(07) Police Headquarters - Payroll Robbery - Aired 1932

Summary

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Episode Overview

Title: Police Headquarters - Payroll Robbery
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Air Date (Original Drama): 1932
Posted: July 25, 2026

This episode revives a suspenseful police procedural from the Golden Age of Radio. The story follows officers at Police Headquarters as they respond to a high-stakes payroll escort for the Industrial Ironworks company. What should be a routine police detail quickly unravels into a complex investigation filled with deception, clues, and betrayal, as the payroll vanishes and suspicion lands on insiders. The drama is packed with authentic dialogue, police banter, and a tightly-wound whodunnit plot that keeps listeners guessing until the very end.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Payroll Escort Setup

• [02:03–03:49]

  • The Industrial Ironworks requests a police escort for its sizable payroll pickup at the Second National Bank.

  • Officer Wiley and Officer Adams are assigned to escort Mr. Hargood, the paymaster.

  • Background is shared: The company previously suffered a payroll robbery, leading to new security precautions.

    "They used to pack it alone, but they lost the whole caboodle. About six months ago, some yeg forced their paymaster to the curb and took it with him. All Hargood had left was a bump on his head."
    — Officer Wiley, [03:11]

• Hargood mentions today's payroll is even larger due to bonuses: "$50,000 today."

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2. The Robbery Unfolds

• [03:50–05:54]

  • Just as the officers and Hargood reach their destination, a bystander tries to lure Officer Adams away to a supposed fight.

  • The "bystander" suddenly attacks Adams, knocking him out to facilitate the theft.

  • Officer Wiley attempts to intervene but is also assaulted; the thief quickly escapes with the payroll.

    "Holy smoke, he's been beamed. Well, that's all there is to tell, Chief."
    — Officer Wiley, [05:01]

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3. The Aftermath & Internal Investigation

• [05:55–06:28]

  • Sgt. Coombs reprimands the officers, stressing the seriousness of losing the payroll.

  • The officers worry about the consequences, hinting at possible disciplinary action.

    "You were assigned to protect that payroll, and you failed, both of you. Well, I'll do what I can for you. But I don't mind saying that you're both in the spot."
    — Sergeant Coombs, [06:14]

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4. Taking Initiative: Detective Work Off the Record

• [06:29–07:52]

  • Wiley and Adams, determined to solve the crime and clear their names, visit Mrs. Hargood for information.

  • Clues emerge: Hargood recently bought an expensive car and moved his family to a nicer house, raising suspicions.

    "I have a pretty good idea that this thing was an inside job."
    — Officer Wiley, [07:54]

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5. Clues Point to the Hargood Family

• [07:53–09:10]

  • Conversation centers on financial inconsistencies with Hargood, pointing toward possible inside involvement.

  • Focus shifts to Hargood's brother, James Thurman, a lawyer with a dubious reputation.

  • Adams, undercover, attempts to "blackmail" Thurman, who reacts by angrily throwing him out but doesn’t call the police.

    "He didn't want to call the police for a darn good reason. He knew that he'd have to answer some questions."
    — Officer Wiley, [09:57]

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6. A Violent Twist: The Showdown at Thurman's Office

• [10:11–13:13]

  • The police receive an urgent "homicide alarm."

  • At Thurman's office, a shootout leaves Hargood and another man dead.

  • Thurman claims innocence, insisting one man shot Hargood, then Hargood shot back, both dying in the exchange.

    "My brother said he was in a sort of jam and wanted to see me... This dark man jerked out a gun and shot my brother through the head and once through the body. My brother pulled his gun and shot the other man through the head..."
    — James Thurman, [11:21]

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7. The Unraveling and Final Confrontation

• [12:02–13:22]

  • Wiley calls out Thurman’s story as impossible, using forensics and logic.

    "Thurman says this man jerked out a revolver and shot Hargood twice. Once through the head and once through the heart. Two instantly fatal wounds. He also tries to tell us that Hargood, fatally hit in two places, was still able to pull out his gun and shoot the other man through the head. That's not possible, sir."
    — Officer Wiley, [12:56]

  • As they confront him, Thurman panics and leaps out a ten-story window, killing himself.

    "He knew he was caught dead to rights. Well, sir, that saves the state the expense of a trial."
    — Officer Wiley, [13:22]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Officer Wiley, on suspicion:
  “I have a pretty good idea that this thing was an inside job.” [07:54]

• On police logic:
  “He didn't want to call the police for a darn good reason. He knew that he'd have to answer some questions.” — Wiley, [09:57]

• On the implausibility of Thurman’s story:
  “Two instantly fatal wounds. He also tries to tell us that Hargood, fatally hit in two places, was still able to pull out his gun and shoot the other man through the head. That's not possible, sir.” — Wiley, [12:56]

• Grim resolution:
  “He knew he was caught dead to rights. Well, sir, that saves the state the expense of a trial.” — Wiley, [13:22]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:03] – Payroll escort request made at police headquarters
• [03:50] – Robbery and assault on police officers
• [05:55] – Sergeant Coombs admonishes the officers
• [07:16] – Visit to Mrs. Hargood, new suspicions raised
• [09:10] – Investigation shifts to Hargood’s brother, Thurman
• [10:11] – Homicide alarm, murder at the lawyer's office
• [12:56] – Wiley exposes Thurman’s lies with forensic logic
• [13:14] – Thurman jumps to his death

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Storytelling Tone

The episode is marked by brisk, hard-boiled police dialogue, sharp deductions, and a straightforward procedural tone. There's an undercurrent of dark wit and camaraderie between Wiley and Adams, with moments of dry humor even as the case turns deadly serious. The script balances dramatic stakes with classic old-time radio pacing.

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Final Thoughts

Police Headquarters – Payroll Robbery revisits classic crime drama radio, highlighting both the fallibility and persistence of law enforcement in unraveling inside jobs. The clever plotting, period details, and punchy dialogue make this a standout episode for fans of vintage detective fiction.

Transcript

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[Police Dispatcher]

Police headquarters. Just a minute. I'll give you the desk sergeant.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Police station, Sergeant Coombs.

[Mr. Hargood]

Hello, this is the industrial ironwork.

[Officer Adams]

Hargood speaking.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Yes, Mr. Hargood, we're ready for our payroll escort.

[Mr. Hargood]

I'm at the bank now.

[Sergeant Coombs]

All right. That's the Second national, isn't it?

[Officer Adams]

Yes.

[Mr. Hargood]

I'll wait until your men arrive.

[Sergeant Coombs]

All right, sir. We'll get right on it.

[Police Dispatcher]

Thanks. Radio.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Then car 55 to the Second National bank to escort a payroll master to the industrial ironworks.

[Police Dispatcher]

Yes, sir. Calling Car 55. Car 55, broadcast 81. Proceed to the Second National Bank. A yr call.

[Officer Wiley]

Hey, that's us.

[Officer Adams]

Yeah, yr that's an escort call, isn't it?

[Officer Wiley]

Yeah, probably the industrial ironworks. They pay off twice a month. Much still about 40,000. Perkins and I used to escort it all the time. That is, before he got canned.

[Officer Adams]

That's a lot of dill.

[Officer Wiley]

Yeah, they used to pack it alone, but they lost the whole caboodle. About six months ago. Some yeg forced their paymaster to the curb and took it with him. All Hargood had left was a bump on his head.

[Officer Adams]

Hargood?

[Officer Wiley]

Yeah, he's a paymaster. Good scout. That is, as far as I know. We're to meet him at the bank.

[Officer Adams]

Well, all I can say is I wouldn't want to pack $40,000 around with me unless I had a couple of ton guns on each side. No, sir, not in these times.

[Officer Wiley]

Now, here we are. You stay in the car. I'll duck in and meet Hargood. Oh, here he is. He's waiting for us. Hello, Mr. Hargood. Keep you waiting? Well, not long.

[Mr. Hargood]

Couple of minutes or so.

[Officer Wiley]

Meet my new partner, Officer Adams.

[Mr. Hargood]

Oh, pleased to meet you, Adams. Where's Perkins?

[Officer Wiley]

I don't know. The department let him go for some reason. Well, hop in. We'll deliver you to the foundry intact. Well, I hope so. Well, Here we are. Want me to go in with you?

[Mr. Hargood]

Oh, it's not necessary. But perhaps you'd better. The old man's very fussy about the payroll since I lost that bag last year. We'd carry it in an armored tank if he had his way.

[Officer Wiley]

Well, I don't blame him much. 40,000 is a lot of money.

[Mr. Hargood]

Yeah, it's 50,000 today. Some special bonuses.

[Officer Wiley]

Someday I'm going to knock you over myself. Stay in the car, Joe, and I'll take Hargot inside.

[Officer Adams]

Right.

[Officer Wiley]

No.

[Bystander]

Hey, Officer, there's a fight around the corner. A couple of fruit peddlers are wailing the stubborns out of each other. You better break them up.

[Officer Adams]

I'll be around there in a minute.

[Bystander]

Oh, you better come right now. It's a real fight.

[Officer Adams]

I said I'd be around there in a minute. I'm waiting for my partner.

[Bystander]

Oh, yeah. There. That'll hold you, you smart copper. Hey, Joe. Joe, he's heading your way with the payroll. Let him off. Hey, Joe, where are you starting? He's got the payroll. Hey, Joe.

[Officer Wiley]

Holy smoke, he's been beamed. Well, that's all there is to tell, Chief. Just as hard R and I reached the alley, this guy steps out and slugs me. As I fell, I saw him strike hardwood, and the next thing I knew, he was gone. He didn't quite knock me out, and as soon as I had my head cleared, I took a couple of shots at him as he ran toward the car where Joe was. I see he was too far away to hit, so I yelled at Joe to head him off. I couldn't see Joe anywhere, so I beat her to the car and found him laying on the seat, cold as a cucumber.

[Officer Adams]

Yeah, the fella gave me the SAP before he lifted the payroll.

[Sergeant Coombs]

You see the man?

[Officer Adams]

Not very good, sir. He came running up to the car telling me there was a fight around the corner. And when I refused to get out, he stopped me.

[Officer Wiley]

He sure had it all figured out, Chief. And it worked out just like he planned it.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Why were you in the paymaster going in the back way? Don't you usually go in the front office?

[Officer Wiley]

Yes, sir, but I was just following Hargood. I guess he had some reason for going in that way.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Well, it's done. I don't mind telling you boys that you will have some explaining to you when the civil service meets again. You were assigned to protect that payroll, and you failed, both of you. Well, I'll do what I can for you. But I don't mind saying that you're both in the spot.

[Officer Wiley]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Coombs]

That's all.

[Officer Wiley]

Thank you, sir. I knew the old boy would be hot under the collar about it.

[Officer Adams]

Yeah. What do you think they'll do?

[Officer Wiley]

Can't ever tell. They may overlook it. And again they may bounce us. What are you doing this afternoon?

[Officer Adams]

Oh, nothing. Why?

[Officer Wiley]

Well, we got ourselves into this mess, so I suppose it's up to us to get ourselves out.

[Officer Adams]

What do you mean?

[Officer Wiley]

I mean, if we wait for the dicks to run this thing down, we'll be warming park benches. I got a hunch. And we're going to follow it up. Come on.

[Officer Adams]

Where are you going?

[Officer Wiley]

To talk to Mrs. Hargood.

[Mrs. Hargood]

Well, that's all I know about it. Just what Henry told me. Oh, I wish he'd give up that job. He was hurt about six months ago, and then yesterday. Oh, I know he'll be killed someday if he carries that money around all the time.

[Officer Wiley]

I wouldn't worry, Mrs. Hargood. Well, thanks. That's your car out in front?

[Mrs. Hargood]

Yes. Henry bought it about three months ago.

[Officer Wiley]

Sure a beauty. I'll bet it set him back a pretty penny.

[Mrs. Hargood]

He didn't tell me what it cost you, but I know it was very expensive. His brother called him a fool for buying it.

[Officer Wiley]

Yeah, they don't give away cars like that. Well, goodbye. We'll be seeing you.

[Mrs. Hargood]

Yes. Thanks for calling, Officer.

[Officer Adams]

Well, what do you make of it, Wiley?

[Officer Wiley]

I don't know for sure, but I have a pretty good idea that this thing was an inside job.

[Police Dispatcher]

Yeah?

[Officer Wiley]

Yeah, I had a hunch from the first. I didn't tell you, but I had a feeling the day of the hold up that Hargood knew the fellow who socked us. He started getting nervous as soon as we approached the back of the factory.

[Officer Adams]

Why were you asking Mrs. Hargood about the car in the house?

[Officer Wiley]

I got a hunch that Hargood must have framed that other lift six months ago. It's a since he doesn't make much dough on that factory job. And right after the robbery, he buys a new car and moves to a swell house.

[Officer Adams]

Say, that's right. Who do you think is in on it with him?

[Officer Wiley]

His brother. His wife mentioned him. You know his brother? Yeah, and some other guy. The guy who tried to decoy you out of the car?

[Officer Adams]

Yes, but.

[Officer Wiley]

I know, I know, I know.

[Mrs. Hargood]

You.

[Officer Wiley]

You thought he was the same guy who blackjacked me. Well, he wasn't. The guy didn't have time to get around to the alley after he stopped you. It was done by two of them.

[Officer Adams]

Well, who was the other?

[Officer Wiley]

I don't know. But I'm looking into this brother of Hargood's. He didn't like it when Hargood bought that fancy car. Well, maybe he had a reason. Oh, Adams. Well, what did you find out?

[Officer Adams]

I done just like you told me, Wiley, and he nearly threw me out of his office.

[Officer Wiley]

Yeah, well, tell me about it.

[Officer Adams]

Well, I look him up in the city directory, and I find out Hargood's brother is a lawyer. Inquiring around, I find his reputation ain't any too savory. His name's Thurman, James Thurman.

[Officer Wiley]

All right, go on.

[Officer Adams]

Well, I put on this old suit of clothes like you told me to, and I went up there and I told him I was a lunger. Didn't have much time, and I had to get some money to get out west. Told him that I'd forget all about seeing him down behind the industrial ironworks if he'd give me five grand.

[Officer Wiley]

And what did he do?

[Officer Adams]

Well, he called me everything from a blackmailer to a louse. And he told me to get out.

[Officer Wiley]

And you got out, huh?

[Officer Adams]

Yeah.

[Officer Wiley]

Was that all he said?

[Officer Adams]

Yeah.

[Officer Wiley]

He didn't threaten to call the police?

[Officer Adams]

No.

[Officer Wiley]

Well, that settles it. He didn't want to call the police for a darn good reason. He knew that he'd have to answer some questions.

[Officer Adams]

Why? What's that?

[Officer Wiley]

Homicide alarm. Must be some case for the chief of detectives.

[Officer Adams]

I wonder what it is.

[Officer Wiley]

Don't tell them. They ring that bell day and night.

[Officer Adams]

Well, can you find out?

[Officer Wiley]

Sure, but why are you so interested?

[Officer Adams]

Oh, just a new cop's curiosity, I guess.

[Officer Wiley]

Well, just to satisfy your curiosity, I'll find out. Hello, Tim. What's the Dick's alarm on Fort?

[Sergeant Coombs]

Yeah.

[Officer Wiley]

Where? Where? Holy smoke.

[Officer Adams]

What's up?

[Bystander]

What's up?

[Officer Wiley]

Well, this lawyer we're talking to this afternoon, Har Good's brother, just called the commissioner. Two Yays walked into his office and shot it out.

[Officer Adams]

With him?

[Officer Wiley]

No, with each other. We're going to follow that investigation. Come on, rookie. All right, all right.

[Bystander]

Get back.

[Officer Wiley]

Out of the way. Get back, you. Come on, Joe. Here's the room. Oh, hello, Chief. We didn't know that you'd be here.

[Sergeant Coombs]

What brings you two patrolmen in here?

[Officer Wiley]

Well, we're off duty tonight, Chief. I just wanted to follow this call up.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Well, sit down over there and keep quiet.

[Officer Wiley]

Yes.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Now, Mr. Thurman, you say you were

[Officer Wiley]

seated at your desk?

[Mr. Hargood]

Yes, I was seated at my desk when the telephone rang. It was my brother.

[Sergeant Coombs]

This man?

[Mr. Hargood]

No, no, the other one.

[Officer Adams]

Holy smokes.

[Officer Wiley]

One of the dead guys is a paymaster, Hargood.

[Officer Adams]

And the other one is a guy that sucked me.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Go ahead, Mr. Thurman.

[Mr. Hargood]

Well, my brother said he was in a sort of jam and wanted to see me. I waited about 15 minutes, and then I heard those two men quarreling in the hallway outside my door. When they opened the door and came in, this dark man jerked out a gun and shot my brother through the head and once through the body. My brother pulled his gun and shot the other man through the head. As he fell, one of the bullets hit the light switch and shorted out the light. The room was pitch dark, but I crawled across to the telephone and dialed your home.

[Sergeant Coombs]

I see. You knew my number.

[Mr. Hargood]

Yes, I've called you before. You remember.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Well, I guess that's that. What's the matter, Wiley?

[Officer Wiley]

Nothing, Chief. Except that this guy is the biggest liar I ever heard.

[Sergeant Coombs]

What? Why? Who is this man, Chief Wiley, on our radio patrol. What makes you say that, Wiley?

[Officer Wiley]

Because he is, sir, a liar and a murderer.

[Mr. Hargood]

Why, you low down, dirty.

[Officer Wiley]

You can't say that about me. What's more, he's a payroll robber. And he killed those guys to keep them quiet.

[Mr. Hargood]

That's a lie.

[Sergeant Coombs]

What do you mean?

[Officer Wiley]

This guy and his brother, hard there on the floor, engineered the whole thing with the help of the other guy laying there.

[Mr. Hargood]

I demand that this officer be arrested for making false charges.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Now, wait a minute. Go ahead, Wiley.

[Officer Wiley]

Well, sir, I had a hunch that Hargood recognized the guy who robbed us. I also found out that Hargod spent a lot of money right after the first hold up six months ago. He immediately bought a new car and moved into a new house.

[Sergeant Coombs]

Where'd you get that?

[Officer Wiley]

From Mrs. Hargood. She also told us that Hargood's brother, this man here who calls himself Thurman, didn't like the sudden display of wealth. Well, I sent Adams around to make a pretense of blackmailing Thurmond. And this guy just threw him out instead of calling the police. Like any innocent citizen would have done.

[Officer Adams]

That's right, Chief.

[Sergeant Coombs]

I know. But where do you get the idea that Thurmond here killed his brother and this other man?

[Officer Wiley]

By his own story, sir. And the man on the floor.

[Sergeant Coombs]

What do you mean?

[Officer Wiley]

Thurman says this man jerked out a revolver and shot Hargood twice. Once through the head and once through the heart. Two instantly fatal wounds. He also tries to tell us that Hargood fatally hit in two places was still able to put pull out his gun and shoot the other man through the head. That's not possible, sir.

[Bystander]

Look out. Stop him.

[Officer Adams]

He's heading for that window.

[Bystander]

Madam.

[Officer Adams]

Great Scott.

[Sergeant Coombs]

A 10 story jump.

[Officer Wiley]

Good Lord.

[Officer Adams]

Yeah.

[Officer Wiley]

He knew he was caught dead to rights. Well, sir, that saves the state the expense of a trial.

[Police Dispatcher]

Police headquarters. All right, Chief. Hello, Tim. Send an ambulance to the Fletcher building on a trip to the morgue. Police Headquarters.

[Officer Wiley]

Sam.

[Bystander]

It.

[Officer Adams]

Sam.