InthePost-WorldWarII,inLosAngeles,acriminalshotsandkillsapoliceofficerinthemiddleofthenight.Withoutanyleads,thechiefoftheLAPDassignsSgt.ChuckJonesandSgt.MartyBrennantoinvestigatethemurderandapprehendtheculprits.Whenthedealerofelectronicsdevices,PaulReeves,iscaughtsellingastolenprojector,thepoliceidentifiesthecriminal,andconnectshimtootherunsolvedrobberies.Usingthewitnessesofhisheists,theydrawtheirface,butthetrueidentityofthesmartandintelligentcriminalisnotdisclosed.TheperseveranceofSgt.MartyBrennaninhisinvestigationgivesacluewherehemightlive.