Opinion ID: 65824
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Crawford’s Arrest

Text: At the suppression hearing and trial, Sandy Springs Police Officer Michael Dewald testified to these events. Crawford was driving on I-285 at approximately 1:50 a.m. when he was pulled over by Officer Dewald. As Crawford’s car passed, Officer Dewald noticed that the registration light on Crawford’s car was out, which is a traffic violation, and that the car swerved from lane to lane. Officer Dewald followed Crawford’s car and saw the car make an abrupt lane change to exit the highway, almost driving off the road. Dewald initiated a traffic stop, and Crawford pulled his car into a parking lot, but did not stop in a parking space. Dewald pulled his police cruiser in behind Crawford’s car at a ninety degree angle. When Dewald asked for Crawford’s driver’s license and valid proof of insurance, he noticed that Crawford appeared unusually nervous and was sweating profusely and his carotid artery was beating at a high rate. Based on these observations, Dewald suspected that criminal activity was afoot. Crawford handed his insurance documentation to Dewald, but acted like he did not have his driver’s license. Dewald noticed that Crawford’s hand was 2 trembling. Dewald asked Crawford to exit the car and go between the two cars. At this point, Dewald asked Crawford if there were any weapons in his car or on his person. Crawford responded, “I do not have anything on me. But any guns in the car are not mine. It’s not my car.” Dewald asked Crawford for his driver’s license, and Crawford said his license probably was suspended for tickets. Crawford began to look around, which suggested to Dewald that Crawford might try to run. Dewald again asked about any firearms or weapons, and Crawford stated, “[W]ell not to my knowledge and, like I said, the car, it’s not mine. Because the guy who owns it, the guy who owns the car hunts.” Crawford’s statement indicated to Dewald that there were firearms in the car, but Crawford was disclaiming any interest in them. Dewald obtained Crawford’s name and date of birth, which Dewald relayed to a radio operator. The radio operator reported that Crawford’s license was suspended. Dewald then placed Crawford under arrest for driving with a suspended license. A search of Crawford’s person revealed a Georgia state correctional photo identification card with Crawford’s name on it. Dewald placed Crawford in his police cruiser and contacted the radio operator and requested a wrecker to impound Crawford’s car. Dewald impounded the car because 3 Crawford had been arrested, the registered owner was not present to take control of the car and Dewald could not leave the car in the middle of the parking lot. While waiting for the wrecker to arrive, Dewald conducted an inventory search of the car and completed the police department’s inventory forms. In the passenger compartment, Dewald found seven cellular telephones. In the trunk, Dewald found three firearms, two ski masks, eight sets of flex-cuffs and black battle dress uniform pants, which were partially covering the firearms. These pants were military style and had cargo pockets. The firearms were a Ruger .44 Super Blackhawk loaded with five rounds, a Smith & Wesson .38 Special loaded with four rounds and a Smith & Wesson .32 Long loaded with two rounds. After retrieving the firearms, Dewald ran a criminal history check on Crawford and determined that he was a convicted felon. Dewald did not read Crawford his Miranda rights at the scene.