Court Opinion

ID: 2818517
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-07-20 18:23:35.523278+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:30:46.915027
License: Public Domain

Filed 7/20/15 In re Luis E. CA4/1
                      NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS
California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for
publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication
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                    COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

                                                  DIVISION ONE

                                           STATE OF CALIFORNIA

In re LUIS E., a Person Coming Under the
Juvenile Court Law.
                                                                 D067159
THE PEOPLE,

         Plaintiff and Respondent,                               (Super. Ct. No. J234699)

         v.

LUIS E.,

         Defendant and Appellant.

         APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Robert J.

Trentacosta, Judge. Affirmed.

         Reed Webb, under appointment by the Court of Appeal, for Defendant and

Respondent.

         Kamala D. Harris, Attorney General, Julie L. Garland, Assistant Attorney General,

Eric A. Swenson and Daniel Hilton, Deputy Attorneys General, for Plaintiff and

Respondent.
                                      BACKGROUND

       At approximately 5:20 p.m. on August 28, 2014, uniformed San Diego Police

Officer Zach Pfannenstiel was on patrol with another officer, in a marked patrol car, in

the area of 32nd and Commercial in San Diego. They were assigned to the gang

suppression team, which was conducting "saturation patrol, fourth amendment waivers,

[and] probation searches," in certain areas of the city, including the area around 32nd and

Commercial. Pfannenstiel regarded the area as a problem area because of people

drinking and smoking on the trolley platforms, and because citizens had asked the police

to specifically monitor the local trolley stops and platforms. Pfannenstiel knew those

particular stairs were a "hangout" and they often checked the stairway to see whether

there were individuals sitting in the middle of the stairs, blocking pedestrian traffic.

       As he was patrolling, Pfannenstiel saw three individuals sitting in the middle of

the stairway that connects the Imperial Avenue sidewalk and the raised trolley platform.

The three individuals appeared young, between the ages of 17 to 20 years old. They were

blocking the stairway and smoking. There was no ashtray located near the three

individuals. There was graffiti located nearby.

       Pfannenstiel was aware there was a municipal code section stating individuals

were not allowed to block a sidewalk to pedestrian traffic, and he was also aware that

smoking on the stairs violated Vehicle Code section 23111. He decided to investigate

what could be possible violations of those offenses. Pfannenstiel's partner made a U-turn

and parked their patrol car near the stairs.

       As soon as they saw the patrol car park at the curb near the bottom of the stairs,

the three individuals ran up the stairs and onto the raised trolley platform. Both officers
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yelled for them to stop and when they ignored the officers' orders, the officers pursued

them. Two of the three individuals were caught and detained by the officers. Jonathan

Deguzman, a third officer who arrived at the scene, caught up with and detained

appellant. He handcuffed appellant. He told appellant he was not under arrest but

Deguzman patted appellant down for weapons. No weapons were found. After a record

check revealed appellant was a juvenile on probation, he was searched. In appellant's

right front pants pocket Pfannenstiel found a battery powered etching tool. It was a

metal, handheld device that could be used to etch items like mirrors and windows. The

device was sharpened and in working order. Pfannensteil was able to use it to etch a line

on handcuffs. The officers knew the device was illegal. Appellant generally admitted the

device was illegal but did not know why he had it.

       The San Diego County District Attorney's Office filed a delinquency petition

alleging that appellant came within the provision of Welfare and Institutions Code section

602, subdivision (a), in that he committed two felonies, i.e., delaying a public officer in

the discharge of his duties in violation of Penal Code1 section 148 (count 1); and

possession of a masonry and glass drill bit with the intent to commit vandalism or graffiti

in violation of section 594.2, subdivision (a) (count 2).

       On November 20, 2014, the juvenile court denied appellant's motion to suppress

and sustained as true the allegations in counts 1 and 2. Appellant was declared a ward of

the court pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 726, subdivision (a)(3). He

was committed to the Breaking Cycles program for a period not to exceed eight months.

       Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal.

1      Unless otherwise specified all further references will be to the Penal Code.
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                                      DISCUSSION

       Appellant's sole argument on appeal is that the officers had no legal justification to

detain him. We disagree.

       Whether a seizure is proper is a mixed question of law and fact. We review the

findings of fact under the substantial evidence standard and then decide the ultimate

question of constitutionality de novo. (People v. Zamudio (2008) 43 Cal.4th 327, 342.)

Under this standard we must uphold the trial court's express and implied factual findings

which are supported by substantial evidence. (People v. Lawler (1973) 9 Cal.3d 156,

160.) We then independently evaluate as a question of law, whether the seizure or search

conforms to the constitutional standard of reasonableness. (People v. Glaser (1995) 11

Cal.4th 354, 362.)

       The facts of this case are not complicated. The officers were patrolling a problem

area involving gang activity. When they saw appellant, he was with two companions,

they appeared between the ages of 17 and 20. The three of them were sitting as a group,

blocking a pedestrian access to the trolley platform, which the officers believed in effect

was tantamount to blocking the sidewalk. This was a violation of San Diego Municipal

Code section 52.53. The three also appeared to be smoking and flicking ashes onto the

area next to the street, a violation of Vehicle Code section 23111, which prohibits

discarding ash onto "any road or highway or adjoining area." As soon as the appellant

and his two companions saw the officers park their car, they ran.

       The court determined the detention and arrest of appellant did not violate his

Fourth Amendment rights. He fully set forth the basis for his decision. As he stated,

when the officers pulled up, they saw appellant and his companions, who appeared to be
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minors, smoking and depositing ash. The officers were patrolling a high crime area. The

officers then attempted to contact and investigate. They were not able to do this because

once they were seen by appellant and his companions they ran from the area despite

direct orders to stop. Once appellant and his companions were apprehended and it was

discovered he was on probation he was searched and the engraving tool was found.

       We conclude the evidence presented provides substantial evidence to support the

factual findings of the trial court. We likewise independently agree with the legal

conclusion reached by the trial court. There was no violation of appellant's Fourth

Amendment rights.

       Contrary to appellant's argument on appeal, he was not simply sitting on a

stairway. He and his companions were blocking a pedestrian stairway in a high crime

area. This activity was one specifically complained of by the public and known as a

problem by the officers. Given their apparent youth and the appearance that in addition

to blocking public access they were smoking and depositing ash in the area, in violation

of the law, the officers were justified in making an investigatory stop. We conclude the

totality of facts known to the officers and their experience in the particular high crime

area provided objective manifestation criminal activity was afoot. (Terry v. Ohio (1968)

392 U.S. 1.)

       In the process of beginning the investigatory stop, appellant and his companions

fled. Although appellant is correct that individuals stopped by the police may elect to go

about their business, unprovoked flight may be indicative of consciousness of guilt, and

serve as a key factor in detaining the subject. (In re H.M. (2008) 167 Cal.App.4th 136,

145; People v. Osborne (2009) 175 Cal.App.4th 1052, 1057-1058.) The flight here
                                              5
prevented the officers from conducting a justifiable contact to determine the degree to

which the juveniles were engaging in illegal activity. Because the police inquiry into

appellant's activities was proper, the attempt to avoid or delay the investigation amounted

to illegal delay of the officers' discharge of their duties. (See People v. Allen (1980) 109

Cal.App.3d 981, 985-986.)

       We are not convinced by appellant's argument that the officers could not detain

him unless they knew for certain that he was under the age of 18. Appellant was detained

in large part because he fled from the officers, who were acting in the proper discharge of

their duties.

                                      DISPOSITION

       The judgment is affirmed.

                                                                       BENKE, Acting P. J.
WE CONCUR:

McDONALD, J.

IRION, J.

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