Ep 16. Abduction

Barney Miller is an American sitcom television series that aired from 1975 to 1982. It is set in a New York City police precinct and follows the daily lives of the police officers who work there. In season 3, episode 16 titled "Abduction," the detectives of the 12th precinct are faced with a difficult case of a missing child.

The episode begins with the precinct receiving a call about a missing child, a 10-year-old girl named Samantha. Her mother is distraught and informs the detectives that Samantha was last seen waiting for her at the park after school. Barney Miller, the captain of the precinct played by Hal Linden, assigns Detective Fish and Detective Harris to the case and asks them to bring Samantha back home safely.

As the detectives investigate the case, they find themselves hitting roadblocks at every turn. They have no leads or suspects, and it seems as though Samantha has vanished without a trace. Detective Fish, played by Abe Vigoda, tries to console Samantha's mother, who is overcome with grief and fear.

Meanwhile, Detective Harris, played by Ron Glass, begins to suspect that Samantha's father, who was recently separated from the family, might have something to do with her disappearance. He tries to find out more information about him and tracks him down to a bar where he works as a bartender. Detective Harris confronts him and tries to intimidate him into revealing information about his daughter's whereabouts.

As the investigation continues, Detective Wojciehowicz, played by Max Gail, discovers a clue that leads them to a rundown building in a seedy part of town. With backup from the rest of the precinct, the detectives raid the building and find Samantha being held captive by a man who has a history of mental illness. He confesses to the crime and is taken into custody.

Barney Miller and the other detectives return Samantha to her mother, who is overjoyed to be reunited with her daughter. The episode ends with the detectives reflecting on the case and the importance of their work.

Overall, "Abduction" is a gripping episode that highlights the daily challenges and victories of police work. It showcases the team's dedication to their job and their unwavering commitment to keeping the citizens of New York City safe. With excellent performances by the cast and a compelling storyline, it is a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who enjoys a good procedural drama.