Merced deputies seize heroin and stolen mail in traffic stop

Two people from Merced were arrested on Wednesday after deputies said they recovered stolen mail and drugs during a traffic stop, the Merced County Sheriff's Office reported.

Officers stopped a suspicious car at about 1 a.m. in the area of North Quinley Avenue and Mulberry Avenue in Atwater, according to a news release from the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies found a "large amount" of mail in the car addressed to residents in the area, the statement said. They also found drug paraphernalia, one gram of heroin and several hypodermic needles, authorities said.

According to deputies, the driver, 33-year-old Crystal Morin, didn’t have a license, deputies said. Andrew Tuttle, 27, was the other person in the car and was on probation. Both "displayed signs and symptoms" of being under the influence, deputies said.

Morin was arrested and booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of public intoxication of alcohol, driving without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to booking records. Tuttle was arrested and booked on suspicion of mail theft, possession of stolen property and drug paraphernalia.

Tuttle is being held without bail and Morin posted bail Tuesday.

The mail was returned to residents, deputies said.

This story has been corrected.

Monica Velez: 209-385-2486, @monicavelez21

This story was originally published April 4, 2018 at 4:43 PM with the headline "Merced deputies seize heroin and stolen mail in traffic stop."