21st Precinct 53-07-07 (001) The Nolen Brothers

Summary

Podcast Summary: "21st Precinct 53-07-07 (001) The Nolen Brothers"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Description: Radio shows from the Golden Age of Radio, capturing the era before television when families gathered around the radio to enjoy popular shows like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and many more.
• Episode: 21st Precinct 53-07-07 (001) The Nolen Brothers
• Release Date: February 11, 2025

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1. Setting the Scene: Captain Kennelly's Off-Duty Evening

The episode opens with Captain Frank Kennelly reminiscing about quintessential road trip experiences intertwined with humor about McDonald's stops:

• [00:00] Captain Frank Kennelly: "If you went on a road trip and you didn't stop for a Big Mac or drop a crispy fry between the car seats or use your McDonald's bag as a placemat, then that wasn't a road trip."
• [00:09] Lieutenant King: "It was just a really long drive at participating McDonald's."

Captain Kennelly introduces himself as the commanding officer of the 21st Precinct in New York City, emphasizing the precinct's responsibility for the safety of 173,000 residents within a densely packed area. Despite being off duty, he highlights the unwavering duty that accompanies his role:

• [01:06] Captain Frank Kennelly: "According to the Manual of Procedure, a precinct commander, although off duty, is never relieved of the responsibility of his commands."

Captain Kennelly shares a glimpse into his personal life, detailing an evening out with his wife, Ellen Kennelly, attending the hit musical Guys and Dolls. Their interaction showcases the balance he attempts to maintain between his demanding job and family life:

• [02:21] Ellen Kennelly: "Oh, it's wonderful, Frank. That's wonderful."
• [05:05] Ellen Kennelly: "What happened?"

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2. The Call: An Urgent Police Matter Arises

While enjoying their evening, Captain Kennelly receives an urgent call that disrupts his off-duty status. The call pertains to three escaped convicts involved in a recent bank robbery:

• [03:40] Detective DeFeo: "There are three bank robbers, escaped convicts."
• [04:08] Captain Frank Kennelly: "I want you to notify Division on it."

The call details indicate that the fugitives, referred to as the Nolen Brothers, were last spotted at 611 East 67th Street, with reliable information coming from patrolman Johnny Farrell. The urgency of the situation is palpable as Captain Kennelly gears up to lead the response:

• [04:27] Detective DeFeo: "Captain Kelly on two. He's coming, Captain."
• [05:15] Ellen Kennelly: "It'll be over at 11 o'clock. Can't you stop by on your way home?"

Despite Ellen’s request, Captain Kennelly prioritizes his duty, underscoring the relentless nature of police work:

• [05:15] Captain Frank Kennelly: "No, this is important."

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3. Assembling the Team: Strategic Planning at the Precinct

Upon arriving at the 21st Precinct, Captain Kennelly assesses the situation. He interacts with Sergeant Klein, who briefs him on the presence of officers from other precincts (19th and 23rd) assembled for the raid:

• [06:23] Captain Frank Kennelly: "Who are those men, Sergeant or them?"
• [06:30] Captain Frank Kennelly: "Excuse me, Captain. Yep. 21st Precinct. Sergeant."

The team conducts a thorough review of the escapees’ whereabouts and previous activities. Lieutenant King provides critical information about a young associate, Wano, who has connections to the fugitives:

• [09:05] Lieutenant King: "It's kind of hard... this kid, he's kind of little for his age. 13 or 14."
• [10:50] Lieutenant King: "Well, after Lieutenant King talked to Wano for a while, he sent one of his men over and got the super, the building and somebody else, another neighbor in here."

The planning intensifies as the team discusses the operational details required for the successful capture of the fugitives. They deliberate on the best time to execute the raid to minimize civilian presence and maximize effectiveness:

• [14:38] Captain Frank Kennelly: "What time?"
• [14:39] Sergeant Klein: "I figure 4:00am. There’ll be less people on the street and less people up and around in the building."

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4. Personal Struggles: Ellen's Unawareness and Captain’s Conflict

Amid the mounting tensions at the precinct, Captain Kennelly faces personal sacrifices. His wife, Ellen, remains unaware of the full extent of his duties, believing he might join her later:

• [05:12] Ellen Kennelly: "It'll be over at 11 o'clock. Can't you stop by on your way home?"
• [05:15] Captain Frank Kennelly: "No, this is important."

Ellen’s understanding and patience highlight the emotional toll that police work takes on family life:

• [20:27] Ellen Kennelly: "I've been telling you the truth."

---

5. The Raid: Confrontation with the Nolen Brothers

The meticulously planned raid begins under the cover of early morning darkness. Captain Kennelly leads a contingent of officers into the targeted building at 611 East 67th Street. The operation unfolds with intense action, showcasing the bravery and chaos inherent in such police work:

• [23:15] Captain Frank Kennelly: "There they are. Nail him, Johnny. Here we are."
• [24:40] Captain Frank Kennelly: "What do you say, Ross? What do you say?"

During the confrontation, two of the three fugitives are killed, and several officers are wounded, including Detective Carmine DeFeo and Patrolman Ezra Davis. The scene is a blend of strategic maneuvers and raw emotion as officers engage with heavily armed adversaries:

• [25:16] Captain Frank Kennelly: "The toll was heavy. Two of the three fugitives were dead on the floor of the living room."

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6. Aftermath: Reporting and Returning Home

Following the raid, Captain Kennelly oversees the immediate aftermath, ensuring proper reporting and notifying the families of the injured officers. The press arrives seeking details, adding another layer of complexity to the situation:

• [26:15] Sergeant Klein: "A press."
• [26:16] Captain Frank Kennelly: "350. I signed the blotter and left the precinct house."

Exhausted but duty-bound, Captain Kennelly finally returns home, entering his household quietly to avoid disturbing Ellen:

• [26:30] Captain Frank Kennelly: "I walked through the living room into the bedroom."
• [26:48] Ellen Kennelly: "Friend."
• [26:50] Captain Frank Kennelly: "Yeah, honey?"

Ellen, unaware of the night's events, gently confronts him about missing the show, adding a poignant moment of normalcy amidst the chaos:

• [27:05] Ellen Kennelly: "You missed a very exciting show."
• [27:05] Captain Frank Kennelly: "Yeah, honey, I bet I did."

---

7. Conclusion: The Weight of Duty

The episode concludes with a reflection on the relentless nature of police work and the personal sacrifices officers like Captain Kennelly make. Ellen's presence serves as a grounding force, juxtaposing the high-stakes environment of the precinct:

• [27:38] Sergeant Klein: "Was he stabbed?"
• [27:39] Lieutenant King: "Incidents portrayed tonight on 21st Precinct occurred last year. Names were changed to protect the interests of persons involved."

The narrative underscores the balance between personal life and professional duty, encapsulating the essence of Harold's Old Time Radio's commitment to bringing back the golden age of radio drama with compelling storytelling and authentic character development.

Notable Quotes:

• [01:06] Captain Frank Kennelly: "According to the Manual of Procedure, a precinct commander, although off duty, is never relieved of the responsibility of his commands."
• [16:19] Captain Frank Kennelly: "Glad to know you. How are you?"
• [20:44] Ellen Kennelly: "Yeah, by himself."
• [25:04] Captain Frank Kennelly: "Okay, let's go."

---

Credits:

• Cast:
  • Everett Sloan as Captain Kennelly
  • Ken Lynch as Lieutenant King
  • Joan Loring and Barbara Weeks among others
• Crew:
  • Written and directed by Stanley Nist
  • Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives
  • Art by Hannah
• Affiliation: Presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent Association of the City of New York
• Broadcast: This is the CBS Radio Network

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This episode of "21st Precinct" masterfully blends suspense, character development, and the intricate dynamics of police operations, offering listeners a riveting experience reminiscent of the timeless radio dramas of the past.

Transcript

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

If you went on a road trip and you didn't stop for a Big Mac or drop a crispy fry between the car seats or use your McDonald's bag as a placemat, then that wasn't a road trip.

[Lieutenant King]

It was just a really long drive at participating McDonald's.

[Sergeant Klein]

21St Precinct, Sergeant.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Inspector. Who? Oh, yes, sir. Inspector, the detail is assembling here.

[Lieutenant King]

I don't know, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Lieutenant King of the 21st Squad is in charge. You're in the muster room at the 21st Precinct, the nerve center. An important case is about to break. Superior officers have been notified. They're assembling from their homes, from social functions, from all over the city. You will follow the action taken pursuant to these notifications from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The brass has all been notified. They could start out anytime. Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Klein]

Anytime. Now.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

21St Precinct. It's just lines on a map of the city of New York. Most of the 173,000 people wedged into the 9/10 of a square mile between Fifth Avenue and the east river wouldn't know, if you asked them, that they lived or worked in the 21st. Whether they know it or not, the security of their persons, their homes and their property is my job. My job and the job of 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I am the boss. My name is Kennelly. Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I'd been off duty since 6:00. I was not due back at the station house until 4pm the next afternoon when I would work straight through until late the following morning. At 6:30 I met my wife at Frank and Norman's estate house on 54th street near Broadway. We had dinner and took a Cab to the 46th Street Theater to see the hit musical Guys and Dolls. An occasion we had both looked forward to for a year. The first act was fine.

[Ellen Kennelly]

Oh, it's wonderful, Frank. That's wonderful.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I love it. It's certainly been worth wa. You want a cigarette? We go down to the lounge.

[Ellen Kennelly]

All right.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I want to call in anyway. Oh, excuse us, please.

[Sergeant Klein]

Sorry.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Pardon us, please. I beg your pardon.

[Sergeant Klein]

Thank you.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Watch your step now, Ella.

[Ellen Kennelly]

I feel like dancing up the aisle. I can hardly wait for the second act.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, 10 minutes isn't such a long time. According to the Manual of Procedure, a precinct commander, although off duty, is never relieved of the responsibility of his commands. Consequently, he's obliged to keep the desk officer informed regarding his whereabouts. If he's beyond the reach of a telephone, he's required to call in at frequent intervals to be notified of any matter that would require his attention. Ellen and I went downstairs to the theatre lounge. I offered her a cigarette, lit one for myself, then I stepped into the phone booth. 21st Pre.

[Detective DeFeo]

Think, Sergeant.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

There's Captain Canelli. Sergeant.

[Detective DeFeo]

Oh, hello, Captain. Good you called.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What do we got?

[Detective DeFeo]

You know those three guys who escaped from the federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania and robbed a bank in the barn?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah. Well, I think they got them spotted in the precinct.

[Detective DeFeo]

Yes, sir. 611 East 67th Street. The information came to one of our men walking a post over there. Farrell.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Good. Are they sure it's Ben?

[Detective DeFeo]

They must be. The detectives are getting ready to hit the place.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I want you to notify Division on it.

[Detective DeFeo]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

And put me through to Lt. King.

[Detective DeFeo]

You got a couple of messages here, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, hold them till I get in, Sergeant.

[Detective DeFeo]

Yes, sir. Hold on. I'll connect you upstairs. 21st Squad. Detective DeFeo.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Let me talk to Lieutenant King, please.

[Detective DeFeo]

Lieutenant King's busy right now. Can I help you?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

This is Captain Kelly.

[Detective DeFeo]

Oh, hold on. Captain. Lieutenant. Captain Kelly on two. He's coming, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Okay.

[Detective DeFeo]

Lieutenant King.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hello, Matt. What do we got?

[Detective DeFeo]

Three bank robbers, escaped convicts.

[Sergeant Klein]

Hold up on E67 Street.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How does it look? It's them.

[Detective DeFeo]

Captain, information came to one of your men, Johnny Farrell.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, I know. What time you going to hit the place?

[Detective DeFeo]

Late as possible. 4 or 5am Probably.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right, I'm coming in. I'll be there in 20 minutes. How long?

[Sergeant Klein]

Man, that took long enough.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did it?

[Ellen Kennelly]

What happened?

[Sergeant Klein]

Did the roof fall in?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You always say I got to go in, Helen. Oh, fr. Now you stay and see the rest of the show.

[Ellen Kennelly]

It'll be over at 11 o'clock. Can't you stop by on your way home?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, this is important. Here's the car check. Honey, you know the garage? It's parked in on 53rd.

[Ellen Kennelly]

And what time do you think you've been home?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, I don't know. Haven't any idea. I'm sorry, honey. Sorry to have to ruin your evening.

[Sergeant Klein]

Why can't it ever happen when we're.

[Ellen Kennelly]

Not having a good time?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Big me, honey. I'll see you.

[Ellen Kennelly]

Good night.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

After 16 years in the job, Ellen was used to that sort of thing. She didn't complain. She just made the best of it. I went up to the street and flagged a cab to take me to the station house. Traffic across town was Light cab had me in front of the station house in less than 10 minutes. I saw two patrol cars parked at the curb. One was ours, the other belonged to esd. Street was quiet. I walked up the worn granite steps of the station house and into the muscular room at the desk. Lieutenant Gorman was booking a prisoner in the custody of a detective I didn't know. Suspect looks like an addict. The detective must have been from the narcotics squad. A half dozen patrolmen were gathered in a group at the far end of the muster room, talking quietly. I walked over to the far end of the desk where Sergeant Klein was on boxes.

[Sergeant Klein]

Hello? Hello, Captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Who are those men, Sergeant or them? They were sent in here from the 19th and 23rd on special details.

[Sergeant Klein]

You know, for the raid.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Excuse me, Captain. Yep. 21st Precinct. Sergeant.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah. Where are you?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, listen, walk around the corner to 331 and see the super. He's called in here twice. About a couple on the third floor sighting and breaking the furniture.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, okay, let me know.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Those men know what they're here for?

[Sergeant Klein]

No, they're not yet. That's what they're probably trying to figure out.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I don't want them standing around in here jabbering. Tell them to go into the background.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yes, sir. Now listen, you men go on in.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The back room there and make yourselves comfortable.

[Sergeant Klein]

You'll be here a while yet. Thanks a lot.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You notify the division?

[Sergeant Klein]

Yes, sir. I spoke the division Lieutenant. He'll get in touch with. Keep to Andrea.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Those are the guys holed up there. That'll be a pretty good color.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, should be.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What else is doing around here?

[Sergeant Klein]

Oh, nothing much. Pretty quiet tour otherwise.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You got a couple of messages. 11 from CB over the teletype. A meeting of all precinct commanders in.

[Sergeant Klein]

The lineup room at 2:40, Wednesday, 9:00am I left the communication on your desk. Okay. A fellow named Fox called twice.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

He wouldn't give his first name. He wanted your home number.

[Sergeant Klein]

I asked him what it was about. He said it was personal. I didn't give him your number.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I told him you were due back.

[Sergeant Klein]

On at 4:00 tomorrow afternoon. He'll call in. All right, I'm going upstairs. Oh.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, Captain. Yeah? It was Johnny Farrell who got the information. Yeah, you told me that.

[Sergeant Klein]

Did I? Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where is Farrell, Uncle?

[Sergeant Klein]

No, sir.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Lieutenant King said that since it was his line, he could come along. When they hit the place, he changed the civilian clothes and he's upstairs.

[Sergeant Klein]

I put Melito on his post. All right, I'll check with you later.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yes, I Left the muscle room and headed toward the stairs to the 21st squad on the second floor. In the back room, the special details from the 19th and 23rd were gathered around in little groups, whispering, wondering what their job for the night would be. On the way upstairs, I grinned at the way everyone was so careful to point out that the information on the three bank robber escapees came to Patrolman Johnny Foul. Johnny Fowl had been caught smoking on post by his sergeant the night before. The report was on my desk for disciplinary action. Inside the 21st Squad, nine or 10 detectives were standing around in small groups. I recognized a few of them as men who worked out of the 21st. The others had been brought in from Detective district headquarters and from the main office in a corner near the fin stand, sitting all by himself was Patrolman Johnny Farrell.

[Sergeant Klein]

Hi, captain. All right.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Hello, Johnny.

[Lieutenant King]

Hello, captain.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, looks like a big night. I'd have to get a line on these boys.

[Lieutenant King]

No way in particular. Just threw a kid on the block there, kidnapped. Wano?

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Smoke, Johnny?

[Lieutenant King]

Thanks. You know, I was gonna give him.

[Sergeant Klein]

Up after last night. You should. Thanks.

[Lieutenant King]

It's kind of hard.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, it is.

[Lieutenant King]

Well, this kid, he's kind of little for his age. 13 or 14. He's not so good. Who is? The English. I pulled him out of a scrape last week with two bigger boys. They were about to tear him apart. So I've been his best friend on the block since.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant King]

Anyway, tonight about 7:30, I saw one on the street and he said, hey, policia.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You my friend. I got 2$.

[Lieutenant King]

You hold for me, huh? So they don't take it away from me, the big fellas that's waving two dollar bills at me. I said, where'd you get it, Wano? He said, oh, I don't steal it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Police here.

[Lieutenant King]

I don't steal it. I earn it from the man's. I said, what? Men told me about the three men who were staying in the flat across.

[Sergeant Klein]

The hall from him.

[Lieutenant King]

Said one of them opened the door when he came out in the hall. Asked him how he'd like to make some money. The guy gave him $3, sent him over to Times Square to buy some Philadelphia papers.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Last week's papers.

[Lieutenant King]

He brought the papers back. They cost less than a dollar and the man told him to keep the rest. I put two and two together. I saw the alarms. Read about the bank robbery up in the box yesterday.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant King]

Well, I knew the same three guys had been making a couple of jobs in Philadelphia. I knew they broke out of the Federal Penitentiary. I started asking Wano a few questions about the man. Looked pretty good to me. So I called in, told Sergeant Klein about it. He connected me with Lieutenant King up here. Guess it looked pretty good to him, too. He told me to come in and bring Juano and that's it.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Where's this kid Wano?

[Lieutenant King]

Oh, well, Lieutenant King didn't want him on the block tonight. The lieutenant was going up to the stadium with his brother. His brother worked for Con Ed?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant King]

When this came up, he couldn't go. So he had his brother take the kid on the other ticket. Wano thought that was a great idea.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I do too. How'd they make sure it's the right three?

[Lieutenant King]

Well, after Lieutenant King talked to Wano for a while, he sent one of his men over and got the super, the building and somebody else, another neighbor in here. Super gotten a good look at one of them. So it's definite.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Good. Good work, Johnny. I understand you're going along when we hit the plane.

[Sergeant Klein]

You bet.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Okay, I'm going in to talk to Lt. King. Who's that in there with him?

[Lieutenant King]

That's a super cap. And I think he's getting a layout of the building, you know.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah. All right.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'll see you. And do your smoking at the right time, will you?

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, Captain, sure.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right.

[Sergeant Klein]

Oh, hello, Captain. Come in. Want to shut the door? Yeah. This is Mr. Albert Acosta. Captain Kelly. All right.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Glad to know you. How are you?

[Sergeant Klein]

Mr. Costa is a super for both 609 and 600. Yeah, that's right. We're just going over the layout of.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The buildings in that flat there in 611.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, that's right.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

On the top floor, fourth floor rear.

[Sergeant Klein]

Let's see if I got this straight now. Both 609 and 611 are four story buildings. The building to the east, 613 at five stories.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, that's right, but that's not my building.

[Sergeant Klein]

613.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Does the fire escape. Do all the fire escapes go all the way up to the roof, mister? Oh, yeah, that's right. Up to the roof and down to the ground.

[Sergeant Klein]

And from the window of the flat they're in.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, that's right.

[Sergeant Klein]

Your roofs are on the same level? The same level, yeah, they're both four stories. What separates two buildings on the roof? Oh, a little brick wall this high. Three feet high.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Three feet, three and a half feet something. And the roof to 613, that's not my building. But it's five stories high.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, 613. Then in other words, from the roof of 611. You can't get to the roof of 613. There's a wall 10 or 12ft high. Yeah, that's right. 10, 12, 14ft, something.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No windows in that wall.

[Sergeant Klein]

Let's see.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

No, no, no windows.

[Sergeant Klein]

Anything on your roof? Well, nothing.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Television area.

[Sergeant Klein]

All right, mister, I want to talk to you again later. You hungry? You want something to eat? Could I.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Could I get a can of beer?

[Sergeant Klein]

The luncheonette we take from doesn't have beer.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Oh, all right. Coffee and coffee in a Danish. Right.

[Sergeant Klein]

Ian, take care of Mr. Custer, will you? Send down for what he wants to eat. Right. That detective over there will take care of you, Mr. Carson. Okay.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Great to know you, Captain. Yeah, same here. Well, how does it look?

[Sergeant Klein]

Man? Sam, there's no doubt about it. In addition to the kid and the super, we found three people who made the pictures.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All of them?

[Sergeant Klein]

No, just one. Just one goes out in the street. But one's good enough for me. This one, Carl Rock, if he's identified. And there's two more guys in the flat, it's got to be the others.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Whose flat is it? Did they rent it?

[Sergeant Klein]

No, it belongs to a couple of sisters, Marie and Lois Dunny Acosta says they've been living there for three or four years. The one, sister Marie, has been in Bellevue hospital for months. Six weeks. Alcoholic ward. Oh, they're young, too, in their 20s. The other sister, Lois, is still living there. Augusta said he thinks she works as a waitress someplace.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Doesn't know where is she up in the flat now?

[Sergeant Klein]

Beats me. Captain, nobody has gone out or come in since we got onto this thing. Got the place staked out. Two neighbors that know her with the officers. They haven't seen her.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How about Bellevue? Is she down visiting her sister?

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, we checked that out, too. Got a man there.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, how are you going to hit him?

[Sergeant Klein]

There's three rooms in that flat. In the back of the building and on the top floor. These boys are tough, there's no question about that. They had two guns apiece when they hit that bank. They wrapped up a lot of people around Philadelphia. They were doing 25 years each when they broke. They're not gonna sit still for a collar. It's gonna be a hot one if.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

They'Re on the top floor. You can't put anyone on the roof of 611. They'll be hard walking around.

[Sergeant Klein]

I know. We'll have men on the roofs of 609, 613, in case they come up the fire escape.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

That's the Way they'll probably go when they hear the law at the front door. Who's gonna hit the door?

[Sergeant Klein]

Myself. Johnny Farrell. If he wants to, he'll want to. And one or two others.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Including me.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yes, sir. I've got two men from the emergency squad detailed. They'll be there with access to work in the door at the Give us a fight.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

All right. What time?

[Sergeant Klein]

I figure 4:00am There'll be less people on the street and less people up and around in the building. Also, these guys might be sound asleep by then. We can nail them when they're asleep, or at least sleepy. There's not so much chance of firewoods.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How about your notifications?

[Sergeant Klein]

They're all made. The brass will start streaming in here about midnight.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

There's six or eight cops from the 19th and 23rd down in the back room now.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, I know. How much of the cell did you get to see to, Jamie? Come in.

[Lieutenant King]

Lieutenant Whitey served.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The tail is on three. Wants to talk to you.

[Sergeant Klein]

Okay, thank you. 24th Squad. Lieutenant King.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, Chief.

[Detective DeFeo]

We got the girl at Lois Denny. We got her as she was walking into the house.

[Sergeant Klein]

Good. Define.

[Detective DeFeo]

It's not the fine, Lieutenant. She told me they were expecting her home at 11:00. 11:00 at the latest. Shall I bring her in, Lieutenant?

[Sergeant Klein]

Now, where are you?

[Detective DeFeo]

I'm using the phone in Mixer's girl chapel around the corner.

[Sergeant Klein]

Who's there?

[Detective DeFeo]

Jeff mixes the slum.

[Sergeant Klein]

Okay, De. Stay there. We'll be right over. We've got trouble, Captain. They got the girl. Ross and them expect her back in the flat no later than 11.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You can't wait until 4:00am, Matt. You'll have to hit right away, soon as possible.

[Sergeant Klein]

What about all the brass?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

They've been notified for 4am we can't wait, Matt. We'll notify them again. That's all that's been moved up.

[Sergeant Klein]

Okay.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What he's been.

[Sergeant Klein]

Now come in here, huh? All right, now listen. We're making a change. We got to move and move quick. Got to hit them as soon as possible. Ben, get hold of ESG.

[Lieutenant King]

You are listening to 21st Precinct. A factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city amusement. Now back to 21st Precinct and Captain Frank Canelli.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Although we knew hardly more than her name, Lois Dunny had become the key to the situation. The fugitives expected her to return by 11pm if she didn't show up, they might suspect she'd been apprehended. Lt. King got his detectives ready to spring immediately I gave final instructions to the uniformed officers who were going to assist. And then together we drove up Second Avenue to Mix's Funeral Chapel.

[Sergeant Klein]

Okay, this is good. Got them. Go ahead, man. Find a place to park and walk on back there. That's okay. Well, great place to start out from, Undertaker.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Better to start out from there, man.

[Sergeant Klein]

We got a point. Go ahead, please. It's air conditioned.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

There they are, back in the office.

[Sergeant Klein]

Is that a bad looking head? No, not too bad. Hello, Dave. Hello, Lieutenant.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Captain. Hi, Dave.

[Sergeant Klein]

This is Lois Dunning. How are you?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Hello.

[Sergeant Klein]

You're in a big jam. You know that, don't you, miss?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Yes, I suppose so.

[Sergeant Klein]

No supposing about it. Your arm. That's Carl Ross up in your apartment, isn't it?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Yes.

[Sergeant Klein]

And the others. I showed you the pictures of all of them. I cannot.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

She identified them.

[Ellen Kennelly]

I wasn't doing anything wrong. I just rented out some rooms to those boys. For a little money. Anybody's entitled to make a little money.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Not that much.

[Sergeant Klein]

How much? They've been there three days. They've already given her $275.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Didn't you know who they were?

[Ellen Kennelly]

No.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Don't lie to us.

[Sergeant Klein]

You knew who they were. They knew you. Or at least one of them did. Which one?

[Ellen Kennelly]

I didn't know them.

[Sergeant Klein]

Now, look, come off it. I told you you were in a jam. If you don't start telling us the truth, you'll be in a bigger jam. I'm not kidding. Now, how about it?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Who are you, anyway? I got to know who I'm talking to.

[Sergeant Klein]

My name is Lieutenant. Lieutenant King. This is Captain Kennelly. That good enough for you?

[Ellen Kennelly]

I've been telling you the truth.

[Sergeant Klein]

Listen, you're a pretty bad liar. I'm gonna tell this officer, take you downtown. Steve, Flutter in the car.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Matt.

[Sergeant Klein]

Wait a minute.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Look, miss, you're not doing yourself a bit of good. All we want is the truth. You tell us the truth, and I'll see that you get every break you're entitled to. Which one did you know, Lois?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Carl. I knew Carl.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

For how long?

[Ellen Kennelly]

I worked in Pittsburgh a while, a couple of years ago. I knew him then, but I didn't know he was anything like what he is. Honest I didn't. Not then.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

When did you hear it?

[Ellen Kennelly]

After he got in trouble. I was back in New York. Somebody wrote me, one of my friends.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

If you have time to wait, the facts eventually will develop. But we had neither time to wait nor time to waste. There are two ways to get information quickly. One is to be stern. The other Is to be full of sympathy. Most often a lying witness will turn to the friendly officer and tell him exactly what he wants to know.

[Ellen Kennelly]

Haven't heard from him in years. But one day there he is. He just turns up in the cafe where I work.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

There he is by himself?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Yeah, by himself.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Then when was that?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Tuesday. Last Tuesday. I read about him and about how he and those others broke out of jail and what they did in Philadelphia and all that.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Why is this scam?

[Ellen Kennelly]

No, not true. I told you when I knew him in Pittsburgh, he seemed like a very nice boy. He was very nice to me.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Did you ask him anything about that?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Yeah, sure, naturally. And he said that everybody had him and his friends wrong. They didn't mean any harm. Well, I mean, you know, he's good looking, he likes to spend money.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How'd they come to stay in your flat?

[Ellen Kennelly]

That was the first thing he asked me. Did I know where he and his friends could get a place? Well, my sister's been in the hospital and I had a big place all by myself. So I told him. I told Carl, I told him, you want to. I've got a big place with an extra bedroom and all that and a shelf in the living room. So they said okay, and I was that.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How'd they know you wouldn't go to the police?

[Ellen Kennelly]

I don't know. Carl vouched for me with the others. I guess they paid me all this money and they promised to give me 500 more when they left. I guess they figured I wanted the 500.

[Sergeant Klein]

You did too, didn't you?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Well, I mean, my sister was in the hospital. I didn't have a nickel. Except what I made sure they expect.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You home at 11:00.

[Ellen Kennelly]

Around 11? Yeah.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Why 11?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Well, this is my late night on. I work until 10. Carl knows that.

[Sergeant Klein]

You ever see any guns up there?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Well, did you lie?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Yes, they've got guns.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

How many?

[Ellen Kennelly]

I don't know. I have plenty, but I never counted them. I was too scared to get near them. I don't like guns.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Have you got your key to the place?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Yeah, I got it, but it won't do you any good. They keep the door bolted from the inside all the time. Listen, Carl told me, he said no matter what, he wasn't going back. The others too. They said they die on the spot first and kill anybody who wants to argue with him about it. Cops, they meant.

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, I figured that's who they meant.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

In another few minutes of interrogation, we had all the information we needed about the interior of Lois Dunny's flat and what we could expect to find there. Lois Dunning was taken to the precinct house in the custody of a detective. Meanwhile, nearly 50 uniformed officers and detectives assigned to the detail were given their posts and told their duties. Four men were assigned to the roofs of 609 and 613. Eight men were posted in various places in front of and across the street. Street from 611. Four men were assigned to the rear courtyard behind. 611 men from the Emergency Service division set up a portable generator floodlight on the roof. Directly across the rear courtyard of 611 so that the entire fire escape could be spotlighted. Another such unit was held in readiness for use in front of the house. Besides their service of others, these men were issued such additional arms as their particular situation called for. Submachine guns, riot guns and pilots, tear gas. Lieutenant King, myself, Johnny Farrell, two other detectives from the 21st Squad, three men from ESD two carrying axes and other submachine guns led the way into 611. Behind us followed a half dozen or so other officers. As we walked up the dim lit stairs, two men dropped off on each floor to block any attempted escape and to keep curious tenants out of harm's way. Two more were left at top of the stairs in the fourth floor hallway. The rest of us walk to the fourth floor rear.

[Sergeant Klein]

We stopped at the door. We listened.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The radio was on inside.

[Sergeant Klein]

Okay.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Lois, we're police officers. Open up. Police officers. Knock it in. Use those axes.

[Sergeant Klein]

Come on.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The lock.

[Sergeant Klein]

Hit the lock.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Let's go.

[Sergeant Klein]

Push it in. Come on.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Let's go in the living room. There they are. Give up.

[Sergeant Klein]

It's through. Hold it. All right, so that's stuff.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

There they are. Nail him, Johnny. Here we are.

[Sergeant Klein]

Top, Steve.

[Detective DeFeo]

Yellow, son.

[Sergeant Klein]

How about it?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'm set.

[Sergeant Klein]

Let's go.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Here we are. Get him. Pull him.

[Sergeant Klein]

Pull him out.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You lousy Chief. Bring that brownie up here. Get him.

[Sergeant Klein]

He hit two. Let's go.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

There's the other one. Out the window.

[Sergeant Klein]

Hold up. Hold up.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Ross.

[Sergeant Klein]

Up the planet. Okay, captain, let's go.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Watch it.

[Detective DeFeo]

Matt.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

You okay, Matt?

[Sergeant Klein]

Yeah, I'm okay.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Watch it up there, man. One's on his way up. Just one. I see him.

[Sergeant Klein]

At duck. He's on the roof.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Come on.

[Sergeant Klein]

There he goes. He's on the roof.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

It's me.

[Sergeant Klein]

There he is. Behind the ventilator. Behind the ventilator. Let's get him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What do you say, Ross? What do you say?

[Sergeant Klein]

All right. Too many of you.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Too many of you. Throw that gun out here. All right, you men. Put your light on the ventilator. That's fine. That's it. Rod out here. Rod.

[Sergeant Klein]

All right, here it comes.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Okay, let's go.

[Sergeant Klein]

Watch them. Have another one.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Stand there. Ross. Get up again. All right, take it easy.

[Sergeant Klein]

Nothing on him.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Too many of you. Just too many of you.

[Sergeant Klein]

Maybe. But now at least there's three less like you.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

The toll was heavy. Two of the three fugitives were dead on the floor of the living room. Ross had a bullet through his shoulder. They weren't the only ones. Detective Carmine DeFeo, 21st Squad. Dead. Solomon John Fowell, 21st Precinct. Wounded, 45, slug in the left hip. Patrolman Ezra Davis, Emergency Service squad number four. Wounded, 38, slug through the left hand. The medical examiner and ambulances were summoned. The top three and of both the uniformed and detected divisions came to the scene. At 2:15am I arrived back at the station house. There, I approved the unusual occurrence report and checked on the notification of the relatives of the wounded personnel under my command. At 2:35am conferences were held in my office with the top commanders of the department in connection with a special report concerning the incident. Subsequently, the press sought additional material and photographs.

[Sergeant Klein]

A press.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

350. I signed the blotter and left the precinct house. Deputy Chief Inspector D'Andrea gave me a ride as far as Kew Gardens. There I got a cab and went home. At 4:40am I unlocked the front door.

[Sergeant Klein]

Of the house as quietly as I could manage.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I walked through the living room into the bedroom.

[Ellen Kennelly]

Friend.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, honey?

[Ellen Kennelly]

Oh, what time is it?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

I'm late.

[Ellen Kennelly]

Are you tired?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yep, Kind of.

[Ellen Kennelly]

You know what?

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

What?

[Ellen Kennelly]

You missed a very exciting show.

[Captain Frank Kennelly]

Yeah, honey, I Bet I did. 21st Precinct. Sergeant, where do you need an ambulance? 822. Is that in the building or on the street? What apartment number? What's the trouble there? How was he hurt?

[Sergeant Klein]

Was he stabbed?

[Lieutenant King]

Incidents portrayed tonight on 21st Precinct occurred last year. Names were changed to protect the interests of persons involved. 21st Precinct is presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent association of the City of New York. Everett Sloan in the role of Captain Kennelly. Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Speeches in tonight's cast was with Joan Loring and Barbara Weeks. Lawson Zerby, Bill Lipton, Wendell Holmes and Mandel Kramer. Written and directed by Stanley Nist. Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives. Art Hannah speaking. This is the CBS Radio Network.