Ripon youths taken into custody over purse theft

Two Ripon teenagers and a 12-year-old boy were taken into custody after they allegedly stole a purse from a nearby Taco Bell, authorities said.

The three apparently were caught last month on surveillance video taking the purse of a woman who had accidentally left it in the fast-food restaurant at 1421 W. Colony Road, according to Sgt. Steve Merchant of the Ripon Police Department.

The three boys were allegedly seen clearly on video looking through and then taking the purse on Aug. 20, Merchant said.

About a week later, officer Stephen Meece spotted two of the three suspects on Main Street.

He stopped the two and determined they were suspects in the purse theft. The third suspect was later contacted. The purse, with all its contents, also was found.

The three boys — the other two were 13 and 14 — were released to their guardians.

The case will be forwarded to the San Joaquin County’s probation department and district attorney’s office, Merchant said.