Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: 21st Precinct 53-09-08 (010) "The Certified 600"
Date: February 22, 2026

Overview

This episode presents a classic police procedural from the "21st Precinct" radio series, set in 1950s New York. With a focus on the day-to-day realities and challenges faced by the officers, the story details the investigation of a daring safe burglary targeting a local paint store—shedding light on both the methods of criminals and the diligent work of detectives. The episode skillfully blends human drama, moral dilemmas, and keen procedural insight.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Burglary Unfolds

• [01:04–04:12] The episode opens in the bustling muster room of the 21st Precinct, with Captain Kennelly (Frank Kennelly) establishing the tense tone of a busy tour. A robbery at a paint store on Lexington Avenue is reported—someone has stolen the entire safe, not just its contents.
• Captain and officers arrive at the scene with Mr. George Helis, the paint store owner, visibly shaken after discovering his store ransacked.

2. Examining the Scene

• [04:13–10:22]
  • Officers and Mr. Helis discuss the details of the robbery. The safe, reportedly heavy (600 lbs), was dragged out in full view, highlighting the boldness and planning of the perpetrators.
  • Helis struggles to recall the safe's specifics but remembers all paperwork is (ironically) stored inside the missing safe.
  • The break-in was achieved by "jimmying" the street door; speculation arises about the number of people needed to haul away such a massive safe.

Notable Quote

"You sure had a lot of faith in that safe, Mr. Helis."
— Sergeant Burns, [08:07]

3. The Burglar Calls In

• [10:23–17:15]
  • Unexpectedly, a phone call comes in for the "cop in charge"—it’s purportedly from one of the burglars, proposing a deal: if police give out the safe’s combination, the thieves will return all documents and valuables except the cash. If not, “the safe winds up at the bottom of the river.”
  • Mr. Helis, more concerned for his bonds and accounts receivable than the cash, is open to the proposition, but Captain Kennelly decides to consult with detectives first.

Memorable Moment

"All he wants is the money. If he doesn't get it, the whole thing goes to the bottom of the river."
— Captain Kennelly quoting the burglar, [13:54]

4. Detective Investigation & Theories

• [17:16–22:37]
  • Detectives from both the local squad and the specialized safe burglary unit (“Safe and Loft Squad”) arrive; a collaborative investigation launches.
  • Detective Andy Sawyer proposes that the phone call’s initial female voice was a tactic, perhaps to avoid voice recognition.
  • The safe’s description matches a “certified 600”—a tough but not impenetrable safe. Detectives believe the burglars are likely amateurs.
  • The decision is made to wait for another attempted contact from the burglars, hoping for a traceable call and a chance to recover the safe’s contents.

Notable Analysis

"If this burglar was going to put the proposition to someone, who’d be the logical person—not the cops on the job? The logical one would have been Helis."
— Captain Kennelly, [20:42]

5. Checking Patrolmen Accountability

• [22:38–28:45]
  • Captain Kennelly interviews patrolmen assigned to the area during the robbery. One, Patrolman White, is a recent academy graduate distracted by a nearby bar fight and fire re-routing, missing the crime unfolding on his post.
  • Captain reminds him of Rule 107—requiring vigilance and action against crimes observed on patrol.

Important Moment

"Don’t forget it."
— Captain Kennelly, reminding White of his duties, [27:45]

6. Second Contact and Police Strategy

• [28:46–33:15]
  • Another phone call from the burglar comes through. While detectives try to trace the call, Kennelly stallingly provides the safe’s combination.
  • The line is traced quickly to a payphone at a drugstore on Astoria Boulevard. Units are dispatched, and detectives coordinate to check out leads involving former employees and anyone connected to Mr. Helis.

7. Suspects Narrowed Down

• [33:16–37:50]
  • Investigation reveals that Helis’s brother-in-law, Lee Goring, who once worked at the paint store and has a criminal record, recently lived in Astoria—the same area as the traced call.
  • Detectives decide to pay him a visit.

8. Case Resolution

• [37:51–44:24]
  • Detectives Sawyer and Vitale go to Goring’s residence. There, they find both Goring and a young woman (Eleanor Hoffle)—the same woman who was on the phone call.
  • The stolen safe, battered but unopened, is discovered in Goring’s garage. The woman claims she “was just visiting” and did not know about the crime.
  • Goring confesses, expressing resignation and frustration at failing to open the safe despite hours of effort.
  • It’s revealed his motive was to “keep the money in the family,” seeing his brother-in-law as an easy target.

Notable Quotes

"I wanted to keep the money in the family. That was thoughtful, wasn’t it, Captain?"
— Lee Goring, [41:22]

"What’s the answer? $25 a day."
— Mr. Helis, reflecting on Goring’s choices, [44:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Who would have thought, you know. Listen, the government will make good on those, won’t they? That's my hard earned money in those bonds.”
  — Mr. Helis, [09:24]

• "You probably will [get your property back], Mr. Healis. All they want is the cash. Your ledgers and war bonds won’t do them any good."
  — Captain Kennelly, [11:40]

• "If he had moxie enough to carry that safe out across the sidewalk, he’s got enough to make another telephone call."
  — Detective King, [23:50]

• "A police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry-go-round. Anyone can catch the brass ring, or the brass ring can catch anyone."
  — Final narration, [44:50]

Episode Structure & Timestamps

• [01:04] Introduction—Call reporting the burglary
• [04:13] Conversation with store owner and scene assessment
• [10:23] The burglar’s phone call and proposition
• [17:16] Detectives arrive, begin theorizing
• [22:38] Patrolman interviews & rule reminders
• [28:46] Second call from burglar & telephone trace
• [33:16] Lead towards brother-in-law develops
• [37:51] Culprit confronted and safe recovered
• [44:10] Coda—Reflections on crime, family, and choices

Original Tone & Language

The episode maintains a brisk, procedural, and authentic tone—dialogue is crisp and often dryly humorous, reflecting the hard-earned experience of New York’s finest. The human side of police work comes through in the banter, frustrations, and flashes of empathy among officers and civilians alike.

Conclusion

“The Certified 600” demonstrates classic radio drama at its best: tightly plotted, character-driven, and always mindful of the unpredictable realities of urban life. Using a simple case—a safe stolen from a neighborhood store—it explores the thread connecting duty, crime, family, and trust. For listeners today, it’s a compelling snapshot of both mid-century law enforcement and timeless human dilemmas.