Ep365 | "The Big Present" - Dragnet | Old Time Radio

Transcript

Joe Friday (0:08)

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned the burglary detail. In the past two months, a thief has broken into 18 markets. There's no lead to his whereabouts, no clue to his identity. Your job. Get him, Dragnet.

Narrator (0:32)

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.

Joe Friday (0:59)

It was Monday, December 14th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of burglary detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Bernard. My name's Friday. We're on our way out of the office. It was 8:05am when we got to Georgia Street Juvenile Bureau. Sergeant Lindsey Simmons office.

Sergeant Lindsey Simmons (1:14)

Yeah. Well, did you give it to him?

Joe Friday (1:17)

Huh? Yeah. What'd he say?

Sergeant Lindsey Simmons (1:22)

Yeah, when he come back, huh? Well, did he have it for you?

Joe Friday (1:30)

Yeah.

Sergeant Lindsey Simmons (1:32)

Well, that'll teach you not to go that route anymore. All right, Patrick, tell the sergeant to call me when he gets back.

Joe Friday (1:37)

Right.

Narrator (1:39)

Hi, Friday.

Joe Friday (1:39)

Smith, how are you? Lindsay? Morning, Sergeant.

Sergeant Lindsey Simmons (1:41)

Just talking to Gene Patrick over Highland Park. You know him?

Joe Friday (1:43)

Yeah, I met him a couple times.

Sergeant Lindsey Simmons (1:45)

Picked up a youngster a couple of days ago on suspicion of burglary. Brought him into the office and Patrick talked to him.

Joe Friday (1:49)

Yeah.

Sergeant Lindsey Simmons (1:49)

Well, he finally bought it. But the kid didn't have anything to do with the thefts. He told him to go home.

Summary

Dragnet | "The Big Present" (Ep365)

Air Date: June 19, 2019
Host: OTR Gold
Original Air: NBC Radio Network

Episode Overview

Theme/Purpose:
This episode follows Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith as they investigate a string of 18 market burglaries in Los Angeles. All clues point to a mysterious thief dubbed the "milk bottle kid," so named for consistently leaving empty milk bottles at the scene. The detectives' pursuit ultimately leads them to a troubled juvenile whose motivation reveals a deeper story about loneliness, the desire for acceptance, and the spirit of the holidays.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Pattern of Market Burglaries

[00:08–04:04]

Friday and Smith discuss with Sgt. Lindsey Simmons a series of 18 unsolved market burglaries.
The only clues: petty theft (candy, cash, cigarettes) and an empty milk bottle left at each scene.
The detectives consider the possibility of a juvenile, given the small size of the entry points and the items taken.

Quote:

"Every job he pulled, we found an empty milk bottle on the counter. ... Well, milk and kids go together."
— Joe Friday (02:42)

2. Crime Scene and Investigation

[04:04–08:02]

At the scene of the latest burglary, Ray Pinker (Crime Lab Technician) reports minimal fingerprints.
The thief was small enough to slip through a window measuring approximately 9.5" x 12.75".
The burglar took only small items and neglected significant amounts of cash, leading detectives to further suspect a young perpetrator.

Quote:

"You know anybody that can climb through a 14 by 10 inch hole, you trot him up and we'll talk to him."
— Joe Friday (03:08)

3. The Rolling Stakeout

[08:02–11:16]

With no hard leads, Friday and Smith initiate a rolling stakeout with added patrols, focusing on the thief's pattern (burglary every Friday or Saturday night between 8PM and midnight).
The episode includes relatable conversation about Frank’s home life, adding human depth and a touch of humor.

Quote:

"This may mean the end of my home ... She doesn't even open it. Just puts it in the closet."
— Frank Smith, about his wife's reaction to a birthday present (10:27)

4. The Arrest

[11:16–13:31]

During a stakeout, the detectives catch a young boy in the act of breaking into a store.
The boy attempts to flee but is apprehended. He's uncooperative and challenges the officers to "go on and kill me", expressing clear emotional distress.

Quote:

"Go ahead and shoot. Go on and kill me. ... Doesn't matter anymore."
— Juvenile Suspect (11:48)

5. The Interrogation and Confession

[13:31–21:48]

At the Georgia Street Juvenile Bureau, Friday and Simmons struggle to get information from the boy, who is obsessed with reporters and the idea that his story is "front page" material.
Using a ruse (introducing Sgt. Simmons as a "reporter"), the officers finally uncover the boy's motivations—he committed the burglaries to feel "big" and important, having always felt small, excluded, and bullied.
The boy, Elroy Grant (Graham), admits to 19 burglaries, seeking fame and recognition.

Quotes:

"I did it to be big. That's why I had the things other people wanted ... made me important."
— Elroy Grant (Juvenile Suspect) (20:54)

"Couldn't even lie right. Can't even tell a lie good ... All my life I've been trying to be like other kids."
— Elroy Grant (19:46)

6. The Aftermath and Redemption

[21:48–23:52]

The detectives contact Elroy's parents, who are described as responsible.
The boy is released to his parents while awaiting a hearing in juvenile court.
On Christmas Eve, Elroy returns to thank the detectives, offering them the only "present" he can give: cigarettes, symbolizing gratitude and closure.

Quotes:

"Maybe you guys won't like it ... but I wanted to bring you these. Merry Christmas."
— Elroy Grant (Juvenile Suspect) (23:11)

"Just thought you'd like to know. I didn't steal alone."
— Elroy Grant (Juvenile Suspect) (23:52)

7. Epilogue—The Verdict

[24:01–25:29]

The narrator details Elroy's fate: he is placed under probation for three years, with the stipulation his parents seek psychiatric guidance for him.
Names are changed "to protect the innocent," staying true to the Dragnet style.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the milk bottle clue:
"Milk and kids go together. Sure, so does milk and ulcers. Maybe your thief's got the bull horrors when he gets into the store."
— Sgt. Lindsey Simmons (02:50)
On motivation for the burglaries:
"I did it to be big. ... That's why I wanted my picture in the papers. So the kids would know I'd done something big."
— Elroy Grant (20:54, 21:02)
On holiday spirit:
"Maybe ... I wanted to bring you these. Merry Christmas."
— Elroy Grant (23:11–23:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

00:08: Episode opens with the investigation summary
02:40: The "milk bottle" clue is discussed
05:04: Arrival at the crime scene and findings
08:02: Victim interview and establishment of suspect’s pattern
11:16: Stakeout and apprehension of suspect
12:45: Interrogation at Georgia Street; suspect's resistance
15:52: Arrival at Juvenile Bureau; plan to impersonate a reporter
17:12: Suspect reveals name and confession begins
19:58–21:48: Emotional confession; suspect shares underlying struggles
22:34: Aftermath, parent meeting, Christmas present
24:01: Court outcome and final narration

Overall Tone and Style

The episode maintains the signature Dragnet tone—detached, procedural, and earnest—while moments of humor and empathy are woven in, particularly through Frank Smith's personal anecdotes and Friday’s compassionate questioning. The dialogue expertly balances the dogged, methodical approach of the detectives with poignant glimpses into the struggles of a lonely boy seeking acceptance.

For New Listeners

This episode stands out for its blend of crime drama and heartfelt holiday message, revealing the complex human emotions at the heart of even the most procedural police work.
Elroy’s longing for importance and acceptance is as universal as it is tragic, while the detectives' mix of skepticism and understanding exemplifies Dragnet’s authentic, humane perspective.

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