Novato Police Arrest 3 For Vehicle Thefts

NOVATO, CA – Three people have been arrested on suspicion of two unrelated vehicle thefts Monday, police said.

Novato police said Tuesday that patrol officers were at Americas Best Value Inn at 7600 Redwood Blvd. on an unrelated call when an automated license plate reader detected a stolen car parked in the parking lot.

According to police, the Novato Police Department operates several patrol vehicles equipped with automated license plate readers. These systems can recognize license plates that have been entered into the stolen vehicle database.

Officers followed the occupied vehicle when it left and arrested the driver, Mary Katherine Ripple, 39, of San Rafael, on suspicion of vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, possession of narcotics and and narcotics paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license.

Officers also cited and released the passenger, 46 year-old Steven Hart, on possession of an unlawfully altered imitation firearm.

The Santa Rosa Police Department later contacted Novato police about another stolen vehicle. Its owner was tracking the vehicle with a the Global Positioning System.

Novato police found the vehicle parked on Alameda Del Prado near Clay Court in Novato.

Jason John Lefor, 44, of Petaluma, was in possession of the vehicle's keys, and Amanda Marie Evans, 24, of Santa Rosa, was found inside the vehicle. Police arrested both on suspicion of vehicle theft and possession
of stolen property.

Bay City News contributed to this report.

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