Full Notification

Walgreens Robbery Suspects Captured Within Minutes

On 04-05-16, at approximately 7:25 pm, Ripon Police officers responded to the Walgreens located at 102 N. Jack Tone Rd. regarding a robbery in progress. A concerned citizen witnessed the suspect vehicle, a 2001 green Honda mini-van, speeding away from the scene and he provided updated suspect locations to police dispatchers.

Ripon Police Chief Ed Ormonde arrived on scene within 90 seconds and he located the suspect vehicle on Kiwi Ct. Four suspects fled from the vehicle and officers were involved in a short foot pursuit. The suspects ran through several backyards, damaging fences in their attempt to elude officers.

Concerned local citizens greatly assisted their police department by providing updates on the suspects locations. Sgt. Stephen Meece located a pair of suspects as they were attempting to jump a residential fence. One citizen, an off-duty correctional officer, physically assisted officers in the apprehension of another suspect.

Four suspects were taken into custody without incident. Prescription drugs containing Hydrocodone and Promethazine that were stolen from the Walgreens pharmacy were recovered in the suspect's vehicle. The prescription drugs had an estimated street value of over $10,000 Marijuana was also located in the vehicle. One of the suspects who fled from officers was found to be in possession of cocaine.

Maurice Anthony De Mille Bryant (24) of Sacramento was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges that included: robbery, conspiracy, false imprisonment, possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and assault.

Justin Wayne Culpepper (25) of Rancho Cordova was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges that included: robbery, conspiracy, false imprisonment and resisting arrest.

Theo Lavern Simmons (18) of Sacramento was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges that included: robbery, conspiracy, false imprisonment and resisting arrest.

A male juvenile (17) of Sacramento was booked into the San Joaquin County Juvenile Hall on charges that included robbery, conspiracy, false imprisonment and resisting arrest.

The Ripon Police Department would like to thank the staff at the Ripon Walgreens for their quick actions, along with a number of local concerned citizens for their assistance with the apprehension of these suspects.

Department spokesperson, Lt. Steve Merchant said, "We have a very close relationship with our citizens and our local businesses. They know they can count on us to immediately and appropriately respond to their emergency calls for service. Ripon is a special place and it's all because of our community working together to keep Ripon safe!"