The Big Grandma

For nearly a decade, an elderly woman known only as “Grandma” quietly bleeds Los Angeles merchants with forged checks—working just three months a year and never raising suspicion. As Sergeant Joe Friday and Ben Romero revisit the case during her tenth season of operation, a single mistake finally cracks her flawless routine. When a stolen charge plate leads detectives to a respected civic volunteer and church member, the truth reveals a twisted moral justification behind thousands of dollars in fraud—and a criminal who believed charity excused the crime. Originally aired: October 19, 1950.  Cast: Jack Webb, Barton Yarborough, Herb Butterfield, Harry Bartell, Parley Baer, Peggy Webber Tags: Dragnet, LAPD, detectives, truecrime, 1950s, noir, crime, forgery, badchecks, investigation, fraud, charity, stingoperation, psychology, manhunt, suspense, drama, justice, classicradio