Dragnet: The Big No Tooth 04/05/1955

Summary

Podcast Summary

Dragnet: The Big No Tooth (Aired 04/05/1955)

Main Theme

In this classic Dragnet episode, Detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith investigate a string of armed hotel robberies perpetrated by a bandit wielding a sawed-off shotgun. "The Big No Tooth" follows their step-by-step pursuit, detailing their methodical police work and the break that comes when a clue as unusual as a missing tooth turns the case around. The episode provides a window into vintage police procedural drama, with its characteristic emphasis on routine, professionalism, and understated humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Episode Structure

1. The Initial Robbery at the Brenton Hotel

• Setting: Early morning, October 9th, at the Brenton Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
• Main Witness: Tom Boxer, night clerk, recounts the armed robbery (01:37-07:25).
• Suspect Description:
  • Young man, 25-30, black hair, "kind of dapper" suit, bow tie
  • Used a satchel to conceal his shotgun, carried out robbery calmly
• Boxer's humor & resilience:
  • “I ain't no coward, you understand, but I ain't no hero neither. Especially when I'm facing up to a shotgun.” (04:52 – Tom Boxer)

2. Investigation & Police Procedure

• Friday and Smith review patrol reports, coordinate with Metro and the crime lab (07:38).
• No physical evidence or useful fingerprints are found.
• The detectives pull mug shots and schedule a witness review. Light banter adds humanity:
  • Frank mentions skiing, his wife’s worries (08:11).
• Tom Boxer tries to identify the suspect in photos but can only find “similar types.”
  • Notable quote: “Looking at all these pictures will be a big help from now on… I'll know a crook when I see one.” (10:46 – Tom Boxer)

3. The Crime Spree Expands

• Over two more Sundays, similar robberies occur at small hotels.
• The detectives map crime locations (11:29 – 13:06), forging a geographical approach.
• Chief Thad Brown points out a pattern and suggests staking out likely targets:
  • “Draw a line from one to the other and you’d have a square… What’s this right in the middle?” (12:49 – Chief Thad Brown)

4. Stakeout at the Argus Hotel

• Friday and Smith stake out the Argus, where they hope the suspect will strike (13:37–15:34).
• Veteran manager Mrs. Argus is colorful and tough:
  • "He don’t tell me where he goes at night. I don’t tell him what I do during the day. ... But it keeps us from killing each other.” (13:58 – Mrs. Argus)
  • She’s armed and ready: “If he does, I’m ready for him. Got me a gun… I know how to use it, too.” (14:42)

5. The Robber Switches Modus Operandi

• Instead of a hotel, an all-night café (Joplin Grill) is robbed; owner Fred Joplin is shot but survives due to quick thinking—throwing hot coffee at the suspect (17:09–18:43).
• Joplin’s recollections add poignancy and grit, as well as some humor:
  • “Stock mover. And he said, boy. Sounded real low and mean. Didn’t seem to match his face. Sort of a pleasant looking fellow. Voice was mean, though.” (17:49 – Fred Joplin)
  • “Not to mention the coffee itself. Golden hot, it was right here. That’s where I belted him right in the jaw.” (18:13)

6. Breakthrough: The Missing Tooth

• Crime lab finds a broken lower incisor at the café—a unique physical clue (19:41-19:45).
• Friday and Smith proceed to interview local dentists, seeking someone who recently lost a tooth.

7. The Dentist’s Clue

• Dr. Potterfield recalls treating a nicely dressed young man with a broken incisor, claiming a car accident (20:12–20:37).
• The patient’s name is Philip Seaver, who lives at the Argus Hotel, accounting for why the hotel wasn’t robbed.

8. The Arrest

• Detectives apprehend Seaver in his room, uncovering the shotgun and satchel (21:36–22:49).
• Seaver denies everything, offering weak excuses: “I must have picked up the wrong bag by mistake. Sure, that’s what happened.” (22:36 – Philip Seaver)
• The tie-in: Seaver now has another missing tooth, consistent with the crime scene evidence (22:52–22:57).

9. Resolution

• Seaver is convicted on five counts of first-degree robbery; his sentences run consecutively due to the severity of his crimes (23:09–23:34).

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Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Tom Boxer’s humble philosophy:
  • “I ain't no coward, you understand, but I ain't no hero neither. Especially when I'm facing up to a shotgun.” (04:52)
• Boxer’s dry humor and self-awareness:
  • “Looking at all these pictures will be a big help from now on. I'll know a crook when I see one.” (10:46)
• Mrs. Argus’s comedic, matter-of-fact description of her marriage:
  • “He don’t tell me where he goes at night. I don’t tell him what I do during the day. ... But it keeps us from killing each other.” (13:58)
• Fred Joplin’s pitch-perfect memory:
  • “That’s where I belted him right in the jaw. Used to be a ball player, you know. Lefty Joplin, that’s what they used to call me.” (18:13)
  • “Guess in a way I’m kind of lucky... being left handed.” (19:00)
• The moment the forensic break occurs:
  • “More than that, huh? Found a broken front tooth.” (19:46 – Detective Joe Friday)

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Timeline of Important Segments

• [01:21] – Friday & Smith arrive at Brenton Hotel
• [04:52] – Boxer describes the robbery and suspect
• [08:15] – Locker-room banter, photo lineup
• [10:46] – Boxer’s humorous comment on mug shots
• [12:49] – Chief Brown sees the square pattern in robberies
• [13:58] – Introduction to Mrs. Argus
• [17:09] – Interview with injured café owner Fred Joplin
• [19:46] – Discovery of the broken tooth
• [20:12] – Dentist identifies Philip Seaver
• [21:36] – Apprehension of Seaver
• [23:09] – Verdict and sentencing

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Tone & Style

The episode exemplifies Dragnet’s celebrated realism and no-nonsense approach:

• Dialogue remains terse, factual, and grounded.
• Occasional dry humor (e.g., Tom Boxer and Mrs. Argus) provides relief.
• Police prose is professional and precise, with a focus on routine.

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In Summary

"The Big No Tooth" is a textbook Dragnet case: the dogged pursuit of a dangerous hotel robber, the slow build of evidence, and a small but vital forensic clue—the broken incisor—that leads to capture and conviction. The episode blends tension with subtle charm, a hallmark of classic old-time radio detective shows.

Transcript

[Tom Boxer]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we.

[Detective Joe Friday]

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

[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 robbery detail. You get a call that a downtown hotel has been held up by a bandit who carries a sawed off shotgun. Your job, Find him.

[Dragnet 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.

[Detective Joe Friday]

It was Sunday, October 9th. It was cool in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of robbery detail. My partner's Frank Smith, the boss. Chief of Detective Thad Brown. My name's Friday. We're on our way out from the office and it was 2:06am when we got to the corner of Cinnabar street and Grand Avenue. The Brenton Hotel.

[Tom Boxer]

Well, I. I just done what he told me. I figured there was no point in getting myself all roiled up. Didn't see where that would be. Helping matters.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

Whatever he said, I done it. Hey, you fellas looking for a room?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Police officers. This Frank Smith. My name's Friday.

[Tom Boxer]

Are you from robbery?

[Detective Frank Smith]

That's right.

[Tom Boxer]

Roberts, 1F16.

[Detective Frank Smith]

You answered the call?

[Tom Boxer]

Yeah, the description's out. Metro sending a couple of cars to help us look for the suspect.

[Fred Joplin]

All right, good.

[Tom Boxer]

Anything else I can do for you?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, not right now.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Okay.

[Tom Boxer]

I'll take care of the report.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you. We'll check with you. Right.

[Tom Boxer]

You know, I sure would have been wrong about you two.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Tom Boxer]

I never would have guessed you was cops. Oh, salesman. That's what I'd put you boys down for. I see ladies ready to wear. Guess I would have missed the boat this time.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir. Would you tell us about the hold up, please?

[Tom Boxer]

I thought them other officers already let you in on it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We'd like to get the details from.

[Fred Joplin]

You if we could.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh.

[Tom Boxer]

Oh, well, I ain't got nothing better to do. Stuck here till 7am anyhow.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Wonder if we could have your name.

[Tom Boxer]

Boxer. Tom Boxer. That's B O X E R. That's it. You know, just like a dog.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What time the robbery take place?

[Tom Boxer]

Oh, 40, 45 minutes ago along around 1:20 somewhere in there. Wasn't 1:30 yet. I'm sure of that. Well, see, I was listening to the radio. Stan Swift.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Who's that?

[Tom Boxer]

You know, Stan Swift. He's on every night. Midnight till six, seven nights a week.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah.

[Tom Boxer]

The nights go swifter with Swift. That's how he puts it. Gives a time signal every hour and every half hour. Remember giving the 1am hadn't given the 1:30 yet. So it must have been around 1:20 when this fella come into the hotel.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What'd he do?

[Tom Boxer]

Walked up to the desk?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

I didn't even know he was there, not at first. I was sitting down in that chair. Kinda had my back away from the door. Didn't hear him neither, on account of being plugged in.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What was that to my radio? Oh, I see.

[Tom Boxer]

This here gadget, see? See, it's in the ear, like. Like so.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, I understand.

[Tom Boxer]

Let you listen without waking nobody up. Other end attaches to the set, like. Like so.

[Detective Frank Smith]

You mean that's a radio?

[Tom Boxer]

Sure is. You ain't never seen this kind before, huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

Transistor. That's what they call it. Regency transistor. Ain't got no tubes. That's what makes it so small, you see. Carry it around in your pocket if you ever mind to.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Tom Boxer]

Real good tone, though. Plenty of volume if you want to let it out.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Now, if you just tell us about the robbery, would you, Mr. Boxer, please?

[Tom Boxer]

Well, ain't that what I've been doing?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. You said this man walked up to the desk.

[Tom Boxer]

That is right. Maybe stood there a couple of seconds before I sensed him. Unplugged myself. Got up and asked him if he wanted a room. He said he did. Single?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

Checked the boxes to see what was vacant. Had we back to him while I was checking? Didn't notice him opening up his satchel. Must have been carrying the gun there in the satchel. Anyway, when I turned around to register him, I found myself staring into the barrel. Shotgun. It was all right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Go ahead, please.

[Tom Boxer]

This is a stick up, he said. Do what I tell you and you won't get hurt. I didn't know whether he meant business or not, and I sure didn't aim to test him to find out. Yes, sir, I said. You just tell me what you want and I'll do it. Yeah, I ain't no coward, you understand, but I ain't no hero neither. Especially when I'm facing up to a shotgun.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Sure.

[Tom Boxer]

Like the man says, only real heroes. A dead hero yes, sir. Me, I just as soon go on living. That's why I done exactly what he told me. Give him the money from the cash drawer here. See every penny. Handed it all over to him. Didn't try to hold none back.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir. How much was there?

[Tom Boxer]

50, $60 somewhere in between there.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What happened then?

[Tom Boxer]

Well, he told me to empty my pockets, lay the stuff on the desk.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You did, huh?

[Tom Boxer]

I emptied them. I didn't have more than three or four dollars and change. He scooped it up with the other money, shoved it into his satchel.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Tom Boxer]

Then he sent for me to come out from behind this desk, walk me over to the elevator. Told me to get inside and ride up to the top floor. That'd be the third, you see. The hotel's three stories high.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, I understand.

[Tom Boxer]

I suppose I could have got off on number two. He would have known the difference. Floor indicator down there don't work. But I didn't see where I'd be gaining anything by, so I'd done what he told me. I rode up to three.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How long did you wait there?

[Tom Boxer]

Oh, till I seen him leave the hotel from the windy end of the third floor hall.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Did he drive away?

[Tom Boxer]

No, just rolled off. I don't think he had a car.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Tom Boxer]

Turned the corner and that was the last of him.

[Detective Frank Smith]

And what did you do then?

[Tom Boxer]

Took the elevator back down, Called the police. Listened to the radio while it was waiting?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

Figured I might as well take it easy till the cops come. Wasn't more than five minutes before them officers walked in. Little while later, you fellas walked in. I guess you know when that was.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Now, Mr. Boxer, could you tell us what he looked like?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Huh?

[Detective Frank Smith]

The man who held you up.

[Tom Boxer]

Oh, well, I told them other fellows, the ones wearing uniforms. They said they'd send out his description.

[Dragnet Announcer]

Yes, sir, we understand.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We'd like to have it too.

[Tom Boxer]

Okay. Oh, young fella, 25 to 30, I judge big Bill. Little bigger than you. Not as big as you, though. Somewhere in between.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

Black hair. Didn't catch the color of his eyes. Well, that's about all.

[Detective Frank Smith]

How was he dressed?

[Tom Boxer]

Suit. Stripe in it, I think. Maybe dark blue with a gray stripe. Bow tie, kind of dapper.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Have any scars?

[Tom Boxer]

Not where you notice them.

[Detective Joe Friday]

He said he carried the gun in a satchel. Is that right?

[Tom Boxer]

Must have been where he had it. Didn't actually see him take it out, though. Back was to him at the time.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How big was the satchel?

[Tom Boxer]

Oh, medium sized, about so long.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Any initials on it?

[Fred Joplin]

No.

[Tom Boxer]

Not so far as I can recall.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What about the gun? How big was it?

[Tom Boxer]

This long, maybe. Single barrel, sawed off.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Could you tell the make?

[Tom Boxer]

Well, I ain't no expert on shotguns.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Would you know this man if you saw him again?

[Fred Joplin]

Sure.

[Tom Boxer]

I'd be a fool not to. Why?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Like to have you come down the city hall in the morning, Mr. Boxer, if you would. What for? Want to show you some photographs, see if he can pick him out.

[Tom Boxer]

You mean this morning?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, if you would.

[Tom Boxer]

It's Sunday.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, that's right.

[Tom Boxer]

You fellas work on Sunday?

[Detective Joe Friday]

We're not the only one. What do you mean, he did? Frank and I checked with the patrol officers who had answered Mr. Boxer's call. They told us that a search of the immediate vicinity had failed to turn up anyone who answered the suspect's descript 3. 16am the crew from the crime lab finished up their investigation. There were no useful fingerprints or other physical evidence in the lobby of the hotel. 7:38am we checked the suspect's MO and the description with the stats office. They came up with 18 possibles. We pulled the packages from R and I and took them back to the office.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Looks like it might rain.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Pretty early in the season, isn't it?

[Tom Boxer]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

The paper says we're going to have a wet winter, all right.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Real good for skiing, I guess. Yeah, that's what you need. Lots of moisture, heavy snow.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You never go skiing? No.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, I thought about taking it up a couple of years ago. Fay blew her stack. Said I'd probably break my neck first time I tried. Sometimes I think she worries more about me than she does about the kids.

[Tom Boxer]

Good morning, gents.

[Fred Joplin]

Hi, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

Hope I haven't kept you waiting.

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, sir, not a bit. How are you today, Ms. Boxer?

[Fred Joplin]

Sleepy.

[Tom Boxer]

Usually get a couple of hours catnap during my shift. Kind of missed out on it last night.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, I'm afraid you did.

[Tom Boxer]

Even after all you fellas left, somehow I just couldn't doze off. Listen to stan Swift till 6am I'll bet you I know more about Egypt than a real live Egyptian. Well, you got them pictures you wanted to show me?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Right over here.

[Tom Boxer]

It's all right if I sit down?

[Fred Joplin]

Yeah, go right ahead.

[Tom Boxer]

There you are. This the pile?

[Fred Joplin]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

Take your time.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Look at each one as long as you like.

[Tom Boxer]

Okay. Pretty tough bunch of boys.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Tom Boxer]

No, it's not him. No? Nope.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well.

[Tom Boxer]

Hey, wait a minute. There is a resemblance. He looks something like this one here.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Is it the same man, Mr. Botcher?

[Tom Boxer]

Oh, no, no, no, no, not the same. Similar type, though. Does that help you any?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Might want to go through the others.

[Tom Boxer]

Sure, sure. Now, you see this fellow?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

He's not the same type at all.

[Detective Joe Friday]

No.

[Tom Boxer]

The other one I pointed out was you. You could see the difference yourself.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

Not him. Not him either.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Nope.

[Tom Boxer]

Oh, now. Oh, this is closer to him, sir. Not as close as that one, the other one, But. But closer.

[Fred Joplin]

Yes, sir.

[Tom Boxer]

Now we're getting further away. No, no, it's none of these. Is that all you got?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Afraid so.

[Tom Boxer]

Well, it's the best I can do for you. Now, this one here, the one I pointed out first.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, we understand. But it's not the same man you said.

[Tom Boxer]

Well, I never said it was. Just said they were similar.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Well, I'm sorry we wasted your time.

[Tom Boxer]

Oh, it was no waste of time. Not as far as I'm concerned.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Huh.

[Tom Boxer]

Remember I tell you about how I try to guess what different folks do for a living?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Tom Boxer]

Looking at all these pictures will be a big help from now on.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Tom Boxer]

I'll know a crook when I see one.

[Detective Joe Friday]

On the following Sunday, October 16, two more hotels were held up by a shotgun bandit. Both robberies occurred during the early morning hours. Both hotels were small. The description of the suspect and his MO Indicated that he was the same man who had robbed the Brinton Hotel. Frank and I continued our investigation, but we failed to turn up any leads during the next week. All hotels in the downtown area were alerted. Sunday, October 23rd. The night manager of the Shaffer Arms near the corner of Broadway and Clay reported that he had been robbed at approximately 3:30am he confirmed the bandit's description and MO but was unable to add anything new. The next morning, October 24th, we had a conference with Chief Brown.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Doesn't sound to me like you're any closer to him than we were two weeks ago. What do you got?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, not much.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Let's have it. Description pretty general, isn't it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Afraid so.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What else? Well, now, he's only worked one area.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Yeah.

[Detective Frank Smith]

All the hotels are within a mile of Pershing Square.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Nothing to keep him from spreading out, is there?

[Detective Joe Friday]

So far he hasn't used a car.

[Chief Thad Brown]

You figure he pulled these jobs on foot?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Looks that way.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Then he must live downtown somewhere.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Anything about the hotels that might give us a tip off on his next move?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, they're all small. Only one person on duty? Uh huh. We've marked all the possibles here in a map. You want to take a look at it?

[Chief Thad Brown]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Right here.

[Detective Joe Friday]

These are the ones he's already hit. Here, here. Over here.

[Fred Joplin]

Tight little group.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. These circles indicate all the other hotels of a similar nature in the downtown area.

[Tom Boxer]

Uh huh.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Well, he works on Sundays, huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Chief Thad Brown]

What do you got planned for this Sunday?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, we'll stake out as many as we can. We've asked Metro to give us a hand. We figure we'll have enough men to cover about, oh, 20 likelys, maybe.

[Detective Frank Smith]

We plan to run the stakes from midnight till 6am when he hits, it's usually between 2 and 4.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How's it sound to you?

[Fred Joplin]

About all we can do.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Yeah, I want you both to stay on this between now and Sunday. See if you can't pick up a lead somewhere.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We will.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Informants been able to give you anything?

[Fred Joplin]

Nope.

[Chief Thad Brown]

They holding out?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, I don't think so. I don't think they know who he is.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Well, maybe the stakes will work.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Maybe.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Wait a minute. Let me see that map again. Funny.

[Tom Boxer]

See here?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Chief Thad Brown]

You said these are the places he's already robbed.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Chief Thad Brown]

All right, together. Draw a line from one to the other and you'd have a square.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Chief Thad Brown]

What's this right in the middle of the square?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's the Argus Hotel on South Broadway.

[Chief Thad Brown]

That's one he hasn't hit yet.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Looks like your best bet then.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's the way we figured it.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Who's gonna cover it Sunday?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, Smith and I thought we'd take it.

[Chief Thad Brown]

That's a coincidence. Just who I was gonna.

[Detective Joe Friday]

During the rest of the week, we continued our investigation, but we failed to turn up any additional information about the suspect. A few minutes before Midnight on Saturday, October 29, men from Metro and Robbery Division staked out 22 locations in the downtown area. Sunday, October 30, 1205am Frank and I entered the lobby of the Argus Hotel and we walked up to the desk.

[Miss Argus]

Sorry, we're full up.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Like, talk to manager if we can.

[Miss Argus]

I said we're full up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We're police officers. Huh. This Frank Smith? My name's Friday. Oh. Can we see the manager?

[Miss Argus]

I'm the manager.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You own this hotel?

[Miss Argus]

Me and my husband.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, maybe we better talk to him.

[Miss Argus]

Go ahead. You can find him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Isn't he here?

[Miss Argus]

Nope.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you know where he is?

[Miss Argus]

Nope. Not getting drunk?

[Tom Boxer]

Probably.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Miss Argus]

I work nights. He works days. He don't tell me where he goes at night. I don't tell him what I do during the day. It's our arrangement. It don't make for a real Happy marriage. But it keeps us from killing each other.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Is there somebody who could take over for you here tonight?

[Miss Argus]

No.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Now, you're sure your husband didn't say.

[Fred Joplin]

Where he was going?

[Miss Argus]

We don't talk. Oh, he wants me to know something. He writes me a note, leaves it on the desk and I do the same for him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Miss Argus]

We ain't exchanged no words for the last two years. Saves a lot of wear and tear on the nervous system. He never said. Nothing worth listening to anyway.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Miss Argus]

Well, what do you fellas want?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Well, ma', am, several hotels have been held up downtown lately.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, you were warned about it, weren't you?

[Miss Argus]

George was warned. Left me a note.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see. Well, there's a chance he might come here tonight.

[Miss Argus]

If he does, I'm ready for him. Got me a gun? Pistol. Keeping the cash draw, see?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Miss Argus]

I know how to use it, too. He shows up, I'm ready for it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is there some place we could wait in case he does?

[Miss Argus]

You don't have to. I don't need no protection. Told you, I've got a gun.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. So's he. Misses Argus finally agreed to let us stake out the hotel. She showed us into a small room off the lobby. From there, Frank and I could see anybody who entered. During the next four hours, only two people requested accommodations. They were both middle aged men and neither one of them in any way resembled the suspect's description.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What time you got, Joe?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Five after four.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Latest they ever pulled a job was 3:30. Yeah, maybe he decided to lay off tonight.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Maybe.

[Miss Argus]

August Hotel.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Who?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh.

[Miss Argus]

Oh, yeah. Are you guys in there?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Miss Argus]

Somebody wants you on the phone.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Okay, I'll be right over in the boat. Yes, ma'. Am. Friday now, wait a minute. Okay. What's that address? Yeah, I got it. Thanks. Right.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What's that?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Looks like we staked out the wrong places. Yeah, All Night Cafe on South Main. The owner was held up. He's pretty badly wounded. Yeah, sawed off shotgun. Frank and I drove over to the Joplin Grill at the corner of Main and Vincent Place. We talked to the patrol car officers who had discovered Fred Joplin's body. They told us Joplin was unconscious when they found him. They said that they'd called an ambulance and that he'd been taken to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. We telephoned the hospital and asked them to be notified as soon as the victim was available for questioning. 4:42am Lt. Lee Jones and the crew from the crime lab began their Investigation. Frank and I went back to the office. October 30, 10:17am Georgia street reported that Joplin had recovered consciousness. We drove down there and talked to Dr. Sebastian. He said that Joplin was suffering from shock and loss of blood. He also said that Joplin's right shoulder was severely lacerated and that there was a possibility the arm would have to be amputated. 10:46am we interviewed the victim.

[Fred Joplin]

Sat down on the stool and asked for a cup of coffee.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Fred Joplin]

I turned around, picked up Silex. Start filling the cup. Time I was finished, he got his gun out. Guess he had it in that bag he's carrying.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Fred Joplin]

Told me it was a stick up. Said to give him the money from the register. He'd shoot me. I didn't say nothing. Just stood there kind of staring at him. He raised up his gun. Shotgun it was.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Fred Joplin]

I mean business, mister. That's what he said next. I mean business.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Fred Joplin]

I still didn't say nothing. Just stood there with that cup of coffee in my hand. Stock mover. And he said, boy. Sounded real low and mean. Didn't seem to match his face. Sort of a pleasant looking fellow. Voice was mean, though.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Fred Joplin]

Started gesturing with that shotgun, pointing toward the register. That's when I let fly with a cup of coffee. Smashed it right into his face.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Fred Joplin]

Must have given quite a jolt.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Fred Joplin]

Didn't keep him from shooting me, but it sure wrecked his aim some. Leastways I'm still here. Don't remember nothing after that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Fred Joplin]

Sure heat him a good one, though. Them coffee cups ain't the lightest things in the world.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, I understand.

[Fred Joplin]

Not to mention the coffee itself. Golden hot, it was right here. That's where I belted him right in the jaw. Used to be a ball player, you know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Fred Joplin]

Wasn't a pro exactly, but I had a first rate pitching arm. Lefty Joplin. That's what they used to call me back in Junction City, Kansas. It was local merchants sponsored Our team. Pitched 16 winners one season. Best record in the league.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Very good.

[Fred Joplin]

Well, I ain't lost all my technique. Leastways, I sure whacked him with that cup.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Fred Joplin]

Doc say anything to you fellas about how I'm doing?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, just that you're getting along.

[Fred Joplin]

He make up his mind about my right arm yet?

[Detective Joe Friday]

What?

[Fred Joplin]

Whether I'm gonna lose it or not?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, sir. He didn't tell us.

[Fred Joplin]

Guess in a way I'm kind of lucky.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What?

[Fred Joplin]

Being left handed.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We asked the victim, Fred Joplin, to describe the suspect. The description he gave us tallied with what we already had. 11:17am Frank and I went back to the office.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I can't figure it out, Joe.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What?

[Dragnet Announcer]

Why?

[Detective Frank Smith]

To switch from hotels to a cafe.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, maybe tumble to our steakhouse.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah, I thought sure he'd try the Argus, though. It's the right spot for him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I get it.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Robbery, Friday.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see. Yeah. Anything else? Mm. Well, give us something to go on anyway. Thank you. Right. Lee Jones in the lab.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What's he got?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, Joplin was right. He sure didn't miss with that coffee cup.

[Detective Frank Smith]

They find the pieces?

[Detective Joe Friday]

More than that, huh? Found a broken front tooth. Analysis of the broken tooth revealed that it was part of a lower incisor. From what we learned of the suspect, it seemed likely that he would make an immediate effort to have the tooth replaced. For the next three days, Frank and I interviewed dentists in the immediate vicinity of the robberies. Thursday, November 3, 3:17pm we questioned Dr. Clinton Potterfield in his office on the second floor of the Marsh Building.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Yes. Yes, I believe I had such a patient last Monday.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Broken incisor.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Yes, that's right.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Could you tell us what he looked like?

[Chief Thad Brown]

Oh, young man, about 30, nicely dressed. Seemed very pleasant.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did he say what had happened to his tooth?

[Chief Thad Brown]

Yes, he did. Automobile accident.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Chief Thad Brown]

He knocked it against the steering wheel. He wanted a new fitting right away.

[Fred Joplin]

Yes, sir.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Agreed to make him a temporary as soon as I could. It should be finished tomorrow. He offered to pay me extra if I'd hurry it up. I told him, you can't rush a new bridge, even a temporary.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did he give you his name and address?

[Chief Thad Brown]

Well, not me personally. My receptionist takes care of those details.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, I understand. Would you mind checking with her?

[Chief Thad Brown]

No, not a bit. Excuse me.

[Detective Frank Smith]

It's about time we got a break.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Hey, look out there. Hmm.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Starting to rain.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, it is. Yeah, just like the paper said.

[Detective Frank Smith]

It's gonna be a wet winter.

[Tom Boxer]

Now.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Here you are, gentlemen. I had a copy down for you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you. Philip Seaver.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Yes, that's correct. His address is right there, too.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, at least we know one thing now.

[Detective Frank Smith]

What's that?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Why he skipped over. The Argus Hotel. Yeah. He lives. 3:58pm Frank and I drove over to the Argus Hotel and we talked to the owner, George Argus, who told us that Philip Seaver lived on the second floor, room 23. He said that Seaver was a quiet young man who had been staying at the hotel for the past six weeks. He also told us that Seaver worked nights and was probably in his room now. We took the elevator up to the second floor.

[Detective Frank Smith]

There it is.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. Yeah.

[Chief Thad Brown]

All right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Hey, Sergeant, get up against the waller.

[Tom Boxer]

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

[Detective Joe Friday]

He's clean, Joe. All right, turn around.

[Fred Joplin]

Okay.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Where's the shotgun?

[Tom Boxer]

You guys must be off your rockets.

[Detective Frank Smith]

I'll see what I can turn up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right.

[Tom Boxer]

You got no right to combusting in here.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah?

[Tom Boxer]

And what would I be doing with the shotgun?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Why don't you tell us?

[Tom Boxer]

I never had a gun in my life. Boy, you cuffs sure make the darnest mistakes. I bet you picked the wrong guy up half the time.

[Fred Joplin]

Yeah, sure.

[Tom Boxer]

Look, there's nothing in that bureau except.

[Fred Joplin]

My clothes there, fella.

[Tom Boxer]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What about this?

[Tom Boxer]

Well, it's just a satchel, that's all.

[Detective Frank Smith]

It's locked.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Where's Keith?

[Tom Boxer]

I don't know. I lost it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Break it open. Yeah.

[Tom Boxer]

Hey, that's a good bag.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Not worth anything to you without a key, is it? All right, Seeker, let's go.

[Fred Joplin]

How the heck that get in there?

[Detective Joe Friday]

You don't know?

[Tom Boxer]

I told you I didn't.

[Detective Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Tom Boxer]

I never had a shotgun in my life.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, you got one now.

[Tom Boxer]

I must have picked up the wrong bag by mistake. Sure, that's what happened.

[Chief Thad Brown]

All right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Come on. See?

[Tom Boxer]

Okay, okay, I'm coming.

[Chief Thad Brown]

Get.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Your hand. Be all right?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Look at that, huh? Must have bad ones.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Detective Frank Smith]

Another tooth missing?

[Narrator]

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

[Dragnet Announcer]

On March 12, trial was held in Department 98, Superior Court of the State of California. In and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial. Philip Herbert Seaver was tried and convicted of robbery in the first degree, five counts. And received sentence. As prescribed by law. Robbery in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment. For a period of not less than five years in the state penitentiary. Because of the viciousness of the suspect, it was decided that the terms would run consecutively. 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.