Two Stanislaus County men were arrested by Ceres Police during a Tuesday morning, August 8 traffic stop made on stolen Ford Focus.

At 11:54 a.m., Officer Eric Souza was in the area of S. Seventh Street and Pecos Avenue when he began following a black-colored Ford Focus which was reported stolen. Additional units arrived as backup as Officer Souza conducted a vehicle stop in the parking lot of the Budget Inn at 581 S. Ninth Street. Driver Louis Hernandez, 40, of Turlock, was arrested for auto theft and possession of a stolen vehicle. On a records check, revealed that Hernandez was found to be on probation for auto theft and had an outstanding felony warrant for auto theft.

Passenger Richard Birts, 45, of Modesto was arrested for auto theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and a probation violation. Both were booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center.