So you’ve met Maude Eccles. She’s sitting there on her porch in Grapeseed, dreaming about white picket fences and flower beds, while Trevor Philips—the walking personification of a meth-fueled fever dream—agrees to hunt down "reprobates" for her.
It’s one of the weirder dynamics in Grand Theft Auto 5. Maude wants justice, or at least the bail money, and you’re the guy with the cattle prod. The first name on her hit list? Ralph Ostrowski.
Most players get the email from Maude and immediately head toward the general vicinity of the Davis Quartz quarry. But then they spend twenty minutes driving in circles because the game doesn't give you a waypoint. It’s a classic Rockstar move. They give you a photo of a hole in the ground and basically say, "Good luck, kid."
The Exact Location of Ralph Ostrowski
Honestly, finding the quarry is the easy part. It’s that massive, dusty scar on the landscape southeast of Sandy Shores, right off the Senora Freeway. You can’t miss it from the air.
Finding Ralph inside the quarry? That's the real headache.
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He isn't hanging out near the entrance or the heavy machinery at the top. You have to drive all the way down into the belly of the pit. Look for the lowest level of the Davis Quartz quarry.
Usually, Ralph is standing around near two SUVs—a black Landstalker is his getaway vehicle of choice. If you’re coming in hot with a helicopter or a loud car, he’s going to notice you. The moment he sees Trevor, he bolts for the driver’s seat.
Don't Just Blast Him
Here is where people mess up the "Wanted: Alive or Alive" achievement.
If you kill Ralph Ostrowski, Maude still pays you, but you only get $5,000. If you bring him back breathing, she doubles it to $10,000. In the early game, that extra five grand actually matters. Plus, the dialogue on the drive back to Maude's place is gold. Hearing Trevor try to "comfort" a terrified fugitive is peak GTA writing.
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How to Capture Ralph Without Killing Him
You've got a few options here, but some are much safer than others.
- The Stun Gun Method: This is the gold standard. If you’ve already unlocked the Stun Gun (or grabbed one from Ammu-Nation), just taser him before he reaches the Landstalker. He’ll flop like a fish, and then he’ll surrender immediately.
- The Sniper Knee-Cap: If you’re a decent shot, sit on the rim of the quarry and use a sniper rifle. Aim for his leg. One shot usually won't kill him, but it’ll definitely stop him from sprinting to his car.
- The PIT Maneuver: If he actually makes it into the Landstalker, don't panic. Don't blow up the car. Just ram him, or shoot out two of his tires. Once the car is undrivable, Ralph will hop out and put his hands up.
Basically, once he surrenders, he becomes an NPC that follows you. Get into a four-door car (or just let him climb into whatever you’re driving) and follow the yellow line back to Maude’s trailer.
Common Glitches and Spawning Issues
It’s been over a decade since GTA 5 launched, and yet Ralph still manages to bug out occasionally.
Some players report that Ralph Ostrowski simply won’t spawn. Usually, this happens if you haven't properly triggered the mission by reading Maude's email. You can’t just show up at the quarry and hope he’s there; you have to open Trevor’s phone, check the email from Maude, and look at the attached photo.
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Also, if you arrive at the quarry and he’s not there, try leaving the area and coming back at a different time of day. Most players find him more reliably during daylight hours.
Why Ralph Ostrowski Matters for 100% Completion
Technically, you don't need to do all of Maude’s bail bond missions to hit that 100% stat on your save file, but you do need to do at least one "Strangers and Freaks" mission for her. Ralph is the entry point.
Beyond the completionist stuff, the Maude missions are a great break from the high-stakes heists. They feel like a throwback to the bounty hunting in Red Dead Redemption, just with more dust and more Trevor-induced trauma.
Expert Tips for the Bounty Run
- Vehicle Choice: Bring something that can handle off-road. The quarry is full of steep embankments. If you take a low-slung supercar down there, you’re going to have a bad time trying to climb back out with Ralph in the passenger seat.
- The Follow-Up: Once you drop Ralph off, don't expect the next bounty immediately. Maude takes her time. Go cause some chaos, and eventually, she'll send you a photo of Larry Tupper.
- Achievement Hunting: Delivering Ralph alive is the easiest way to snag the "Wanted: Alive or Alive" trophy/achievement. If you kill him, you’ll have to wait for the next target to try again.
If you're looking to maximize your take, always go for the live capture. It's more work, sure, but in Los Santos, five thousand dollars buys a lot of ammo—or a really ugly shirt for Trevor.
Next Steps for Your Playthrough:
After you deliver Ralph, keep your phone's volume up. Maude’s next target, Larry Tupper, is hiding at an abandoned farm southwest of Sandy Shores. Make sure you have armor and a fresh stun gun battery, because Larry isn't alone like Ralph was; he’s got friends with guns.