Originally Aired: September 1, 1949

Auto Burglaries: Myra the Redhead:

In this gripping episode of Dragnet, Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero are assigned to the auto theft detail as they track down a sophisticated car burglary ring that has looted more than 250 vehicles across Los Angeles. With stolen property valued at over $200,000, the pressure is on to identify and capture the masterminds behind the operation.

Their first break comes when they arrest Stanley Freeman and Joanne Miller, two small-time thieves caught red-handed. As they interrogate the young suspects, the detectives uncover a sprawling crime syndicate led by a mysterious woman known only as Myra—a fiery redhead who recruits teenagers to do her dirty work.

With key confessions in hand, Friday and Romero orchestrate an undercover sting operation to lure Myra into the open. The plan leads to a dramatic confrontation at a used car lot filled with stolen goods, where Myra’s empire finally crumbles. But not before she reveals her sharp tongue and ruthless nature, showing no remorse for the young lives she manipulated.

This episode delivers a thrilling mix of crime, deception, and justice, capturing the unrelenting determination of the LAPD in bringing criminals to justice.

Keywords: "Dragnet Myra the Redhead episode," "September 1949 Dragnet radio," "Joe Friday auto theft investigation," "teenage car burglary ring," "LAPD crime procedural drama," "Paul and Myra Hackett stolen goods," "classic police radio series."

Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Raymond Burr, June Whitley, Joseph Kearns.