Dragnet: The Big Car (EP4622) - The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas

Dragnet: The Big Car (EP4622)

Sat Feb 08 2025

Today's Mystery: Joe Friday and Ben Romero investigate a series of fifteen market robberies. Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 30, 1950 Originating from Hollywood Starring: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday; Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben...

Summary

Summary of "Dragnet: The Big Car (EP4622)"

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Episode Title: Dragnet: The Big Car (EP4622)
Release Date: February 8, 2025

Introduction to the Case

In this gripping episode of Dragnet, Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are thrust into a challenging investigation targeting a series of audacious robberies plaguing their city. Over the span of four months, fifteen food markets have fallen victim to a meticulously planned bandit, distinguished by his impeccable attire and formidable weaponry. The narrative meticulously details the detectives' relentless pursuit to bring the elusive "Market Bandit" to justice.

Initial Investigation and False Lead

The episode begins on a cold Monday night, February 12th, when Friday and Romero are assigned to the robbery detail. Their first breakthrough comes when they apprehend Frank Pollard (Timestamp: 09:48). Pollard claims responsibility for the robberies, describing his modus operandi:

Pollard: "I only pulled one. Figured that was the safest way. Dressed pretty well, like a salesman. Always had a briefcase with me."

However, inconsistencies quickly surface. Pollard admits to using a service pistol and sometimes wearing a mask, yet discrepancies in his confession lead Friday to suspect deceit. Eventually, Pollard confesses that his motives were personal, seeking publicity to impress a girlfriend, revealing his confession was fabricated to divert attention (Timestamp: 15:30). This revelation tightens the detectives' focus on finding the true culprit.

Continuing the Hunt for the Real Bandit

Undeterred by the false lead, Friday and Romero continue their search. On February 25th, another robbery occurs at a supermarket on Santa Monica Boulevard, mirroring the previous crimes' signature style. The meticulous details provided by the store manager, Mr. Harry Talbot, further refine the bandit's profile:

Talbot: "He knew all about us. My address, my wife's name, my kids. He said he'd get them if I didn't do what I was told."

Talbot's account highlights the personal nature of the robber's intimidation tactics, emphasizing his intimate knowledge of victims' lives. The description of the getaway car—a bright red, brand new Pontiac sedan—puzzles the detectives, as such conspicuous choices seem counterintuitive for evading capture (Timestamp: 22:15).

Breakthrough Through Stakeouts and Interrogations

The detectives employ strategic stakeouts and canvassing of automobile dealerships to trace the distinctive red car. Their efforts lead them to Mona Taylor, a recent purchaser of a fire engine red sedan, and her boyfriend Al Daley, who admits to occasionally driving the vehicle (Timestamp: 32:40). Although Daley denies involvement in the robberies, the autopsy of the car yields the discovery of Blake Chatfield's briefcase containing evidence linking him to the crimes.

Subsequent stakeouts at the Bartlett Hotel procure Clayton "Scooter" Gridley's cooperation, revealing connections to the robberies. This culminates in the arrest of Chatfield, who admits to being Bray's accomplice and the driver of the getaway car (Timestamp: 48:20).

Conclusion and Arrest of the True Culprit

Despite the apprehension of Chatfield, Bray remains at large until a final stakeout results in his capture. Friday and Romero identify Bray arriving at a local establishment in a bright red coupe, making his arrest unequivocal (Timestamp: 55:10). The episode concludes with Bray and Chatfield facing multiple counts of armed robbery, ensuring that justice is served.

Notable Insights and Reflections

Adam Graham, the host, provides post-episode reflections that enhance the narrative's depth:

On the Realism of Police Work:

"Dragnet didn't always have that happen. Because the reality for police officers is that you're not the designated main character." (Timestamp: 32:50)

Graham emphasizes the authenticity of Dragnet, highlighting that real police work often lacks the dramatic flair seen in other series, adding a layer of integrity to the portrayal.
On Unanswered Questions:

The episode leaves certain elements unresolved, such as the criminal's choice of a bright red car, prompting Graham to ponder the rationale behind such a conspicuous escape method. This open-endedness underscores the complexities and unpredictabilities inherent in law enforcement investigations.
Historical Context:

Graham delves into historical nuances, such as the reference to "graham bread," connecting the episode's plot to real-world items and practices of the era, thereby enriching the listener's understanding of the period's cultural landscape.

Notable Quotes with Attribution

Frank Pollard's Admission:

"I wanted the publicity to impress a girlfriend." (Timestamp: 15:30)
Mr. Harry Talbot on the Robber's Tactics:

"He knew all about us. My address, my wife's name, my kids." (Timestamp: 22:15)
Adam Graham on Police Narratives:

"Dragnet didn't always have that happen. Because the reality for police officers is that you're not the designated main character." (Timestamp: 32:50)

Conclusion

"Dragnet: The Big Car" masterfully intertwines authentic police procedural elements with compelling storytelling. Sergeant Joe Friday's dedication and methodical approach epitomize the relentless pursuit of justice characteristic of the Dragnet series. The episode not only entertains but also offers insightful commentary on the nature of law enforcement, the challenges of investigative work, and the often-overlooked intricacies of criminal behavior.

For those new to the series, this episode serves as an exemplary showcase of Dragnet's enduring appeal, blending suspense, realism, and thoughtful reflection to create a captivating auditory experience.

Transcript

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Adam Graham (0:56)

See site for welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet, but I do want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast, to follow us using your favorite podcast software. Today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, Peter 15913 that's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715 and you can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month by going to patreon.greatdetactives.net now from November 30, 1950, here is the big car.

Narrator (2:27)

The story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to robbery detail. In four months, 15 food markets in your city have been held up and robbed. The bandit is well dressed, well armed. Your job Stop Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. It was Monday, February 12th. It was cold in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of robbery detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Thad Brown, Chief of detectives. My name's Friday. It was 9:48pm when we got to room 25A. Interrogation room. Have a chair, Mr. Paulard. Yeah, thanks. Now what is it that you want to tell us, sir? Well, you. Have a cigarette please? Yeah. Here you are. Thanks. I'm a little nervous. It's never happened to me before. What's that? After I thought it over, I knew it wouldn't be any use to keep it up. I knew you'd find me. I don't think I quite follow you. I want to confess. That's why I came here. Well, I knew I was doing wrong. I just couldn't help myself. What have you done? I'm not trying to defend myself. I needed money, that's all. Wasn't anything else I could do. Well, we still don't know what you're talking about. Pollard. Been after me four months. Thought maybe you recognize me from the description. Some of the people must have seen me. Those food market holdups you pulled, those robberies by yourself. Yeah. 15 of them. Needed the money. Pollard. Is that your true name? That's right. Shelf Frank Pollard. You ever been arrested before? Drunk charge, that's all. I don't know why I went wrong. It just did. You ever done any big time? No. Why do you want to confess? I want to get it off my mind. I want to tell somebody. Everybody. Look, call in newspapers. I'll give them a whole story. I'll tell them everything. Uh, how many of those markets did you hold up, Paulie? 15. You said you needed the money. Is that right? Why? Personal reasons. Look, you got a light again? The smoke's out there. Yeah. Here you are. Yeah, thanks. You used pretty much the same routine on all of the hold ups, is that right? Yeah. I only pulled one. Figured that was the safest way. Dressed pretty well, like a salesman. Always had a briefcase with me. Said what are you carrying? The gun? Yeah. Always worked too. I'd show up at closing time, get the manager in the back room, then pull the heist. What kind of a gun did you use? Service pistol. I had it from when I was in the army. How do you usually work it? Well, when I got the manager alone in the back office, I'd just pull a gun and I'd say, give me the money. All of it. They knew I wasn't fooling. They gimme the dog. You don't seem to fit the whole of man's description too closely. Did you wear a mask on those jobs? Sometimes it did, sometimes it didn't. How about the man who worked with you. Where's. He wasn't anybody else. Just me. Worked him alone. That's why you cops were wrong. You thought there were two of us, didn't you? We thought so, yeah. Pulled every job by myself. That's where I crossed you up. I knew what I was doing. I didn't need any help. How about that market out on West 7th that you held up last night? Did you pull that one alone too? Yeah, sure. I always work alone. Guess I had you guys going, huh? Your story doesn't come very close. A man we're after doesn't use a service pistol. He never wears a mask either. What are you guys getting at? I told you I pulled those robberies. I ought to know how it happened. I used a service pistol. Did you use it in that robbery last night? The one out on West 7? Sure. I always use the same gun. Last night was no different. You're wasting time, mister. What do you mean? Look, I just want to confess. No, sir. There wasn't any robbery last night. On further questioning, the suspect, Frank Pollard, broke down and admitted his confession was a lie. He explained that he wanted the publicity to impress a girlfriend. We had him fingerprinted and delivered him to the Georgia Street Hospital. Detail was filed on and then removed to the psychopathic ward at the county hospital for further examination and treatment. Our four month old search for the Market Bandit went on. In the two weeks that followed, we tracked down more leads. They led nowhere. The real Market Bandit was still at large. On the night of February 25th, hit again. This time at a supermarket out on Santa Monica Boulevard. We interviewed the manager of Mr. Harry Talbot in his small office at the rear of the store. I guess I should have known better. I got the bulletin you sent out on the guy. His description, everything. I. I just wasn't thinking. I guess. He came in the market just before closing time, is that right? Yeah, a couple of minutes after 8. Looked well dressed, had a briefcase under his arm. I fell for it like the rest of them. I thought he was a salesman. How about the man's Description, sir? About 5 foot 11, 170 pounds, I guess. Gray suit. It's the same description you have printed up in the paper. Was anyone else around when the man came in the door? One of my clerks, Everett Smiley. He saw him leave and get in a car right after the robbery. Is this clerk still around? We'd like to talk to him. He went down the street a minute. He'll be right back. Maybe that's him. Yeah, Mr. Talbot. You remember me, Mrs. Bolton? Oh, yes, ma'am. Like to ask you a favor, Mr. Talbot, as an old customer. I'm tied up right now, ma'am. Could I see you a little later on? I won't even come in, Mr. Talbot. You see, we're having our annual benefit whisk party down at the community church. They were going to have it next Thursday, but I made them put it off another week so we could get some decent prizes. Oh, yes, ma'am. Of course, a lot of our people are good customers of the store here, so I knew you'd be willing to give something to the prize list. Oh, yeah. Shall I put you down for one of the door prizes? Maybe two or three market baskets full of canned corn, things like that. Yeah, okay, Mrs. Bolton. I'll have ever fix them up tomorrow, of course. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Talbot. I'll have my boy Robert pick them up tomorrow. You'll have the baskets fixed up real nice, won't you? Yes, ma'am. I'll take care of it. Well, thank you again. Goodbye. Goodbye, ma'am. Goodbye, gentlemen. Goodbye. Mr. Talbot, I wonder if you could tell us what happened after you got back here in your office with the hold up man. Well, it happened pretty fast. He reached into the briefcase he was carrying like he was going to get his order book and he came up with this gun. He told me to open that safe there, but I stalled. I said I didn't know how. I see. That's when he started telling me what he'd do to my family, my wife, if I didn't open the safe. He knew all about us. My address, my wife's name, my kids. He said he'd get them if I didn't do what I was told. Same MO Never failed him. What'd you do then, Tally? Well, money's not worth that much to me. I opened the safe and gave him everything. Little over $400. I still don't know how he got that information about my family. Do you have any suspicions at all? No, nobody I can think of. How about the gun he had? Can you describe it? Well, just like you have it listed in that bulletin on him.38 revolver, blue steel, long barrel. Mr. Talbot? Come on in, Ev. Officers, this is my clerk, Everett Smiley. I am sorry, I forgot your name. Friday and Romero. Robbery detail. Hi. Hello. Hey, Mr. Talbot says that you saw the hold up man leaving the market. Is that right? Yeah, that's right. He walked right out of the store and down the street just like nothing happened. I Didn't know anything was wrong till later. Did you notice if the men got in the car? Yeah, I did. Car was parked about halfway down the block. Another guy was driving. Motor was running. You catch the license number? No, but it was a brand new sedan. A Pontiac, I think. You shouldn't have much trouble finding it without a license number. Well, it's a brand new car. I remember the color. I couldn't forget that. Yeah, bright red. Just like a fire engine. 90% of the time, color identification of a car means nothing. For one thing, a getaway car can be painted in a matter of a few hours. And for another, the color of a vehicle is not listed on the registration slip. It's impossible to check a car through DMV on color alone. But in this case, we figured that we had half an exception to the rule. The car used in the robbery was new, was painted a very distinctive color. We began an immediate canvass of automobile dealers throughout the city. After a day and a half of calling and checking, we found two dealers who had sold two new cars within recent weeks with fire engine red paint jobs. We got the names and addresses of the purchasers and checked them out. One of them was a Ms. Mona Taylor, an ad taker for one of the daily morning papers. I'm sorry to bother you at your work, Ms. Danny. Not at all. Worst of it's over for today. What is it you want to know? We understand that you bought a new Pontiac sedan about three weeks ago. Is that correct? Yes, I did. If this is about that parking ticket, why, I've already taken care of it. No, ma'am, that's not it. We'd just like to know if you still own that car. Well, I don't own it yet. I'm still paying on it. Colors are bright red, is that right? Yes, it is. Fire engine red. I like bright colors. Well, does anyone else besides yourself drive the car? Missed anything? Well, yes. Once in a while I lend it to my boyfriend, Al. Al Daley. I've known him for a long time. Oh, excuse me. Classified ads, Ms. Taylor? Yes, sir. Two room apartment, unfurnished. All right. You got a smoke? Steam heat, view, Beverly Hill. $80. Okay. Yes, sir. Tomorrow morning's edition. Yes, $2.12 for two days. Could I have your name, address and telephone number? Thank you. Sir, about this friend of yours, Ms. Taylor, this Al Daly. How long have you been lending him your car? Since he got his new salesman's job. He has to make night calls on customers out in the Valley, so I let him have the car? Usually about once a week. When's the last time that he borrowed the car, miss? Two nights ago. From Mona Taylor. We got the address of her boyfriend, Al Daly. We located him in a rooming house on South Bovard Avenue. He admitted he borrowed the Taylor girl's car the night before, but he denied that he drove it anywhere in the vicinity of the robbery. How about your friend Jimmy Bray? I don't know. I loaned a car, that's all. He gave me 30 bucks. Well, that's an awful lot of rental money. Why did he need a car, Sevan? I don't know. Don't you ask him? Where's he staying? Bartlett Hotel. Nathan Flower. Mm. You going over to see him now? That's right. Why? Well, I thought if you were going over there, you wouldn't mind taking this with you. He left it in the car when he brought it back. His briefcase. Avalon. What's the matter? It's all a fuss about a briefcase. Yeah. Mm. What is it? Let's see. All right. You got an answer for that? Daily. Sure. A funny place to keep a gun. We took Al Daley downtown where he was held for questioning. We had a stakeout placed on his rooming house. We had both Daley and Bray checked through R and I. No criminal record. The briefcase and the.38 revolver were booked as evidence with the property clerk. There was no record or prints on the gun. The Taylor girl's car was impounded to be checked for fingerprints. 7:00pm we drove out to the Bartlett Hotel on Ethan Flower. The room clerk confirmed the fact that Jimmy Bray was a registered guest at the hotel. You want to call the office, Joe? Yeah, all right, I'll do it. You got change? Yeah, I think I have. Yeah. Okay. City Hall. 2511. 2511. Robbery. Powers, Joe. Friday. John. We're out at Bray's hotel. We're gonna stake it out. He's not in yet. That's what I figured. What do you mean? Market out on 12th street was held up a minute ago? Yeah. Bandit carried briefcase. You are listening to Dragnet. Authentic stories of your police force in action. 11:30pm after checking Bray's room and finding nothing, Ben and I remained on stakeout at the Bartlett Hotel. The suspect failed to show up at midnight. Young and Mackenzie came out and relieved us. We drove back to the office and got the particulars on the holdup of the 12th Street Market. The MO was almost exactly the same as in the other 16 robberies. The victim's description of the hold up man matched perfectly with Bray's. By noon the next day, the suspect still had not returned to his hotel. An intensive canvas of the immediate neighborhood around the Bartlett Hotel netted us nothing. Nobody remembered Bray. We checked the bars and restaurants he was known to patronize. No one had any idea where he might be. Details at the airport, railroad stations and bus terminals were alerted. We got out a supplementary description on our original apb. The sheriff's office was kept advised. Two days passed. Still no sign. We questioned and re questioned Al Daley. Either he couldn't or he wouldn't add anything to what he'd already told us about Bray. A series of stakeouts were placed at food markets in areas where Bray had staged robberies previously. A composite picture of the suspect was made up and given wide distribution throughout the city. It all went for nothing. The following Tuesday, March 4, Bray robbed a neighborhood market in Highland park of $150. I had to give him the money, Sergeant. He threatened my wife and kids. Said he'd see something happen to them if I didn't open the safe. Did you say he wore gloves, sir? That's right. I thought it didn't jibe at first. Salesman wearing gloves like that didn't think about it till it was too late. Did you notice if he was on foot or did he get away in the car? He had a car, all right, parked down the street there. Saw it through the window. Another fellow was at the wheel. Did you notice anything else about the car? The license number, maybe? No, couldn't see that. But it was a coupe. I'm sure of that. Yeah, it was red. Bright red. There was one angle we couldn't figure. If Bray was bent on a steady career of robbery, why did he use an escape car painted the most conspicuous color possible? We checked out Mona Taylor's car again. There was no connection. The search went on two weeks, three weeks, another month. Bray kept to his usual schedule. One robbery a week. The legwork went on, too. On March 20, we got a call from one of Ben's informants. He told us that he'd seen a man answering Bray's description in the Venice park amusement area. Down to the beach. Well, we drove down to Venice to check it out. Pretty good crowd for a cold night. Yeah. Where do we find this friend of yours? See where the Merry Go Round is up ahead? Yeah, just beyond that. He runs one of the booths. You throw baseballs at phony milk bottles. Three chances for a dime, you know. Oh, yeah. He and his wife run it. They've been out here for years. I don't know how they ever make a living, eh? Hey, those hot dogs smell good, don't they? Is that your friend's booth across the way there? Yeah. Yeah. Come on, fellas. Show the girls how you can throw a baseball. Fill them out. How about let the girls have a free throw? Step up and win applause. Looks like Maud's running the place tonight. Maud? That's his wife. How you doing, Sergeant? Cold night, huh? Hi, Matt. This is my partner, Joe Friday. How are you? Glad to know you, Joe. Guess you're looking for Scooter, huh? Yeah. Is he around? Just down the way, Sarge. Hey, how about sailor? Try you luck. One spin, dime, spill the milk. Pretty good crowd tonight, Ma. Oh, yeah, but they're not spending. Hasn't been good at all lately. Where'd you say your husband was, ma'am? Just down the way. Old man Hudson's out to chow. Scooter runs America around for him while he eats. Thank you. Well, we'll drop back and see you before we leave.