Dragnet - The Big Watch

Detective Sergeants Joe Friday and Ben Romero were working the night watch out of Robbery Detail. It was 1:45 AM when they arrived at the Highland Park Division Booking desk with a suspect. Friday says "Hi Shepard". He says "Oh, Hi Friday and Ben. What brings you out here?" Ben says "We've got one to book, Shep. You want to do the honor?" He says "Okay. Just a minute. Let me get a new form". The suspect tells Shepard his name, address, and his age. Friday provides the location of arrest, the time of the arrest, and the charge. Shepard says "Let's check your property". Friday says "All right, Jackson. Everything out of your pockets. Put them on the desk". As Jackson empties his pockets. Ben says "Your watch, and that ring, too". An itemized list is made of all his possessions. He is then given a copy of the list. As Jackson is being led to the cell, Friday says "Wait a minute, you got nothing else to say, huh, Jackson?" He says "I told you all I'm gonna tell you". Friday says "Six robberies, six assaults, three attempted murders. It's a tough rap to stand alone. What about your pals?" Jackson says "You got my story". Friday says "Okay, take him". About that time, the Chief of Detectives, Thad Brown walks in. He asks "Do any good with Jackson?" Ben says "Not much, he's got a story and sticking to it". Brown says "Well, let's go in this office for a moment". Ben says "Good idea. My feet are killing me". Brown says "Gang of cheap hoods, armed to the teeth, slugging, shooting their way around town, coming from all directions". Friday says "We got it fairly well narrowed down. Nine out of the ten jobs they pulled, they operated either in San Pedro, the central area, or Hollenbeck. Ben says "The hold up men dress as army enlisted men. They steal a car, offer rides to officers, slug them, rob them, and shoot them. Same thing, ten times over". Friday asks "Has the army checked their personnel out at the fort?" Brown says "We're keeping tabs on them as close as possible. I don't think it's the work of any actual enlisted men".