NCJ Number
115711
Date Published
1989
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This chapter describes a case before a California U.S. district court (United States v. Alvarez) which involves an evidence-suppression hearing regarding reasonable-suspicion grounds for a police vehicular stop and search.
Abstract
Based on an anonymous telephone tip, police proceeded to a bank parking lot where they observed a car that fit the informant's description. The driver drove from the parking lot followed by the police patrol car. The police subsequently stopped the vehicle and approached it with guns drawn. After ordering the driver (Alvarez) to exit the car, the police observed a bulge under his coat. A pat-down search revealed two semiautomatic, nine millimeter pistols. The police then searched the suspect's car and found a disassembled M-60 machine gun, an M-16 fully automatic rifle, and a substantial quantity of cocaine in the trunk. Alvarez was charged with possession of cocaine and unlawful weapons. He moved to suppress the evidence seized from his person and his car. For related chapters, see NCJ-115712-13