Traffic stop leads to stolen vehicle, two arrests in Atwater

A routine traffic stop ended Friday in Atwater with two people in custody, accused of driving a stolen car, the Police Department reported.

The vehicle, a black Honda Civic, was stopped around 9:30 a.m. in the 2800 block of Determine Drive for expired registration, Lt. Samuel Joseph said.

Officers learned the car recently had been reported stolen in Merced. The driver, Erick C. Bu, 34, and passenger, Chandra Engles, 31, were booked into the Merced County jail on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, police said.

Both remained in custody Friday afternoon. Bu’s bail was set at $20,000. Bail for Engles was set at $21,000.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Traffic stop leads to stolen vehicle, two arrests in Atwater."