Full Notification

On 5-30-2015, at approximately 8:15 a.m. Officer Paul Staley responded to the 900 block of Jordanolo Drive regarding a theft of vehicle parts. The caller reported someone stole the removable hard-top from his 1997 Mazda Miata during the night. The hard-top was valued at approximately $1,500. The crime scene was processed and photographs were taken. The neighborhood was canvassed and a witness was located.

Approximately 5 months later the Department of Justice forwarded information regarding latent finger-prints located at the scene. A suspect in this case was identified but officers were unable to locate him. Officer Staley continued his investigation with the assistance of the Department of Motor Vehicles. An arrest warrant was ultimately issued for the suspect.

On 11-15-17, over 2 ½ years later, the Ripon Police Department was advised that the suspect in this case had been booked into the Stanislaus County jail by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department on an unrelated case. Recently promoted Detective, Paul Staley, the original Ripon officer who took the crime report back in 2015, was assigned to this case. The suspect was arrested at the Stanislaus County Jail on the Ripon felony warrant.

After questioning by Detective Staley, the suspect, Gusty Shayde Souza (22) of Modesto was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on a felony grand theft charge.

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]