An alert Ceres Police officer recovered a stolen van Thursday afternoon and apprehended two persons who were both jailed on separate charges.

At 2:46 p.m., Officer Gloria Blakeslee was patrolling the 2600 block of Mitchell Road when she spotted a white Ford Econoline van that had been reported stolen and parked in front of the Pizza Hut. Officers converged on the van as the occupants, Vireak Rithy, 35, and Valerie Huerta, 22, both of Modesto fled and ran southbound. Officer Blakeslee caught both subjects inside the Burger King on Mitchell Road.

During the investigation police learned that Huerta was responsible for the vehicle theft. She was booked on charges of vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest.

Rithy was searched and charged with possession of burglary tools and resisting arrest.

Both were booked at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center.