Ripon Police — with information provided by two alert residents —  arrested two women on suspicion of stealing mail.

The Police Department Thursday  received a report of a mail theft that had just occurred on West Ripon Road shortly before 3 p.m. Two citizens said they witnessed the suspects steal mail from a residential mailbox. The witnesses followed the suspects who were driving a 2007 gold Kia Rio.

Ripon dispatchers kept the witnesses on the line while patrol officers and detectives converged on the suspects’ location. The vehicle was stopped near the intersection of Stockton Avenue and Main Street.

One of the suspects was found to be on searchable probation. Stolen mail and controlled substance paraphernalia was located in the vehicle.

Courtney Erin Gonzalez, 33, of Ripon, was taken into custody. She was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on misdemeanor charges that included possession of stolen property, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and conspiracy.

Lorraine Elizabeth Rodriguez, 44, of Ripon was also arrested. She was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on misdemeanor charges that included possession of stolen property, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and conspiracy.

Department spokesperson Lieutenant Steve Merchant praised the actions of the concerned citizens who immediately called the police when they saw a crime in progress. Merchant said the case has been turned over to the department’s Special Investigations Unit.

If anyone has questions or further information about this case, they are being asked to contact Detective Gordon West at 209-599-0255.