Fingerprints help Ripon police find Modesto man more than two years after the crime

Gusty Shayde Souza is suspected of stealing a $1,500 hard-top from a 1997 Mazda Miata in May 2015.

More than two years later, Ripon police used fingerprints to find Souza already incarcerated at the Stanislaus County Jail.

The same officer who responded to the reported theft arrested Souza last week. Souza, 22, of Modesto is charged with a felony grand theft.

The theft was reported about 8:15 a.m. on May 30, 2015, in the 900 block of Jordanolo Drive, just north of Milgeo Avenue and about a mile east of Highway 99.

Ripon police Lt. Steve Merchant said the caller reported someone stole the removable hard-top from his Mazda Miata overnight.

Officer Paul Staley responded to the crime scene. Evidence was collected, including fingerprints left behind at the scene, and photographs were taken. Police canvassed the neighborhood and found a witness.

About five months after the theft, the state Department of Justice notified Ripon police that the fingerprints found at the scene identified a suspect. but officers could not find Souza.

Merchant said Staley continued his investigation with help from the state Department of Motor Vehicles. Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Souza.

Last week, Ripon police learned Souza was being held at the Stanislaus County Jail. Merchant said the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department told police on Nov. 15 that Souza was in custody on unrelated criminal charges.

Staley, who had been recently promoted to the rank of detective, was assigned to follow-up on Souza's Ripon theft case. The detective questioned Souza and later booked the suspect at the San Joaquin County Jail.

This story was originally published November 19, 2017 at 3:26 PM with the headline "Fingerprints help Ripon police find Modesto man more than two years after the crime."