Dragnet: The Big Partner (EP4700) - The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas

Dragnet: The Big Partner (EP4700)

Sat May 10 2025

Today's Mystery: Joe Friday hunts for an escaped robber. Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 1, 1951 Originating from Hollywood Starring: Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday; Barton Yarborough as Sergeant Ben Romero; Ralph Moody; Barney Phillips...

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio: Episode Summary – "Dragnet: The Big Partner (EP4700)"

Release Date: May 10, 2025

Introduction

In this landmark 4,700th episode of "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio," host Adam Graham presents "Dragnet: The Big Partner," a classic episode from the Golden Age of Radio. This detailed summary encapsulates the intricate plot, character dynamics, investigative procedures, and the ultimate resolution of the case, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of this iconic detective drama.

Case Overview: Vernon Albert Nicole

The episode centers around Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner, Ben Romero, as they tackle a series of audacious jewelry store robberies orchestrated by Vernon Albert Nicole. Nicole is depicted as a seasoned criminal with a penchant for meticulous planning and an ability to evade capture, making him a formidable adversary for the LAPD.

Detailed Plot Summary

Initial Robbery and Suspect Identification

The narrative begins on Tuesday, December 2nd, with a daytime robbery at a jewelry store where Nicole steals $5,000 in precious stones. Detective Friday provides a vivid description of the suspect's method (00:58):

"He walked in the store at the right time, pointed a gun, grabbed a tray full of diamond rings and walked out." [01:15]

Despite the boldness of the heist, Nicole's actions suggest prior knowledge and practice. The detectives receive a Code 113 call regarding an accident at 3rd and Bigsell involving a man with a gun, which they promptly investigate.

Encounter and Initial Capture

At approximately 1:48 PM, Friday and Romero arrive at the scene, encountering Ernie Brooks, who describes a traffic collision caused by a reckless driver — Nicole in disguise. Brooks details how Nicole, after a violent encounter, inadvertently drops a box containing numerous diamond rings [05:30]. This discovery links Nicole to the jewelry store heists.

The detectives apprehend Nicole and conduct fingerprinting, revealing his criminal history, including convictions for armed robbery and auto theft. However, Nicole's arrogance leads to his escape during transportation to the hospital by overpowering the officers, as narrated by Friday (22:45):

"He pushed his fingers into the door jamb and had them badly mashed when the cell door closed on them... He kicked one of the officers in the stomach, slugged the other one and escaped." [23:08]

Escalation of Crimes and Copycat Behavior

Nicole's escape marks the beginning of a series of weekend holdups, with crimes escalating in frequency and audacity. The detectives discover that Nicole has adopted a partner, further complicating the case. Despite numerous stakeouts and increased police presence, Nicole and his accomplice continue to commit robberies across different parts of Los Angeles, challenging the detectives' efforts to apprehend them.

A critical breakthrough occurs when Pete Albanez, one of the arrested accomplices, breaks down during interrogation, revealing the existence of multiple partners trained by Nicole (27:40):

"He taught it to him. He doesn't live here in town. He only comes up for the weekend... We're down by the border someplace. Palm City, Tijuana, I'm not sure." [28:20]

Intensified Police Efforts and Final Capture

Determined to end the spree, Friday and Romero intensify their investigations, tracking down leads related to Nicole's whereabouts and associations. They identify Nicole's girlfriend, Esther Rivard, and stake out her residence, eventually pinpointing Nicole's vehicle — a 1941 Ford sedan — through meticulous coordination with other units (32:10).

Late-night surveillance leads to a high-tension confrontation at 12th and Beacon. As Nicole and his partner attempt to flee, the detectives engage in a tense standoff. Despite reluctance and chaotic communication between the officers, Nicole is finally apprehended after a brief altercation where his partner inadvertently fires his weapon, facilitating their capture (35:38).

Resolution and Legal Proceedings

The episode concludes with the trial of Vernon Nicole and his accomplices in Superior Court Department 87, where they are convicted on multiple counts of first-degree robbery. Nicole receives a sentence of no less than five years, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the legal system's response to his repeated offenses (36:58).

Host's Commentary and Analysis

After the dramatization, Adam Graham provides insightful reflections on the episode, highlighting the complexities of dealing with a criminal like Nicole who not only poses a significant threat but also inspires copycat crimes due to his effective methods. Graham remarks on Nicole's antisocial behavior and the challenges it presents to law enforcement:

"An interesting personal dynamic here with an antisocial perpetrator who spreads his method and creates copycats because while his method is great, he's just so difficult to work with and be around." [29:40]

He further discusses the relationship between the detectives, particularly focusing on the partnership between Friday and Romero, illustrating the toll such relentless investigations take on law enforcement officers.

Listener Engagement and Feedback

Adam Graham engages with listener comments, addressing questions about the authenticity of "Dragnet" cases and their real-life counterparts. He explains the origins of the stories, many of which were adapted from actual LAPD cases, though not all could be individually verified due to the passage of time and limited media coverage:

"While the crimes profiled on Dragnet were based on true cases, they could be brought forward in time quite a few number of years... There are a few cases where Dragnet was sued because a person alleged defamation." [29:40]

Graham also recommends Jack Webb's book "The Badge," which delves deeper into true crime stories that weren't adapted for television, offering listeners a resource for further exploration.

Conclusion

"The Big Partner" serves as a quintessential example of "Dragnet's" enduring legacy in portraying the relentless pursuit of justice by dedicated law enforcement officers. Through meticulous storytelling and authentic character portrayals, the episode not only entertains but also offers a glimpse into the procedural challenges faced by detectives in maintaining law and order.

Listeners are left with a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in crime-solving and the personal sacrifices made by those tasked with protecting the community.

Notable Quotes:

"He walked in the store at the right time, pointed a gun, grabbed a tray full of diamond rings and walked out." – Joe Friday [01:15]
"He pushed his fingers into the door jamb and had them badly mashed when the cell door closed on them." – Joe Friday [23:08]
"An interesting personal dynamic here with an antisocial perpetrator who spreads his method and creates copycats..." – Adam Graham [29:40]

For more detailed analyses and upcoming episodes, subscribe to "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" on your preferred podcast platform or visit GreatDetectives.net.

Transcript

Joe Friday (0:01)

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Adam Graham (0:58)

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 first, I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. I also want to tell you about FultonFishMarket.com when it comes to seafood, freshness makes all the difference. There's something special about getting seafood straight from the experts@fultonfishmarket.com for over 200 years, Fulton Fish Market has been the most trusted name in seafood, supplying top chefs, restaurants, and now home kitchens across the country. Their expert fishmongers carefully select every order, ensuring you get seafood at peak fresh freshness, whether it's wild caught salmon, succulent scallops, or perfectly tender shrimp. And because you're a listener to this podcast, you can enjoy 17% off your entire order by using the promo code box 13 at checkout. That's the best discount they offer and I do earn a commission when you use my code, so it's a win for great seafood and supporting the show. Ready to bring restaurant quality seafood to your table? Visit fultonfishmarket.com use promo code box13 and taste the difference for yourself. Now from March 1, 1951, here is the big partner.

Joe Friday (2:44)

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. A lone bandit robs a jewelry store in broad daylight. He takes $5,000 in precious stones. He's reckless. He's well armed. Your job Get 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 Tuesday, December 2nd. It was chilly in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of robbery detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain Didion. My name's Friday. It was 1:48pm when I got to the basement of the City Hall. The Carpool. Joe, over here. Yeah, right. Hi. Hi, Joe. 6th and Douglas, is that right? Yeah. Better take Beverly Boulevard out, huh? Right. Want to get the radio? Yeah. All right. No report yet? No, he got away on foot. He headed down 6th street after the holdup. Lost himself in the crowd. Better watch it there. Oh, yeah. 63W. Roger. Code 113 hours. How'd the thief work it? Did you get the story? Roger. Well, there's not much to tell. He walked in the store the right time, pointed a gun, grabbed a tray full of diamond rings and walked out. $5,000. Figure he must have had the jewelry store pretty well cased. Sounds like he's had practice. It could be. Sure. One thing, he's well armed. Attention all units. All units at 3rd and Bigsell. 3rd and Bigselling accident. Yeah. Man with a gun. All units at 3rd and Bigsel. A traffic accident. A man with a gun. Code 3AMA 367. I guess we can roll on it, huh? Right. That's big for just a hand. Yeah, I'll call in. 80K to Control 1 8. Okay to Control 1. Control 1 to 80K, go ahead. 80K out for investigation. 3rd and Vixel, KMA 367. Roger, 80K. Code 6 to 3rd and Vixel, kMA 367. That must be it up ahead, Joe. Yeah, right in the middle of the intersection there is a car turned over, huh? This ought to do it. Yeah. Let's go. Man stretched out on the street over there from curb. I wonder if we get through here. Please. Excuse me. Let us through, please. Let's don't just stand around looking. Did somebody call the police yet? Excuse me. Are you involved in this? Sure, I was in it. Did anybody call the police? We're police officers. What happened? Well, sure glad to see you. Awful lot of trouble. Well, how about this man here? What happened? Oh, I slugged him. I had to. What do you mean? Well, I don't know what happened. He went a little crazy, I guess. He pulled this gun on me. How is he, Joe? John's got a bump on the head. He seems to be all right otherwise. What's your name, sir? Ernie Brooks. That truck over there, that's what I was driving. I was coming down 3rd street and I stopped for the red light over there. That corner over there? Yeah. And when the light turned green, I started across the intersection. This guy laying here came barreling down big, so went right through the red light, hit the front of my truck, flipped this car right over on its side, just like you see it? Yeah, go ahead. The guy went a little crazy, I guess. Right after the crackup, I pulled the truck to the curb and got out. This fella here was just climbing out of the top side of his car. Didn't seem hurt at all. Yeah, well, when he saw me coming over to him, he pulled a gun and pointed it at me. Then he turned and started running. I couldn't figure it out. What'd you do? Well, as soon as he turned his back to run, I went for him and tackled him. Fought like a tiger. That's why I say I slugged him. I had to, Officer. Hey, something awful funny about the whole thing. What do you mean by that? Well, look here. This box right here. Fell out of his coat when I slugged him. Here, take a look. Yeah, here. Must be three, four dozen in there. Rings. All kinds. Looks like diamonds in them, doesn't it? The ambulance arrived and we took the unconscious Jewel robbery suspect to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. After he was revived and treated for cuts and bruises, we took him back to the City Hall. At the Interrog, he fitted the description of the jewelry store bandit almost exactly. He refused to talk. He wouldn't even give us his name. We had his fingerprints taken and then we had them checked through R and I. The man was identified as Vernon Albert Nicole. An ex convict out of Folsom and a two time loser. He'd served one five year term for armed robbery and another three years for adw. We checked out the wrecked car he'd been driving and found out that it had been stolen two blocks from the scene of the holdup. We had the manager of the jewelry store, which had been robbed, brought downtown. He identified Nicole as the bandit. The suspect still refused to talk. Ben and I took him to the main jail where he was booked on suspicion of 211 B.C. 4:15pm we checked back in at the office. Takes some of them a long time to learn. Yeah. Two time loser. This one ought to finish him. I can't figure it. He's been out of Folsom seven months and going right back in again. Well, we can get the complaint from the DA tomorrow and set the arraignment for Thursday. Yeah. Better check with the manager of the jewelry store first. Wonder if Nicole could have been in on those gas station holdups. Remember last month? Well, we'll have him in the show up Thursday and see what happens. You want to take care of the arrest reports? Yeah, I'll get out an APB too. Might turn up some outside jobs on him. I'M sure hungry. You still got that candy bar from lunch? Yeah, I think so. Somewhere. Here? Yeah, There you go. What's the matter with you lately anyway? I don't know. Been eating like a horse. Can't understand hot chuck. I'll get it. What do you got, Joe? What's a minute? Well, that does it. What? Nicole. He escaped. A broadcast and an all points bulletin were gotten out on Vernon Nicole. All units in the vicinity of the escape were alerted. An hour passed, there was no report on the suspect. We checked with the main jail and got the details on the escape. They told us that while Nicole was being locked up in his cell, he pushed his fingers into the door jamb and had them badly mashed when the cell door closed on them. Both of Nicole's wrists were then handcuffed. And along with two other ailing suspects, he was taken over to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital by a pair of transportation officers. Going up the stairs to the hospital, Nicole had turned suddenly, kicked one of the officers in the stomach, slugged the other one and escaped. It happened at about 4:14pm By 11:00 clock that night, there wasn't a trace of the suspect. 7:30 the next morning, Ben and I checked back in for work. Nicole was still at large. Overnight report. Joe, handle up. What do you got here? Liquor store, gas station, another lecture store. All three of them held up between midnight and 2am Take a look at the band's description. Let's see. WMA, 5ft, 950 pounds, medium build, dark wavy hair, dark eyes, fair complexion, deep scar on chin. How bout it? He didn't waste time getting started again, did he? A pretty big come down. If it's Nicole diamond, theft or liquor store. Well, he had to do something. He didn't have any clothes, no money. How about that car he used on those jobs? Stolen. Recovered early this morning. They're going over it for Prince Romero. Joe. Skipper, get on this one right away, will you? Just got the call a minute ago. What's that? Username. Address? Matthew Hobbs. He runs a candy store near one of the grade schools over in Boyle Heights. He might be able to tell you something. Yeah? About what? Nicole saw him last night. We got in the car and drove over to the Boyle Heights district where we located Matthew Hobbs. Place of business was a small store on Delray Avenue, one block from the neighborhood grammar school. The sign out in front read New Geneva Candy Parlor and Variety Store. It was the usual display in the window. A wind up train, a few inexpensive dolls, pencils, writing tablets and some crepe paper. Inside the main attraction was two long showcases filled with a variety of penny candy. There was a small soda fountain at the rear of the store, topped with a slab of worn marble. Matthew Hobbs was a small, thin man. He looked to be in his mid-60s. He sat behind one of the counters filling cellophane bags with Christmas candy while he talked to us. We asked him about Nicole. Yes, that's right. Vernon was here last night about 10 o' clock. 10:15, no later. You want me to help him? Did you know nicole that well, Mr. Hump? As well as I know most of the kids who grew up around here. Yes. I guess I knew him well. What did he ask for in the way of help, sir? Money, clothes. He got no family left. I guess I was the only one he thought come to. Well, how is it that you didn't notify us sooner, Mr. Hobbs? I knew you'd ask. I'd like to explain if I could. Yes, sir. Please. Would you hand me that stack of bags there, Sergeant? Yeah, this. No, no, no, the number twos. Yeah, those. Yeah. All right. Here you are. Thank you. As I said, he knocked on my back door about 10 o' clock and I let him in. Acted just like an animal. Some kind of crazy animal. I see. Did he have handcuffs on? Yeah, but the chain connecting him was broken. Made me file off each handcuff. I wouldn't do. I had no idea what was going on. He said he'd kill me if I didn't help him. Kept threatening me. I never saw Vernon like that before. Go on, please. You know, Sergeant, I knew that boy when he was in grammar school. Right up the street there. Makes you sit down and think sometimes, huh? The way they grow up and change. Yes, sir. Well, what happened after you took the cuffs off of him? Henny got out of his jail clothes and put on one of my suits. Took what I had in my wallet, $12. And then he kept running around till he found my gun. He took that with him, too. Didn't you think of calling for help? Not the way he acted, Sergeant. Just like a crazy animal. He'd have killed me if I'd have tried anything. Warned me not to tell anybody he was here. Said he'd come back and kill me if I did. Well, I waited till this morning and I called the police who said Nicole took a gun from me, Mr. Hobbs. What kind of a gun was it?32 automatic. A Colt. I've had it for years. I have it registered with you people. He took just what he pleased. Clothes Gun. If you want the truth, Sergeant, I just wasn't brave enough to try to stop him. When the Coley left here, did you notice if he had a car? No. He left on foot. Walked across the street and he went down that way. Towards town? I don't know. I don't suppose you'll get too far. I hope not. You have any idea who he might try to contact? Some of his old friends or relatives? No, he doesn't have any folks I know of. Terrible thing, isn't it? Kids growing up, sir. The way they change. Like Nicole. I can understand them when they're kids. Seen hundred of them come through here. Know what they're thinking, how they feel. Kind of a hobby. I understand kids. Yes, sir. I see. Trouble is, they grow up. All of a sudden, they stop being kids. Yes, sir. I don't understand them. After that. After we left the candy store, we went back to the office and got out a supplementary APB containing a description of the suspect's clothing and the gun that he'd stolen the. Together with Gonzales and Pena from robbery, Ben and I checked all of Nicole, his known friends and his usual hangouts. Stakeouts were placed. We got nowhere. The late evening holdups continued. Each of the victims identified Nicole as the bandit. Used the same MO in each case. He worked only on the weekends. Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights he'd steal a car, pull three holdups in the same general area within an hour, abandoned the car in the same area and then disappear. Two weeks passed. And then a month. The weekend robberies went on. From the most recent hold up victims, we found out that Nicole had picked up a partner. We checked the man's description through the stats office. Each of the stolen cars used by the suspects and men abandoned were checked for prints. We failed to identify the second man. The hold ups continued. Nicole and his partner were still at large. Monday, January 26th, 8:30am Ben and I met with Captain Didion. What's the comps giver? The usual three hold up Friday, three Saturday, three Sunday. He's proved his point. He's consistent. Now when do you blow the whistle on him? We're doing everything that can be done. Stakeouts, extra units on duty. Not enough. The corner pocket wants some results. They want them fast. Well, how about the times listed for the three stick ups last night? Have they been double checked? They're all correct. And something else for you. Figure it out. What is it, Joe? Look here. There's a drugstore out in West Hollywood robbed at 11:14pm yeah. All right. Now this one coffee shop out in the Valley robbed at 11:21pm Both of them the same MO the same everything. It doesn't fail you. They couldn't have made it from the spot in West Hollywood out to the Valley in seven minutes. It's not possible. There's a report. Check it. I know, but how could they do it? There must be some way to work out the answer. There's gotta be. I can give you a shortcut. Yeah. Nicole. Find him. Another two weeks passed, and then two weeks more. Besides the extra men and units put in service on weekends, two dozen separate stakeouts were established in areas where we figured Nicole and his accomplice would strike. Didn't help much. The holdups continued. There was only one difference. The description of the bandit didn't jive anymore. We still didn't have an answer to the superhuman speed that the two gunmen seemed to show. And robbing victims at widely separated points, all within a short period of time. We stayed on it. Friday, February 21st. Ben and I took our turn on night stakeout in a vacant store on Sunset Boulevard. We were assigned to cover a drugstore and a bar directly across the street. We spent two weekends on the job was quiet. Nothing happened. The third weekend was no different. One thing's for sure. We never have any luck picking steakhouse. What do you mean? This empty store must be the draftiest place in town. No, we've had worse. What time you got? 5 past midnight. That little band over in the bar sure earn their money, don't they? Yeah. Allow it anyway. Where, Ben? Huh? Have a look getting out of that car down the street there. See? Oh, yeah. They're heading for the bar. What do you think? Both got dark hair, about the same build. Looks like they're in a hurry. They're going in the bar. Yeah. Come on. Come on. We better hurry. That's it. Come on. All right, throw down the guns. Look out. All right, hold it. Hold it. Throw down your guns. All right, come on. Hands behind your head. You're not taking me watch. You all right? Hold it right there. Come on, on your feet. You all right, then? Yeah. He had a good punch. Well, that's both of them at Raptured Apple. Oh, you better look again, huh? Neither one of them is Nicole. You are listening to Dragnet. A series of authentic case histories documented from Official files. Saturday, February 22nd. Ben and I took the two robbery suspects downtown to the city hall. At the interrogation room, we checked them through R and I and found that they both had records for burglary and grand theft auto. The car that they'd been using that night had been stolen. After two and a half hours of interrogation, one of the suspects of Pete Albanez decided to break down and cooperate. 1:00am the interrogation room. I get something out of it, don't I? Helping you? You're not gonna forget I helped you. When they get me in court, we'll see if they know about it, Pete. It'll be mentioned in our report. Now, what's the story? I knew I never should have went for it. Believe me, it won't happen again. The caller he talked me in with. Talked you into what? Pete? Helped him on those stick ups. I was his partner. His first one after he broke jail. Yeah, that's right. He came to me with his foolproof system as I was sucker enough to go for it. How long did you work with him this? Couple of weekends. Three, four maybe. I didn't get along with him. No, nobody gets along with him. He's a little crazy, I think. Who's working with him now? I don't know. He's had two, three different guys. I don't know who's with him. Say, sergeant, can I have a drink of water, please? All right. I'll get you some, Pete. All right. There you go. Yeah, thanks. How about the way Nicole works, Pete? Three or four robberies a night, all over town. A lot of guys work on, that's all. You mean they all keep her the same way, huh? Yeah, sure. When I left him, I went on my own. I picked up a partner and used his system. Pretty good one. Well, it looked like a good one anyway. You mean working on the weekends? Picking up a hot car, dropping it fast. Yeah, you got it. Must be half a dozen guys in this town working the system. They all got it from Nicole. He taught it to him. Where do we find him, Pete? You know Nicole? No, not for sure. He's got it figured. You know, he doesn't live here in town. He only comes up for the weekend. Works for Friday, Saturday, Sunday. And then he takes off again. Takes off for work. We're down by the border someplace. Palm City, Tijuana, I'm not sure. Yeah, don't forget I'm helping you, huh? You let him know I cooperated. Yeah, we'll let him know, Pete. Now, when's the last time you saw Nicole? Oh, it's been a month. Anyway, I never want to see him again. Say, this may help you, though. I know where his girlfriend stays. Yeah, apartment on South Rampart. I can give you an address? He probably goes see her once in a while. Anyone else you can think of? No, that's about it. There won't be any pushover, Sergeant. Like I said, I think he's a little crazy. He's not gonna be an easy one to take. Well, we'll give it a try. Well, I mean it that way. He's wild, but you'll get him, I guess. Just one thing. Yeah? You'll have to kill him first. 3:45am Pete Albanez and his accomplice were booked at the main jail on suspicion of 211pc. The next morning, Ben and I checked out the address of Nicole's girlfriend, which Albanez had given us. The girlfriend's name was Esther Rivard. She told us that she hadn't seen Nicole in more than two weeks. We asked her if she knew where the suspect stayed when he was in town. She gave us an address on South Pico. We called in and arranged for a stakeout on the girl's place. And then we drove over to check the address that she'd given us. It was a small apartment court on the edge of the industrial district. Nicole wasn't there. Neither was the manager. We talked to one of the tenants who told us that the manager, Mrs. Clara Fontaine, was out of town. He said that while she was gone, her daughter Norma was looking after the place. The daughter was employed as a secretary at the Blue Cross Hospital plan office over on Wilshire Boulevard. We called the office and arranged for another stakeout at the apartment court. 1:25pm we located the landlady's daughter at the Blue Cross office on Wilshire. We showed her Nicole's mugshot. Yes, he's one of Mama's tenants, Mr. Reynolds. He's in Bungalow 5. Anyone staying with him, Ms. Fontaine? No one's registered with him, no. He has visitors, though. Is there something wrong? When did you see this man last? This morning when I was leaving for work. He was outside working on his car. Would you excuse me, please? Sure. Go ahead. Blue Cross. Yes, sir. I see. No, just address the letter to Blue Cross Hospital plan. You can send it to us here at the wheelchair office. That's right. Well, you're welcome.