A team effort Monday morning  saw the recovery of three stolen pickup trucks and a utility trailer within three hours after they had been reported missing.

Several other vehicles were broken into and items were stolen from a residential garage.

One Ripon resident posted pictures of his custom pickup on a social media. It was because of his online post that Ripon Police became aware that the vehicle was traveling toward the Bay Area.

Ripon dispatchers relayed the information to allied police agencies. The Golden Gate Division of the California Highway Patrol stopped and arrested the driver of the stolen custom pickup truck. Detectives with the Ripon Special Investigations Unit are working with the agencies to continue the investigation.

Sgt. Steve Merchant said that Ripon residents are being urged to lock their vehicles, activate their alarms, and utilize kill switches or steering wheel “Clubs.”  And vehicles should be locked in their garages when possible.  Any items of value such as tools, electronics, and firearms should not be kept in parked vehicles, he added.

Citizens are also being urged to call the police department immediately if they see or hear anything unusual.  Police patrols of Ripon’s neighborhoods are being increased, he added.

Contact info available by calling the public information officer, Lt. Steve Merchant, at the Ripon Police Department 209.599.2102.