After a break-in at the Federal Gold Reserve in New York City, Chief Investigator Edgar Clanteen must find a way to recover 40 million dollars worth of gold and apprehend the criminals. Meanwhile, petty thief Alvin Sanders is doing time in jail for stealing a truckload of prawns. Upon his arrest, Sanders spends eight hours in jail with a man named Jaster, who just happens to be one of the two men responsible for the gold heist. When Jaster suddenly dies of a heart attack in jail, Clanteen, as well as Jaster's missing partner Bristol, are convinced that his last words to Alvin reveled the secret hiding place of the gold. After arranging an early release for Alvin, Clanteen plants on him a tracking device that he is sure will lead straight to the stolen stash -- if Bristol doesn't get to him first.