Opinion ID: 2001143
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: motion to suppress evidence obtained by pennsylvania state police officer reap.

Text: Appellant argues that the evidence obtained by Trooper Reap during an encounter with appellant on the Pennsylvania Turnpike should have been suppressed as the product of an unlawful stop. There are two parts to appellant's argument. (1) That Officer Reap did not have personal knowledge of all the facts constituting probable cause at the time of the stop thereby making it unlawful. (2) Since the encounter did not result in an arrest, the evidence obtained during the encounter should be suppressed. In regard to appellant's first contention, cases in the past have held that an arresting officer need not have personal knowledge of the facts which support probable cause for arrest. He may reasonably rely upon radio transmissions ordering an arrest so long as the officer issuing the order has reasonably trustworthy information sufficient to warrant a man of reasonable caution in believing that the suspect has committed or is committing an offense. Commonwealth v. Riley, 284 Pa.Superior Ct. 280, 425 A.2d 813 (1981); Commonwealth v. Wagner, 486 Pa. 548, 555, 406 A.2d 1026, 1030 (1979); Commonwealth v. Kenney, 449 Pa. 562, 567, 297 A.2d 794, 796 (1972). Although Officer Reap did not have personal knowledge of facts constituting probable cause he relied on a bulletin when stopping the appellant. Therefore the appellant's claim is without merit. Having effectuated a proper stop, Officer Reap told appellant why he had been stopped and advised him of his Miranda rights. He then asked the appellant to identify himself and inquired into his activities during the time the crime was allegedly committed. He was correct in doing this. Commonwealth v. Browne, 221 Pa.Superior Ct. 368, 292 A.2d 487 (1972). At this time a turnpike toll ticket was in plain view on the front seat and appellant voluntarily divulged the location of seven twenty dollar bills. Once an officer has made a valid stop or arrest, he may seize any evidence which is in plain view. Commonwealth v. Murray, 460 Pa. 53, 331 A.2d 414 (1975); Commonwealth v. Harper, 233 Pa.Superior Ct. 294, 334 A.2d 761 (1975); Commonwealth v. Clelland, 227 Pa.Superior Ct. 384, 323 A.2d 60 (1974). Although appellant had been released by Officer Reap after being detained for two and one half hours, the evidence he gathered during this time is admissible because it had been in plain view and had been obtained incident to a lawful stop.