Five teens — 18 and 19 years old — who robbed Ripona Market  at gunpoint last August have been sentenced to multi-year state prison terms.

Ripon Police Lt. Steve Merchant noted Yousef Foadmohsesn Elsumari, 19, of Modesto had worked in the store shortly before the robbery and was related to the owners of the store.

The others being found guilty by the court include Christian Jeffrey Hudec, 19, of Modesto; Felix Alberto Reyes, 18, of Modesto; Elijah Lee Wethington, 18, of Modesto and Laron Calvin Williams, 18, also of Modesto.

On the day of the robbery officers responded to a 911 call from the market with a report of an armed take-over robbery. Merchant said the gunmen pistol whipped a clerk and left the market with cash and property with officers arriving on the scene within minutes of the call.

One suspect was captured near the Main Street over crossing with Highway 99 by Ripon Police Chief Ed Ormonde. Merchant said two suspects attempted to break through the police perimeter that had been set up on Manley Road where officers became engaged in a foot pursuit.  Merchant arrested a second suspect on Manley Road.  

Officer Kenny Steele found a third suspect hiding in a shed on Wells Court and took him into custody. Detectives Gordon West about a mile away from the store. Officer Alex Burgos developed information that led to the arrest of the fourth suspect living in Modesto. A fifth suspect was located by Field Training Officer Ken Husman. 

The last suspect was questioned at the Ripon Police Department by Detective Sgt. Teri Jensen and subsequently taken into custody with all five transported to the San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp.