Thursday, Dec. 06, 2012

Driver is found with a stolen car, credit card

The Los Banos Police Department recovered a stolen car and credit card last week after an arrest, police said.

Sgt. Ivan Mendez spotted a stolen Honda Accord in the 100 block of West I Street at 2:39 p.m. Nov. 27, according to police. The officer arrested 32-year-old Michael Espinosa of Los Banos after stopping the vehicle.

Police said a search resulted in the discovery of an illegal switchblade and a stolen credit card. The card was reported stolen on Nov. 13 after a vehicle burglary in the 700 block of Ward Road.

Espinosa is in custody at the John Latorraca Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail. He is being held on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent, possession of stolen property and possession of a switchblade.

To leave an anonymous crime tip on this or any other case, call (209) 827-7070, ext. 288, or go to the police department Web page at www.los banos.org. At the bottom of the "Contact" page, click on the "report graffiti and other crime" link. Or, visit the Merced Area Crime Stoppers by telephone at (855) 725-2420, or at www.mercedarea crimestoppers.org.

-- Thaddeus Miller

— Thaddeus Miller