, it's getting a little closer to Christmas. And there's a man right near you, your neighborhood cigarette dealer, who has a lot of fine gift ideas. Of course, he's featuring the gift of the year, the Chesterfield Christmas carton. It's the ideal gift because Chesterfield is the only premium quality cigarette available to you in both regular and king size. Chesterfield is the one I smoke and it's the one I'm giving for Christmas. Regular or king size? Premium quality Chesterfields are much milder.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Daniel Robert Warwick was tried and convicted of burglary in the first degree. Five counts said counts to run consecutively. He received his sentence as prescribed by law. Burglary in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of not less than five years.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, in the next seven years of bigger and bigger enrollments, America's grade schools will need nearly a quarter of a million extra teachers besides those to fill normal vacancies. Education holds America's future. Perhaps your future.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You have just heard Dragnet. A series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department. Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Van Spracher. Heard tonight were Ben Alexand, Sander, Gwendoleno, Paul Richards. Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Narrator]

Sound off or Chesterfield. Either way you like them. Regular or king size, you'll find premium quality Chesterfields much milder.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles.

[Narrator]

Tonight, more adventure with Barry Craig, confidential investigator on NBC.