Full Notification

The Ripon Police Department has been receiving increasing reports of theft, burglaries and robberies since the first of the year. Crime reports to the police department are up approximately 33% from last year.

Department spokesperson, Lieutenant Steve Merchant highlighted a portion of the crime reports the department has received so far this year.

On 01-03-16, at approximately 5:30 am, a local victim in the 300 block of Granite Way confronted a suspect who was stealing tools from his parked work vehicle. The suspect brandished a gun and threatened to kill the victim. The suspect fled the area in a dark older van. The suspect was described as being a Hispanic male, 5'11, 240 pounds, wearing all black clothing. Fortunately the victim was not harmed in this case.

On 01-10-17, at approximately 2:43 pm, officers responded to the Starbucks located at 1402 West Colony Road regarding a report that a female victim had been robbed by two suspects. The victim was sitting at the establishment when a suspect grabbed her laptop and ran out of the store. She chased the suspect outside. A second suspect was lying in wait and the victim was shocked with a stun gun. The suspects fled the area on foot. The suspects were described as being a black male adult approximately 20 years old 6'0, with a thin build, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and a black female adult approximately 20 years old 5'5, with a thin build. Ripon detectives are working with the Stockton Police Department due to the fact that they experienced a similar robbery that possibly involved the same suspects.

On 01-11-17 at approximately 7:00 pm, Ripon officers responded to an armed robbery that occurred at Angle Petroleum at 341 East Main Street. Two masked suspects armed with handguns robbed the clerk at gunpoint and fled the area on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. The first masked suspect was described as being an unknown race male, 5'9" tall and a slender build. The second suspect was described as being a Hispanic male in his early 20's. This report is still being investigated.

On 01-16-17 at approximately 10:30 pm, a local resident in the 900 block of Opal Ln caught a prowler on his video surveillance system. The prowler appeared to be attempting to open several vehicle tool boxes. 

On 01-18-17 at approximately 1:30 am, an identified trespassing suspect was arrested in the back yard of a residence. The suspect was also found to be in possession of suspected stolen property associated with a local business.

On 01-18-17, at approximately 10:00 am, a resident in the 200 block of Clendenin Parkway reported the theft of a bronze garden statue depicting two children sitting on a bench reading a book.

On 01-18-17 at approximately 9:30 am, officers received a report of stolen auto parts from a storage container behind a business in the 100 block of West Main Street.

On 01-18-17 at approximately 3:25 pm, officers received a report of a storage container that was broken into in the 300 block of South Wilma Avenue.

Lt. Merchant said Ripon officers have already arrested 37 suspects so far this year. Including arrests for public intoxication, DUI, drug possession, traffic crimes, warrants of arrest, domestic violence, resisting arrest, trespassing, and vehicle theft.

Citizens are being asked to secure all valuables inside their home and to utilize home alarm systems. Officers are asking citizens to remove all valuables from their parked vehicles. If possible vehicles should parked inside a locked garage. Residents are being asked to report anything suspicious to the police department immediately. 

Lt. Merchant said a number of factors can be attributed to the rise in local crime including recent changes in state laws and increasing demands being placed on current staff.

P.I.O.-Lieutenant Steve Merchant Ripon Police Department 259 N. Wilma Ave. Ripon, CA 95366 209-599-2102 Business 209-599-0262 Desk 209-599-4034 FAX [email protected]