Ripon Fire Chief Dennis Bitters was credited by police Lt. Steve Merchant for being the key in the arrest of three burglary suspects after they were seen entering a back yard and having burglary tools in their vehicle.

It was shortly after 9 a.m. Friday when Bitters spotted three “suspicious subjects” in a vehicle in a Ripon neighborhood in the 900 block of Cooper Court. He provided Ripon Police with a wealth of information including suspect descriptions, vehicle description, license plate number and information on the suspects’ movements.

Another Ripon citizen called dispatch and reported seeing one of the suspects entering a neighbor’s rear yard. Officers arrived within minutes. The suspect vehicle was stopped by police as it was leaving the neighborhood. 

Lt. Merchant said the driver was found to be driving on a suspended license.  A ski mask and narcotics paraphernalia were also allegedly found in the vehicle.  During a subsequent search of their vehicle, officers located concentrated cannabis and burglary tools.  The three suspects were taken into custody without incident, he said.

Joseph Oliva, 18, of San Jose was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges that included attempted burglary, possession of burglary tools, conspiracy, possession of concentrated cannabis and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  Garrett Mathew Sena, 19, of Oakdale was also transported to county jail with similar charges filed against him.

A 15-year-old male juvenile from San Jose was booked into the San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall on attempted burglary charges, conspiracy and the possession of burglary tools.