by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Several large markets have been robbed by a bandit who hides his features with something resembling a black mask. After several frustrating weeks of false leads, Friday (Jack Webb) and Smith (Ben Alexander) think they have their man in the form of lifelong scofflaw Leonard Clark (Herbert Vigran), but he turns out to be merely a "copycat" who has imitated the actual robber's MO. Nearly a year goes by before the detectives are able to catch up with the genuine "Black Mask Bandit"--who by this time has added kidnapping to his list of crimes. This episode is a one-part adaptation of a two-part Dragnet radio drama, originally broadcast December 28, 1952 and January 4, 1953.
