Dragnet: The Big Steal 11/27/1956
episode
Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
26 min
2 speakers
8 chapters
transcribed 19 days ago
Transcript
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Transcript generated automatically by AI and may contain errors.
What is the opening premise of the "The Big Steal" case?
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Ladies and gentlemen. The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Dragman.
You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a burglary detail. You get a call that a clothing store in Hollywood is suffering losses. The value of the stolen property is over twelve thousand dollars. There's no lead to the identity of the thief. No pattern to his MO. Your job. Get him.
It was Wednesday, June 3rd. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of burgery detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Bernard. My name's Freddy. We were on our way out from the office, and it was 9.56 a.m. when we got to 1592 Vine Street. Dot's men's store. Excuse me. One thing can tell us where you can find Leonard Dodds.
Yeah, uh that's him, call it back here in a blue suit.
Thank you. Thank you.
Uh-huh. No, I just came in this morning. I know it was stuff was gone. The whole shipment is for your coats. They haven't even been unpacked yet.
Yeah. About two dozen of them. A white with a button down collars. Yeah, I called the cops and the insurance government. Mm-hmm. Well, a couple of customers just came in, honey. I'll call you back. Yep. Well don't worry about it. Yeah. The helpful gentleman? Mr. Dodds? That's right. Police officers. It's Frank Smith. My name's Friday. How are you doing, sir? You reported a burglary this morning? Yeah, you guys from Hollywood? No, sir, we're out of central. I didn't think I'd seen you around here before. You want to tell us what happened? Yeah. Come on back to the store room. When did you first discover this left? Well, this morning when I came in, I went back here to unpack some new merchandise and I found most of it gone.
Here I'll get to the room. And this is our storeroom. When we get a shipment from the east, the cases are kept here until we get a chance to unpack them and check the invoices. I see. Was all of the stolen merchandise taken from this room? I'm not sure about that. I do know that a shipment of suede jackets and weskets was in here. It's gone now. A couple of cases of shirts, too. The only way I'd have it knowing if they took anything from out in the store itself would be to make a complete inventory.
How do the detectives first learn about the Hollywood clothing‑store burglary?
Mm-hmm. What do you estimate the loss at? $12,000.
When was the last time you saw the merchandise in here? Yesterday afternoon. About what time?
Well, I'd have to guess at that. I'd say about three or three thirty. How many doors are there to the store here? Just the front one. One in the back. Opens into an alley. What if we could see the rear door?
Sure.
Thank this way. One of the first things I thought of, too, but it was locked. You opened the door this morning, did you? Yes, I found the stuff gone. Then I checked the door. It was still locked. Uhhuh. You have an
alarm system in the store?
Yes. Didn't go off last night, though. I see. Here's the door. You can see for yourself. There's nothing wrong with a lock. How about it, Joe? No, there's no signs of a gym. Well, that's what I thought too. I looked pretty close. Couldn't see any sign of where they got in. How about windows?
Hm?
Possible they got in through a window? No, I'm sure of that. Only two we've got are in the tailor shop. Here. Well, you can see them up there. A good ten feet and barred. They couldn't have gotten in there. All right, we'll have our crime lab take a look. Who has keys to the place? Well, I've got one. Yes, sir, but who else? Well, it's just me and Al. Al? Yeah, Al Baker. He's sort of the assistant manager. Whenever I'm not around, he takes charge of things. Can we see him? You can when he comes in. Listen, I don't want you to give him any trouble. I'd trust him with anything, anything at all. I don't want you asking him a lot of embarrassing questions. All right, sir. How long does he work for you? Oh, I guess it's been about five years.
I don't think I could run the place without him. Sure wouldn't want to try.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the opening premise of the "The Big Steal" case?
0:00–2:40
2
How do the detectives first learn about the Hollywood clothing‑store burglary?
2:40–4:34
3
What clues do the investigators find when they examine the store’s back door and windows?
4:34–7:54
4
Why does the crime lab focus on fingerprints and tire‑track evidence?
7:54–10:51
5
Who becomes the prime suspect after the police interview Leonard Dodds?
10:51–14:44
6
How does the stake‑out lead the detectives to the hidden garage with stolen merchandise?
14:44–17:38
7
What evidence links Al Baker and the plaster contractor to the theft?
17:38–20:44
8
What is the final legal outcome for Martin Hetman and the other burglars?
20:44–24:47
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
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