Freeze!
Get 'em up! Get 'em up!
[Men Chattering, Indistinct]
All the way down!
[Man Over Radio] Available cars, Manhattan South area.
We have a bank job.
It's a robbery in progress... 10-31. Armored truck.
Three or more armed perpetrators.
4014 Nostrand Avenue.
Units responding.
[Siren Wailing]
723. Manhattan South detectives.
We will respond. We're in civilian clothes.
[Man] 10-4, Car 723. All right. Let's go.
[Tires Squealing]
[Siren Wailing]
Get down and stay down. Right here.
Hurry up! Hurry up!
Hurry up.! Get that money off the truck.!
[Siren Wailing]
Freeze!
They're firing at us! Diamond and Broad!
Let's get out of here!
It's a chase! It's a four-door green sedan!
Let's go!
[Siren Wailing]
Aah! Where's the panel?
I can't see it!
Try and make the drop!
Get him off me!
We only got a couple blocks to go. Try and make it.
- I don't think we can! We better ditch and run! - No! The drop... Try!
[Driver] We're boxed in!
Hurry up! Hurry up!
Come on.! Leave him.!
[Sirens Continue Wailing]
Get out of here!
[Man] Hey.! Now we got some hostages.!
[Groaning]
We got hostages!
[Man] What about the cop? [Man #2] I don't know what's wrong. Hejust ain't movin
Is he related to you? No.
All right. Is there people in the store? Well, they got these kids in there with weapons.
How many people in the store? Well, they got about six.
What about the officer? Emergency Service is trying to reach him.
Tie that around your waist! I think he's paralyzed.
Cover me.
Give me a hand.
How many weapons did you see? Looked like they got two handguns and a shotgun.
And there's a patrolman inside? I don't know if he's still alive.
You sent for an ambulance? It's on the way. They got one coming.
Bad news here.
"Apex Surplus Store. Work clothing, camping equipment, guns and ammunition.
"Highest grade rifles, handguns, shotguns. All makes.
Savings in every department. "
Load the rifles first. Right.
Are you the owner? Yes.
Any other way out of here? No.
What about the roof? There's no way up there from the inside.
[Rumbling] What's that?
Hey, what are they up to?
[People Clamoring]
Those rotten...
[Ringing]
Answer it.
Yes?
It's the police.
- Go ahead. - This is Lieutenant Kojak.
I want to come into the store and have a talk. I'm alone and unarmed.
Uh-huh.
Um, all right.
Join the party.
Looks like we got us another cop.
[Dial Tone]
Nice and slow.
Turn around.
Turn around! Back in the rest of the way.
Hit the floor. Face down.
He's clean.
Get up! Hang on.
You the one I talked to?
- Yeah. - Uh, forgot your name.
- Kojak. - Ah. Talk.
- Well, the area's surrounded... - And we don't have a chance. You could have said that over the phone.
- I came to make a deal. - What are you offering?
A chance for all of you to walk out alive.
Okay. That's a lousy bluff.
You ain't about to crash this place. Not with all these, uh, citizens.
Well, why don't you send them out and hold me?
You're no prize. Who cares about a cop?
Could I take him?
No, you can't take him. I'll make you a deal.
I want a clear path to the airport and a plane ready...
with an overseas flight crew.
Well, that's not in my authority.
I didn't think it was. Pass the word on to the brass.
- Maybe they'll approve. What do you think? - It's, uh, possible.
Hmm. That's what I wanted to hear.
- Can I talk to him? - Go ahead.
Can you hear me?
I'm gonna try to get a doctor in.
Oh, geez, it hurts. Ah, you start to worry when it stops hurting.
Just hold on.
- Can I, uh, bring a doctor in? - Why? The cop's had it.
Well, you don't know that. And if he dies, uh, there'll be a murder charge.
There might already be a murder charge. What about the cop we nailed outside?
No, he's all right. What do you say?
All right. One doctor.
But don't forget about the airplane.
He won't forget.
It's 4:29. Set it.!
You got two hours to get us on our way to that airplane.
If not, I start throwing them out. You can keep the clock as a reminder.
Lieutenant Kojak is coming out of the store now. Perhaps we can get a word with him.
Lieutenant, what's the situation in the store?
This is Dr. Simmons. What condition is the officer in?
Conscious. He's got a bad stomach wound.
They set up a command post on the third floor.
[Man Over Radio] The doctor's going inside to treat the injured patrolman.
Hold your fire. Repeat, hold your fire.
I want three lines. Right, Commissioner.
They want an airplane.
We've got until 6:30 to give them confirmation, or they'll kill the hostages.
How many innocents in the store? Six, including the officer.
Get me the mayor's office. You think they're capable of killing them?
Mm-hmm. I've got all their records.
The wounded suspect is Emery Wilson. Here's his B-cage.
He identified all his buddies. The three in the store are, uh, Jerry Talaba,
Mike Amazeen and Jack Murzie.
Ed Bentz,
Frank Talaba. Jerry Talaba's older brother.
He and Bentz escaped in the panel truck. Frank Talaba planned the whole job.
I said, put the mayor on.! I don't care who he's with.!
Yes, Doctor.
Your officer has a violent internal hemorrhage, and his condition is serious.
He might live if we can get him to a hospital in time.
- How long otherwise? - Maybe a few hours.
He's gonna need another injection soon for his pain.
All right, Doctor. Thank you.
Jerry Talaba...
two arrests for armed robbery, two for assault and attempted murder.
John Murzie...
convicted of double homicide at the age of 15.
Spent six years in a hospital for the criminally insane.
Now, who asked the question whether they're capable of killing those hostages?
Any more questions?
[People Clamoring]
[Man Chattering Over Radio]
I'd like to get the people as far back as possible.
We have no way ofknowing what's going to happen.
Yes, Your Honor.
The mayor's giving the airplane evacuation plan immediate evaluation.
Ah, forget it. You mind interpreting that for us, Lieutenant?
Hey, look. You give those punks a 707,
you're just adding a flight crew to the hostages.
That plane ride is a death trip.
And it's gonna be a shootout no matter where they land. You have any better ideas?
Yeah. Just keep 'em in the store. At least we have some control over 'em.
Control, with five hostages, a wounded cop, and all six under a time limit?
Gentlemen, gentlemen! We can't all decide strategy!
[Man On Radio] The wounded policeman held hostage inside the store...
has been identified as patrolman Richard Calvelli, 23,
married and a father of two children.
His condition has been reported as serious,
and, without hospitalization, could worsen.
Thus far, police officials, who have set up a command post...
Hey. Why don't we let the cop go? He's no use to us.
No way.! He stays here along with the rest of the citizens.
Here's the layout of the store foundation. Do you mean digging?
There's a utility tunnel which runs alongside the store basement.
Emergency Service can break in through there and do it by 6:30.
Yeah, but there's a risk involved.
Suspects might hear the digging.
We got an armored personnel carrier out there...
that makes more noise than a boiler factory.
All we gotta do is keep it moving around.
It's better than a 707. Are you sure of that, Lieutenant?
Because if we go ahead,
you're going to have full tactical command all the way.
Just so nobody thinks that the job is over when we get into the basement.
We don't get near those hostages until we get a major diversion...
something to distract... a chopper...
dumping a lot of men on top of the roof.
Make these punks think that they're being assaulted from above.
If one of those hostages is killed in an exchange,
we'll all be held responsible.
All right. Start digging.
We're wasting time!
Why don't we start with the citizens? Show the heat we mean business? No.! Wait.!
We got time for that later.
Take it easy.
Everybody listen. We're not interested in killing you. We just want to get out of here.
But if there's no airplane, then there's no choice.
Ain't nothing personal, you understand.
That doesn't mean that you all have to die.
Maybe if one of you goes, then the cops will give in.
If you have to kill someone, take me first.
[Chuckling] We got us a volunteer.
Hey, if you were any older, you'd disappear.
Shut up.
Please let me go. I'll do anything.
- Stand up. - Hey...
I'll blow your face off.
Stand up.
Turn around, slow.
You an actress?
A model.
Funny. Most guys spend their lives...
hoping for a chance with a girl like you,
but right now it doesn't mean a thing.
[Shuddering]
[Kojak] Amazeen.
One arrest for assault, two for possession of mary jane.
Hey, a call just came in. They found the panel truck that Frank Talaba escaped in.
Where? Just a couple of blocks from here... a garage over on Haber.
Truck's abandoned. No sign of the suspects.
Well, you better highball it down there and see what else you can learn. Right.
Hey. Think Frank Talaba could soften up his brother?
Well, the records indicate that he always had.
We know he planned the armored car take,
cutting his little brother in on a piece of the action.
Hey.
[Sniffs] What kind of boots you got on?
Combat boots. What?
Combat boots.
Yeah? You in the army?
No.
I always wanted to be. They turned me down.
Why's that?
Emotional instability.
Hey, Murzie. That makes two of you.
- That ain't funny. - You're absolutely right. That ain't funny.
So you always wanted to be a hero, huh?
- I guess so. - [Scoffs] Some hero. You're sweating all over yourself.
- It's hot in here. - Take your coat off, why don't you?
I'll be all right.
Hey, listen.
I got a funny feeling, like the building was shaking or something.
[Engine Roaring]
George Mastin. He used to make obscene phone calls.
That was a long time ago.
Then his phone bill got too big, so he started putting his money into property.
Is that right, Georgie? I own a few buildings.
Including he's got the lease on this joint right here.
Blue van.
You charge for parking space, George? Huh?
I never saw this heap before. Come on. You know you saw it before.
Somebody must have snuck... The blue van. Hold it, Eddie, hold it.
They must have snuck it in when I was out to lunch. Did you ever hear of the Talaba brothers?
No. No. Huh?
They ripped off an armored car just a few blocks from here.
This place seems like a perfect place to make a vehicle switch.
I don't know what you're talking about. Oh, I'll break it down for you.
You and I are gonna pull a big heist. The only problem is, we gotta get away.
And Manhattan is a pretty congested place to go far in a hot car.
So the ideal plan is to have a cold car planted nearby. You know what I'm saying, Georgie?
No! There was nothing planted here.
That's funny. One of your neighbors saw a couple of guys...
matching the Talabas' description parking a van here three days before the robbery.
The neighbor says he saw you giving parking directions.
You want to talk to your neighbor, Georgie?
Huh?
Talaba never told me when they were gonna pull the robbery.
- What are you charging for the storage? - Five hundred.
Give me a description of the van, Georgie.
- Thirty feet. - Thirty feet.
Rust color. Rust color?
I didn't notice the license. What did you notice?
What do you mean, you didn't notice the license? What did you notice?
When they brought the van in, I saw some lettering on the side of the cab.
What lettering? Uh, "something salvage yard."
"Salvage yard"? Come on, Georgie. Think hard, George.
- I can't remember it. Honest. - Think about it, Georgie!
All right. Let's have a replay. They drove in in a panel truck.
They switched the money from one van to the other van? That's right.
And then drove out? And you're gonna tell me that we're not gonna wait here for our buddies?
Well, they were too scared. And they gave me a message to tell them.
They told me to tell them that they were headed for the safe house.
Where's that, Georgie? I don't... I don't know.
Honest. I really don't know. You don't know?
Come on, George. Start making sense. No, honest. L...
You're being honest, right? Come on. You can do better than that, George!
Come on. Let's go. Come on.
[Kojak] Okay, Bobby. Start a check of the closest salvage yards.
Right. We just got word from city hall on Talaba's airplane.
Mayor had to turn it down.
Seems he felt the same way you did... We'd only be putting more people in danger.
Why don't you put a clamp on that news.
When these punks find out that their last hope has gone down the toilet, they're gonna start wasting hostages.
Where are you going? Across the street. I just got a call. Might have a lead on Frank Talaba.
What's that got to do with walking back into that store? I said we might have a lead.
I don't know how long it's gonna take to pay off.
But we're fighting for time, and I'll take it any way I can.
The area resembles a battleground. No further word on the condition of the hostages...
or the wounded officer.
They won't let me back in there, and that officer needs medication.
Give it to me.
Is this for pain? Morphine.
Could you get me a priest?
Sorry, pal. We might all need priests in a few minutes.
[Over Intercom] This is Lieutenant Kojak.
I want to come back in the store.
I have some very important news.
This is for him.
Okay.
First one for free? [Chuckles]
Yeah, it's on the house. I got connections.
[Exhales] Any chance of getting out of here?
Sure.
Yeah, and the devil serves lemonade, right?
What's the news?
You got your plane ride. The mayor approved it.
What's the hook?
None. They're readying a 707 at Kennedy now.
- Who's the crew... the cops and the F.B.I.? - It's your ride. You make up your own mind!
All right. I want a bus backed to the front of the store.
Seats removed so we can have a free hand with the hostages. Kennedy's a long drive.
We ain't gonna drive very far... just to the nearest heliport. We're gonna fly the rest of the way.
You take care of that little detail, huh, Kojak?
[Kojak] He's gonna slow you down.
You can have him when we're on the plane. How long before we get going?
We're in contact with Kennedy Operations now.
They're having a little trouble assembling a flight crew.
You know, no one's anxious for a job like that. How much time?
About two hours. [Murzie] Forget it.! You're stalling, Kojak.
You had two hours. It's 5:30. You got just one left.
Unless that plane is ready by 6:30, Kojak, we're gonna have one for the meat wagon.
And 15 minutes later, we're gonna have another one.
If you think I'm bluffing around with you, you read my yellow sheet!
Get out ofhere.!
Well, you keep me posted.
Emergency Service... They're almost through to the basement.
Let's hope they don't hear that drilling upstairs.
Well, they're digging with shovels now. Hey, look.
I told them the mayor okayed a plane. And they bought it?
Well, they didn't buy it for extending time.
We got 55 minutes before they start throwing bodies out the door.
I've checked with Talaba's past associates.
He's got a friend who owns a salvage yard. The friend has a record...
for arranging cold cars for rip-offs. What's his name?
- Albie Linnick. - "Fat Albie."
You know him? [Chuckles] From the first car he ever stole.
Hey, look. LfTalaba's brother's hiding out with him, I'd better handle this myself.
And I might make a deal with Albie. You hold this.
It takes 10 minutes there and back, and God help us if there's a traffic jam.
Come on.
[Siren Wailing]
Lot of car there, Albie.
Yeah. There's enough horses in that engine to fly you to Canada.
[Groaning]
- What's the matter? - [Groaning] My heart's kicking up.
I need some air.
Finish the job, huh? Finish it yourself. I need a few seconds rest.
Fat boy!
Goin' someplace? As far as I can get.
Any bad company in there? Frank Talaba?
Yeah, and some other crazy punk.
I souped a car for 'em, then bluffed a stall.
What were you afraid of? They wouldn't leave any witnesses?
I wasn't gonna stay to find out. Are you gonna crash in?
No, fatso. We're gonna wait until they get curious about you.
Get over there.
Drop your gun!
I said, drop it.!
Frank Talaba? Front and center!
Okay, okay. I'm comin' out!
Put your hands on your head and back out.
That's good. Nice and slow.
Okay.
Frankie, baby, do I have a deal for you.
[Chanting]
All right.
Well, they've broken through. [Kojak] What's it look like?
Well, there's a stairway. The store's floor plan shows...
that it leads up to a stockroom at the rear of the main floor.
Now, the problem is sending men in.
We're fresh out of daylight, and they've got the power turned off in the store.
Can you blame them? With those lights on, they're a sniper's delight.
But don't sweat it, Mac. Darkness can be a friend to us too.
Okay, sweetheart. It's you and me.
We're gonna go into that store, and you're gonna tell your brother to cop a plea and give himself up.
You gotta be crazy.
Look, I'm not walking into that shooting gallery. He's only got two options.
Either we cut him up for dog meat, or he goes into the slam for keeps, and you can save him.
I got a better chance of saving myself.
Oh, do you? Maybe you don't understand,
but you're just as legally responsible for those hostages as your brother, Murzie and Amazeen.
And you're gonna freeze to death just looking at that jury.
You think it over.
Well?
All right. I'll talk to him. But it's not gonna do you any good.
It'll do some... maybe not for you, maybe not for me,
but it'll distract that gang long enough for the hostages to spot the escape route.
[Chanting Continues]
Time's just about up. [Helicopter Blades Whirring]
Listen. What's that?
Who have you got in that chopper?
Three Emergency Service officers with drills.
I figure they'll give us the distraction we need.
So what's the plan? Here.
"Go to the basement. The police are there." Well, that's short and clear.
How do you signal us? Well, you listen to it.
You can't wear a wire in there. Not me.
I just don't think Talaba would search his own brother.
It's circling.
Hey, that could be our transport to the airfield!
I'm worried about my family and what they're gonna do.
They're going to be with you... well and happy.
You're saying that so I don't give up, but you did.
You told those animals you wanted to die.
Not "wanted." I didn't say that.
I only meant that at my age, what's left of my life doesn't greatly matter.
It does to me. Well, it should.
You're a policeman. That's a noble thing to be, an important thing.
Well, we're not perfect,
but we're okay.
We're the only line between the people and them.
[Alarm Ringing]
[Ringing Continues]
Time's up.
And you're it.
Talaba?
Talaba, I'm coming in.
[Chanting Continues]
Stay back. Get back. Get back. Get back.
What do you say, Talaba?
- Get that creep outta here! - I want to talk to you, Jerry.
You did your talking when you ran out on us! Come on, kid.
At least let me explain.
All right. Come on, both of you, inside.
All right. They're in. Go ahead.
I didn't run out on you, kid. I figured you were right behind me.
You didn't wait around to find out, did you? [Grumbles]
You got anything else you want to say?
Give it up, Jerry, huh? Before they have to carry you out?
Hey, you don't sound like my tough big brother anymore.
If I get carried out of here, you're gonna be right with me.
Don't worry about it. You're not gonna be watching anybody get carried out. Didn't they promise us an airplane?
[Man On Radio] ...transport for themselves and their hostages to Kennedy.
That's your goof, Kojak. I warned you...
The first bullet's got your name on it.
- I told you we needed more time. - Pass me a handkerchief. I cry easy.
[Sobbing] [Murmuring]
Jerry. Some news coming over.
...just in from W-REN News Central.
It has been reported that a decision has been made by the mayor...
in response to the demands of the gunmen.
Unofficial sources disclose that the request for an airplane has been denied.
This information is not... repeat, not... official.
But it is likely that the hopes of the gunmen in regard to the plane have vanished.
We repeat the bulletin from W-REN News Central... Turn on the drills.
...the mayor at an emergency session at city hall.
A W-REN news team is attempting to contact the mayor's office...
and police officials for confirmation of this report.
So far, a communications blackout has existed... You jobbed us!
You're gonna be the first one out the door. Now, get up.!
[Clattering] [Helicopter Blades Whirring]
They're cuttin' through the roof.
- [Screams] - Take over. If he moves, waste him!
[Gun Firing]
All right! All right! Come in! Come on in!
Aah!
[Woman Sobbing]
Why don't you pack it in, Amazeen? There's no way out now.
Just put down your gun and walk out with your hands up.
With that army of trigger-happy stiffs out there?
Hey.
You put down the gun, and I'll lead the way out.
[Sobbing Continues]
[Gun Firing]
Hold it! Turn around, Kojak!
No.
No more orders, Talaba.
You've run out of cards. Everybody's gone.
Everybody but you.
Well, cops are no prize, remember? Do no good killing me.
Wrong! Killing you is gonna give me a lot of satisfaction.
Well, you make up your own mind, because I'm walkin'.
I'm warning you, Kojak.
Kojak, I'm gonna blow you away.
He's coming out. Cover the lieutenant.
I can get a better shot here.
Lieutenant Kojak is now coming out...
with an officer on his arm... it's probably Richard Calvelli.
[Gun Clatters]
[Chanting Continues]
Forget it. He's dead.
[People Applauding]
I know it's been a tough day, sir, but maybe you could give us just a moment.
Lieutenant, I just wanted to say thank you.
I'm sorry about that officer. He might have saved himself,
but he came into the store to warn us about those gunmen.
He was very brave. That's what he got paid for.
The only line...
What?
Those were his last words...
about the police being the only line of defense.
Defense between... I understand.
Come on. Get in. We'll go for coffee.
Let's wait until my nerves settle down.
I can understand.
It's hard to keep your mind off of everything that's happened.
I'm thinking what's gonna happen... all that damn paperwork.
[Engine Starts]