Summary
noting attempt to pass counterfeit money, a description of the suspect by a storekeeper, and the key exhibit falling out of the suspect's pocket as supporting probable cause
Summary of this case from Rodis v. City and CountyOpinion
No. 71-2788.
June 6, 1972.
Leslie A. Kast, West Covina, Cal., for defendant-appellant.
Stephen V. Wilson, Eric A. Nobles, Asst. U.S. Attys., William D. Keller, U.S. Atty., Los Angeles, Cal., for plaintiff-appellee.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
Before MERRILL, TRASK, and GOODWIN, Circuit Judges.
In this appeal from a judgment following conviction for violation of 18 U.S.C. § 472 (attempting to negotiate and possession of a counterfeit federal reserve note), the only issue is whether the spurious twenty-dollar bill was, when found by an arresting officer, the fruit of an unlawful search. We hold that it was not.
The defendant was arrested in the vicinity of a store a few minutes after the storekeeper had called the police to give alarm concerning an attempt to negotiate counterfeit money. The defendant matched the storekeeper's description of the would-be negotiator, and a cruising officer stopped him in response to the alarm. The key exhibit fell out of defendant's clothing during a "pat-down" search for weapons. The arrest was based upon probable cause, and the incidental search was lawful.
Affirmed.