BYU running back arrested

PROVO — Brigham Young University running back Manase Tonga was arrested after a traffic stop early Tuesday morning for allegedly failing to pay a traffic ticket.

Police booked Tonga into the Utah County Jail at 1:30 a.m. because he had a warrant out for his arrest for a delinquent ticket, according to jail records. Court records showed Tonga was cited Aug. 21, 2006, for failing to stop at a stop sign.

Jail records also showed that Tonga was booked for investigation of giving false personal information to police. No information was immediately available from police about what Tonga allegedly said.

Tonga apparently was pulled over for not stopping at a stop sign and was ticketed for that and for an expired registration.

BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall is aware of the situation but has not spoken with Tonga and was out of town Thursday and unavailable for comment, said Jeff Reynolds, BYU's sports information director.

"Once Coach Mendenhall returns, he will gather the necessary details and then determine an appropriate response," Reynolds said.

Team officials expressed surprise at the incident because of Tonga's good reputation on the team. Tonga is an Eagle Scout who served a mission in Honduras for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Tonga was expected to challenge Fui Vakapuna for the lead running back role during fall camp next month.

Tonga ran for 197 yards and four touchdowns last year, including the opening score — a four-yard run — in BYU's white-knuckle win over rival Utah.

Tonga also caught 23 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns, including a 17-yard touchdown catch in BYU's victory over Oregon in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Provo Police ticketed Tonga in August 2006 for failing to stop at a stop sign. Tonga didn't pay the fine and a warrant was issued for his arrest in November.

Provo Police ticketed Tonga again on April 23 for failing to stop at a stop sign and expired registration, but he was not arrested then on the warrant.

Tonga was released from jail at 2:50 a.m. to Daniel Turagavou, who paid $207 cash bail for the warrant and $2,150 in bonds in connection with the citations for not stopping at a stop sign, giving false personal information and driving on an expired registration.

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