Opinion ID: 576821
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The later search of the trunk of the automobile.

Text: 13 Cox also contends that the warrantless search of the trunk, where the firearm was found, was improper. Specifically, he argues that although inventory searches may constitute an exception to the requirement of a search warrant, the exception requires that the vehicle must be in the lawful possession of the police. Cox asserts that the prerequisite of lawful possession was lacking in this case because the police were required to attempt other forms of removing the automobile from the site of the investigatory stop. Namely, he contends that they were required to request Cox to make arrangements for the car's removal; allow a licensed driver designated by him or the owner to remove the vehicle; and finally, only if those options failed, remove the vehicle from the roadway. 14 There is no dispute that routine inventories of vehicles are permitted without a warrant so long as the vehicle is in the lawful custody of the police and the inventory is conducted pursuant to standard procedures designed to secure the car and its contents, not to gather incriminating evidence against its owner. See South Dakota v. Opperman, 428 U.S. 364 (1976); United States v. Brown, 787 F.2d 929 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 837 (1986). An officer's suspicion that contraband may be present does not invalidate an otherwise lawful inventory search. United States v. Feldman, 788 F.2d 544, 549-53 (9th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 479 U.S. 1067 (1987). 15 Cox's argument regarding the alternatives to impoundment is misplaced. The police regulations provide for the removal of automobiles where the license plates are altered and ownership of the vehicle is in question. Specifically, they state that if ownership is in question, the vehicle shall be impounded. Nowhere do the regulations require the officer to attempt to make other arrangements for its removal. 16 Furthermore, it is clear from the record that the officers were conducting the inventory of the vehicle for purposes of accountability and safekeeping. Even if they had been searching for contraband, a warrant would most likely have been unnecessary since there was ample evidence supporting probable cause. The officers had already found heroin and drug paraphernalia in the passenger compartment. They had also been misled as to whether defendant possessed a key to the trunk. See United States v. Chavis, 880 F.2d 788 (4th Cir.1989) (passage of time between arrest and search does not invalidate the finding of probable cause for conducting warrantless search). 17