Dragnet 1953-11-17 Big Flight

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet 1953-11-17 Big Flight
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original Air Date: November 17, 1953
Recap Date: September 12, 2025

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Overview

This episode features a classic radio broadcast of “Dragnet,” titled "Big Flight." The episode immerses listeners in a realistic 1950s police procedural, following Detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith as they investigate a violent supermarket robbery in Los Angeles. Their pursuit for justice weaves through witness interviews, procedural dead ends, and breakthrough moments, capturing the methodical, no-nonsense Dragnet tone. The story dramatizes the intricacies of detective work in the golden age of radio, complete with memorable dialogue and authentic period atmosphere.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction to the Case (00:27 - 01:59)

• Joe Friday sets the scene: a cold Tuesday morning in LA, Day Watch on the Robbery detail.
• A supermarket robbery has occurred—three suspects beat and robbed two clerks.
  • Quote (Joe Friday, 00:27):
    “Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.”

2. At the Crime Scene: Victim Interviews (01:29 - 05:58)

• Detectives Friday and Smith arrive at the Lockton Market.
• They meet officer Jackson and tend to Cliff Hall (victim), whose partner, Andy, suffered a fractured jaw.
• Cliff Hall explains the robbery in detail, including:
  • Robbers’ use of signals, drawn guns, and commands.
  • Andy's resistance leads to violence.
  • Estimated stolen amount: around $8,000.
  • Detailed descriptions of the suspects and their weapons.
  • Quote (Cliff Hall, 04:09):
    “Andy’s like that. He gets an idea in his head and there isn’t anything that’ll shake it loose.”
  • One suspect especially violent; described as looking "tough...a real fighter."

3. Eyewitness Account & Evidence Collection (05:58 - 08:23)

• A woman in the neighborhood saw three men go to and leave the market, entering a car. One appeared upset and argued with the others.
• Lab crew recovers partial fingerprints. No immediate identification, but possibility for future matching if suspects are apprehended.
• Victim and eyewitness review mug books; no identification found.
• The investigation expands with a list of possible suspects based on method of operation.

4. Checking Suspect Alibis and Gathering Leads (08:23 - 11:12)

• Interview with suspect Jerry Evanston:
  • He asserts he’s innocent, supported by work receipts.
  • Provides a confidential tip: parolee Alex Finley mentioned a four-man gang targeting markets.
  • Detectives instructed not to expose Evanston as an informant for his safety.
  • Quote (Jerry Evanston, 11:04):
    “Like I told you, though, I don’t want any credit for it. I’m in real trouble if it gets around that I’m playing footsie with you.”

5. Getaway Car Found & Further Investigation (11:12 - 14:53)

• Detectives recover the getaway car, finding a brown paper bag from the Lockton Market and a matching fingerprint.
• The car is confirmed stolen.
• A neighbor saw three men leave in another vehicle after the crime; brief physical descriptions are provided.

6. Suspect Identification: Harold Bishop (14:53 - 17:36)

• Mug shots are sent from Sacramento following connection of the MO.
• Victims positively identify Harold Bishop as one of the robbers.
• However, records show Bishop is supposedly living and reporting regularly in Phoenix, AZ, making it seemingly impossible for him to be the culprit.

7. Pattern Recognition & New Crimes (17:36 - 20:37)

• String of similar robberies occurs; victims consistently identify Bishop, leading detectives to suspect he may be flying in to commit crimes and then returning to Phoenix.
  • Quote (Joe Friday, 20:33):
    “If Bishop caught the last flight leaving Phoenix, he could arrive in Los Angeles at 11:20 pm... after the holdup, he could catch a plane... and be back in Phoenix by 8:25 pm.”

8. Stakeout & Pursuit (20:37 - 24:45)

• Detectives set up surveillance at the airport and on known associates.
• Eventually spot Bishop’s arrival, tail him in a cab, but lose him after their car is hit in an intersection accident.
• Citywide alerts are issued for Bishop and his associates.

9. Final Confrontation & Arrest (24:45 - 25:58)

• Dragnet team corners Bishop at Tom Leahy’s apartment after a lengthy night stakeout.
• Bishop attempts to escape to the roof, armed and desperate.
  • Quote (Harold Bishop, 25:19):
    “I got nothing to lose... They’d help me again. I’ll be up at the joints for life. Don’t cost no more to kill you.”
• Dramatic standoff; Bishop is disarmed and arrested. On him, detectives find an unused plane ticket to Phoenix.
  • Quote (Joe Friday, 25:53):
    “Something he’ll never use. Yeah. Airplane ticket to Phoenix.”

10. Case Aftermath & Sentencing (25:58 - 26:27)

• All four men (Krueger, Bishop, Leahy, Lee) are convicted of first-degree robbery.
• Leahy, due to his prior record, receives life imprisonment at Folsom Penitentiary.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joe Friday signature intro:
  “Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.” (00:27)
• Cliff Hall, on Andy’s resistance:
  “Andy’s like that. He gets an idea in his head and there isn’t anything that’ll shake it loose.” (04:09)
• Jerry Evanston, on not wanting credit for his tip:
  “I’m in real trouble if it gets around that I’m playing footsie with you.” (11:04)
• Joe Friday, suspect travel theory:
  “If Bishop caught the last flight leaving Phoenix...he could arrive in Los Angeles at 11:20 pm...after the holdup, he could catch a plane...and be back in Phoenix by 8:25 pm.” (20:33)
• Harold Bishop, cornered:
  “I got nothing to lose...Don’t cost no more to kill you.” (25:19)
• Arrest reveal:
  “Something he’ll never use. Yeah. Airplane ticket to Phoenix.” (25:53)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Case Introduction & Crime Scene: 00:27 – 05:58
• Eyewitness & Evidence Gathering: 05:58 – 08:23
• Interview with Suspect Evanston: 08:23 – 11:12
• Getaway Car Discovery: 11:12 – 14:53
• Identification of Harold Bishop: 14:53 – 17:36
• Pattern Emerges—Air Travel Theory: 17:36 – 20:37
• Airport Stakeout & Pursuit: 20:37 – 24:45
• Rooftop Confrontation: 24:45 – 25:58
• Trial & Sentencing: 25:58 – 26:27

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains Dragnet's signature dry, precise, matter-of-fact dialogue, with authentic 1950s policing methods and period slang. The pace is deliberate, focusing on process, observation, and understated tension—giving listeners both a realistic and dramatic depiction of police work in the golden age of radio.

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This summary provides a comprehensive stepwise guide through the episode's dramatic investigation for new listeners and offers a resource for appreciating the classic Dragnet procedural style.

Transcript

[Nicole Byer]

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[Joe Friday]

Wayfair every style. Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail. Three holdup men have robbed and beaten two supermarket operators in your city. You've got a good description of the thieves. Your job. Get them. It was Tuesday, November 3rd. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A robbery detail. My partner's Frank Smith, the boss and chief of Detective Stad Brown. My name's Friday. We'd gotten a hotshot call about a robbery, and it was 9:46am when we got to the corner of Lockwood and Barton avenues. The Lockton Market officer back there. Yeah. Friday and Smith, Central Robbery.

[Cliff Hall]

Oh, yeah, I'm Jackson, unit 387.

[Joe Friday]

You answered the call?

[Cliff Hall]

Yeah, we got here a couple of minutes ago.

[Joe Friday]

Where's the victim?

[Cliff Hall]

Back room there.

[Joe Friday]

He's pretty bad off.

[Cliff Hall]

Ambulance attendant's with him now. My partner's checking the neighborhood. If there's nothing you need me for, I'll give him a hand.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, make a 211 report for you leave, will you? Right. Thank you. Looks like there was quite a fight. Yeah. Stuff all over the place. Come on.

[Cliff Hall]

What do you got in that bottle?

[Harold Bishop]

It sure stinks.

[Cliff Hall]

You got to clean up these cuts.

[Harold Bishop]

So try to hold still.

[Joe Friday]

Ow.

[Cliff Hall]

Hey, take it easy, huh?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Something you want? We're out of Central Robbery. Is this the victim?

[Cliff Hall]

Yeah, a couple of cuts, nothing serious. Tell him about Andy. He's the one who really got it.

[Joe Friday]

Who's Andy? The other clerk. Pretty rough.

[Cliff Hall]

Looks like it might be a fractured jaw. He's on the truck now.

[Joe Friday]

Let me get this tape on you now.

[Cliff Hall]

Oh, that should do it. Might be a good idea if you saw your doctor.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Cliff Hall]

What about Andy?

[Joe Friday]

We're taking him down to Georgia Street Receiving.

[Cliff Hall]

You going to call me and let.

[Joe Friday]

Me know about him? It might be better if you called them. Yeah, okay. I see you guys, huh?

[Cliff Hall]

Yeah, right yeah, thanks.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Cliff Hall]

Boy, one guy really clouded me.

[Joe Friday]

Hurt. Wonder if you feel up to telling us what happened here. Three of them.

[Cliff Hall]

Three came in and held up the place. Clouded me and Andy. Sure hope he's gonna be all right.

[Joe Friday]

What's your name, sir? Cliff Hall. Do you own the store? Do you? No.

[Cliff Hall]

Me and Andy run it, though. We'd like to buy it.

[Joe Friday]

What time did these men come in?

[Cliff Hall]

Must have been around 9:30. Around there.

[Joe Friday]

Did you give the officers who answered the call a description of the man?

[Cliff Hall]

Yeah, that was the first thing they asked me.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead, please.

[Cliff Hall]

I was getting the money ready for the bank deposit. Andy was back here stacking bottle cases. These three guys came in. First off, I thought they were customers.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Cliff Hall]

Couple of them walked to the back of the place. I thought they were picking out stuff. The other one kind of stood around by the cash register where I was.

[Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Cliff Hall]

Well, after he was there for a minute and I see the other two aren't picking up nothing. I asked him if there was something I could get for him. That's when he pulled out a gun.

[Joe Friday]

What about the other two?

[Cliff Hall]

All worked like they had some kind of signal. As soon as the one in front pulled his gun, the other two did too. Cole asked me to put all the money in a paper bag. Got the bag from up in front there. Took it right out of the stack and handed it to him. He said for me to put the dough in it.

[Joe Friday]

You recall his exact words? What? The way he said it. The words he used. You recall them?

[Cliff Hall]

Let me see. I think it was, put all the dough in this bag. Don't say anything. Just do as I say. That was the way he said.

[Joe Friday]

What'd you do then?

[Cliff Hall]

Like he said, he had that gun pointed right at me. I could see the other two guys. I wasn't gonna do anything but what he told me. I put the money in the bag. I thought they'd leave the place. But that's when Andy came out. I guess he wondered what the other two were after. You see, from where he was, he couldn't see the guns. He walked out to him, asked if there was anything special they were looking for.

[Joe Friday]

What happened then?

[Cliff Hall]

Then he saw what was happening, saw the guns and he tried to throw the guys out. I don't know why he did it. Andy's like that. He gets an idea in his head and there isn't anything that'll shake it loose. He tied into those two guys. Almost had them whipped, too. Even with the guns. The guy that was with Me saw what was going on, yelled back at him, told him not to shoot. He ran back and laid his gun alongside Andy's head.

[Joe Friday]

Oh.

[Cliff Hall]

Clouded him right along in here. Andy dropped like a sack of potatoes and the three guys ran out of the store.

[Joe Friday]

How much money did they get?

[Cliff Hall]

You know, I hadn't finished up with a bank statement yet. I'd just be guessing, but I'd say about $8,000. Might run to 8, 5, but that's about it.

[Joe Friday]

I see. Now, if you could just give us a description of the man. All three of them. If you could.

[Cliff Hall]

Yeah, the one who was with me must have been about 5 11, kind of dark, complected. Had straight black hair.

[Joe Friday]

What color were his eyes? Brown. You have any marks or scars you could see? No. Clean shaven?

[Cliff Hall]

Yeah, I had a real dark beard. Looked kind of like he had some kind of talcum powder on.

[Joe Friday]

Do you remember how he was dressed? Let's see.

[Cliff Hall]

Dark blue suit, gray topcoat, gray hat.

[Joe Friday]

Was he wearing a tie, do you know?

[Cliff Hall]

Yeah, a gray tie with maroon stripes. You know, kind of diagonal. A thin tie.

[Joe Friday]

Anything unusual about him, make it easier for us to identify him?

[Cliff Hall]

No, I don't think so.

[Joe Friday]

How about the gun he was carrying? What kind was it?

[Cliff Hall]

I couldn't see the name.

[Joe Friday]

No, that's what I mean. Was it an automatic or revolver?

[Cliff Hall]

Oh, an automatic.

[Joe Friday]

Looked like a big caliber.

[Cliff Hall]

I'd say 45. One of the other fellas had a revolver, but the guy with me and the small one had automatics.

[Joe Friday]

You know, if they drove a car?

[Cliff Hall]

Well, if they did, I didn't see it. Might have had it parked right out in front for all I know. I told you I was busy when they came in. When they left, I was too worried about Andy to pay any attention to him. Way they hit him, a terrible thing right along here. Oh, excuse me a minute. I got some aspirin here in the drawer.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Cliff Hall]

Sure hope Andy's gonna be all right. We've been together a long time. Can't get over that little guy. The one who hit me. I should have taken him, but the big one, he's tough looking. A real fighter.

[Joe Friday]

That isn't gonna help much, huh? He's gonna lose, this one. We got the descriptions of the other two men and a supplementary local broadcast was gotten out. The two officers who'd answered the call found a woman in the neighborhood who'd seen three men leave the vicinity immediately after the robbery. She said that she was parked in a car half a block from the store on the same side of the street. She explained that about 9:20am a car had pulled into a parking place in front of her. She'd seen three men leave the car and walk down the sidewalk in the direction of the Lockton Market. About 10 minutes later, the men came back to the car. They appeared to be in a hurry. One of the men was upset and arguing with the other two. She told the officers that they'd gotten into the car and driven off toward Hollywood Boulevard. We asked her to describe the three men. The description she gave us matched the one we'd gotten of the thieves. She gave us a description of the car and another supplementary broadcast was put out. We asked her to come down to City hall to go through the mud books to see if she could give us a positive identification. The report from Georgia Street Receiving Hospital indicated that the victim of the slugging, Andrew Rich, was suffering from a fractured jaw and a concussion. He was given emergency treatment and removed to the county hospital. The crime lab crew came out and they went over the store for physical evidence. They were able to lift three partial fingerprints from the counter next to the cash register. Dean Bergman and Leighton Prince explained that the partials were not enough for identification, but that if we apprehended the holdup man, he'd be able to tell us if they'd left the impressions. 10:27am we took the victim, Clifford hall, and the woman who'd seen the car to the mug room. They went through the mug books, but they were unable to come up with an identification. We had the stats office make a run on the mo. They came back with a list of 17 names of men who at one time or another had used the same method of operation. The list was split and Sergeants Mead and Lightner worked with us in checking the names out. Thursday, 3:48pm Frank and I got to the sixth name on our list. Jerry Evanston. That right? Yeah, sure. Dark in this hall. He ought to wash the windows, let some light in. Yeah, here we are. Why not be in? Yeah, we'll try it again. Now let's talk the manager. Yeah? Yeah, who is it? Manager. We want to see you a minute, Mr. Man. What do you want?

[Harold Bishop]

Sleep.

[Joe Friday]

Come on, Evanson, open up. Get out of here. Police officer. Come on. Come on. Watch. All right. Come on, Emerson, get up. What are you doing? A queen. Look.

[Harold Bishop]

You got no right to come busting in here like this.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, you're so clean. What are you putting out trouble for?

[Harold Bishop]

I got scared, that's all. I just got scared. How'd you feel somebody woke you up and shoves their way into your room, you ain't gonna stand around and just let them do it.

[Joe Friday]

Stay clean, John.

[Harold Bishop]

I told you that. I got no trouble. I don't want none. You check with Galloway. He'll tell you I'm home Every night at 9 o' clock. Every night.

[Joe Friday]

Where were you this morning? Huh? This morning, where were you?

[Harold Bishop]

What time?

[Joe Friday]

You just tell us what you did. Starting when he got up.

[Harold Bishop]

I was up all night. I got a virus or something. I couldn't sleep. Take a look there in the dresser. You can see the stuff I've been taking. I haven't been out of this room. Not for a couple of days.

[Joe Friday]

Can you prove that? What? Can you?

[Harold Bishop]

No, there wasn't anybody here.

[Joe Friday]

You got any phone calls? No.

[Harold Bishop]

I don't know what this is all about, but you guys are leaning on me for nothing. Now, you talk to Galloway. He'll tell you I've been working. Well, look here, I'll show you.

[Joe Friday]

Where you going?

[Harold Bishop]

I just want to show you something I got in the drawer.

[Joe Friday]

Well, you stay right there. I'll get it for you. Okay?

[Harold Bishop]

I got nothing to hide. Take a look in the top drawer there. Left hand side.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. These what you mean?

[Harold Bishop]

Yeah, that's it. Now take the rubber band off and look. You'll see I'm telling you the truth. Now, you see, it's all the check receipts I've gotten from where I work. You look at them. I'm working every day and I'm home at night. Oh, nine o' clock every night.

[Joe Friday]

How about it, Joe? Yeah. You see, you haven't been out of this room all day, huh? Not a minute.

[Harold Bishop]

Come on. What's all this about anyway?

[Joe Friday]

What are you guys after? We figured maybe you could tell us.

[Harold Bishop]

Yeah, I'm sorry. Without you telling me what you want, there's nothing I can give you.

[Joe Friday]

You see any of the boys anymore?

[Harold Bishop]

I mean, the fellas I knew before I fell?

[Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Harold Bishop]

Not if I can help. But I'm trying to stay away from them.

[Joe Friday]

See any of them lately? Yeah.

[Harold Bishop]

Saw Alex a couple days ago.

[Joe Friday]

Alex?

[Harold Bishop]

Yeah, Alex Finley. I knew him when I was up in Kew. He came in where I was working.

[Joe Friday]

Did you talk to him at all? Right.

[Harold Bishop]

Just said hello, past couple of minutes. Talking about some of the guys we.

[Joe Friday]

Know seeing the rackets now? I don't know. Is he on parole?

[Harold Bishop]

Yeah, I think so.

[Joe Friday]

Did he give you anything?

[Harold Bishop]

Oh, a couple of rumbles. But if I turn them over to you, I don't want a credit for him. You don't know where you got him.

[Joe Friday]

All right.

[Harold Bishop]

Alex tells me there's a gang that's gonna start working here in town. Market jobs.

[Joe Friday]

How many men?

[Harold Bishop]

Well, from what Alex says, there's four.

[Joe Friday]

I'll head you guys. Finley with him?

[Harold Bishop]

No, I don't think so. He told it to me that he just heard it.

[Joe Friday]

The did he say anything about who the four men are?

[Harold Bishop]

No, I don't think he knew. He just said they were heavy and they were starting to work.

[Joe Friday]

You know where we can get in touch with Alex? No.

[Harold Bishop]

Well, you might check with Galloway at the parole office. He might have it.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, we will.

[Harold Bishop]

I'll probably see him again. I'll try to get the information if I can. Well, what is it? What does he want to know? Who the guys are?

[Joe Friday]

That's right. Okay.

[Harold Bishop]

Now, like I told you, though, I don't want any credit for it. I'm in real trouble if it gets around that I'm playing footsie with you.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Harold Bishop]

I'll try to find out when they're going to start working, too.

[Joe Friday]

Well, don't you worry about that, huh? We already know that. 4:10pm we got in touch with Fred Galloway at the state adult parole offices and we checked on Jerry Evanston. From what the record showed, the story Evanston had told us was true. His parole officer had reported him working and apparently living up to the conditions of his release. We left him one of our cards and asked him to call us in the event he heard from Alex Finley. 4:21pm we checked back into the office and we met with Sergeants Mead and Leitner. They told us that they checked out the names on their half of the list without result. We sent a teletype up to George Brerett in CII Sacramento, giving him the description of the holdup men and listing the MO that they'd used. We asked him to run the information through their files and forward any information they came up with. 5:19pm we went out to get something to eat and then we checked back into the office. Good dinner, huh, Joe? Yeah. I never saw a guy could eat so many enchiladas as you. Ah, I can't help it. Get started on him. Can't seem to stop. Yeah. You got any soda in your locker? No. You got trouble again? You know, I always do when we have enchiladas. You ought to remember that when you order a half a dozen. I suppose so. I get it. Robbery, Friday? Yep. When was that? They pretty sure are they has the lab been called yet? Yep. Okay. Right, thanks. Oh, that's a break. Yeah. They just found the getaway car. 6:47pm we left the office and drove out to where the car had been found. It was parked on Lockwood Avenue, five blocks from the market that had been robbed. The radio car. Officers who'd spotted it had called the office immediately when they saw a brown paper bag in the back seat bearing the printed name Lockton Market. A crew from Layton Prince came out and went over the car. They were able to come up with a single print from a man's index finger. Bergman compared it with the partials found at the market. They matched. We checked the white slip in the car and found that the vehicle was stolen. The report on it had been filed at 10:37am that morning. We talked with the people in the immediate vicinity, but none of them were able to tell us anything about the people who'd parked the car. However, we did come up with an elderly man who told us that he'd seen three men get into another car at about 9:45 that morning. He said that he remembered it because the driver.

[Nicole Byer]

Hey everybody, it's Nicole Byer here with some hot takes from Wayfair. A cozy corduroy sectional from Wayfair. Um, yeah, that's a hot take. Go on and add it to your cart and take it. A pink glam night stand from Wayfair. Scalding hot. Take it before I do. A mid century modern cabinet from Wayfair that doubles as a wine bar. Do I have to say it? It's a hot take. Get [e-mail] and enjoy that free shipping too.

[Joe Friday]

Wayfair. Every style, every home.

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[Joe Friday]

The car pulled into a parking space and stopped the motor. Another automobile had parked directly in front of the car and the driver of the first machine had moved so that there was no one in front of him. The man went on to say that a few minutes after the driver pulled into the second parking place, three men had come around the corner, gotten into the car and the four of them had driven off. The witness was unable to give us a description of the car other than to say that it was a late model Plymouth or Ford. The only description he could give us of the men was that one of them was large and was wearing a gray topcoat and a hat and that one of them was small. 8:40pm Frank and I went back to the office and checked out for the night. The following morning at 8:02am I checked back in for work. Hi, Joe. Morning. Kind of cold out. Yeah. You look happy this morning. I didn't sleep a wink last night, Joe. Not a wink. What's the matter? Stomach? Next time I even think about eating enchiladas, stop me, will you, Joe? Yeah, sure. Any mail come in? I don't know. I just got in. There's an ad here from that store over on West 6. They're having their annual sale. Yeah, I want to try to get over there. Like to get me a new suit for Christmas. There's a special delivery from Bragg. Huh. Probably those mugs we asked for. I'll see. Yeah, there's six of them. You want to get in touch with Cliff hall and drive over and have him take a look at them? Yeah. You got any other pictures? Yeah, we can mix them up. I'll call Hall. Okay. I sure hope we get an identity. We haven't got much to go on. There's got to be a break someplace. We gotta find it. From what Finley said about the gang starting up operation, doesn't sound like just one job. No. They start on a string, they can do a lot of damage. Doesn't give us much choice, does it? No. We got to get to him. 8:27am Frank and I left the office and drove over to talk to the victim, Cliff Hall. We showed him the mug shots George Brereton had sent us. He picked one out and said that he was positive that the man in the picture was the one who'd held him up. The name on the mug shot was Harold Bishop. According to the record Brereton had sent us, Bishop had been convicted twice on violation of 211pc armed robbery. 9:20am we drove over to the county hospital and showed the pictures to the other victim, Andrew Rich. He picked the mug shot of Bishop as the suspect who'd robbed and beaten him. The notation on Bishop's picture gave us the information that he was on parole at the time. We returned to the office and put in a call to Fred Galloway at the State Adult Parole Office. Yeah, Fred, this is Joe Friday. Mm. Yeah, fine. We'd like some information on a Herald Bishop. San Francisco number 826-0926. That's right. Male, white, Caucasian. We got a mug from Burden. No, he says on parole. Yeah, if you will. Thanks a lot. He's checking the master file now. Mead and Lightner standing by if we need him. When we get this address, we're gonna have to move fast. Yeah. Yeah, Fred, when was that? Well, how's his report there? I see. No, I don't know. Yeah, I suppose. Right, Fred? Thank you. Well, you can tell me and Lightner to relax. Bishop's got an out of state parole. He's living over in Phoenix. Well, he still could be getting into California. No, not likely, huh? Fred checked with his parole officer. Yeah, he's got a job, and he's been reporting to his parole officer every month. We asked Fred Galloway at the state parole office to contact Bishop's parole officer in Phoenix and check him closely. The report came back that the suspect had a job with a small contractor and that he'd been working regularly. He'd also been giving monthly reports to his officer. We'd had a suspect identified by two of his victims, including. And yet, if the information we'd gotten was correct, it would have been a physical impossibility for him to have committed the robbery. We got a copy of his jacket and looked over his past record. We found that Bishop had been arrested for armed robbery the first time, 18 years previously. He'd been brought to trial and acquitted. The next arrest was 10 months after his trial. He'd been convicted and served six years at San Quentin. He'd been released, and within six months, Bishop had been picked up again. This time he was sent to Folsom Penitentiary. While he was there, he appeared to be a model prisoner. And after serving four and a half years, he'd been placed on parole. After leaving the prison he'd requested and been granted an out of state leave. In checking Bishop's MO we found that it matched exactly that of the thieves who'd held up the Lockton Market. The time of approach was the same, the number of men used was the same. The method of leaving the scene was exact. We had a suspect. And yet he couldn't have committed the crime. Three weeks passed. On Saturday, November 26, the thieves hit again. In checking with the victims, they identified the mugshot of Bishop. We put in a long distance call to the Phoenix Police Department and asked them to check on the suspect. We got word back that he was in their city. They told us that he wasn't at work due to a virus infection. They went on to say that they checked with his landlady and that she told him that Bishop hadn't left his apartment at all on the day of the theft. Monday, November 28th. We got our first break in the case. I'll get it. Robbery. Smith. Yeah. Oh yeah, Jerry. Huh? You sure about that? Where? Uh huh. How about the rest of them? Yeah, just a minute. Toss me that pair, will you Joe? Here we go. Okay, Jerry, go ahead. Yeah. Mm. How do you spell it? La L, E, A, H, Y? Uhuh. I got it. You know the address? Yeah. Okay, thanks Jerry. We'll get in touch with you. Right. Jerry Evanson. Remember the guy we talked to over in South 7th? Yeah. Well, the way he tells it, we aren't too far off. What do you mean? He saw Bishop in town last Saturday. We put in a call and we found that there were two major airlines with flights to Phoenix. The flight time they listed was 1 hour and 35 minutes by air. If Bishop caught the last flight leaving Phoenix, he could arrive in los angeles at 11:20pm the night before he planned to commit a robbery the next day. After the holdup, he could catch a plane from the Los Angeles International Airport that would have him back in Phoenix at 8:25pm by doing this, he would be absent from his work only one day. And he could schedule his flights so as not to hit on the days when he had an interview with his parole officer. Tuesday, November 29, a meeting was held in Chief Thad Brown's office. It was decided to put a special stake out on the airport and wait for the suspect to come into town. At that time he'd be followed and taken into custody as he prepared to commit another robbery. The names of the three other men Jerry Evanson had given Frank as having been involved in the hold ups had been checked through R and I. All three of them had arrest records. Surveillances were placed on their homes and they were kept under constitution. Monday, December 12, 11:15pm Frank and I relieved the stakeout at the airport. There's a bench over there. We can keep all the gates in view. Yeah. Wonder when he's gonna hit again. I don't know. The last couple of weeks, it sure dragged by, haven't they? Yeah. Anything on the other three guys? Well, I talked to Pinky Mead this morning. He and Lightner are staked out at Lee's apartment. How they doing? Nothing. Parked in the car down the street. What they say lays like a clock. He comes in at 5am leaves at 9pm every day. Got a cigarette? Yeah. There you go. Joe. Yeah. Bishop. Let's let him get outside. Yeah. Wonder if he's got any luggage. They bring it up outside. We can wait for him there. Come on. You see him? Yeah. There he is. Getting into that cab. Come on. Frank and I got in our car and followed the cab taken by the suspect. We followed him out of the airport grounds and then up La Brea Avenue. The cab turned right on Washington Boulevard and headed for downtown Los Angeles. We pulled up to a stoplight. Still got him? Yeah. He's still up ahead in front of that blue Mercury. See him? Yeah. You got the number of the cab? Mm. 2974. There's the lights. All right, let's go. Better try to pick it up a little, Frank. Caps pull him away from us. Yeah. Think he's seen us? No. Can't you close in a little? Traffic's too heavy. Can't use a siren. We'll tip him. Yeah. Still see him? Yeah. There's a break. Guy. Head's making a right turn now. We're right behind the cab. Yeah. I'll close in now. Good. Watch it, Frank. That guy pulling out of the alley. Hold on. As we drove down the street after the stoplight again changed, a car had failed to make a boulevard stop coming out of an alley, and we'd hit it broadside. The damage done to both cars was considerable, and we'd lost our suspect. Frank got to a phone and called the office. He gave them the number of the cab that Bishop was in and asked for a traffic investigation car. The office started a search for the missing suspect. Lt. Jack Smyers told us to proceed to the apartment of Tom Leahy to wait for further development. In the meantime, a citywide broadcast went out carrying the description of Bishop and the other three men involved in the theft. Frank and I arrived at the apartment. When we relieved me and Lightner, we had the manager of the place let us into Leahy's room. We waited. 1:30am 2:30, 4 o'. Clock, 5:30am Frank and I had been on duty for over 21 hours. At 5:45. The phone in the apartment rang once and then it quit. That was the arranged signal between us and the office. Frank put in a call. Lt. Smyers told us that Officers Max Herman and Ed Benson. Were on the way out to relocation us. Fifteen minutes later, we heard somebody in the hall. Joe. Yeah. Probably Benson and Herman. Yeah, I get it. Watch it. You all right, Joe? Yeah. Come on. He's going upstairs, Making for the roof. Come on. See him? No. You want to take that side. Right. Watch it. The eye of the elevator shaft, Joe. Yeah, I see him. Get away from me, cop. You're in trouble, Bishop. Don't build any more for yourself.

[Harold Bishop]

I got nothing to lose.

[Joe Friday]

They'd help me again. I'll be up at the joints for life. Don't cost no more to kill you. There's no way off this roof, Bishop. Throw that gun out here and you follow it. You're out of your mind, cop. Give it up, Bishop. Come on. Throw that gun out.

[Harold Bishop]

I'm going out, cop.

[Joe Friday]

You try to stop me, I'll blow your head off. You all right, Joe? Yeah. How is he? I better call an ambulance. Yeah. What's that fit out of his pocket? Wait a minute. Something he'll never use. Yeah. Airplane ticket to Phoenix.

[Narrator]

Albert Martin Krueger, Harold Nelson Bishop, Thomas Nagel Leahy and Charles Everett Lee. Were taken into custody and brought to trial for two counts of robbery in the first degree. They were convicted and received sentence as prescribed by law. Robbery in the first degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary. For a period of not less than five years. Because of his previous record, Thomas Nagel Leahy was given the maximum sentence and is now serving life imprisonment in the state penitentiary, Folsom, California.

[Harold Bishop]

Dragnet is a presentation of the United States States Armed Forces Radio Service.