21st Precinct 54-02-10 (031) Case of the Drive

Summary

---

21st Precinct 54-02-10 (031) "Case of the Drive"

Harold's Old Time Radio
Date: Originally aired February 10, 1954
Podcast Release: February 22, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Length: ~28 minutes (excluding ads)

---

Episode Overview

This episode presents a classic radio drama from the Golden Age of Radio, “21st Precinct,” depicting the gritty, day-to-day police work in mid-century New York City. The episode, “Case of the Drive,” follows Captain Frank Kennelly and his squad as they pursue two dangerous Philadelphia fugitives implicated in robbery and homicide. The investigation pivots on statements from Grace Burgess, a beauty operator whose misplaced purse leads detectives through a meticulous trail of interviews, canvasses, and ultimately, a stakeout.

The episode stands as a riveting example of methodical police work and the often mundane reality behind headline criminal cases, capturing the atmosphere and procedures of the era.

---

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Case Begins: Purse Theft, or Something More?

• [00:35–02:30] The episode opens with narration from Captain Kennelly, situating listeners in the "nerve center" of the 21st Precinct.
• Sergeant Collins takes a call from a woman (Grace Burgess) regarding a purse possibly stolen by a man named Carl.
• Grace's initial uncertainty—whether her purse was stolen or accidentally left—catches police attention due to her suspect's resemblance to wanted men from Philadelphia.
  • Quote: "She [Grace Burgess] didn't know whether the man intended to steal her purse or whether she left it in his car by mistake." — Captain Kennelly [01:15]
• Detectives recognize the description fits two homicide and robbery suspects.

2. Interview with Grace Burgess

• [03:38–08:46]
• Detectives Deluca and Scanlon locate Grace at her Brooklyn workplace, a beauty parlor.
• The salon boss is wary of police disturbing her "high class clientele," an amusing aside highlighting local color.
• Grace recounts the prior evening: meeting Carl at a Brooklyn bar, agreeing to a party in Manhattan, and then being pressured after the party to return, leading to her sudden ejection and purse loss.
  • Quote: "All I wanted was to have a good time. Gets to be a fine, how do you do—you make a date with a boy, you have to ask him for his fingerprint." — Grace Burgess [09:09]
• She identifies photographs of both Carl (Carl Brider) and the second party host, Rick Nayland, as the men at the party.

3. Pursuing Leads: Trying to Locate the Apartment

• [10:15–16:03]
• Grace is brought back to Manhattan by detectives, who shuttle her around various Upper East Side streets trying to locate the party’s apartment.
• Despite hours of searching, she cannot recall the address or precise location—a frustration for both parties, but Grace provides vivid details about the party and the luxury liquor served (notably the Scandinavian spirit, Aquavit).
  • Quote: "I could tell you all about the inside... all the bottles of champagne and the aquavit. What do you call it?" — Grace Burgess [15:18]
• Detectives remain patient, highlighting the ordinary difficulties of real investigations.
  • Quote: "The process of investigation is slow, painstaking and often fruitless." — Narrator/Captain Kennelly [13:31]

4. Detective Work: Liquor Stores and a Unique Clue

• [17:21–21:36]
• While trying to retrace steps with Grace, detectives pursue another angle: Aquavit is rare in New York, so they canvass liquor stores for recent bulk purchases.
• A store owner at 3rd Avenue reveals a recent order for a case of Aquavit, purchased by "Robert Newfield"—the name given by one of the suspects.
  • Quote: "Aquavit, that stuff's not too common... If somebody wants to order a case or more, they’d have to get it special." — Detective [18:39]
• The linked phone number leads them to a brownstone apartment on 74th Street.

5. Final Steps: Identification and the Raid

• [23:17–25:44]
• Grace confirms details of the building—the red front door, a neighbor's black French poodle—cementing the location of the party.
• Police stake out the apartment, confirm the suspects’ association, and organize a raid.
• [26:00–27:50] The early morning raid is launched: both suspects are found asleep, intoxicated, and are apprehended without incident.
  • Quote: “He’s full of this aquavit... That stuff gathers dust on the shelves. It’s a long time between aquavit customers. They're scarce. Are they? We're going to make them even scarcer.” — Dialogue between detective and storekeeper [21:07, 21:44]
• Captain Kennelly and Lt. King receive acknowledgment for their careful police work.

6. Epilogue: The Nature of Police Work

• Captain Kennelly closes with a reflection on the endless, carousel-like nature of precinct life:
  • Quote: “So it goes—around the clock, through the week, every day, every year. 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.” — Captain Kennelly [27:58]

---

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Grace’s rueful humor about dating and trust:
  “You make a date with a boy, you have to ask him for his fingerprint.” [09:14]

• Detective remarks on the pursuit:
  “The process of investigation is slow, painstaking and often fruitless.” [13:31]

• Storekeeper's take on Aquavit:
  “That stuff gathers dust on the shelves. It's a long time between aquavit customers. They're scarce. Are they? We're going to make them even scarcer.” [21:44–21:52]

• Final philosophical close:
  “Anyone can catch the brass ring or the brass ring can catch anyone.” — Narrator/Captain Kennelly [27:58]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:35–02:30] – Introduction to the precinct and the purse theft call
• [03:38–08:46] – Grace Burgess’s interview with detectives
• [10:15–16:03] – Attempts to locate the party apartment
• [17:21–21:36] – Liquor store canvass for Aquavit leads
• [23:17–25:44] – Building identification, witness recall, and the stakeout
• [26:00–27:50] – The raid and arrest of the fugitives
• [27:58] – Captain Kennelly’s epilogue and wrap-up on police life

---

Summary Notes

• The story unfolds with cool, procedural realism—a hallmark of “21st Precinct.”
• Grace Burgess emerges as a relatable, slightly comical but crucial witness whose personal ordeal becomes the key to breaking a violent case.
• The role of small details (e.g., rare liquor, a red door, a neighbor’s dog) demonstrates the tedious but vital observations crucial in real law enforcement.
• The script’s rhythm transitions smoothly between investigation, dark humor, and understated drama—a testament to the enduring power of radio storytelling.

---

For listeners interested in police dramas, Golden Age radio, or New York City history, this episode strikes an engaging balance between suspense, character, and genuine police methodology.

Transcript

[SpinQuest Announcer]

You know what? It sucks to be bored. But when I get on my phone and play real casino games on spinquest.com, the time flies by. That two hour wait at the DMV seems like 10 minutes. Play your favorite slots, live blackjack, live craps with a live dealer. New players, thirty dollar coin packs are on sale for ten bucks. Play spinquest.com and you'll never be bored again. Spinquest is a free to play social casino. Void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Collins. Yes, ma'. Am. This is the police department. Stole your purse. Well, who. What's his name? Do you know him? You're in the muster room at the 21st Precinct. The nerve center. A call is coming through. You will follow by transcription the action taken pursuant to that cause from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct. All right, I'll tell you what. You're right around the corner. Why don't you just walk into the station house? You can tell us all about it. That's right. You come in here. 21st Precinct. It's just lines on the 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 homes, their persons and their property is the job of the men of the 21st Precinct. The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss.

[Grace Burgess]

My name is Kennelly.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Frank Kennelly. I'm captain in command of the 21st. It was 8:20am I had just turned out the platoon for the day tour and was in my office changing from my uniform, about to go off duty after having been on the job since the previous afternoon. Come in. I'd like to see you a minute, Captain. Oh, come in, man. Well, what have you got? I don't know, really, Captain. Maybe just an idea. Jan, you let a girl 50 cents to get home last night. That's right. I saw the US 61 this morning. Yeah, that's right. I had them take a complaint from her. She didn't know whether the man intended to steal her purse or whether she left it in his car by mistake. What about her? Well, from the way she described the car and the man, I think he's wanted for homicide and Robbery in Philadelphia. He and the fellow he's with just happened to see a wanted flyer yesterday. Everything fits like a glove. Well, her name and address is in the UF61. You can send out and talk to her. I'm going to Captain right away. While I finish changing. Lieutenant Matt King, the detective commander, used my telephone to call upstairs to the 21st squad. He instructed detectives Louis Deluca and Ralph Scanlon to come to my office immediately. We went into the lieutenant's room and found that Lt. Harry L. Snyder, the desk officer during the 12 to 8 tour, had not yet left the house. In my office, the detectives got such additional information as Lt. Snyder, who also had spoken to the girl and I possessed. Then, as I left the station house, the two detectives started to drive to Brooklyn to seek her out. A half hour later, they parked their car on a busy street in the Borough hall section and walked toward the entrance to a beauty parlor. It had started to rain. Every time I come to Brooklyn, it pours. That's because you're a giant fan. They look a little bit busy. And this is where all the husband's money goes. That looks like the boss.

[Grace Burgess]

Good morning, gentlemen.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Morning. Does the Ms. Grace Burgess work here?

[Grace Burgess]

Why, yes, she does. But she's not allowed callers during working hours. None of my operators are allowed callers during working hours. I make that a strict rule.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

We'd like to see her. We're police officers.

[Grace Burgess]

Police officers? Oh. What's she got on?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Well, she hasn't done anything. We just want to talk to her.

[Grace Burgess]

Well, if you want to talk to us, you must have done something.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Just want to talk to her.

[Grace Burgess]

Do you really have to?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Yes.

[Grace Burgess]

Well, all right. Oh, I'll tell you about something. You can talk to her in my office. It's right over there. Now, please don't make a mistreat and disturb any of my customers. I have a high class clientele.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

There won't be any trouble.

[Grace Burgess]

Well, I'll bring her right away.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

You'd think we were poisoned. Let's go in and wait, huh? This must be a nice business for the boss, I guess. I don't think the girls make too much come. Do all right with tips, I hear. You think this is going to amount to anything? Pretty thin. Well, you can't tell. It might be the right guy. We'll see fast enough, I guess.

[Grace Burgess]

Here she is. Go in, Grace.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Good morning.

[Grace Burgess]

Good morning. Now, don't keep her too long. Her book is full of appointments and I'll have to take Mrs. Terry myself.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

No, we won't keep her long.

[Grace Burgess]

Oh, do you want me to stay? As a witness, I mean.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

No. No, thank you. That won't be necessary.

[Grace Burgess]

Well, all right, if you say so.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

We're sorry to disturb you at work, Ms. Burgess, but this may be important.

[Grace Burgess]

It's important. I guess it's all right.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I'm Detective Val Scanlon. This is Louis Deluca.

[Grace Burgess]

How you do?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

We're from the 21st Squad in Manhattan.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Oh.

[Grace Burgess]

Is it about what happened when I was there last night?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

In a way, yes.

[Grace Burgess]

You see, that doesn't seem very important. It's not important enough to bring you all the way over to Brooklyn.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Well, it might have a connection with something important. You reported your purse was stolen last night. Now, would you mind telling us exactly how it happened?

[Grace Burgess]

Well, I didn't say it was stolen exactly. I just think you told the captain. It might have been a mistake.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, we know.

[Grace Burgess]

Have you got a cigarette? He doesn't let us carry them in our uniform pocket. Martha told the cat. Hank, I was in this bar last night by myself. Where? In Brooklyn, on Nelson Avenue. Michelle and I. He was alone, too. We started a little conversation.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

He told you his name was Carl?

[Grace Burgess]

That's right, Carl. Carl Borg. Well, we got to talking, and one thing led to another, and he asked me if I'd like to go to a party. Party with a whole lot of people. Well, he seemed like a nice enough boy, and I didn't have anything to do, so I said yes. Well, the party turned out to be in New York.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Didn't that make any difference?

[Grace Burgess]

Well, I didn't find out about it till we were on our way. It was a pretty night, and I didn't mind the ride. Anyway, we got to the party and there were lots of people. Everybody's having a good time.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Do you remember where the party was? Where? In New York?

[Grace Burgess]

Well, I don't know the street names or anything. I don't know much about New York. Up around there on the east side someplace. So there were all these people, and we started to have a good time. Dancing, drinking. They had wonderful food, you know, that real fancy stuff imported. And they had champagne.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

The report said you left early.

[Grace Burgess]

It wasn't really early, I guess, but it was. First I was having a good time like everybody else. And then this other fella, this Bob or Rob or something. It was his apartment, I think. Well, he started to get fresh. He wouldn't let me alone. So I said to Carl, come on, take me home. Well, Carl wanted to stay and so forth. And anyway, I finally talked him into going? Well, we got in his car, but as soon as he left the house, he tried to talk me into going back. Finally, I said I didn't want to, so he stopped the car and he practically kicked me out. Well, my purse was on the front seat. It was $14 and some change in it. I don't think he meant to steal it.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

How did you get to the police station?

[Grace Burgess]

Well, I never sent him my name, and I was mad and wondering what to do. And finally I asked somebody where the police station was, and I walked over

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

there and told him.

[Grace Burgess]

What happened? Well, the captain was very nice. He left me 50 cents, and I got subway back to Brooklyn. Oh, I'd like to give you the 50 cents to pay back the captain. That was very nice of him. I was going to mail it today, but you can give it back. Will you?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Oh, sure.

[Grace Burgess]

But I don't understand why you had to come all the way to Brooklyn after I was only $14. $14 means a lot to me. But it wasn't a big crime. I don't even know if Kyle meant to take it. I don't think he did.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Well, all complaints on theft come to the detectives. And we saw your complaint this morning. We've been looking a long time for two fellas like that. No, this is Carl Brighter, but he answers the description you gave. And he drives the same kind of

[Grace Burgess]

car with the green body and the black top?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, that's right. Is this a picture of him?

[Grace Burgess]

Yeah. Yeah, that's him. He's a criminal. I didn't know it on him.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

No way you could have known. Show her the other picture, Ron.

[Grace Burgess]

Nice of him, boy.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

You recognize this one?

[Grace Burgess]

That's the one that tried to get rough with me. That Rob or Bob or something was his apartment we were at.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

His name is Rick Nayland.

[Grace Burgess]

Almost got mixed up with some crowd, didn't I? What'd they do? What are they?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

The two of them were wanted in Philadelphia. They stuck up a payroll messenger shot and killed them. Now, you think you could remember where that building was?

[Grace Burgess]

Oh, I don't know. I don't think so. I told you, I don't know New York very well.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Would you try to help us?

[Grace Burgess]

Yeah, if you want to. Now, if you can. He'll be awful sore.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Well, we'll see if we can fix it with her.

[Grace Burgess]

All right, you can fix it. I don't know. Look at the trouble a girl can almost get in. All I want was to have a good time. Gets to be a fine. How do you do you make a date with a boy, you have to ask him for his fingerprint.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Whether it's slots or live dealers, Spinquest.com has the fun and action you're looking for with Spinquest exclusives. Blackjack, roulette, baccarat and even live dice. With craps and bubble craps, the games never stop so you don't have to. And right now, new users get $30 coin packs for just 10 bucks. Play [e-mail] SpinQuest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Grace Burgess]

If you're an H Vac technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

find the right product fast and hassle free.

[Grace Burgess]

And you know when the first problem

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

of the day is a clanking blower

[Grace Burgess]

motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

product details, you're confident you'll soon have

[Grace Burgess]

everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

You are listening to 21st Precinct, a factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city. Back to 21st Precinct and Captain Frank Canelli. The two detectives telephone to their commanding officer, Lieutenant Matt King, and passed down the information they had obtained from the beauty operator, Grace Burgess. They were instructed to bring the girl to New York and make a search for the apartment house where she had attended the party the previous night. They did this and three hours later, at 1pm they parked their car in front of the station house, walked through the Musker Room and up the street stairs to the 21st Squad. All right. Let's wait right here, Miss Burgess.

[Grace Burgess]

What happens now? I'd like to know that much.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

We still want to see if we can find that apartment house.

[Grace Burgess]

I don't know what more good I can do.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Oh, the lieutenant wants to talk to you. Oh, yeah, thanks. You want to see if he's busy learning? Yeah.

[Grace Burgess]

Listen.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

What?

[Grace Burgess]

I'm hungry. Don't you think we're entitled to lunch?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I will get you lunch. Whitey. Lieutenant. Sideup? No, he's all alone in there. Thanks. Now. DeLuca. Lieutenant. Command line. Yes, sir. Now we've got that. Great. Burgess here. Did she locate the building for you? She hasn't any idea where it is. We rode around for two hours. Bring her in here. Yes, sir. Simon. Yeah. Okay. She's not much help at all. Right in there, Ms. Burgess?

[Grace Burgess]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Come in. Ms. Bridget.

[Grace Burgess]

Thank you very much.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Close the door, Scanlon. Yes, sir. Now, everybody move along. This is Lieutenant King. Ms. Grace Bridget. Hello.

[Grace Burgess]

I'm Sue.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Sit down, please.

[Grace Burgess]

Thanks.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I understand you weren't able to locate the house, Ms. Bridget.

[Grace Burgess]

It's too bad the right side is not.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

She tried, Lieutenant. Yes, sir. We rode every street between 57 and 79th and 5th Avenue, the river. Nothing. Nothing.

[Grace Burgess]

That's not my fault. I told you, I don't know New York.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Did you locate the spot in which you get out of the car? Well, we're only guessing about that, Lieutenant. She doesn't remember which way she walked to get to the station house.

[Grace Burgess]

I don't remember.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

But you didn't ride very long from the apartment house before you did get out?

[Grace Burgess]

No, it was only three or four blocks, maybe five. Listen, I'm getting very hungry. This is the bad scheme that those cooks. At least they fed me.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

They have plenty to eat. All right, we'll go out and get

[Grace Burgess]

something to eat and plenty to drink. Champagne, all kinds of fancy liquor. Delicacies from all over the continent.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Well, we don't do quite as well as thieves, Ms. Burgess. But there's a nice spaghetti joint around the corner. That's where we're going if you want to come with us.

[Grace Burgess]

Sure. All right.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Now, Ms. Burgess, what kind of fancy liquor do they have there? Besides the champagne, I mean?

[Grace Burgess]

Well, whiskey, that Scotch whiskey from Scotland and something from Sweden or someplace. Somebody said I could really knock you for a loop, so I didn't try any.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Aquavit.

[Grace Burgess]

Blah. Aquavit, that's all this Rob or Bob drank? He said he did. Anything else ever? Yeah, just bottles of it. What have they got besides spaghetti in this place? Anything good?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Anything you want.

[Grace Burgess]

Well, that's nice. I had spaghetti last night. Think they might have a stake?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

They might.

[Grace Burgess]

Well, I'm ready.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

You have a nice lunch, Ms. Burgess. Then they'll take you back out to try to find that house.

[Grace Burgess]

Do we have to?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I think it'd be a good idea. The process of investigation is slow, painstaking and often fruitless. Detectives must often rely upon others who have neither an appreciation nor an understanding of the importance of the information being sought. But fortunately for the police, most citizens are willing to give all the time and effort they can spare, whether or not they grasp the implications. In this case, Detective Scanlon and Deluci take the witness to lunch and then return to the car. The weather had cleared some and they slowly cruised the street to the precinct across 60 seconds, the river. Back on 63rd to 5th Avenue, 64th, 65th. And on that town.

[Grace Burgess]

No, it's not on this. At least I don't think so.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Ralph, what do you say we'll go back to the spot where we put her out of the car? Yeah, okay.

[Grace Burgess]

I'm not even sure that's where he did that.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I thought you decided it was.

[Grace Burgess]

Yeah, but now I remember. I walked a couple of blocks before he saw that Paris store.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Which way, uptown or downtown?

[Grace Burgess]

Which way is uptown?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I guess it don't make any difference.

[Grace Burgess]

You don't have to get sore. Do you come all the way from Brooklyn to try to help you out.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

No, we're not. Sorry.

[Grace Burgess]

Trying? We can't say I'm not trying.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Oh, we can't. After all, I don't know New York.

[Grace Burgess]

And it was dark then. I wasn't paying much attention.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Where we were going to expect me

[Grace Burgess]

to pick out a house I'd never been to on a street I never been to after all.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

You want to try it again?

[Grace Burgess]

Ghost Socodie.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Now, look, when you left the house, can't you recall how many blocks you drove before you turned left like you said?

[Grace Burgess]

No, I can't really, but I'll say we can.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Yeah. Do you remember the kind of building it was? Was it brick? Brownstone one? Was there a street or was it a street level entrance?

[Grace Burgess]

I didn't notice. I could tell you all about the inside of the apartment. The living room was nice, and there was this lovely kitchen where they had the food and everything. All the bottles of champagne and the aqua vite. What do you call it?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Well, there's no sense worrying about the inside until we find the outside.

[Grace Burgess]

Well, I'm sorry, I can't remember. It's the first time I had champagne, you know. Maybe that's why I don't remember so well.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I wouldn't be surprised.

[Grace Burgess]

Are you insinuating?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

No, just speculating.

[Grace Burgess]

That's different.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Does this block look familiar to you, Grace?

[Grace Burgess]

No, not a bit familiar.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Well, what do you say we take a turn up Lexington? Lunch? Okay, go ahead.

[Grace Burgess]

I didn't know New York before. I'm sure you're gonna know it now, don't you think?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Yes, I wouldn't be surprised at that either. The search for the apartment house continued all that afternoon and into the night. The detectives had no luck. In the meantime, Lt. King had taken other investigatory steps in an attempt to locate the two fugitives from Philadelphia who were thought to be someplace in the precinct. His immediate superior, Captain Robert Fleischer, detailed four detectives from the 6th Detective District to assist in the hunt. Two additional men from the Manhattan East Homicide Squad were sent to lend a hand at the turnout of the platoons for the night tour at 4pm and the late tour at midnight. The uniformed Officers of the 21st were given descriptions of the fugitives and shown their photographs. If they were holed up in the precinct and showed their faces on the street, it was more than possible that any One of the 150 men who patrolled every inch of the streets might spot them. At 7:45 the next morning, I came into the muster room to report the duty for my day tour. I walked around behind the desk where Lt. Pope was on duty as desk officer and signed the blotter. Then I passed the telephone switchboard where Sergeant Collins was on the job. Good morning, Captain. Sergeant, there's a few messages on your desk. All good. Listen. Excuse me, Captain. Yeah, go ahead. 21st Precinct, Sergeant Collins.

[Grace Burgess]

Yeah, all right.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Yes, sir. We'll take care of it. Park Avenue and 68. Yes, sir.

[Grace Burgess]

Thank you.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Dead dog on the street. Park Avenue and 68. Captain. Yes, sir. Any trace of those two Philadelphia fugitives? There must not be. Lt. King asked us to keep giving the descriptions to the men. All right. I'll be in my office now, Captain. Morning, man. You talked to the man about those two fugitives this morning? Yes, man. Sure. How are you doing, Willem? Yeah, not too good. The girl identifies the pictures of both of them. She's sure about them. Go ahead. But that's the only thing she is sure about. Had her out riding almost all day yesterday. She couldn't locate the building. She had no idea where it is. What else have you got working on it? Well, she may not be able to locate the house they're in, but we're pretty sure it's in the precinct. She was telling us about the party there. Champagne, all kinds of fancy food and liquor. Seems that One of them, Ms. Rick Nayland, has a taste for that Swedish liquor, Aqua Vit. Yeah, he had several bottles of it there, she said. Well, we know they were in Philadelphia before they got into the. They came to New York in a hurry. They certainly didn't carry that liquor with them. Must have bought it here. Aqua Vip. That stuff's not too common. No, sir. Well, I figured a liquor store might carry a bottle or two of it, but if somebody wants to order a case or more, they'd have to get it special. That's good, man. Might amount to something better. Captain. So we've got in another few minutes. I Turned out the platoon for the day, touring the men were given detailed descriptions of the Philadelphia fugitives and marched out of the station house to take over their posts. I went into my office and started on the paperwork. The signing of reports and reading of communications. As soon as the licensed package stores began to open for the day's business, detectives assigned to the job resumed their canvas in teams of two. They worked all day. No luck. Finally, at 5:00pm Detectives Scanlon and DeLuca walked into a package on 3rd Avenue near 73rd. Afternoon. Yes, sir. Would you like to look over our specials? Have you got a special? I'm sorry. This other gentleman was first. Where to get him? Oh, we're police officers. I'm Detective DeLuca, this is Detective Scanlon. What can I do for you? We're just checking up. We're looking for a fellow who might have bought a lot of Aquavita case. Maybe you sell a lot of this stuff?

[SpinQuest Announcer]

No.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

He could sit on the shelf. This is not an aquavit drinking country. Have you sold any recently?

[Grace Burgess]

Me?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Yeah. A bottle here, a bottle there. I mean, by the cake to that fella you're looking for. Yeah. No. Well, wait a minute. Just because I didn't sell it don't mean it hasn't been sold. The boss could have sold it. Is he in? No, I'm just here alone right now. Tomorrow morning he's out playing golf. Great golf enthusiasm. What time will he be in? Well, you don't have to be in. If somebody wanted a case of Aquazine, we wouldn't have it in stock. Not in this store. We'd have to order it in from the distributor. So the customer would leave his order and we'd write it down in this book. When the merchandise came in, we'd phone him to come get us. Well, can you look? That's what I'm fixing to do. You'll just have the patience. But let's see. Would it have been this week? Yeah, probably. Y One case. Hell, disson. Good brand. Imported. That's safe. One case. It's 69.25. This stuff ain't cheap. What name did he give? Let's see. Robert Newfield. That could be Nayland. The initial tie up. Yeah. El Dorado 58098 there. Does it take an address? Why? They order the stuff when it comes in. We call them on the telephone. They come and get it. When was this order? Well, the order went in on Tuesday. It says it arrived here Wednesday afternoon.

[Grace Burgess]

They came and picked it up.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

That's what it says. Who sell Them that looks like the boss is writing. He won't be here until tomorrow. Where can we get in touch with him? Well, about the 16th hole, I think we can check out the telephone number and get the address that way. Yeah. Let's hope there isn't another aquavit drinker around here. There ain't many. Take my word for it. That stuff gathers dust on the shelves. It's a long time between aquavit customers. They're scarce. Are they? We're going to make them even scarcer. This information was Telephoned immediately to Lieutenant King. The telephone number, El Dorado 58098 was checked out. The address listed turned out to be a brownstone house converted into Apartments on 74th street near Second Avenue. A plant was put on the building in order to avoid observation. The superintendent of the building was called on the telephone and asked to meet the King in a drugstore on the corner. He was taken to the lieutenant's car and questioned concerning the fugitives. He said that an apartment 2B had been subleased furnished to a Robert Newfield just 10 days earlier by a tenant who would be out of town for three months. In the 10 days he had seen Robert Newfield only once. The superintendent was shown the photograph of the killer, Richard Nayland. Although he said he thought it resembled a new occupant of the apartment, Robert Newfield, he would not make a positive identification. He was shown the picture of the other fugitive, Carl Brider. The superintendent could not remember ever having seen him. At 5:30pm Lt. King sent Detective Deluca to Brooklyn to get the girl, Grace Burgess, and bring her to the 21st Squad. Then with them he rode to the 74th street address.

[Grace Burgess]

I hope this isn't another wild goose case.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Believe me, you don't hope so any more than we do.

[Grace Burgess]

I have the steak tonight.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I gave the boy some silly excuse

[Grace Burgess]

when I broke it. Probably thought I was lying.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I will give you a letter.

[Grace Burgess]

Was it all right?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Slow down, Ladson. Third house in the corner.

[Grace Burgess]

Grace the grasshopper.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

That's right.

[Grace Burgess]

Well, I have no reason to remember.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

That's where you were to the party. Wouldn't you

[Grace Burgess]

listen? Is that door red? The front door of the house, I mean.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

Yes, it's painted red.

[Grace Burgess]

Well, I do remember the building had a red front door. We mark at the time the car with a nice front door.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

I said, when you went in, how many flights of stairs you go up?

[Grace Burgess]

Well, just inside and up one flight. If my memory serves me, was the

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

apartment toward the back or toward the street?

[Grace Burgess]

Huh? Well, which I was forgetting. I was fortunate to remember. I can't remember every. Oh, you know why?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

What?

[Grace Burgess]

I do remember something. When we were going in, there was a lady coming out and she had the nicest old French pool you ever saw. Little bitty things, just as big. Very little dog. I remarked the call at the time. I never saw cuter dog.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

What color was the dog?

[Grace Burgess]

Black, I think. Yeah, black.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

All right, Le. Let's go back. Yes.

[Grace Burgess]

I can't say definitely. I can't say definitely.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

You've been a lot of help, Ms. Burkin.

[Grace Burgess]

Have I?

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

A lot of help?

[Grace Burgess]

Yes.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

After Lt. King returned to the precinct, he sent Detective DeLuca back to 74th street to talk once more to the superintendent of the building. The super confirmed that there was a tenant who owned a dog exactly as described by Grace Burgess. The plant was maintained on the building. Neither of the suspects was seen to enter or leave. There was no indication whether anyone was in the apartment being kept under surveillance. Because the fugitives were killers and both probably armed, it was decided to wait until early in the morning. In the meantime, the raid detail was organized. It consisted of six detectives from the 21st Squad, two from the 6th Detective District and four patrolmen from the 21st Precinct. I stayed on the job to go along with Lt. King. The pass key to the apartment was obtained from Super. And at 4am all the men were given their very first assignments with Detectives Buka, Scanlon and Howard. Lt. King and I walk toward the street entrance of the building. All right, captain, Let's go. Okay. Now what? Matt wanted to get a haircut today. I forgot. Did you? Okay. Why didn't get up to the top going? Yes. All right. 15. Here's the key line. Yes. Quiet. Okay. Good night. There's one on the couch. Sleeping camp?

[Grace Burgess]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator/Captain Kennelly]

That's the bedroom. Come on. There he is. On the bed. All right, Gill. He's out cold. Come on, on your feet. Let him. Right there. L. Yes. He's not going anyplace. Oh, he's full of this aqu. Stay with him. L. Captain. Coming. Okay. Scanlan? Yes, sir. He's passed out cold. Well, he's. The boy's all right. A good column. Yes, sir. Sure is. Well, Matt, there'll be some departmental recognition for this. There's one commendation the commissioner shouldn't forget. Which one is that, Captain? Aqua vive. 21st Precinct. Sergeant Collins. Who's trying to kill her? How old is the girl? 16. Well, it's hands. So it goes around the clock through the week, every day. Every year a police precinct in the city of New York is a flesh and blood merry go round. Anyone can catch the brass ring oh, the brass ring can catch anyone. 21st Precinct transcribed a factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city. It presented with the official cooperation of the Patrolman's Benevolent association, an organization of more than 20,000 members of the Police Department, City of New York. Everett Sloan in the role of Captain Kennelly. Ken lynch as Lieutenant King. Featured in tonight's cast were Elspeth Eric, Evelyn Barden, John Sylvester, Eric Drexler, John Gibson, Joseph Julian and Jack Morrison. Written and directed by Stanley Nist. Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives. Bob Pfeiffer speaking.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

What's up baby? It's Bretzky and I'm here to tell you that spinquest.com is giving out free sweet coins. All you got to do is is purchase a $10 coin pack. And guess what? They're going to give you the coins from a $30 coin pack that lets you play all your favorite games like Blackjack, Wanted, Dead or Wild. And we're talking real cash prizes, baby. Spinquest.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. Finding great candidates to hire can be like, well, trying to find a needle in a haystack. Sure, you can post your job to some job board, but then all you can do is hope the comes along. Which is why you should try ZipRecruiter for free at ZipRecruiter.com Zip ZipRecruiter doesn't depend on candidates finding you. It finds them for you. Its powerful technology identifies people with the right experience and actively invites them to apply to your job. You get qualified candidates fast. So while other companies might deliver a lot of hay, ZipRecruiter finds you what you're looking for. The needle in the Haystack. See why 4 out of 5 employers who post a job on ZipRecruiter get a quality candidate within the first day. The smartest way to hire and right now you can try ZipRecruiter for free. That's right, free at ZipRecruiter.com Zip that's ZipRecruiter.com Zip ZipRecruiter.com Zip.