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.
You get a call that a downtown hotel has been held up by a bandit who carries a sawed-off
shotgun.
Your job, find him.
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 Sunday, October 9th.
It was cool in Los Angeles.
We were working the night watch out of robbery detail.
My partner is Frank Smith, the boss chief of detectives Thad Brown.
My name is Friday.
We were on our way out from the office and it was 2.06 a.m. when we got to the corner
of Cinnabar Street and Grand Avenue, the Brinton Hotel.
Well, I just done what he told me.
I figured there was no point in getting myself all riled up.
Didn't see where that would be helping, Madden.
Yes, sir.
Whatever he said, I done it.
Hey, you fellas looking for a room?
Police officers, this is Frank Smith.
My name is Friday.
Are you from robbery?
That's right.
Roberts, 1F16.
You answered the call?
Yeah.
The description's out, Metro sending a couple of cars to help us look for the suspect.
All right, good.
Anything else I can do for you?
No, not right now.
Okay.
I'll take care of the report.
Thank you.
We'll check with you.
Right.
You know, I sure would have been wrong about you two.
What's that?
I never would have guessed you was cops.
Salesmen.
That's what I'd put you boys down for.
I see.
Ladies ready to wear.
Guess I would have missed the boat this time.
Yes, sir.
Would you tell us about the holdup, please?
I thought their mother officers already let you in on it.
We'd like to get the details from you if we could.
Oh, well, I ain't got nothing better to do.
Stuck here till 7 a.m., anyhow.
What if we could have your name?
Boxer, Tom Boxer.
That's B-O-X-E-R.
That's it, you know, just like a dog.
What time did the robbery take place?
Oh, 40, 45 minutes ago, around 1.20, somewhere in there.
Wasn't 1.30 yet, I'm sure of that.
Oh.
See, I was listening to the radio.
Stan Swift.
Who's that?
You know, Stan Swift.
He's on every night, midnight till 6, 7 nights a week.
Oh, yeah.
The nights go swifter with Swift.
That's how he puts it.
Gives a time signal every hour and every half hour.
Remember, given the 1 a.m.
I hadn't given the 1.30 yet, so it must have been around 1.20 when this fellow come into
the hotel.
What'd he do?
Walked up to the desk.
Yes, sir.
I didn't even know he was there.
Well, not at first.
I was sitting down in that chair, kind of heading back away from the door.
Didn't hear him, neither, on account of being plugged in.
What was that?
To my radio.
Oh, I see.
This here gadget, see?
See?
Mm-hmm.
It's into your ear, like so.
I understand.
Let you listen without waking nobody up.
Other hand, attaches to the set, like so.
Mm-hmm.
You mean that's a radio?
Sure is.
You ain't never seen this kind before, huh?
No, sir.
Transistor.
Oh.
That's what they call it.
Regency transistor.
Ain't got no tubes.
That's what makes it so small, you see?
Tied around in your pocket, if you'll mind to.
I see.
Real good tone, though.
Plenty of volume, if you want to let it out.
Yes, sir.
Now, if you'd just tell us about the robbery, would you, Mr. Boxer, please?
Well, ain't that what I've been doing?
Yes, sir.
You said this man walked up to the desk?
That is right.
Maybe he stood there a couple of seconds before I sensed him.
Mm-hmm.
Unplugged myself, got up and asked him if he wanted a room.
He said he did, single.
Yes, sir.
Checked the boxes to see what was vacant.
Had went back to him while I was checking.
Didn't notice him opening up his satchel.
Mm-hmm.
Must have been carrying the gun there in the satchel.
Anyway, when I turned around to register him, I found myself staring into the barrel.
Shotgun, it was.
All right, go ahead, please.
This is a stick-up, he said.
Do what I tell you, and you won't get hurt.
I didn't know whether he meant business or not, and I sure didn't aim to test him to
find out.
Mm-hmm.
Yes, sir, I said, you just tell me what you want, and I'll do it.
Yeah.
I ain't no coward, you understand, but I ain't no hero, neither, especially when I'm facing
up to a shotgun.
Sure.
Like the man says, only real heroes are dead heroes.
Yes, sir.
Me, I just as soon go on living.
That's why I've done exactly what he told me.
Give him the money from the cash drawer.
I've got to get him to the office.
I'm going to get him to the office.