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PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Brigham Young running back Manase Tonga gave a false name when he was stopped for running a stop sign, police said.
It was the third time since August that he had been stopped for failing to obey a stop sign, according to court records.
Tonga, 23, was arrested Tuesday for failing to pay an $82 fine from one of the previous tickets. He also was cited for driving with an expired car registration and providing false personal information, Provo police said.
"It was a totally fictitious name, which is good for him," Sgt. Richard Dewey said. "It's a higher charge if someone gives another person's real name."
Tonga, who will be a junior in fall, ran for 197 yards and four touchdowns last year. He caught 23 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns.
Tonga of San Mateo, Calif., was released from jail and then left for Los Angeles to get married in the Mormon temple, said Jeff Reynolds, a BYU sports spokesman.
Coach Bronco Mendenhall was on vacation but was aware of the arrest.
"When he gets back, they will gather the appropriate information and decide how to handle it," Reynolds said.
Tonga's younger brother, defensive lineman Matangi Tonga, withdrew from school after being charged with burglary.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APTV-07-06-07 1141MDT
