The Big Saint

Originally Aired: April 26, 1951 Dragnet #98, "The Big Saint," Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are assigned to auto theft detail to investigate a troubling pattern. Over the past four months, the recovery rate for stolen vehicles has plummeted from the normal 96-98 percent down to the low 80s, and the pressure is on from headquarters to break the case. The detectives notice that all the outstanding thefts involve late-model General Motors cars in excellent condition, suggesting they're dealing with a sophisticated, well-organized ring of professional thieves. Following up on salvage reports, Friday and Romero focus their attention on Herman Salvage at 2716 West San Pedro Street. The operation appears legitimate on the surface, owned by Herman Lester for six years with no prior violations. However, one detail stands out: Herman's business has purchased an unusually high number of wrecked GM vehicles, four out of the last five salvage buys. When the detectives visit the salvage yard to inspect the recently acquired cars, they begin to piece together the puzzle of where the stolen vehicles might be ending up.