21st Precinct 54-11-17 (071) The Bottle

Summary

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Podcast Summary: 21st Precinct 54-11-17 (071) "The Bottle"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 25, 2026
Original Air Date: November 17, 1954
Episode Theme:
This episode of "21st Precinct," titled "The Bottle," offers a vivid, procedural look at New York City police work during an intense manhunt for a pair of armed robbers targeting liquor stores. Through tense stakeouts, strategic planning, and authentic dialogue, it immerses listeners in the everyday realities and dangers faced by police officers in the 1950s.

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Main Theme and Purpose

The central narrative follows Captain Kennelly, Lieutenant King, Detective Novak, and Patrolman Vaccaro as they organize and implement a large-scale stakeout operation targeting a duo of persistent and increasingly dangerous liquor store bandits. The episode explores themes of police camaraderie, the mix of boredom and adrenaline in investigative work, and the small, personal dramas that play out amid citywide crime-fighting efforts.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Recent Crime Wave: The Liquor Store Robberies

• The precinct, along with neighboring districts, is under pressure due to a crime spree—19 armed robberies of package (liquor) stores by the same two men within three weeks (02:12–04:35).
• Captain Kennelly and Lieutenant King discuss detective work, the patterns in the robberies, and the pressure from higher-ups to solve the crimes before an inevitable deadly incident.

"The borough chief called all the squad commanders concerned to a meeting this afternoon... 19 armed robberies, he said. Same two guys, always in liquor stores. Always between 7 and 10pm. Nobody's been able to get a line on them, he said."
— Lt. King (04:37)

2. Strategic Stakeout Planning

• Police narrow down target stores using shared robbery patterns: always a single clerk, no corner stores, typically on avenues, not cross streets (05:26–06:09).
• A large, coordinated stakeout launches that night, involving officers from several precincts and city bureaus, with lists circulated and men assigned to undercover "plants" in potential target stores (06:17–08:46).

3. Life on Stakeout: Tedium and Tension

• Detective Novak and Patrolman Vaccaro set up at the Fairbridge Liquor Store with clerk Jack Heelis, alternating between humor and nerves as they settle in for the long haul (08:46–10:54).
• The reality of stakeout duty is emphasized: the suspense when customers arrive and relief when they're not suspects (14:43–16:44).

"Tell me, Vaquero, what's better, walking a post or sitting on a plant? ...Wait till you've been on one for 16 hours straight, on your feet, out in the cold, waiting for some guy to show up who's never coming. And you can complain."
— Detective Novak (19:12)

4. The Confrontation: Robbers Arrive

• A suspenseful climactic sequence in which the real bandits finally appear at the store (20:03).
• Officers spring the trap after a brief standoff—shots are fired, one robber is killed, and the other, Earl Creedy, is arrested (20:07–22:12).

"We told them we were cops. They turned on us. This is how it wound up."
— Detective Novak (26:51)

5. Aftermath and Irony

• Interrogation of the captured robber reveals he’s an experienced criminal, but denies involvement in any previous liquor store stickups (25:02–28:51).
• The twist: other robbers strike again in another precinct while the current suspects are apprehended—proving they may have caught the wrong pair for the larger string of crimes (29:19–30:00).

Lt. King: "The ones we're looking for just hit down the 15th Precinct not five minutes ago."
Captain Kennelly: "Number 20. I get dropped on number one and they hit number 20. Some luck I got." (29:48–30:00)

6. Authenticity and Police Life

• The episode ends with the narrator highlighting the relentless, merry-go-round nature of police work and its unpredictability (30:29–31:00).

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Lt. King on Precinct Pressure:
  "If we don't get them right now, they're going to kill some victim." (05:09)

• Clerk’s Gallows Humor:
  "I've been working here eight years. Nobody has ever stuck me up yet. Knock on wood."
  — Jack Heelis (10:19)

• Novak on Dirty Work:
  "You're better off alone or are you better off with us in back?" (14:15)

• Irony of Success:
  "Well, you hit the jackpot tonight, Jack. I guess I did. And I want to quit while I'm ahead." (27:41–27:48)

• Narrator's Closing Reflection:
  "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." (30:29)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:12]: Kennelly describes the extent of the crime wave and the toll on detectives.
• [04:37]: Lt. King summarizes pressure from command to end the robberies.
• [06:09]: Detectives analyze robbery patterns to focus their surveillance.
• [08:46]: Novak and Vaccaro take up position in the liquor store.
• [10:19]: Heelis jokes about never having been robbed.
• [14:43]: The nerve-wracking wait—customers come and go, always stressful.
• [20:07–22:12]: The key confrontation: shots fired, one robber dead, one caught.
• [25:02]: Creedy’s criminal background comes to light.
• [29:48]: The ironic news that the true bandits have struck elsewhere.
• [30:29]: Narrator sums up the unpredictable life at the 21st Precinct.

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Episode Tone and Style

• Language: Direct, lean, and authentic, consistent with mid-20th-century radio police procedurals—peppered with gallows humor and the professional banter of city cops.
• Atmosphere: Tense, focused, periodically lightened by everyday concerns and dry humor.
• Pacing: Methodical and immersive, mirroring real police work's blend of waiting and crisis.

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This rich episode is an outstanding example of "Golden Age" radio drama, blending suspense, humor, and realism—bringing to life both the mundane and the extraordinary aspects of policing in 1950s New York City. Even as some criminals fall, the relentless cycle continues in the city that never sleeps.

Transcript

[Lost Driver]

Or lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions.

[Captain Kennelly]

Hi there.

[Lost Driver]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. No, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Lost Driver]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[T-Mobile Representative]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Lost Driver]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

[T-Mobile Advertiser]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores. Best mobile network based on analysis by Ookle of Speedtest Intelligence data 2H2025. Bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage. Price guarantee on talk, text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. CT T mobile.com for details.

[Captain Kennelly]

21st Precinct. Sergeant Waters. Shooting.

[Detective Novak]

Where?

[Captain Kennelly]

Talk into the phone, will you? Where's the shooting? Lexington. And what? Who's shot? Who? Yeah. You are in the muster room at the 21st Precinct. The nerve center. A call is coming through. You will follow the action taken pursuant to that call from this minute until the final report is written in the 124 room at the 21st Precinct. Okay, go back there and wait. The officer will be right over there. Yeah, that's right. I'm sending the now right now.

[Narrator]

21st Precinct transcribed is 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 ask 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.

[Captain Kennelly]

The 21st. 160 patrolmen, 11 sergeants and four lieutenants, of whom I'm the boss. My name is Kennelly. Frank Canelli. I'm captain in command of the 21st. I was working my night tour, 4pm to 8am I had come into the station house at 3:25 in order to give myself enough time before the turnout of the platoon to change to uniform, read reports and communications and confer with the desk officers. Lt. Gorman and Lt. Snyder, who were coming on and going off duty respectively. When I turned out the platoon, the most important instructions I gave the men concerned a series of armed robberies of liquor stores which had plagued detectives and the patrol force of every precinct on the east side of Manhattan uptown from 34th street during the last three weeks. The two armed men had hardly missed a night. Sometimes they hit twice or three times in the same night. The victim was always a package store. The time was always between 7 and 10pm the score was 19 robberies and $3,300. He didn't look like they were ready to quit. Of the 19 robberies, six were in the 21st Precinct. And Lt. King, the commander of the 21st Detective Squad, hadn't been home in a week. Neither had most of his men. After the 62 men who would patrol the precinct until midnight marched out the front door of the station house to take over their posts, I returned to my office, closed the door and walked over to my desk to more thoroughly read the reports. Waiting for my signature. 21st Precinct. Captain Kennelly. Sergeant Waters on TS. Captain. Yes, Sergeant? Lieutenant King is down at the desk. He wants to know if he can see you a minute.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Yeah, sure.

[Captain Kennelly]

Tell him to come in. Yes, sir. Okay, Lieutenant. Go on in, Sergeant.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Kennelly]

Have a car come by the house for me at 4:35. I want to go out on patrol. Yes, sir. Come in. No, come in, Matt.

[Lieutenant King]

Hello, Captain.

[Captain Kennelly]

Saw the door closed.

[Lieutenant King]

I thought you might have someone in here.

[Captain Kennelly]

Sit down, Matt.

[Lieutenant King]

Yes.

[Captain Kennelly]

No, I. I've been keeping it closed when I'm in here. Some psycho has been wandering into the station house and heading right for my office before anyone could stop him. He's got some story about the flying saucers being after him.

[Lieutenant King]

Oh, man. We had him up in the squad, too.

[Captain Kennelly]

How are you doing on those liquor store robberies, Matt? Get any line on them?

[Lieutenant King]

Well, that's what I want to talk to you about, Captain.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah?

[Lieutenant King]

The borough chief called all the squad commanders concerned to a meeting this afternoon.

[Captain Kennelly]

What did he have to say?

[Lieutenant King]

We had plenty to say for a half hour straight. 19 armed robberies, he said. Same two guys, always in liquor stores. Always between 7 and 10pm Nobody's been able to get a line on them, he said. Nobody's been able to get to first base.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, you can't say you haven't been working.

[Lieutenant King]

No, sir, he can't say that. We've been running down every angle we get. We've been planting a few stores we thought they might hit. They've been doing the same thing in the other squads.

[Captain Kennelly]

What did the chief say?

[Lieutenant King]

19 robberies and no shooting yet? He said to stretch it to the 20th. It'd be going too far. Said if we don't get them right now, they're going to kill some victim.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, well, I don't think he's far

[Lieutenant King]

wrong about that, sir. Neither do I. I've been worrying about it all along.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, what are you gonna do?

[Lieutenant King]

We're Gonna put almost 100% plant on package stores between 34th street and 96th Street.

[Captain Kennelly]

Plant all of them? Well, there's a couple of hundred.

[Lieutenant King]

Well, we're narrowing it down some. In the first place, these guys haven't hit a store where there's been more than one clerk. Always only one clerk on the job.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, that takes you down a lot.

[Lieutenant King]

Yes, sir. And out of the 19 jobs, only two of them were on cross streets, the rest were on avenues.

[Captain Kennelly]

Why do you figure that is? I don't know.

[Lieutenant King]

Must be something in their mind. I guess that takes it down some more. Eliminating all the stores on the cross streets. Yeah, and they haven't yet hit a store that's been on a corner.

[Captain Kennelly]

Oh, haven't they?

[Lieutenant King]

No, sir. Every One of the 19 has been in the middle of the block or at least away from the corner.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, I guess they figure there's more chance for someone to see inside the store if it's on a corner.

[Lieutenant King]

Yes, sir, that might be it. So we've got it down to within reason.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, are you going to plant two men in each?

[Lieutenant King]

Yes, sir. There's been two stick up men in every case, both of them armed. We'll need two to handle them.

[Captain Kennelly]

That'll take a lot of men.

[Lieutenant King]

Well, everybody from the five squads is working. Yeah, the chief is putting half the men from the Manhattan east homicide squad and half the men from the youth squad on the job. And the Chief of detectives is sending as many men as he can spare. You know, five here, six there, 10 there. Yeah, the Central Office Bureaus are giving us about 12 men. Got a couple each from the Safe and Loft and Narcotics squad. The chief got hold of every division commander in Manhattan east and they're giving us about 20 plainclothesmen. And we're asking the precincts concerned to furnish four or preferably six patrolmen to work in plain clothes.

[Captain Kennelly]

You caught me on a night when I'm kind of short man.

[Lieutenant King]

Well, I won't ask you for six, Captain.

[Detective Novak]

How about four?

[Captain Kennelly]

All right, I'll get you four men

[Lieutenant King]

each of Them will be assigned on a plant with an experienced detective.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, that's the way it should be. When does this go into effect?

[Lieutenant King]

Tonight. We've got the surveys made. We know the stores we're going to plant. It's all set for tonight.

[Captain Kennelly]

And how long do you expect it to continue?

[Lieutenant King]

I don't know, Captain. Depends on when we get them.

[Captain Kennelly]

Immediately after conferring with Lieutenant King, I went out into the muster room and around behind the desk to apprise Lieutenant Gorman, the desk officer, of the situation. After considerable discussion, we determined the names of four patrolmen to be assigned to work with the detectives on this case. They were called in off their posts, told to change to civilian clothes and report to Lt. King forthwith. Within an hour, Lt. King furnished to Lt. Gorman a complete list of 31 package stores in the precinct that would be planted in the hope of catching the stick up men in the act of committing robbery. As patrolmen on post rang in at their stated times, they were informed by the desk officer of the stores on their posts in which detectives would be on duty. Patrolman Fallon, the 124 man, typed up complete lists for the men in sector cars and the Sergeants. At 6:45pm Detective William Novak of the 21st Squad and Patrolman Paul Vaccaro, who had been assigned to work with him in plain clothes, were on Lexington Avenue, walking toward the Fairbridge Liquor Store, which they were under instructions to plant.

[Detective Novak]

Plants are worth stealing a book.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

It's better than walking post.

[Detective Novak]

Yeah, well, you told me that three hours from now and you're a liar.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Hey, wait a minute. That's it, isn't it?

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah.

[Detective Novak]

Let me talk to the guy. Have a car?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Oh, yeah, sure.

[Captain Kennelly]

Okay,

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Go ahead.

[Detective Novak]

What do you say?

[Captain Kennelly]

What?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

What did you have in mind? We've got a special in rum.

[Detective Novak]

We're detectives. Oh, my name's Novak. This is Vaccaro.

[Captain Kennelly]

Hi.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

How are you? Heyless, Jack Heelis.

[Detective Novak]

Glad to know you.

[Captain Kennelly]

You know, for a minute I was

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

worried when you came in. I've been hearing all this about watch out for two men together, those hold ups, you know.

[Detective Novak]

Yeah, well, that's what we're here to see about.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

What do you mean?

[Detective Novak]

Are you the boss? You own the place?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

No, I'm not the boss. I'm just a clerk. The boss went home. He works days, I work nights.

[Detective Novak]

Yeah, well, we want to stick around here a while tonight.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

What do you mean, stick around?

[Captain Kennelly]

Why?

[Detective Novak]

Well, I'll tell you, Jack. It's not that we're expecting anything, but just in case these Guys do walk in. We want to give you some protection.

[Captain Kennelly]

Okay?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Listen, you're sure?

[Detective Novak]

Sure about what?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

That you don't expect them here.

[Detective Novak]

We don't expect them here any more than we do anyplace else. We're covering a lot of places tonight.

[Captain Kennelly]

Oh, hey, listen.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

What's this here?

[Detective Novak]

Special on champagne?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Yeah, special this week.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

It's pretty cheap for French champagne.

[Detective Novak]

Lay off.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

That's a lousy year. That's why it's cheap. The connoisseurs won't touch it. This neighborhood is lousy with connoisseurs.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

I wondered why it was so cheap.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

These guys have held up a lot of package stores, huh?

[Detective Novak]

19.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I've been working here eight years. Nobody has ever stuck me up yet. Knock on wood.

[Detective Novak]

Well, you can never tell when your number's up. So what we'd like to do is stay back there in the stock room while you just go about your business. Okay?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

It's all right with me.

[Detective Novak]

Let's take a look back there.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Yeah, sure. It's not much.

[Captain Kennelly]

Go ahead.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

After you.

[Captain Kennelly]

Thanks.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I'll get the light. It's not much back here.

[Detective Novak]

You said it.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

But if this is where you want to stay, I guess up to you.

[Detective Novak]

Well, I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll move a couple of these cases around so we can sit on them, all right?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Yeah. Wait a minute.

[Captain Kennelly]

I'll give you a hand, then get

[Detective Novak]

that one over there, Vaquero.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Okay.

[Detective Novak]

Make it a little more comfortable.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Yeah.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Where do you want it?

[Lieutenant King]

Right here.

[Detective Novak]

Ah, let's see how this is gonna be. Shut that door about halfway, vicar.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Okay.

[Detective Novak]

Now turn out the light, huh?

[Captain Kennelly]

All right.

[Detective Novak]

Yeah. Yeah, it's gonna be all right. We can sit back here and see everything that goes on out in the store with a bird's eye view.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

You want the light on now?

[Detective Novak]

Yeah, for a minute. That's generally where you stand at the counter, isn't it? That's where all the customers come in.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Yeah, that's right. Right there.

[Captain Kennelly]

Good.

[Detective Novak]

And where can we put our coats?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I don't think I've got any more hangers back there.

[Detective Novak]

Oh, never mind. We'll just throw them over to cases.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

All right, if you want to.

[Detective Novak]

Okay, Vakyo, take your coat off.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Yeah.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Okay.

[Detective Novak]

Now, before we get settled down, let's go out in front again a minute.

[Captain Kennelly]

All right.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

You don't think they'll come, but just in case they do, what happens?

[Detective Novak]

Well, that's what I was going to tell you. Now, one of these guys always comes up to the counter the other one stands near the door. Yeah, we can see both the counter and the door from back there. So we can see both of them.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Here comes the customer.

[Detective Novak]

Okay.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Good evening, madam. Good evening. I'd like a fifth of Scotch, please. Would you have any particular kind in mind? Well, this is very nice. Selkirk of Peebles. Selkirk and Peebles. A very fine brand of Scotch whiskey. Well, I have to admit I never heard of it. Look at that label. Selkirk and peebles, established in 1778. Must be good if they stayed in business that long. Must be. But don't you think I ought? Lady, I'll sell you anything you want, but you take my word for it. You take this Selkirk and Peebles, and you'll be back for more. Let me put it to this gentleman here. Now, what do you think of S and P?

[Detective Novak]

To tell you the truth, I'm not a Scotch drinker. I don't know one Scotch from the other.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Well, my husband is, and he does. Then you take this bottle of Selkirk and Peebles home to your husband. And if he's not satisfied with it, I'll miss my guess. Well, you'll be back for more. All right. What did you say? Two fifths? One. Just one, please. Here you are. Out of dollar.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

60, 75, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 1 is 10. Thank you very much. Call again, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Good night. And you'll be back for more? I hope so.

[Detective Novak]

Selkirk and Peebles, huh?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

The boss says push it, so I push it. The salesman sold him, so I gotta sell the customers. It's good. It's as good as any of them.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Never even heard of it.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I got news for you. Neither did I.

[Detective Novak]

Well, let's get set here. Now, I'll tell you, and you just go about your business the way you would normally forget. We're even back there. All right. We'll see everything that goes on out here. And if these two guys come in, don't try to signal us. Don't try to attract our attention. Don't look to the back. Just do what they tell you. Get your hands up in the air. Open the cash register. Do whatever they tell you.

[Captain Kennelly]

All right?

[Detective Novak]

Now, when we yell at them, they won't pay any more attention to you. They turn around toward us, you hit the floor and stay there. All right?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Okay, now you got me a little shaky.

[Detective Novak]

Now, don't be shaky. Jack. Let me ask you a question. If they come in here, are you better off alone or are you better off with us and back?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

You sold Me?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Come on, Vacarol right with you.

[Detective Novak]

Just a normal operation.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Okay, okay.

[Detective Novak]

Get the light, Vakar.

[Announcer]

All right,

[Detective Novak]

now settle down. We got a long wait.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah,

[Lost Driver]

We're lost. I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions.

[Captain Kennelly]

Hi there.

[Lost Driver]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Well, you're gonna take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. No, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Lost Driver]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[T-Mobile Representative]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a full five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Lost Driver]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

[T-Mobile Advertiser]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores. Best mobile network based on analysis by Oogle of speed test intelligence data at 2H 2025. Bigger network. The combination of T Mobile's and US cellular network footprints will enhance the T Mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. CT mobile.com for details.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Think we ought to smoke back here?

[Detective Novak]

I don't see why not. Just keep it covered.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Novak.

[Detective Novak]

All right, I see them.

[Captain Kennelly]

Sit tight.

[Detective Novak]

Two of them.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

And they fit.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Good evening, gentlemen.

[Captain Kennelly]

What do you got in?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

A bottle of rye?

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, here's a real nice one.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Okay, I'll take it.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Anything else?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

No, that'd be all.

[Captain Kennelly]

How much?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

That'll be $4.05, easy.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Yeah, sure.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Thank you, gentlemen. Call again. Yeah, all right.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Oh, brother.

[Detective Novak]

Yeah, Jack, you're a real trooper.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

What do you mean, I'm a real trooper?

[Detective Novak]

Those two guys look right. You acted as natural as all get out.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Why shouldn't I? They're from the shoe store around the corner. I've known them for years.

[Detective Novak]

All right, just keep up the good work.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Hey, look, it's. It's not going to be like that every time the door opens up, is it?

[Detective Novak]

I'll tell you that depends who opens the door.

[Narrator]

You are listening to 21st Precinct a factual account of the way police work in the world's largest city.

[Announcer]

Today's newspaper is just like yesterday's.

[Narrator]

You figure?

[Announcer]

Hardly seems worthwhile to buy one since the authorities closed down all the newspaper plants except their own. Government decrees new laws, work quotas makes pretty dull reading and there's no sense in trying to figure out what's true and what isn't. You get their side of the news or none at all. Can't compare it with others. There aren't any others. And people are so afraid to talk that you hardly get any news by word of mouth anymore. Well, that's the picture in some countries where the government owns or controls the press, but not in yours. You know why? It's because your government is absolutely forbidden from ever making a law to restrict freedom of speech or freedom of the press. Those freedoms were protected for you by a group of men who sat down 165 years ago and wrote out our Constitution and Bill of Rights. In the first article. They wrote, congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech or of the press. That's why you can buy a newspaper with an editorial page where someone writes his views on a particular subject. If his views aren't in accord with yours, well, you can write in and tell him so. And like as not, they'll print your letter the next day. And you have a freedom of choice of which newspaper you want to read, too, or which book you want to buy or movie you want to see. It's guaranteed for you by our Bill of Rights. It is one of our freedoms.

[Narrator]

Now back to 21st Precinct and Captain Kennelly.

[Captain Kennelly]

While Detective Novak and Patrolman Vaccaro waited on a plant in the stock room of the liquor store on Lexington Avenue, officers were concealed in other package stores in the 15th, 19th, 21st and 23rd precincts where the rash of armed robberies had broken out. Meanwhile, the entire patrol force in these districts, which together comprised the sixth Division, was on the alert for the stick up men who had committed 19 robberies in three weeks. As part of this alert, I remained on patrol for a longer period than usual and was still out at 9:40pm nearly three hours after Detective Novak and Patrolman Vaccaro first went on the plant. During that time, the front door to the shop had opened nearly 30 times. Each time, the officer tense. Then they relax.

[Detective Novak]

Well, tell me, Vaquero, what's better, walking a post or sitting on a plant?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Well, this sure isn't any pleasure.

[Detective Novak]

You said it isn't.

[Captain Kennelly]

Oh, Jack.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Yeah.

[Detective Novak]

When's closing time?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

10 o'. Clock.

[Detective Novak]

Good.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

What?

[Detective Novak]

I said good.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Want another cigarette?

[Captain Kennelly]

No.

[Detective Novak]

No, thanks.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Look, tell me something. You. You pull down this kind of a job often? I mean, sitting on a plant like this?

[Detective Novak]

No, not too often.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

That's good.

[Detective Novak]

Stop complaining. You've only been here three hours. Wait till you've been on one for 16 hours straight. On your feet, out in the cold waiting for some guy to show up who's never coming. And you can complain.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Your father's gonna be back tomorrow night.

[Detective Novak]

We don't know yet.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Well, you make nice company.

[Detective Novak]

Thank you.

[Captain Kennelly]

Oh, my aching back.

[Detective Novak]

Stand up a while.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

I tried that. Nothing helps.

[Lieutenant King]

Hold it.

[Detective Novak]

Customers.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Evening, gentlemen.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

They don't fit.

[Detective Novak]

Quiet.

[Captain Kennelly]

What a big gentlemen. What do you got in the rye?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Rye whiskey.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, we've got those over here. Never mind that. Just put those hands on it. Take it easy.

[Detective Novak]

All right, hold it, now.

[Captain Kennelly]

Hold it. Just be a good boy. We both got the difference here. And you could get your head blown off. Take it easy. Come on, let's get the door. Easy.

[Detective Novak]

Hold it a second.

[Captain Kennelly]

Wait.

[Detective Novak]

I kick the door open.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, sure. Move out of the way.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

All right.

[Detective Novak]

Sudden?

[Lieutenant King]

Yeah.

[Captain Kennelly]

Looks pretty good, eh? Now. Police officers. Trap.

[Detective Novak]

Get him. Get him up.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Shoot.

[Detective Novak]

Watch it.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Get him.

[Detective Novak]

Get away from there. You got him.

[Captain Kennelly]

Hold up there. Hold up.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

All right.

[Captain Kennelly]

All right.

[Detective Novak]

Get the hands up. All right, get him up high. Drop.

[Captain Kennelly]

Picard.

[Detective Novak]

Take a look at when it's down.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Yeah, right.

[Detective Novak]

All right, now you kick the gun over here. Go on, kick it.

[Captain Kennelly]

All right.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

I think this one's dead. Caught one right between the eyes.

[Detective Novak]

Jack, you all right?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Yeah.

[Captain Kennelly]

Where are you?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

On the floor.

[Detective Novak]

All right, you can get up now.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

I got. The other one's gone.

[Detective Novak]

All right, hold on to it. Okay, you lean up against the counter.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Come on.

[Detective Novak]

Come on, Leno.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I'll get there. All right, take it east.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

See what's on of a cow.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, take it easy. Shut up.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Boy, what a mess.

[Detective Novak]

You better get over there out of the way.

[Lieutenant King]

Jack,

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

over here.

[Detective Novak]

All right, that's fine.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Money's in his top coat pocket. Yeah, I got it.

[Detective Novak]

All right.

[Narrator]

Hold on a minute.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Here's a copper to be. What's going on there? What do you got?

[Detective Novak]

The liquor store bandits. We're okay. Post yourself out front. Keep the people out.

[Captain Kennelly]

Okay.

[Detective Novak]

All right, let's get the cuffs on him.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

All right, put your hands behind you.

[Captain Kennelly]

How am I gonna lean?

[Detective Novak]

Lean with your head. Get your hands behind you.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Okay. All right, he's set.

[Detective Novak]

All right, mister. Straighten up.

[Captain Kennelly]

Listen, what do you want from me?

[Detective Novak]

I want plenty from you. Sit down on the floor there. Go ahead, sit down.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

All right,

[Detective Novak]

keep your eye on him. I'll ring in.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, right.

[Detective Novak]

Gonna use the phone, Jack?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Up yourself. Boy, that was close. Pretty close.

[Detective Novak]

It was. Hello, CB? Detective Novak, 21st Squad. Send an ambulance to 3302 Lexington Avenue? Yeah, 3302. We were sitting on a plan at a liquor store. Two men attempted to commit an armed robbery. One shot, we're holding the other.

[Captain Kennelly]

No.

[Detective Novak]

No, I think he's dead.

[Lieutenant King]

All right.

[Detective Novak]

Will you connect me with 21st? Yeah, thanks.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

How many shots were fired around here anyway?

[Detective Novak]

I didn't have time to count them. Jay. Hello, Sergeant. Detective Novak. We're on a plant at 3302 Lexington. Yeah, Vaccaro and I. Yeah, that's right. They came in. One dead. I think we got the other one.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Good.

[Detective Novak]

Will you ring upstairs?

[Captain Kennelly]

Okay.

[Detective Novak]

Thanks, Sergeant.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

That was good work.

[Captain Kennelly]

That was good work.

[Detective Novak]

Thanks, Jack.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I knew you were back there.

[Captain Kennelly]

I knew everything was gonna be all

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

right, but I was still scared to death.

[Detective Novak]

Well, I don't blame you. I know how you feel.

[Captain Kennelly]

All right?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Where do you live?

[Detective Novak]

What's this slob got to say for himself?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Nothing yet. Just that his name is Earl Creedy.

[Detective Novak]

Earl Creedy, huh? Where do you live?

[Captain Kennelly]

Downtown, in the Village.

[Detective Novak]

Well, you've been living up here on the east side lately, haven't you?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

What do you mean?

[Detective Novak]

19 stick ups in three weeks. That's what I mean.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

You're out of your mind.

[Detective Novak]

Don't tell me I'm out of my mind, all right?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

What's your friend's name?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Nathan.

[Captain Kennelly]

Richie Navin.

[Detective Novak]

Where does he live?

[Captain Kennelly]

In the Village, too.

[Detective Novak]

How old are you?

[Captain Kennelly]

24.

[Detective Novak]

How old is he?

[Captain Kennelly]

Oh, no.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Same age, I guess.

[Captain Kennelly]

I never ask.

[Detective Novak]

You been in trouble before?

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, we're lost.

[Lost Driver]

I'm gonna pull over and ask that man for directions.

[Announcer]

Hi there.

[Lost Driver]

We're looking to get to the campground.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Well, you're going to take a left at the old oak tree end of this here road. No, I'm just kidding. Let me get my phone out.

[Lost Driver]

How are you getting a signal out here?

[T-Mobile Representative]

T Mobile and US Cellular decided to merge. So the network out here is huge. We're getting the same great signal as the city and saving a boatload with all the benefits. Oh, and a five year price guarantee. Okay, here's those directions.

[Lost Driver]

Actually, can you point us in the direction of a T Mobile store?

[T-Mobile Advertiser]

America's best network just got bigger. Switch to T Mobile today and get built in benefits the other guys leave out. Plus our five year price guarantee. And now T Mobile is available in US Cellular stores. Best mobile network based on analysis by Ookle of Speedtest Intelligence data at 2H2025.

[T-Mobile Representative]

Bigger network.

[T-Mobile Advertiser]

The combination of T Mobile's and US Cellular's network footprints will enhance The T mobile network's coverage price guarantee on talk text and data exclusions like taxes and fees apply. See t mobile mobile.com for details.

[Captain Kennelly]

Been in trouble before.

[Detective Novak]

How many times you arrested?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I don't know.

[Captain Kennelly]

Four, five, six, something like that.

[Detective Novak]

You ever do any big time?

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, I did some big time.

[Detective Novak]

What for?

[Captain Kennelly]

Grand.

[Detective Novak]

Lars, how much did you do?

[Captain Kennelly]

27 months.

[Detective Novak]

I got news for you, mister. You're gonna do some more.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, guess I am. Listen, is he dead?

[Detective Novak]

Yeah, it looks that way.

[Captain Kennelly]

It's too bad.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

He was a nice guy.

[Detective Novak]

Yeah, a sweetheart.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Listen, Mr. Novak, I better call my boss, don't you think?

[Detective Novak]

Now wait a while. I like to keep this phone open.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Well, he's entitled to know.

[Detective Novak]

Well, it won't hurt him if he knows five minutes later.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Got some of the money out of the cash register. Won't put it in his pocket.

[Detective Novak]

I don't know.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

We got it.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Started stuffing his pocket. I don't even know how much was in there all together. Until I total it up, I gotta let my boss know how much, how. How much it was.

[Detective Novak]

Whatever it is, you'll get it back.

[Captain Kennelly]

It wasn't much.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

It was enough.

[Detective Novak]

You better go stand over there, Jack.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Brother, what a mess around here.

[Captain Kennelly]

Who is it? Ava Caro?

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Sergeant Vaquero and Nobec.

[Captain Kennelly]

Wow, looks like you hit the jackpot.

[Detective Novak]

Yeah, I guess we did, Sergeant. This is a lucky one, huh?

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, lucky. I'm a luckiest man in the world. You sure are. Sure the other one's dead?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Yeah, you got one right between the eyes.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, 20 was your magic number, huh, mister? What do you mean 20? You guys sure get dumb in a hurry, don't you? What happened?

[Detective Novak]

Well, we got on a plant here at 6:45. We sat in back there. These two guys walked in about 9:30. We didn't think too much of them at first.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

No, sir, we didn't. They're not very close to the description.

[Captain Kennelly]

What description?

[Detective Novak]

You just sit there and keep your mouth shut. But we kept our eyes on them. Anyway. They asked for a bottle of rye and they walked over to the counter. And that one there stayed by the door. And this one talked to the clerk. This one pulled the gun out and started threatening around. We got set and came out after them. We told them we were cops. They turned on us. This is how it wound up.

[Captain Kennelly]

I don't see how it could have

[Detective Novak]

wound up any other way.

[Captain Kennelly]

You guys just pressed your luck too much.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Did the call come over? Ambulance responding.

[Detective Novak]

Sergeant. Yeah, Vaccaro. There's an ambulance on the way.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, let's go over and take a

[Detective Novak]

look at the other one.

[Captain Kennelly]

What does he mean, press my luck? Yeah, I think he's had it.

[Detective Novak]

Who's a good marksman, you or Novak?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Well, to tell you the truth, Sergeant, I don't know. I was shooting at both of them, first one and the other.

[Captain Kennelly]

How many shots you find?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Well, I think I got a four.

[Captain Kennelly]

I don't know.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Let me take a look.

[Detective Novak]

Never mind.

[Captain Kennelly]

Sit still.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Yeah, four.

[Captain Kennelly]

What's this one's name?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

You know, the other one says this one is Richie Navin. Poor Richie, huh? Yeah, poor Richie.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, he looked for it and he got it. Let's talk to the clerk. That's the truth.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

It's the honest to goodness truth.

[Detective Novak]

You wouldn't know the truth if it had a neon sign on it. Hello, Jack.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Oh, hi, Sergeant.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, you hit the jackpot tonight.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I guess I did. And I want to quit while I'm ahead.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, there's a captain. Hello, Captain. Good work, Vacaro.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Thanks, captain.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, this ends a lot of trouble for us.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Yes, I know.

[Captain Kennelly]

They gave you a rough time, huh?

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Well, we weren't sure at first that it was them. They weren't too close to the descriptions we had.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I know it was them. I was looking at their guns.

[Captain Kennelly]

Well, I want to see what that one has to say for himself.

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

I forgot you fellas have your top coats in back there.

[Patrolman Vaccaro]

Don't worry, we won't.

[Captain Kennelly]

Hello, Novak.

[Detective Novak]

Captain, this is the sorriest thief you ever met. He gets hooked hot on the job, his partner gets killed and he's still got nerve enough to insist that this is the first deal he's been in on.

[Captain Kennelly]

What's your name?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

How many times do I have to say it?

[Detective Novak]

Now, look, mister, you better get straightened out and get straightened out fast. Now, tell the captain your name.

[Captain Kennelly]

It's Creedy. Earl Creedy. You and your partner have been pretty busy boys, haven't you?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

Just met him today.

[Captain Kennelly]

Look, what do you want from me? You just met him today and you dreamt about those 19 other stick ups. I don't know anything about any other 19 stickups.

[Detective Novak]

He hasn't given us a hard enough time already. He wants to make it harder.

[Captain Kennelly]

Where'd you meet him? I told you you wouldn't believe me anyway, so what's the use of telling you? You tell me and let me make up my own mind. Where'd you meet him? In a bar, down in a village. What bar was that? I don't know. Some. Some barn. 7th Avenue. When today. This afternoon. And you got to be such good friends that you just decided to go out together and stick up a liquor store?

[Jack Heelis (Clerk)]

That's not exactly the way we decided, but it'll do.

[Detective Novak]

Now, why don't you tell us the truth?

[Captain Kennelly]

I am telling you the truth. What have I got to hold back?

[Detective Novak]

Who do you think you're fooling? Not us.

[Captain Kennelly]

I'm not trying to fool anybody.

[Detective Novak]

You're past that stage.

[Captain Kennelly]

Hello, Captain. Oh, that.

[Lieutenant King]

Good work, Novak.

[Detective Novak]

Thank you, Lieutenant. This is Earl Creedy. The other one's Richard Navin. Earl doesn't believe in telling the truth. He says this is the first liquor store he ever heisted. He says he had nothing to do with those 19 others.

[Captain Kennelly]

He's right. He didn't. He didn't.

[Lieutenant King]

Got yourself a good pair of heisters, Novak. But the ones we're looking for just hit down the 15th Precinct not five minutes ago.

[Detective Novak]

No kidding.

[Captain Kennelly]

You see? I told you. Did they hit a store that was planted, Matt?

[Lieutenant King]

No, they got away clean, captain.

[Captain Kennelly]

Number 20. I get dropped on number one and they hit number 20. Some luck I got. Well, you're better off than they are, Earl. You're through. They're still shopping around for what your friend got. 21st Precinct.

[Detective Novak]

Sergeant Waters.

[Captain Kennelly]

Yeah, yeah.

[Detective Novak]

How many women?

[Captain Kennelly]

What is it, a bargain sale there? What do they want? Yeah. Yeah. And 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.

[Narrator]

21st Precinct transcribed a factual account of the way the police work in the world's largest city is 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. Harold Stone as Sergeant Waters. Featured in tonight's cast were Martha Greenhouse, John Sylvester, Frank Marth, Mason Adams and Lawson Zerby. Written and directed by Stanley Nist. Produced for CBS Radio by John Ives. George Bryan speaking.

[Announcer]

This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.

[Captain Kennelly]

Sa.