The Big Dream

Originally Aired: March 29, 1953

Dragnet #197, "The Big Dream," Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Frank Smith respond to an early morning robbery at a large liquor and grocery store on San Marino Avenue. The manager, Henry Alden, reports that an elderly man—appearing to be around 70 years old, wearing shabby clothes and looking like a bum—entered through the unlocked back door just after 8 a.m., pulled what looked like a .45 automatic, and made off with over $5,200 in weekend receipts. What makes this holdup unusual is the suspect's strange behavior: he repeatedly apologizes to his victim, insisting he's "really sorry" but has to have the money, and keeps asking if Alden understands.

Friday and Smith begin their methodical investigation, taking down a detailed description of the suspect and canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses. Despite the excellent physical description—including details down to the frayed brown overcoat with a patch on the right elbow and the dirt around the brim of his beat-up blue hat—none of the nearby store owners saw anything suspicious. When Alden looks through the mug books at City Hall, he fails to identify the apologetic but determined thief.