Official Site of the Ripon, CA Police Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SUSPICIOUS ITEM INVESTIGATED BY BOMB SQUAD

RiponCA:  On 05-13-13 at approximately 1344 hours, Ripon officers were dispatched to the RiponCommunity Center (334 W. 4^th St) regarding a suspicious package.  Upon arrival, officers were advised that a city maintenance worker located a suitcase, in a strange position, next to the youth baseball field at the Community Center.  The city worker observed a suspicious item inside the suitcase, and he contacted the police.  Out of an abundance of caution, the area was secured, the Manteca Police Department Bomb Squad was contacted, and the Ripon Fire Department was advised.  Bomb squad technicians responded to the scene. The suitcase was examined and technicians located and removed the suspicious item in question.  Technicians advised Ripon Police personnel that the item was not an explosive device.  This case is currently under investigation.

Contact Info:

P.I.O. – First – Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA  95336
209-599-2102    Business
209-599-4034    FAX
gro.nopirfoyticnull@tnahcremS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

RIVER PATROLS NET METH SUSPECT

RiponCA:  On 05-09-2013, at approximately 1454 hours, Ripon officers assigned to patrol the Stanislaus River in Kayaks located an illegal encampment near the Highway 99 bridge in Ripon.

Several suspects were contacted in the illegal encampment. One suspect was found to be on searchable probation.  A probation search of his person and property was conducted.  A syringe and suspected methamphetamine were located in the suspect’s possession.

Thomas Joseph Bettencourt, (33) of Ripon, was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on felony charges including methamphetamine possession.

First Sergeant Steve Merchant said the department is increasing patrols of the StanislausRiver, in order to help ensure the safety of citizens who frequent the Ripon River Parks, to combat illegal encampments that destroy riparian forest areas, and to combat graffiti and theft issues.

Contact Info:

P.I.O. – First – Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA  95336
209-599-2102    Business
209-599-4034    FAX
gro.nopirfoyticnull@tnahcremS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BURGLARY SUSPECT: FOUND IN 60 SECONDS

RiponCA:  On 05-10-2013, at approximately 1130 hours, The Ripon Police Department received a report of a theft that just occurred at All About The Girls, a local women’s clothing store.  The female suspect reportedly stole lingerie worth over $200 and fled the area.  Ripon dispatchers immediately broadcast a description of the suspect to patrol units.  Within 1 minute of the call being dispatched, officer Kyle Gomes contacted a subject matching the description provided to the department.  The subject admitted she was responsible for the theft.  Property belonging to the victim-business was located in the suspect’s possession.  Additional property that was reportedly stolen from Devine Décor, a second local business, was located in the suspect’s possession.

The suspect, Chandra Anne Ashlock (28) of Ripon, was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on felony burglary charges.

Ripon Police Department First Sergeant Steve Merchant said the cooperative relationship that exists between local business and the police department were the keys to the swift resolution of these cases.

Contact Info:

P.I.O. – First – Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA  95336
209-599-2102    Business
209-599-4034    FAX
gro.nopirfoyticnull@tnahcremS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

COMMUNITY MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

Ripon, CA – On Wednesday, May 8th, at 7:00 pm, the Ripon Police Department will be hosting a community meeting to discuss concerns or issues that may be occurring within Ripon neighborhoods. Sergeant Danny Sauer, the Sergeant in charge of Area of Responsibility # 2, will lead the meeting.  The meeting will be held at the Ripon Police Department (259 N. Wilma Ave.)

The goal of this community meeting is to improve communications between residents and the officers who patrol their neighborhoods. Officers will also be providing information and safety tips that may be unique to your specific area. Officer Mike Perry and his K-9 “Kilo” will be present to give a demonstration.  For information regarding this community meeting, contact Sgt. Danny Sauer @ gro.nopirfoyticnull@reuasd  or call 599-0244

Contact Info:

P.I.O. – First – Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA  95336
209-599-2102    Business
209-599-4034    FAX
gro.nopirfoyticnull@tnahcremS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

RIPON POLICE DEPARTMENT BICYCLE SAFETY RODEOS

Ripon, Ca. – The Ripon Police Department is committed to the safety of our children. On 04-24-13, School Resource Officer Trevor McGinnis, along with additional Ripon Police Officers and volunteers, completed the first, in a series of bicycle safety rodeos. The first bicycle safety rodeo was held at RiponElementary School.

Police officers discussed general bicycle operations, bicycle safety, and traffic laws regarding bicycles. Participants were advised that every rider, under the age of 18 years old, must wear a bicycle helmet. With prime bicycle riding season upon us, parents are being asked to ensure that their children are equipped with, and that they are utilizing a bicycle helmet. The children demonstrated their riding skills in a cone-course, set up by the volunteers on the school playground. Proper riding skills were demonstrated by Ripon Police Officers.

The 2013 Spring-Bike Safety Rodeos will be held on:

Wednesday 5-01-13 at Ripona Elementary School    (2:15pm to 3:15pm)

Wednesday 5-08-13 at Parkview Elementary School (2:15pm to 3:15pm)

Wednesday 5-15-13 at Weston Elementary School    (2:15pm to 3:15pm)

For Further Info call School Resource Officer Trevor McGinnis at 599-2102

Contact Info:

P.I.O. – First – Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA  95336
209-599-2102    Business
209-599-4034    FAX
gro.nopirfoyticnull@tnahcremS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

RIPON POLICE DEPARTMENT TAKING BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION  DRUGS APRIL 27 AT POLICE DEPARTMENT 

Ripon CA. – On April 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Ripon Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public its sixth opportunity in three years to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs and over the counter medications. Bring your medications for disposal to the front parking lot of the Ripon Police Department at 259 N. Wilma Ave. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last September, Americans turned in 244 tons of prescription drugs at over 5,200 sites operated by the DEA and its thousands of state and local law enforcement partners. In its five previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in over 2 million pounds—over a thousand tons—of pills.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.

Four days after the first event, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them. The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances. DEA is drafting regulations to implement the Act. Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies, like the Ripon Police Department and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every 6 months.

For further information regarding this Ripon Police Department- Drug Take Back Day, please contact Det. Sgt. Terri Jensen at 209-599-0261, or gro.nopirfoyticnull@nesnejt

Contact Info:

P.I.O. – First – Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA  95336
209-599-2102    Business
209-599-4034    FAX
gro.nopirfoyticnull@tnahcremS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

RIPON POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE TO THEIR COMMUNITY

RiponCA:  On 04-23-13, the California Office of Traffic Safety, and the Mothers Against Drunk Driving, held their annual San Joaquin and Stanislaus County Law Enforcement Recognition and DUI Training Seminar in Ripon. Numerous local law enforcement agencies and individual officers were honored for their efforts to combat drunk driving.

The Ripon Police Department Volunteers in Police Services (VIPS) were recognized for their service to the Ripon community.  Acting Sergeant Stephen Meece was also recognized for his efforts to combat Drunk Drivers.

Contact Info:

P.I.O. – First – Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA  95336
209-599-2102    Business
209-599-4034    FAX
gro.nopirfoyticnull@tnahcremS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SEARCH FOR SUSPECT LEADS TO PAROLEE AT LARGE ARREST

RiponCA:  On 04-22-13, as part of an area search for an indecent exposure suspect, Ripon detectives conducted a probation search in the 100 block of Second Street.  Officers also contacted several suspects on bicycles in the area, who matched the suspect’s description.  At approximately 1341 hours, Detective Alex Burgos made a bike stop on a subject in the 600 block of S. Stockton Ave.  The subject was found to be a wanted parolee at large.  Harold Wayne Graves Jr. (46) of Ripon, was taken into custody on a state parole hold.  He was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail.  Detectives are still seeking information relating to the exposure case.  Officers will continue their search for the exposure suspect.

Contact Info:

P.I.O. – First – Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA  95336
209-599-2102    Business
209-599-4034    FAX
gro.nopirfoyticnull@tnahcremS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

VEHICLE SEIZED IN FIFTY POUND MARIJUANA BUST CONTAINED THC EXTRACTION LAB

RiponCA: On 04-12-13, at approximately 0700 hours, Ripon officers were dispatched to the 800 block of Zumstein Drive regarding a report of large garbage bags, full of marijuana at a residence. Upon arrival, officers located multiple trash bags of suspected marijuana. Detectives were called to the scene to assist in the investigation. “Kilo” the department’s new drug detection dog was utilized in a search of the suspect’s vehicle. Over 50 pounds of marijuana was seized from the residence, with an estimated street value of over $15,000.

Donald Robert Smith (25) of Ripon was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges that included manufacturing a controlled substance, and possession of marijuana for sale.

On 04-18-13, Ripon police investigators processed a Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) extraction lab located in a vehicle connected to Smith’s arrest. The vehicle and cash were originally seized as part of an asset forfeiture investigation.

Due to their unique expertise, agents from the Stanislaus Drug Enforcement Agency were contacted by Ripon narcotics investigators.  SDEA agents responded to Ripon, to assist investigators with the removal and processing of the drug lab.

Contact Info:

P.I.O. – First – Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA  95336
209-599-2102    Business
209-599-4034    FAX
gro.nopirfoyticnull@tnahcremS