The Big Slip

Originally Aired: September 22, 1953

In Dragnet #214, "The Big Slip," Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Frank Smith are working the day watch on the Auto Theft detail when they receive a call from Jesse McGowan, owner of a used car lot on Washington Boulevard. McGowan believes he may have purchased a stolen vehicle and needs the detectives to investigate. Before heading out on the call, Friday finds his partner Smith in rough shape after volunteering to umpire what he thought would be a friendly Little League practice game. What starts as a favor to his neighbor Neil Radcliffe quickly turns into a nightmare when Smith decides to help the losing neighborhood kids by playing first base himself, only to find that these young players are far more skilled than he anticipated.

Friday and Smith arrive at the McGowan car company at 8:15 a.m., where they meet Jesse McGowan among the rows of late model automobiles. McGowan explains that a man came into the lot the previous Saturday night around 9 p.m., insisting on speaking directly to the manager about selling a brand new Mercury. As the detectives settle in to hear the details, they prepare to determine whether McGowan has indeed purchased stolen property and track down the suspicious seller.