Friday - The Dragnet Podcast

Sixteen robberies, three shootings, and a trail of shattered lives lead Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero to uncover the shocking truth behind the "Bandit Queen." A string of assaults by a tall, beautiful hitchhiker ends with a tense showdown, revealing an unexpected identity and a tragic finale. This gripping tale explores deception, violence, and justice in Los Angeles. Originally aired: Februa...

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, Vi...

After seven months of relentless investigation, Sergeant Joe Friday and his team zero in on Arthur Belmont, the elusive kingpin of the Pacific Coast narcotics trade. As Belmont's network begins to crumble, an intricate game of surveillance and deception culminates in a high-stakes showdown at a hardware store. This gripping conclusion reveals the dangers and triumphs of the narcotics bureau’...

Sergeant Joe Friday goes undercover in a high-stakes operation to infiltrate a narcotics ring and get closer to the elusive kingpin, Arthur Belmont. With a new identity, Friday navigates dangerous gangs, gains trust through bold moves, and uncovers the inner workings of a vast drug network. This tense investigation showcases the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of danger. Originally aired...

A daring prison break sends Max Tyler, a former soldier turned criminal, on the run. With his wife and children caught in the crossfire, Sergeant Joe Friday must confront his past and track down an old friend in a desperate bid for justice. From the shadows of the San Quentin prison farm to a tense standoff on the California coast, this emotional case explores trust, betrayal, and redemption. Orig...

A ruthless gang of armed robbers terrorizes Los Angeles, leaving death and destruction in their wake. When a pharmacy heist turns into a tragic double homicide, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero follow a trail of cold-blooded killers who stop at nothing to escape justice. This gripping story reveals the unyielding pursuit of law enforcement against all odds. Originally aired: December 29, 1949. C...

A missing boy, a Christmas gift, and a heartbreaking accident. When nine-year-old Stanley Johnstone disappears, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero uncover a grim story involving a .22 rifle meant to be a holiday surprise. What begins as a routine investigation turns into a poignant tale of friendship, tragedy, and the unintended consequences of giving children firearms. Experience one of Dragnet&r...

When $8,000 worth of rare jade thumb rings is stolen in a violent robbery, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero dive into a tangled web of greed and betrayal. A jeweler is left fighting for his life, a child witness provides a vital clue, and a gang of schemers is unmasked. Follow this intricate investigation as justice prevails in this gripping story of high stakes and determination. Originally air...

A spree of burglaries, robberies, and assaults sweeps Los Angeles, and suspicion points to a notorious gang of young delinquents known as the Spring Street Gang. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero must dismantle this juvenile crimewave and confront the gang’s enabler, a sly soda shop owner with a hidden agenda. This intense story explores the challenges of battling youth crime and restoring justic...

A 62-year-old woman is found brutally murdered, and suspicion falls on her fiery daughter-in-law. But as Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero dig deeper, a surprising twist involving a mysterious magazine salesman and an elusive criminal named Albert Berry emerges. This riveting case of betrayal, lies, and relentless pursuit highlights the dedication of the LAPD in their quest for justice. Originall...

A 62-year-old woman is brutally murdered in her home, and suspicion falls on her combative daughter-in-law. But as Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero dig deeper, the case takes a shocking turn involving a mysterious magazine salesman and a dark history of violence. This gripping tale of betrayal, deceit, and justice highlights the relentless pursuit of the LAPD to uncover the truth. Originally air...

A gang of cunning hijackers has been making valuable truckloads of goods vanish into thin air, leaving detectives puzzled. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero follow a tangled trail of clues through warehouses, union halls, and city streets to uncover a bold theft ring. The case builds to a thrilling high-speed chase with a runaway semi-truck. Don’t miss this fast-paced story of determination and j...

Los Angeles trembles under the shadow of a mad killer who leaves his calling card—a red brick—at every murder scene. With no fingerprints and no clear motive, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero follow a trail of terror to catch the slayer before he strikes again. This chilling tale of a city's relentless pursuit of justice is one of Dragnet’s most harrowing cases. Originally aired: September 24, 1...

A traffic stop turns tragic when a police officer is fatally shot in broad daylight. As one suspect flees, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero embark on a relentless pursuit through the streets and tunnels of Los Angeles. This high-stakes case uncovers a dangerous gang armed with military weapons and a thirst for violence. Don’t miss this gripping tale of courage, sacrifice, and justice served. Ori...

A desperate ransom demand, a cunning criminal, and a race against time. When a 22-year-old girl is kidnapped and a letter demanding $30,000 signed by "The Wolf" arrives, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero launch an intense investigation. As they close in on the suspect, a shocking discovery underscores the lengths to which criminals will go. Tune in to this gripping tale of betrayal, tragedy, and...

A missing wife, a suspicious husband, and a chilling discovery in a rose garden. When Agnes Kelby vanishes without a trace, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero follow a trail of deceit that leads to her final resting place. In this gripping case of murder and betrayal, justice unfolds with relentless precision. Originally aired: September 3, 1949. Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, V...

Over 250 cars burglarized, thousands of dollars in stolen property, and a gang of misguided youth led by the enigmatic Myra, the Redhead. When Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero crack the case wide open, the trail leads to a cunning mastermind who’s been manipulating young offenders for her gain. Dive into this gripping tale of deception, betrayal, and justice in Los Angeles. Originally aired: Sep...

An armed gang strikes terror in Los Angeles, committing multiple robberies in a single night. With the Blitz Bandits on the loose, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero face a dangerous game of cat and mouse to stop the criminals before more lives are at stake. When a brave officer sacrifices everything to bring justice, the cost of heroism hits close to home. Originally aired: August 25, 1949. Cast:...

A jewel thief's crime spree grips Los Angeles—16 burglaries in 16 days. As the city’s elite lose priceless treasures, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero race against time to catch the elusive mastermind. The case takes the detectives through the underbelly of the city, leading to a final confrontation with a cunning criminal who hides his loot in the most unexpected places. Originally aired: Augus...

When a brutal killer begins terrorizing Los Angeles, leaving behind a trail of horrific murders, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero must race against time to catch the maniac before he strikes again. The detectives face a relentless hunt through the rain-soaked streets, following every lead to stop a bloodthirsty killer. With the city on edge, the pursuit leads to a dramatic and deadly confrontati...

A string of robberies targeting pharmacies and medical supply firms sets Los Angeles on edge. When informant Benny Trounsel is found dead with cryptic clues linking him to the narcotics racket, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero must crack the case. From a trail of stolen morphine to a deadly confrontation, the detectives navigate betrayal and danger to uncover the mastermind behind the operation....

When a young woman mysteriously vanishes from her Los Angeles hotel, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero launch a relentless search that takes them through the city and beyond. With only fragments of information, the detectives follow a trail of clues that ultimately leads to an unexpected and emotional Christmas Eve reunion. Discover this poignant story of perseverance, family, and hope. Originall...

A homemade bomb, a desperate criminal, and a city in peril. When Vernon Carney threatens to detonate a powerful bomb inside Los Angeles City Hall unless his brother is released, Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero have less than an hour to stop him. As the clock ticks down, the detectives must navigate a high-stakes situation that could end in devastation. Experience this tense, gripping story of c...

A ruthless criminal posing as a police officer terrorizes Los Angeles, committing robbery, assault, and murder. Known as the "Red Light Bandit," this twisted genius uses cunning and brutality to evade capture. Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero work tirelessly to track him down, leading to a tense showdown that tests their courage and determination. Join us for this gripping story of justice pursu...

When a young waitress, Helen Corday, is found brutally murdered in a vacant lot, Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are tasked with tracking down her killer. The investigation uncovers a tangled web of evidence, from a pair of tennis shoes to a loose rhinestone that ultimately cracks the case wide open. Join us as we delve into the relentless pursuit of justice in this gripping tale of...