First Aired - October 26th, 1967
Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Bill Gannon are working in the Burglary: Auto Theft division. Friday and Gannon have been helping Officer Louis Sale on a series of day time burglaries. The thief comes in when nobody is home and only steals smaller items, such as jewelry or mink coats. Friday figures out that the burglar is targeting victims who had a death in the family or wedding by the way of the newspaper.
Just the Tropes, ma'am:
- Evil Old Folks: Charles Smith is a professional burglar who has been working since 1915.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: Smith pretends to be just a cleaner and keeps it up the whole time, even when he is presented with his mug shot and police records.
- Overly Long Name: Charles Smith full name is Charles Augustus William Smith.
- Reformed Criminal: Bonnie McKenzie is a former criminal who started a café shop when her daughter was born in jail. She said that her husband was the one who put her up to it but went straight when her daughter was born.
- The Stakeout: Friday has teams watching houses whose owners are away for funerals, hoping to catch the burglar in the act.
- Vague Age: Charles Smith says he is in his 60s, 70s, or 80s. His Florida license says he is 72 years old. He is really 85 years old. The actor was 83 years old when filmed.
- Women Are Delicate: Discussed with Officer Sale and Sergeant Friday. Officer Sale think the burglar is a woman due to the small items that are stolen.
- You Need a Breath Mint: Captain Mack tells Bill to use one after he eats Bonnie's chili with onions.
