FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09-14-10
RIPON’S EYE-IN-THE-SKY ASSISTS IN ANOTHER ARREST:
Ripon, CA – On Friday, September 10th, the Ripon (Ca.) Police Department’s Aviation Unit received a request for
assistance from the Manteca (Ca.) Police Department. Manteca officers were looking for an armed suspect who had just
committed a residential burglary. The suspect fled into a corn field in the North-West section of their city.
Ripon pilot, Sgt. Steve Merchant, responded to the scene in the department’s Powered Parachute (PPC). The aircraft
was provided to the department free-of-charge by the US Department of Justice, Aviation Technology Program.
Ripon “Air-One” conducted a search of the corn field, and surrounding residential sub-division. MPD officers were sure
the suspect was in the corn field. Visibility into the field was limited, due to the fact that the corn had grown to 6’-8’ high.
After refueling, MPD officers requested that the Ripon airship return, to keep the suspect from fleeing the corn field. Lt.
Ed Ormonde took over as the Pilot-In-Charge (PIC), while Sgt. Merchant acted as the Tactical-Flight-Officer (FTO) for the
return mission.
Manteca Police Officers were able to complete a ground search of the corn field, and they located the suspect.
Sgt. Steve Merchant said, “I could see MPD had a great perimeter set up before we arrived on-scene. We couldn’t see
the suspect through the foliage, so our goal was to keep the suspect pinned down, until the MPD K-9 and officers could
move in.”
Contact Info:
P.I.O. - Sgt. Steve Merchant
Ripon Police Department
259 N. Wilma Ave.
Ripon, CA 95336
209-599-2102 Business
209-599-4034 FAX
Smerchant@cityofripon.
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