Opinion ID: 691375
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The search of Brown's vehicle was supported by probable cause.

Text: 12 Although under the automobile exception a search of a vehicle does not require a warrant, the search must be supported by probable cause. 5 United States v. Horne, 4 F.3d 579, 589 (8th Cir.1993), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 114 S.Ct. 1121, 127 L.Ed.2d 430 (1994). Probable cause to search a vehicle exists where there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in that vehicle. Robertson, 39 F.3d at 892; Horne, 4 F.3d at 589. The totality of the circumstances approach that applies probable cause to arrest also applies to probable cause to search. Robertson, 39 F.3d at 893. Brown argues that the failure of police to immediately discover incriminating evidence during the initial phases of their search of his Ram Charger dissipated any probable cause. This argument is meritless. 13 The facts that create probable cause to arrest Brown for cocaine possession create with equal force probable cause to believe that the Ram Charger contained crack cocaine. Brown drove the vehicle to the KFC for the express purpose of delivering the cocaine to Pack. Moreover, a search incident to Brown's arrest yielded a pager and a personal phone book. The initial stages of the search of the vehicle also generated a wire transfer receipt. These discoveries were completely consistent with the information provided by Pack. Moreover, we have previously noted that pagers are tools of the drug trade, Bloomfield, 40 F.3d at 919, and a receipt for a wire money transfer, while not necessarily a tool of the drug trade, is hardly exculpatory. These facts were more than sufficient to establish probable cause to search the Ram Charger. Accordingly, we hold that the warrantless search of Brown's Ram Charger did not violate the Fourth Amendment.