Crime & Safety
Computer Thief Caught by App, WalMart Shoplifter Caught by Cops
Old-fashioned observation led to the arrest of two at Wal-Mart, while a month-old robberty was solved by a computer application
On February 28, a burglary first reported to the Napa Police Department on January 25 was apparently solved. The victim received an e-mail from an electronic application, Find iPhone, advising her that her stolen computer was located near the 2000 block of Brown St., and was in the process of being erased. She activated the application and it displayed more detail, including a map with a residence in the 2400 block of Brown St. She contacted police.
A police department records check showed that Gabriel Caro, 19, was resident at this address and was on probation for a prior theft. He was also on “search and seizure” status.
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Officers went to the Caro residence and made contact. The stolen property was found in his residence, and Caro admitted to the burglary. He was arrested and taken to the Napa County Department of Corrections, where he was booked.
Wednesday afternoon, about 4:45 p.m., a City of Napa Police Office noticed a man moving quickly away from the WalMart garden center, apparently carrying something under his shirt.
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The suspect jogged up to a running blue pickup truck waiting in the parking lot and got in the passenger side.
Suspicions aroused, the Officer attempted to make contact with the passenger, who quickly opened the truck door and lunged at the officer, with head and shoulders down. He struck the officer’s in the torso with his shoulder, throwing him off-balance.
Officers were able to subdue the man, identified as Robert Thomas Guenthner II, 39, of Napa, and found he was on parole.
The driver of the truck was still sitting inside. Officers contacted him and, noticing he displayed signs of impairment, evaluated him for intoxication. Ramlal Dick Ramlochan, 54, of Angwin, was arrested for driving under the influence.
A search of Guenthner and the vehicle turned up items stolen from Wal-Mart, including alcohol and utensils, and a knife.
Guenthner was charged with burglary, obstruction or resisting an officer, carrying a concealed dirk or dagger, and violation of parole, all felonies.
