Friday - The Dragnet Podcast

Originally Aired: December 29, 1949

The Roseland Roof Murders: Blood on the Marble Steps

In this tense and sprawling case from Dragnet, a series of armed robberies spirals into a shocking murder that leaves the LAPD chasing shadows across the city. A string of drugstore holdups had already put the department on edge—but the gang’s most violent act comes when they ambush and murder a dance hall owner during a routine deposit run.

The victim, Walter Conroy, is gunned down at the bottom of the marble steps leading to a downtown bank’s night depository. The killers leave few clues behind—just a witness with a partial license plate number and a maroon Pontiac sedan. With the clock ticking, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero begin a grueling investigation that stretches over weeks and involves sifting through 123 vehicle registrations.

When they finally zero in on the suspects—Amo Thurston, Lloyd Newton, and John Lacombe—it becomes clear this is no ordinary robbery crew. All three men are heavily armed, two-time losers, and unafraid to kill. With the help of stakeouts, DMV records, and a garage paint locker, the detectives corner the gang.

A dramatic arrest unfolds in a Temple Street garage just as the suspects attempt to repaint their getaway car. Twelve loaded firearms are recovered from the scene.

But the story doesn’t end there. After being jailed and facing trial, Thurston and Lacombe escape—beating a deputy, stealing an ambulance, and holding up a gas station before they’re recaptured hours later in a hail of gunfire.

Grim, relentless, and methodical, The Roseland Roof Murders showcases the brute endurance and calm precision that defined the early years of Dragnet.

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Cast: Jack Webb (Joe Friday), Barton Yarborough (Ben Romero), with supporting performances by Harry Bartell, Peggy Webber, Herb Butterfield, and the Dragnet radio company.

Originally Aired: December 22, 1949

22 Rifle for Christmas: A Holiday Tragedy

In this unforgettable and emotionally devastating episode of Dragnet, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero investigate the disappearance of nine-year-old Stanley Johnstone just days before Christmas. What begins as a routine missing person case soon darkens into a grim and all-too-familiar reality.

The boy was last seen playing in his backyard. A trail of blood, an empty .22 caliber shell, and a missing Christmas gift—a rifle—paint a haunting picture. As the detectives search the neighborhood and question family and friends, they uncover a terrible truth: Stanley had discovered his present early and taken it out to play.

But this isn’t just Stanley’s story. His best friend, eight-year-old Stevie Morheim, is missing too. When Stanley finally returns home, silent and withdrawn, the full weight of the tragedy is revealed: the rifle went off while the boys were playing. Stevie is dead.

Stanley leads Friday and his father to the body, hidden in a cave near their home. The boy had stayed there for hours, praying for his friend to come back to life.

Narrated with painful restraint and deep compassion, 22 Rifle for Christmas is not just a detective story—it’s a sobering indictment of dangerous gifts and a poignant exploration of guilt, innocence, and the burden of responsibility.

Keywords: "Dragnet 22 Rifle for Christmas episode," "Stanley Johnstone Stevie Morheim case," "December 1949 Dragnet radio," "Joe Friday Christmas tragedy story," "gun accident child death drama," ".22 caliber rifle cautionary tale," "classic Dragnet emotional episode."

Cast: Jack Webb (Sgt. Joe Friday), Barton Yarborough (Ben Romero), with supporting performances by Peggy Webber, Harry Bartell, and other members of the Dragnet radio company.

Originally Aired: December 15, 1949

The Garbage Chute Murder: Locked Doors and Loose Ends

In this atmospheric and tightly plotted episode of Dragnet, Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are called to investigate the baffling murder of Laura Barclay—a nightclub organist found strangled in her locked apartment. With no signs of forced entry, the case initially presents itself as a classic locked-room mystery.

Barclay, a quiet woman with no known enemies, is discovered dead with a lamp cord around her neck. The apartment is neat, untouched—except for one thing: a garbage chute just large enough for a man to crawl through.

As the detectives peel back layers of Barclay's quiet life, they find photos of vaudeville performers, a landlady who swears by her tenant’s character, and a set of stolen diamond rings missing from the crime scene. The trail leads Friday and Romero through the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles nightlife, to pawn shops, an old vaudeville agent, and eventually to a chilling profile: a man with big hands, a taste for easy money, and no criminal record—until now.

Fingerprints and a pattern of unusual entry finally point to Martin Eric Swanson, a man using garbage chutes as his signature method of operation. In a climactic foot chase through alleyways and a busy cafeteria kitchen, Friday brings down the killer—finding the stolen rings still on his finger.

A stark reminder that even a locked door won’t keep evil out, this early Dragnet classic showcases the methodical detective work and street-level grit that defined the series.

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Cast: Jack Webb (Joe Friday), Barton Yarborough (Ben Romero), with supporting voices from the Dragnet radio company. Technical supervision by LAPD and produced by W.A. Wharton.

In this gripping episode of Dragnet, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero tackle a supposed hit-and-run that turns out to be a calculated murder cloaked in tire tracks and silence. The body of Edward Raymond Stokes is found lifeless in the street, and the only evidence at first is a set of worn skid marks. But the clues don’t add up—and neither do the witness stories.

The case unravels slowly as Friday and Romero encounter a wall of silence from patrons of the Brown Barrel Tavern, where Stokes was last seen. Even his common-law wife, Marion Fuller, remembers nothing of value—claiming she passed out in a stranger's car and woke up at home. But the forensics raise suspicion: the injuries don’t match a hit-and-run, and the skid marks are older than the death.

Bit by bit, the truth surfaces. A reluctant witness remembers a drunken man warning of a fight. A local butcher hears whispers of a murder. And eventually, a trail of misinformation leads to Carl Janson, the bar’s owner, who admits there was indeed a cover-up—designed to protect his business from scandal.

The real killer is identified as Henry Baxter, a seaman with a violent temper and a grudge. In a dramatic arrest at a nightclub, he confesses proudly to the murder, thinking he got away with it. But Dragnet’s detectives—like the truth—never rest.

A stark look at how lies pile up to bury justice, The Big Frame is a powerful study in persistence, policework, and the thin line between negligence and conspiracy.

Keywords: "Dragnet The Big Frame episode," "July 1950 Dragnet radio drama," "Joe Friday hit and run case," "Edward Stokes murder story," "Carl Janson bar cover-up," "Henry Baxter confession," "Fatima cigarettes Dragnet ads," "classic LAPD radio show."

Cast: Jack Webb (Joe Friday), Barton Yarborough (Ben Romero), with supporting performances by Harry Bartell, Herb Butterfield, and others from the Dragnet radio company.

Originally Aired: June 29, 1950

The Big Grab: A False Badge and a Fatal Plan

In this intense episode of Dragnet, Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are assigned to the homicide detail after Ruth Kessel, wife of a well-known college professor, is abducted from her home by a man posing as a police officer. What begins as a missing person case quickly escalates into a city-wide manhunt and a race against the clock to save an innocent woman's life.

The kidnapper, posing as a plainclothes detective, tricks Mrs. Kessel into leaving her home under the pretense that her husband has been injured. Soon after, a chilling ransom note arrives demanding $30,000 or she will be killed. As Friday and Romero work tirelessly to find the man behind the note, every wrong move could push the abductor to follow through on his threats.

With the help of stakeouts, forensic analysis, and old-fashioned door-to-door legwork, the trail eventually leads to a suspicious man renting a cottage under the name "Thompson." A break comes when Mrs. Kessel is unexpectedly released—shaken, but alive—and further investigation reveals the real identity of her abductor: Charles Cottrell.

What follows is a quiet takedown at Cottrell’s home, where his wife pleads for understanding, and Cottrell himself is left wondering where he went wrong. The answer, Friday tells him, is simple: when he thought of it.

A classic Dragnet story of deception, pressure, and precise police work, The Big Grab is a haunting look at how a single false move can unravel lives.

Keywords: "Dragnet The Big Grab episode," "June 1950 Dragnet radio drama," "Ruth Kessel kidnapping story," "Joe Friday Ben Romero LAPD case," "false police officer abduction," "classic Dragnet kidnapping case," "Charles Cottrell arrest plot."

Cast: Jack Webb (Joe Friday), Barton Yarborough (Ben Romero), with supporting performances by Harry Bartell, Raymond Burr, and Peggy Webber.

When a furrier is found dead in his shop, Friday and Romero begin piecing together a web of lies, leading them to a mysterious blonde with a mink coat and a bottle of cheap wine. With only a few scattered clues — a missing mink, a muscatel-stained pair of slacks, and a suspicious telegram — the detectives must track down a cold-blooded killer before she disappears into the night. Originally aired: June 22, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Peggy Webber, Raymond Burr, Harry Bartell, Joyce McCluskey

Tags:
Dragnet, homicide, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, drama, investigation, mink, robbery, muscatel, 1950s, furcoat, betrayal, murder

A wave of brutal purse snatchings has left women across Los Angeles living in fear. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero take on the case, setting a trap to lure the violent thieves out into the open. As they close in, the investigation reveals a pair of young criminals who have taken their crime spree too far. Originally aired: June 15, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, robbery, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, investigation, crimewave, policework, LosAngeles, 1950s, detective, suspense, pursuit

When a woman is found murdered in the Bartlett Hotel, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero are called in to investigate a supposed robbery gone wrong. The husband’s story doesn’t quite add up, and a witness points police to a suspicious man staying in a nearby hotel. As the pieces fall into place, Friday and Romero uncover a web of deception that turns this case into something much more sinister. Originally aired: June 8, 1950.

Cast:

Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:

Dragnet, homicide, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, drama, investigation, deception, robbery, murder, crime, 1950s

A shocking accusation rocks the LAPD when rookie officer Russell Clark is charged with robbery and assault. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero must unravel the truth behind the claims of a beaten and robbed civilian—who insists the officer is to blame. With the reputation of the department on the line, Friday and Romero dig deep into the case, searching for witnesses and evidence that could clear Clark's name—or confirm his guilt. Originally aired: June 1, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, police, LAPD, truecrime, investigation, justice, noir, betrayal, rookiecop, crime, deception, lawenforcement, 1950s, robbery, interrogation

On Christmas morning, a woman's brutally beaten body is discovered outside San Andreas Cathedral. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero follow a sparse trail of clues—an ordinary key, a cheap pen, and a set of boot prints—leading them into the rain-soaked streets of Los Angeles. As they sift through the city's shadows, they uncover a web of deception and desperation that brings them face-to-face with a dangerous killer. Originally aired: May 25, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, homicide, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, drama, investigation, Christmas, mystery, LosAngeles, crime, 1950s

An elderly woman is brutally attacked and robbed on her way to the bank, leaving Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero on the trail of two ruthless criminals. The investigation takes them through the streets of Los Angeles, uncovering clues that lead to an unexpected break in the case. As they track the violent thieves, Friday and Romero must rely on sharp detective work to bring justice to the victim. Originally aired: May 18, 1950.

Cast:

Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Harry Bartell, Virginia Gregg

Tags:

Dragnet, robbery, detectives, LAPD, crime, truecrime, noir, investigation, lawenforcement, thriller, justice, pursuit, 1950s, LosAngeles, classicradio, drama

A wave of brutal slashing attacks grips a Los Angeles high school, leaving students terrified and police scrambling for answers. As Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero investigate, they uncover a chilling pattern—each victim is a young, attractive girl. With tensions rising and the suspect still at large, the detectives must act fast before the assailant escalates. Will they catch the perpetrator before it's too late? Originally aired: May 11, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, crime, truecrime, LAPD, thriller, detectives, highschool, justice, lawenforcement, drama, 1950s, noir, mystery, suspense, danger, investigation, serialattacks

For two months, a ruthless criminal has terrorized the city, robbing and brutally assaulting his victims while impersonating a police officer. As the so-called "Badge Bandit" escalates his attacks, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero launch an exhaustive manhunt, determined to bring him to justice. But when the suspect slips through their fingers, the case takes a dangerous turn, culminating in a dramatic showdown that puts the detectives' lives on the line. Originally aired: May 4, 1950.

Cast:

Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Harry Bartell, Virginia Gregg, Raymond Burr

Tags:

Dragnet, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, drama, investigation, pursuit, robbery, assault, fugitive, manhunt, crime, deception, 1950s

When an escaped criminal is spotted in Los Angeles, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero are assigned to track him down. Their investigation leads them to a cheap hotel, where their suspect, Alfred Garvey, is hiding under a false identity. But the arrest takes a tragic turn when an officer is shot in the line of duty. As Friday and Romero hunt down the killer, they uncover a deeper criminal operation—one that threatens to turn deadly at any moment. Originally aired: April 27, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, fugitive, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, drama, investigation, pursuit, murder, crime, robbery, suspense, 1950s

When a hit-and-run driver leaves a woman critically injured, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero take on an exhaustive search through over 4,000 cars to track him down. Their investigation uncovers damning evidence—but when the trial begins, the key witness vanishes. Will justice prevail, or will the case collapse under the weight of corruption? Originally aired: April 20, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Lee Marvin, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, hitandrun, LAPD, truecrime, investigation, justice, courtroom, felony, 1950s, crime, noir, drama, detective, police, pursuit, trial, witness

In a chilling crime spree, a gang of ruthless bandits target army officers hitchhiking in Los Angeles. Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero face a race against time to track down the criminals before their violence escalates. Follow the gripping investigation that uncovers stolen goods, violent assaults, and a relentless thirst for justice. Originally aired: April 13, 1950.

Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Harry Bartell, Virginia Gregg

Tags: Dragnet, hitchhikebandits, LAPD, noir, thriller, truecrime, justice, investigation, robbery, assault, murder, crime, armyofficers, detectives, 1950s, LosAngeles

High school students in Los Angeles are flooded with obscene literature, prompting Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero to take on the dangerous task of dismantling the distribution network. From undercover stakeouts to intense interrogations, the investigation uncovers a well-organized operation. Will the detectives be able to cut off the supply at its source? Originally aired: April 6, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, LAPD, truecrime, detectives, lawenforcement, noir, thriller, justice, 1950s, investigation, obscenity, juvenilecrime, smuggling, stakeout, printingpress, courtroom, crime

In this thrilling conclusion to the Valentine murder case, Sergeants Friday and Romero follow a trail that leads them to two dangerous out-of-town gangsters - the Shaker brothers. With the help of a brave young woman willing to risk her safety to assist the police, the detectives race to prevent further bloodshed in Los Angeles. Originally aired March 30, 1950.

Cast: Jack Webb (Sgt. Joe Friday), Barton Yarborough (Officer Ben Romero)

Tags: Dragnet, LAPD, organized crime, murder investigation, true crime, 1950s, police procedural, gang violence, noir, detective work, homicide, surveillance, undercover, stakeout

When notorious hoodlum Gus Valentine becomes the target of machine gun fire on the streets of Los Angeles, Sergeants Joe Friday and Ben Romero must prevent an impending gang war. As Valentine refuses to cooperate with police, the detectives race against time to uncover who's behind the attacks. This gripping episode showcases the dangerous balance between organized crime and law enforcement in 1950s Los Angeles.

Originally aired: March 23, 1950

Cast: Jack Webb (Sgt. Joe Friday), Barton Yarborough (Officer Ben Romero)

Tags: Dragnet, LAPD, organized crime, gang violence, detectives, noir, investigation, true crime, 1950s, police procedural, suspense, machine gun, gambling, homicide, Valentine, drama

Four young, dangerous criminals storm into Los Angeles, leaving a trail of robberies and stolen cars. Armed and fearless, they are determined to evade justice. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero face a relentless pursuit through the city to bring the gang to justice. This gripping episode showcases courage, quick thinking, and the unyielding dedication of the LAPD. Originally aired: March 16, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, youthcrime, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, suspense, 1950s, drama, lawenforcement, robbery, gang, pursuit, stolen, investigation, justice, manhunt

When Annie Marie Johnson, a parolee with a dark past, begins forging signatures on her parole reports, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero suspect something more sinister is at play. A meticulous investigation into her benefactor, Mrs. Laura Muller, unveils a chilling tale of betrayal, greed, and a terrible crime hidden in the cellar of a quiet Los Angeles home. This haunting case reveals the lengths people will go to cover their secrets. Originally aired: March 9, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, murder, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, drama, betrayal, investigation, greed, 1950s, suspense, crime, cellar, forgery, Muller

When police officer Robert Fillmore is gunned down on his own doorstep, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero embark on a relentless pursuit of the killer. The trail leads through deception, violence, and a dramatic standoff in the San Pedro Hills. This harrowing tale of justice and tragedy highlights the dangers faced by those who uphold the law. Originally aired: March 2, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

Tags:
Dragnet, homicide, detectives, LAPD, truecrime, noir, thriller, justice, lawenforcement, drama, investigation, revenge, pursuit, murder, crime, SanPedro, shotgun, tragedy, 1950s

For over 35 years, Gentleman Wallace has perfected the art of the swindle, leaving a trail of victims across the country. From phony checks to elaborate scams, this master confidence man returns to Los Angeles for one last grand scheme. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero race to stop him in this intricate tale of deception, greed, and justice. Originally aired: February 23, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell

The disappearance of two young girls sends shockwaves through a Los Angeles neighborhood. As Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero piece together the grim evidence, a chilling discovery in the hills leads to an unthinkable conclusion. This harrowing investigation unveils a story of betrayal, tragedy, and justice. Originally aired: February 2, 1950.

Cast:
Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartell