Opinion ID: 2347993
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Personal Observation of the Affiant

Text: Forty-one days prior to the application for the warrant the affiant spoke with the defendant at his place of business in Meddybemps and observed therein the cab of a 1972 International truck-tractor and the chassis from which the cab had been separated. There were no identification numbers. [4] While it is true that facts supporting probable cause which are based upon a law officer's personal knowledge are presumed to be reliable, a magistrate must still weigh them for facial sufficiency. State v. Gamage, supra . The mere fact that the affiant observed one truck-tractor in defendant's junkyard without identification numbers does not necessarily establish probable cause to believe that the defendant was engaging in criminal activity, particularly where the affidavit disclosed that this 1972 International truck-tractor had been involved in an accident on June 6, 1975, on a nearby highway and had been towed by a wrecker to defendant's place of business. There is no indication from the recited facts that the defendant was responsible for removing the identification numbers from the truck-tractor for the purpose of concealment. In fact, the affidavit indicates that the defendant assisted the affiant in locating the 1972 International truck-tractor in his junkyard.