Court Opinion

ID: 4176784
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-06-12 18:16:04.405687+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:38:53.058753
License: Public Domain

J-S23038-17

NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT I.O.P. 65.37

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA             :      IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF
                                         :            PENNSYLVANIA
           v.                            :
                                         :
DUANE MARCEL HOLMES,                     :
                                         :
                 Appellant               :          No. 2485 EDA 2015

           Appeal from the Judgment of Sentence July 27, 2015
             in the Court of Common Pleas of Lehigh County,
            Criminal Division, No(s): CP-39-CR-0003636-2014

BEFORE: OLSON, SOLANO and MUSMANNO, JJ.

MEMORANDUM BY MUSMANNO, J.:                         FILED JUNE 12, 2017

     Duane Marcel Holmes (“Holmes”), pro se,1 appeals from the judgment

of sentence imposed following his conviction of receiving stolen property.

See 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3925. We affirm.

     On August 13, 2014, at approximately 6:33 a.m., the Upper Saucon

Township Police Department was notified that the burglar alarm for the

Verizon Wireless Store at the Promenade Shops had been activated.       The

responding patrol officers determined that the front door had been smashed,

and several thousand dollars’ worth of high-end electronics had been stolen,

including cell phones and hotspot devices.

1
 Holmes filed a pro se Motion for Withdrawal of Counsel on August 5, 2015.
The trial court conducted a Grazier hearing on September 16, 2015, and
subsequently granted Holmes’s Motion for Withdrawal of Counsel. See
Commonwealth v. Grazier, 713 A.2d 81 (Pa. 1998); see also
Pa.R.Crim.P. 121.
J-S23038-17

     At approximately 7:00 a.m., Whitehall Police Detective Jeffrey Bruchak

(“Detective Bruchak”) and Bethlehem Police Detective Chad Wasserman

(“Detective Wasserman”), members of the Lehigh County Auto Theft Task

Force, heard a transmission on the Bethlehem Police radio regarding a

burglary at a Radio Shack located on Stefko Boulevard in Bethlehem,

Pennsylvania.    At approximately 7:15 a.m., Detectives Bruchak and

Wasserman, in an unmarked police vehicle and in plain clothes, proceeded to

the area of 602 North Randolph Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania (“the

residence”). Detective Wasserman had previously received information from

Detective Edward Kazmierczak (“Detective Kazmierczak”), of the Teaneck,

New Jersey Police Department, regarding an investigation of similar crimes

in New Jersey, and identifying Holmes as a person involved in those crimes.

Detective Kazmierczak also told Detective Wasserman that Holmes would

likely be staying at 602 North Randolph Street.      When Detectives Bruchak

and Wasserman arrived, they observed a green minivan with New Jersey

license plates parked on the street, on the south side of the house, and a

black Lexus2 pulling up around minivan. Both vehicles drove away.

     Detectives Bruchak and Wasserman relocated their vehicle, stopping

about one block east of the residence, to set up surveillance.   At that time,

Detective   Wasserman    was   in    communication    with   Bethlehem   Police

2
  Detective Wasserman had previously driven past the residence and had
observed the black Lexus, registered to Holmes, parked in front of the
residence.

                                    -2-
J-S23038-17

Detective Jason Fulmer and Detective Sergeant Michelle Kott (“Detective

Sergeant Kott”) (collectively, “the Bethlehem detectives”), who were

reviewing video surveillance from the Radio Shack burglary.3                 The

Bethlehem     detectives   informed   Detective    Wasserman   that   the   video

surveillance showed a male throwing what appeared to be a hammer

through the door to smash the window.             The Bethlehem detectives told

Detective Wasserman that two males entered the store, carrying a crowbar,

a blue tote, and yellow bolt cutters. Additionally, the Bethlehem detectives

told Detective Wasserman that one of the males was wearing a black shirt

and camouflage pants; the other was wearing a camouflage jacket; and both

of their faces were covered. The Bethlehem detectives also told Detective

Wasserman that they could see a green minivan near the store.

        The black Lexus was parked in front of the residence by the time

Detectives Bruchack and Wasserman relocated their vehicle.                  Using

binoculars, Detective Bruchak observed two black males, who were wearing

light-colored t-shirts, in the backyard of the residence carrying a large blue

tote.   Detective Bruchak opined that the tote was heavy because the two

males appeared to be struggling to carry it.            The males entered the

residence carrying the blue tote. Several minutes later, Detective Bruchak

observed another black male, wearing a camouflage jacket, walk west on

3
  Detective Wasserman also communicated Detective Bruchak’s observations
to Allentown Police Detective Raymond Ferraro (“Detective Ferraro”), as well
as the Allentown and Bethlehem Police Departments.

                                  -3-
J-S23038-17

East Allen Street and enter the residence.    After several minutes passed,

Detective Bruchak observed a black male exit the front door, carrying a

dark-colored duffle bag with orange trim, place the duffle bag in the trunk of

the Lexus, and return to the house.     Detective Bruchak then observed a

black male exit the house, place a plastic garbage bag behind the front

passenger seat of the Lexus, and return to the house.

      Several minutes later, Detective Bruchak observed one of the males

exit the front door of the residence, and walk east on East Allen Street. A

second male subsequently left the house and walked in the same direction.

Detective Bruchak observed the green minivan pull up and park on the side

of the residence. According to Detective Bruchak, a black male exited the

minivan from the front passenger door, walked to the back of the house,

retrieved an item that was “long and rectangular in shape” and covered by a

white towel or blanket, and placed the item in the van. The minivan pulled

away from the house and proceeded west on East Allen Street. Detective

Bruchak then observed a black male exit from the front door of the

residence, get into the black Lexus, and travel west on East Allen Street.

Detective Wasserman informed officers in the Allentown Police Department

that the vehicles had left the residence. Detectives Bruchak and Wasserman

remained at their surveillance location for several more minutes to make

sure no one else came to or left the house.

                                 -4-
J-S23038-17

     At approximately 8:34 a.m., an Allentown Police Officer stopped the

black Lexus, which Holmes was driving, at the direction of Detective

Ferraro.4 When Detective Ferraro arrived at the location of the traffic stop,

Holmes was in the back seat of a police car. By looking into the window of

the Lexus, Detective Ferraro observed, in plain view, a camouflage jacket on

the back seat, on top of a garbage bag. A subsequent warrantless search of

the Lexus revealed gloves, head socks, a ninja-style mask, and a

camouflage bag with orange trim containing approximately 80 cell phones in

their original packaging.   The Upper Saucon detectives, who responded to

the Verizon Wireless Store burglary, confirmed that the recovered cell

phones had been stolen from the Verizon Wireless Store.

     Holmes filed an Omnibus Pretrial Motion, including, inter alia, Motions

to suppress physical evidence recovered from his vehicle and residence.

4
   At approximately 8:42 a.m., the minivan stopped at the Congress
Apartments, and the occupants fled on foot. At that time, Detectives
Bruchak and Wasserman left their surveillance location, and drove to the
Congress Apartments. When Detective Bruchak looked into the minivan’s
passenger side window, he noticed that the ignition had been punched out of
the steering column. The green minivan was registered to the New Jersey
Department of the Treasury, but had not been reported stolen at that time.
However, after being informed that officers found the minivan and the
ignition had been removed, the New Jersey Department of the Treasury
confirmed that the minivan had, in fact, been stolen from their lot, and gave
the detectives permission to conduct a search. A search of the minivan
revealed a white towel, broken glass, a yellow crowbar, a mallet, and orange
bolt cutters. Detectives Bruchak and Wasserman stayed in that location
until a tow truck arrived. Thereafter, Detectives Bruchak and Wasserman
briefly met Detective Ferraro at the residence, and proceeded to the vehicle
stop.

                                 -5-
J-S23038-17

Following a suppression hearing, the trial court denied Holmes’s Motion to

suppress physical evidence recovered from his vehicle, and, by agreement of

counsel,5 the trial court granted his Motion to suppress physical evidence

from his residence.

      On April 28, 2015, following a jury trial, Holmes was convicted of

receiving stolen property, graded as a felony of the third degree. On July

27, 2015, the trial court sentenced Holmes a term of 2½ to 5 years in

prison.   Holmes, through counsel, filed a timely Notice of Appeal. Holmes

filed a counseled, court-ordered Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b) Concise Statement of

errors complained of on appeal.    Holmes thereafter filed a pro se Concise

Statement.

      On appeal, Holmes raises the following questions for our review:

      1. Did the trial court err as a matter of law in denying Holmes’[s
      M]otion to suppress evidence seized from the search of his
      automobile[,] in violation of his state and federal constitutional
      rights to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures?

      2. Were [Holmes’s] rights under the Fourth Amendment to the
      United States Constitution[,] and Article [1], Section[s 8] and
      [9] of the Pennsylvania Constitution[,] violated when
      suppressed, illegally[-]obtained evidence was affirmatively used
      throughout Holmes’[s] jury trial to convict Holmes of [a] crime?

Brief for Appellant at 2.

5
  During the suppression hearing, the Commonwealth conceded that the
search warrant for Holmes’s residence was not supported by probable cause.
See N.T., 3/25/15, at 7.

                                  -6-
J-S23038-17

      In his first claim, Holmes argues that the trial court erred in denying

his Motion to suppress physical evidence seized from the search of his

vehicle (the black Lexus). Id. at 12. Holmes asserts that he was subjected

to an investigative detention without the requisite reasonable suspicion. Id.

at 13-15.6   Holmes claims that “there was no identification of Holmes as

having played a role in any activities described by law enforcement.” Id. at

22.

            In reviewing the denial of a motion to suppress, our
      responsibility is to determine whether the record supports the
      suppression court’s factual findings and legitimacy of the
      inferences and legal conclusions drawn from those findings. If
      the suppression court held for the prosecution, we consider only
      the evidence of the prosecution’s witnesses and so much of the
      evidence for the defense as, fairly read in the context of the
      record as a whole, remains uncontradicted. When the factual
      findings of the suppression court are supported by the evidence,
      the appellate court may reverse if there is an error in the legal
      conclusions drawn from those factual findings.

Commonwealth v. Arnold, 932 A.2d 143, 145 (Pa. Super. 2007) (citation

omitted).

6
  As part of a lengthy discussion regarding the search of the residence,
Holmes also argues that he was subjected to a custodial detention, without
the requisite probable cause, because he was held in the back of a police car
during the residence search.       See Brief for Appellant at 17, 20, 21.
However, the residence search is not at issue in the instant appeal, as all
evidence arising therefrom was suppressed during the suppression hearing.
Moreover, to the extent that Holmes challenges his detention during the
vehicle search, we note that detention in a police car, without more, does
not necessarily escalate an investigative detention into a custodial detention.
See Commonwealth v. Revere, 814 A.2d 197, 200-01 (Pa. Super. 2002)
(concluding that appellant was not subjected to a custodial detention, where
he was detained in a police car for a brief period of time, the officers did not
use force or restraints, and the transportation of appellant was supported by
exigent circumstances).

                                  -7-
J-S23038-17

      There are three categories of interactions between police and a citizen,

pursuant to Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution:

      The first is a “mere encounter,” which need not be supported by
      any level of suspicion.       The second is an “investigative
      detention,” which must be supported by reasonable suspicion.
      This interaction subjects a suspect to a stop and a period of
      detention, but does not involve such coercive conditions as to
      constitute the functional equivalent of an arrest. The third
      category, a “custodial detention,” must be supported by probable
      cause. The police have probable cause where the facts and
      circumstances within the officer’s knowledge are sufficient to
      warrant a person of reasonable caution in the belief that an
      offense has been or is being committed.

Commonwealth v. Randolph, 151 A.3d 170, 177 (Pa. Super. 2016)

(citations and some quotation marks omitted).

      Here, the trial court concluded that Holmes was subjected to an

investigative detention when police stopped his vehicle.     When evaluating

the legality of investigative detentions, Pennsylvania has adopted the

holding of Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968), wherein the United States

Supreme Court held that police may conduct an investigative detention if

they have reasonable suspicion that criminal activity is afoot.

      Our Supreme Court has mandated that law enforcement officers,
      prior to subjecting a citizen to an investigatory detention, must
      harbor at least a reasonable suspicion that the person seized is
      then engaged in unlawful activity. The question of whether
      reasonable suspicion existed at the time of an investigatory
      detention must be answered by examining the totality of the
      circumstances to determine whether the officer who initiated the
      stop had a particularized and objective basis for suspecting the
      individual stopped. Thus, to establish grounds for reasonable
      suspicion, the officer must articulate specific observations which,
      in conjunction with reasonable inferences derived from those
      observations, led him reasonably to conclude, in light of his

                                  -8-
J-S23038-17

      experience, that criminal activity was afoot and that the person
      he stopped was involved in that activity.

Commonwealth v. Reppert, 814 A.2d 1196, 1203-04 (Pa. Super. 2002)

(en banc) (internal citations omitted). Additionally,

      [f]or a stop to be valid, someone in the police department must
      possess sufficient information to give rise to reasonable
      suspicion. The officer with the reasonable suspicion, usually the
      dispatcher, need not convey all of this background information to
      the officer who actually effectuates the stop. Thus, the police
      may justify the search by presenting sufficient evidence at the
      suppression hearing that someone in the chain of command had
      reasonable suspicion before the stop, even if the arresting officer
      did not.

Commonwealth v. Wiley, 858 A.2d 1191, 1197 n.4 (Pa. Super. 2004)

(citations omitted).

      The trial court considered Holmes’s claim, and concluded that the

vehicle stop was supported by reasonable suspicion, based on Detective

Wasserman’s knowledge regarding an ongoing investigation of Holmes’s

involvement in similar crimes, the description of the Radio Shack robbery

provided by the Bethlehem detectives, and Detective Bruchak’s observations

at the residence.      See Trial Court Opinion, 4/24/15, at 21-24.    The trial

court also concluded that the warrantless search of Holmes’s black Lexus

was supported by probable cause based on Detective Bruchak’s observations

at the residence (which had been communicated to Detective Ferraro by

Detective Wasserman), Detective Ferraro’s knowledge that a crowbar and a

mallet had been recovered from the minivan, and Detective Ferraro’s own

observations of a garbage bag and camouflage jacket, in plain view, in the

                                   -9-
J-S23038-17

back seat of the Lexus after the stop. See id. at 24-27. The trial court’s

findings are supported in the record.

      At the suppression hearing, Upper Saucon Township Detective Dane

Carroll   (“Detective   Carroll”)   testified   that   on   August   13,   2014,   at

approximately 6:30 a.m., the Upper Saucon Township Police Department

was alerted to the activation of the burglar alarm at the Verizon Wireless

Store at the Promenade Shops. See N.T., 3/20/15, at 45-46.

      Detective Wasserman testified that at approximately 7:00 a.m., he

heard a transmission on his Bethlehem Police radio regarding a burglary that

occurred at the Radio Shack on Stefko Boulevard. See N.T., 3/17/15, at 15-

16. Detective Wasserman testified that upon hearing the transmission, he

and Detective Bruchak proceeded to 602 North Randolph Street, based on

his work on an ongoing investigation with other agencies. See id. at 17-18.

Specifically, according to Detective Wasserman, Detective Kazmierczak told

him about recent “smash-and-grab” burglaries of cell phone stores in New

Jersey, identified Holmes as someone involved in those burglaries, and told

him that he believed Holmes would be staying at 602 North Randolph Street.

See id. at 17-18, 20-21, 22, 23-24. Detective Wasserman testified that he

had previously driven past the residence, and had seen a black Lexus

registered to Holmes, parked outside. See id. at 24-25.

      Detective Bruchak testified that he and Detective Wasserman arrived

at the residence, in an unmarked vehicle and in plain clothes, about 10 to 15

                                    - 10 -
J-S23038-17

minutes after hearing the radio transmission.    See N.T., 3/20/15, at 7.

According to Detective Bruchak, a green minivan was parked on the street,

on the south side of the house, and a black Lexus pulled around it. See id.

at 8-9. Detective Bruchak testified that both vehicles passed their unmarked

car, and he and Detective Wasserman subsequently relocated their vehicle

to conduct surveillance. See id. at 9-10.

     At that time, Detective Wasserman was in communication with the

Bethlehem detectives, who were reviewing video surveillance of the Radio

Shack burglary, as well as Detective Ferraro and the Allentown and

Bethlehem Police Departments. See N.T., 3/17/15, at 28-29. According to

Detective Wasserman, the Bethlehem detectives informed him that two

males entered the store by throwing what appeared to be a hammer through

the window, and that the men were carrying a large blue tote, bolt cutters,

and a yellow crowbar. See id. at 31-32. The Bethlehem detectives also told

Detective Wasserman that they could see a green minivan outside the store.

See id. at 32, 33. Detective Wasserman also learned that one of the males

was wearing a black shirt and camouflage pants; the other was wearing a

camouflage jacket; and both had their faces covered. See id. at 33.

     Detective Bruchak testified that, using binoculars, he saw the black

Lexus parked in front of the residence. See N.T., 3/20/15, at 12. Further,

he observed two black males in the backyard of the residence, carrying a

large blue tote toward the house. See id. Detective Bruchak noted that “it

                                - 11 -
J-S23038-17

looked like [] they were struggling to carry it….”   Id.   Detective Bruchak

then observed a black male walk west on East Allen Street and enter the

residence through the front door. See id. at 14. Detective Bruchak testified

that, several minutes later, a black male exited the residence, placed a dark-

colored duffle bag with orange trim in the trunk of the Lexus, and returned

to the residence.   See id.   Detective Bruchak also testified that, several

minutes later, the same male exited the residence, placed a plastic garbage

bag (which “appeared to have items in it”) in the back seat of the Lexus, and

returned to the residence. Id. at 15.

      Detective Bruchak testified that, about 10 to 15 minutes later, a black

male exited the residence and walked east on East Allen Street. See id. at

16. Several minutes later, Detective Bruchak observed another black male

exit the residence and walk east on East Allen Street.       See id. at 19.

Detective Bruchak testified that the green minivan, coming from the

direction in which the two males had just walked, returned to the residence

and parked on the south side of the residence. See id. at 19-20. Detective

Bruchak observed the front passenger exit the minivan and place a white

towel or blanket on top of something in the backyard, and then place the

item, which was rectangular in shape, in the back of the minivan. See id. at

23.   Detective Bruchak testified that the minivan then drove west on East

Allen Street. See id. at 24. Additionally, Detective Bruchak testified that a

                                 - 12 -
J-S23038-17

black male exited the residence through the front door, got into the Lexus,

and drove west on East Allen Street. See id.

      Detective Wasserman informed the Allentown Police Department that

the vehicles had left 602 North Randolph Street and provided their direction

of travel.   See N.T., 3/17/15, at 35.    Detectives Wasserman and Bruchak

remained at the residence for several minutes. See id. Detective Bruchak

testified that they heard over the police radio that the minivan had parked at

the Congress Apartments, and two males were seen fleeing on foot.        See

N.T., 3/20/15, at 26. Detectives Bruchak and Wasserman proceeded to the

Congress Apartments.     See id. at 26.   Detective Bruchak testified that by

looking through the passenger window of the minivan, he could see that the

ignition had been punched out.    See id. at 28.    Detective Bruchak stated

that the minivan was registered to the New Jersey Department of the

Treasury, but had not been reported stolen at that time.             See id.

Additionally, Detective Bruchak testified that the New Jersey Department of

the Treasury subsequently confirmed that the minivan had been stolen from

their lot and gave the detectives permission to conduct a search.     See id.

Detective Bruchak observed broken glass on the floor of the minivan, and

found a white towel, a yellow crowbar and orange bolt cutters. See id.

      Detective Ferraro testified that on August 13, 2014, at approximately

7:00 a.m., he received a call from Detective Wasserman, who advised him

of the Radio Shack burglary, and told Detective Ferraro that he was going to

                                 - 13 -
J-S23038-17

602 North Randolph Street to conduct surveillance. See N.T., 3/25/15, at

17-18.    Detective Ferraro added that he had spoken to Detective

Kazmierczak in February 2014, who told Detective Ferraro about an ongoing

investigation of Holmes in connection with smash-and-grab burglaries in

New Jersey. See id. at 19; see also id. (wherein Detective Ferraro testified

that Detective Kazmierczak had also told him that Holmes would probably be

staying at 602 North Randolph Street).       Detective Ferraro testified that,

throughout the morning, he was communicating via cell phone and police

radio with Detective Wasserman and other detectives.          See id. at 21.

Additionally, Detective Ferraro testified that, after being made aware that

the minivan’s ignition had been punched out, he made contact with the New

Jersey Department of the Treasury, which ultimately verified that the

minivan had been stolen from their lot. See id. at 23-24. Detective Ferraro

stated that he was aware that a crowbar and a mallet had been recovered

from the van.   See id. at 24-25.   According to Detective Ferraro, Holmes

was in the back of an Allentown police car when he arrived at the vehicle

stop of the Lexus.   See id. at 26-27.    Detective Ferraro testified that, by

looking into the window of the Lexus, he immediately observed a camouflage

jacket in the passenger side of the back seat, sitting on top of a garbage

bag. See id. at 26; see also id. (wherein Detective Ferraro testified that he

had information that one of the males involved in the Radio Shack burglary

was wearing a camouflage jacket).        Detective Ferraro also testified that

                                - 14 -
J-S23038-17

during the course of the vehicle search, the detectives found a large duffle

bag in the trunk, which contained approximately 80 cell phones in their

original packaging. See id. at 27-28. Further, Detective Ferraro confirmed

that the phones had been stolen during the Verizon Wireless Store burglary.

See id. at 29; see also N.T., 3/20/15, at 47 (wherein Detective Carroll

testified that he matched the serial numbers on the recovered cell phones to

the inventory list provided by the manager of the Verizon Wireless Store).

      Upon review, we conclude that the evidence of record supports the

trial court’s factual findings.   See Arnold, 932 A.2d at 145.    Detectives

Wasserman and Ferraro had both received information from Detective

Kazmierczak regarding an ongoing investigation of Holmes in connection

with a series of smash-and-grab burglaries in New Jersey.          Detective

Wasserman and Detective Ferraro were also aware that Holmes would likely

be staying at 602 North Randolph Street, and previous drive-bys confirmed

that the black Lexus was registered to Holmes.     Based on the Bethlehem

detectives’ review of the Radio Shack surveillance footage, Detective

Wasserman and Detective Bruchak were aware that one of the males

involved in the burglary was wearing a camouflage jacket; the suspects used

a blue tote; and a green minivan was parked outside of the store.

Detectives Wasserman and Bruchak arrived at the residence within 10 to 15

minutes of receiving the radio transmission. Additionally, while conducting

surveillance of the residence, Detective Bruchak observed two black males

                                  - 15 -
J-S23038-17

carry a large blue tote into the house from the backyard, before another

black male, wearing a camouflage jacket, entered the front door of the

residence. Officer Bruchak then observed a black male carry a dark-colored

duffle bag and a garbage bag to the Lexus.          Further, Officer Bruchak

observed two males place a covered object into the back of the minivan

before leaving. Finally, a black male exited the front of the residence, and

drove away in the black Lexus.           Thus, based on the totality of the

circumstances, we discern no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s

determination that Detective Ferraro had reasonable suspicion that criminal

activity was afoot at the time he ordered the stop of the Lexus.         See

Commonwealth v. Roman, 714 A.2d 440, 443 (Pa. Super. 1998)

(concluding that investigatory detention was supported by reasonable

suspicion, where, within minutes of receiving a tip that two individuals were

on a stolen bike, the police officer saw two individuals on a bike in that

location, and determined that the bike was stolen based on the serial

number); see also Wiley, supra.

     Moreover, after the initial stop of the Lexus, Detective Ferraro became

aware that the minivan had been stolen from the New Jersey Department of

the Treasury, and that a search of the minivan revealed a mallet, bolt

cutters, and a crowbar. Consistent with Detective Bruchak’s observations at

the residence, Detective Ferraro observed, in plain sight through the window

of the Lexus, a garbage bag and camouflage jacket. Therefore, we discern

                                - 16 -
J-S23038-17

no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s conclusion that the warrantless

search   of   the   Lexus    was    supported   by    probable   cause.      See

Commonwealth v. Gary, 91 A.3d 102, 138 (Pa. 2014) (holding that “[t]he

prerequisite for a warrantless search of a motor vehicle is probable cause to

search; no exigency beyond the inherent mobility of a motor vehicle is

required.”). Accordingly, Holmes is not entitled to relief on his first claim.7

      In his second claim, Holmes contends that the trial court erred in

allowing the admission of illegally-obtained evidence during trial. Brief for

Appellant at 26.    Holmes argues that the trial court improperly referenced

the blue tote found in his residence multiple times during his trial.      Id. at

28-29. Holmes claims that the Commonwealth also improperly admitted as

evidence video surveillance footage of the suspects carrying a blue tote, a

photograph    of    the   blue   tote   positioned   behind   reportedly   stolen

merchandise, and various items documented during the search of his

residence (i.e., a mallet, black head socks, and a ninja-style mask). Id. at

29.

7
  Holmes argues that the evidence recovered from the vehicle search should
be suppressed as “fruit of the poisonous tree,” resulting from the illegal
search of his residence. Brief for Appellant at 18, 26. However, we observe
the vehicle search occurred several hours before the search of Holmes’s
residence. Thus, the evidence recovered from the vehicle search did not
arise out of the illegal search of Holmes’s residence. See Commonwealth
v. Johnson, 68 A.3d 930, 946 (Pa. Super. 2013) (stating that “[a] fruit of
the poisonous tree argument requires an antecedent illegality.”) (emphasis
added, citation omitted).

                                   - 17 -
J-S23038-17

      Our standard of review concerning the admissibility of evidence is well

settled:

      With regard to the admission of evidence, we give the trial court
      broad discretion, and we will only reverse a trial court’s decision
      to admit or deny evidence on a showing that the trial court
      clearly abused its discretion. An abuse of discretion is not
      merely an error in judgment, but an overriding misapplication of
      the law, or the exercise of judgment that is manifestly
      unreasonable, or the result of bias, prejudice, ill-will or partiality,
      as shown by the evidence of the record.

Commonwealth v. Talbert, 129 A.3d 536, 539 (Pa. Super. 2015) (citation

omitted).

      Initially, our review of the record reveals that Holmes failed to object

to any of the references made to the blue tote at trial.              Additionally,

Holmes’s trial counsel specifically stated that he had no objection to the

admission of the other challenged evidence (i.e., surveillance footage, a

photograph of the blue tote, a mallet, and various masks).            Accordingly,

Holmes’s second claim is waived. See Commonwealth v. Molina, 33 A.3d
51, 55 (Pa. Super. 2011) (stating that “a defendant’s failure to object to

allegedly improper testimony at the appropriate stage in the questioning of

the witness constitutes waiver.” (citation and quotation marks omitted));

see also Commonwealth v. Pearson, 685 A.2d 551, 555 (Pa. Super.

1996) (en banc) (stating that “[f]ailure to raise a contemporaneous

objection to the evidence at trial waives that claim on appeal.” (citing

Pa.R.A.P. 302(a)).

                                   - 18 -
J-S23038-17

      We additionally note that, the challenged references to the blue tote

were made by Detective Bruchak, based on his personal observations while

conducting surveillance, prior to the search of Holmes’s residence.          See

Commonwealth        v.   Povish,    387 A.2d 1282,   1284-85   (Pa.   1978)

(concluding that, although certain items of clothing had been suppressed,

the trial court did not err in allowing the introduction of a copy of the police

report containing descriptions of that clothing, as reported by witnesses,

because “[t]here was ample evidence that the description of the clothing

worn by the perpetrator of the robberies had been ascertained from

independent sources prior to the illegal search.”).        Moreover, contrary to

Holmes’s assertion, the complained-of items were not found during the

search of his residence.    See N.T., 4/27/15, at 106 (wherein Detective

Sergeant Kott testified that she collected the hammer mallet from the

minivan); see also N.T., 4/28/15, at 38 (wherein Detective Ferraro testified

that the ninja-style mask and head socks were recovered from the Lexus).

Accordingly, the trial court did not err in admitting the challenged evidence,

and Holmes is not entitled to relief on his second claim.

      Judgment of sentence affirmed.

                                   - 19 -
J-S23038-17

Judgment Entered.

Joseph D. Seletyn, Esq.
Prothonotary

Date: 6/12/2017

                          - 20 -