The Big Customer

Originally Aired: June 22, 1954

Dragnet #253, "The Big Customer," finds Sergeants Joe Friday and Frank Smith investigating a violent robbery that has left a special officer shot and a store owner stabbed. At Georgia Street Receiving Hospital, they interview Mrs. Montgomery, whose husband Keith was attacked during the holdup of their store. She recounts how two men entered around 9:30 while she and Keith were playing cribbage in the back room. When Keith refused to hand over the cash and told the young criminals to leave, the shorter man pressed a switchblade to his chest while demanding money from the register.

The situation escalates dangerously when Mrs. Montgomery tries to call the police and Keith fights back to protect her. After forcing the couple to hand over both the register money and their hidden cash—only about $30 to $35 total—the robbers encounter Keith and the Montgomerys on the sidewalk where a special officer intervenes. The taller suspect grabs the officer's gun and shoots him in the stomach, while his partner, possibly named Hank, stabs Keith before both flee in a waiting car. Friday methodically gathers descriptions while Mrs. Montgomery waits anxiously for word about her husband's condition.