Dragnet – The Werewolf. ep3, 490617.

A strange criminal has been prowling the street, a robber known as the Werewolf. Ben Romero and Joe Friday get the word from the police captain, who accompanies them to their patrol car.

Joe provides the voiceover to fill in the background as the odd robberies progress, and tell of the strange description of the man. He is repeatedly described as looking like a werewolf. Can it just be a mask? From the reactions of the victims and witnesses, it seems to be no fake.

Friday is concerned the violent robberies will become murder if they can’t be stopped. Policewomen are used to act as waitresses, in hopes of luring the robber into their trap. Will the setup work? With the lack of clues, it’s all the cops have for now. Joe and Ben do their own patrolling to see if they can spot any suspicious behavior.

A big tip comes in from the auto theft department in the form of stolen license plates. The plann to set out the policewoman decoys is kept up, but still no luck after a few days. Another attempt on a woman has been made, but will this prove to be any help in closing in on the criminal? Not before Joe’s fear is realized and the next robbery turns out in murder. The captain turns the drama up a notch, the cops redouble their efforts, but will there be a payoff soon?

Sure enough, the diligence pays off and a chase is on. Car chase, gun battles, and a dramatic capture of a man who actually does have an appearance of a werewolf. All in a day’s work.