RIPON — The theft of a Ripon child’s wheelchair ramp, recyclables from several residences and an auto burglary put a Manteca man and woman in jail for their alleged crimes.

Robert Lee Miller, 28, and Crystal Lynn Harris, 41, were booked into San Joaquin County Jail for burglary, grand theft, receiving known stolen property, possession of a controlled substance and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.

The car burglary occurred in the 100 block of the East Frontage Road last Saturday where officers reported that a GPS unit and a wallet containing credit and gift cards had been stolen.  Later that day Ripon officers responded to a call in the 600 block of Anna Drive for the theft of a wheelchair ramp valued over $1,000.

A young boy’s folding wheelchair access ramp had been taken from the back of his dad’s pickup truck.  Then on Sunday police were called to the 100 block of East Boesch Drive where recyclables had been taken from the yards of several residences.

Ripon Police obtained detailed descriptions of the suspects and their vehicle from the victims and witnesses to the crimes.  Officers initiated a search of the city for the suspects when they received a call about a suspicious man seen near the intersection of West Shasta and Atlantic avenues – linking that suspect to the previous thefts.

A woman believed to be associated with the male suspect was located some four blocks away, according to Ripon First Sergeant Steve Merchant.

The woman’s vehicle was searched and officers reportedly found numerous items that had been previously stolen in the community. 

Several items including the boy’s stolen wheelchair ramp, a GPS unit and credit and gift cards were recovered, Merchant said.  The missing recyclables were also located by officers during their search.

The two suspects had reportedly been staying in a motel in Modesto where Ripon officers later continued their search discovering additional stolen property and methamphetamine. 

Sgt. Merchant credited the cooperation of the victims and concerned witnesses along with the professionalism of the investigating officers with the swift arrests of the suspects.

Both have since been released from custody.