Car Thieves Went on Burglarizing Spree with a 6-Month-Old Baby in Tow

Thieves that went on burglarizing vehicles in El Dorado Hills had the most unlikely and shocking “accomplice” in a 6-month-old baby.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said that a Folsom woman admitted that she had her 6-month-old baby with her while she and two men allegedly burglarized vehicles in the said area.

Sheriff’s deputies arrested Bobbie Ritola who was caught carrying out a vehicle burglary in progress on Wildridge Drive in El Dorado Hills. The victim saw a man in his vehicle and chased him.

A second suspect, a woman later identified as Ritola, tried to pick up the stolen vehicle and take off with it, but the victim fought her, successfully tackled and detained her before deputies responded to the scene of the incident.

Ritola told deputies that her male friends left the area with her child after they were confronted by the victim. She shared the information that they were staying in a hotel room in Folsom.

Deputies, assisted by Folsom police, went to the hotel and found 29-year-old Kalen White of Citrus Heights and 37-year-old Jereme Hale of Placerville in the room along with Ritola’s child.

The authorities also discovered drug paraphernalia, including uncapped hypodermic needles, a stun gun, pepper spray and a large amount of property suspected of being stolen in the room.

Sheriff’s detectives were also called to help investigate and they discovered that the property they recovered was linked to thefts and burglaries in El Dorado, Sacramento, and Placer counties.

The Sheriff’s Office said that detectives interviewed the suspects and learned the shocking detail that the infant was present when the crimes were committed.

All three suspects were arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen property, conspiracy and child endangerment. Ritola and White are also accused of unlawful use of tear gas, and Hale is accused of being a felon in possession of a stun gun.

The infant was placed in the custody of Child Protective Services. It is not clear yet whether other close family members of the baby were informed of the incident.

Source:

http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/crime/article198764279.html