People v. Jackson

HERNDON, J. After conviction of possession of marijuana, defendant appeals from the judgment and sentence, contending (1) that no probable cause existed for his arrest, and (2) that the evidence upon which conviction was based was illegally obtained and improperly received in evidence over objections.

On the night of September 7, 1957, Los Angeles Police Officers Moody and Scott, assigned to radio patrol duty, were patrolling a residential area in which numerous burglaries had been reported. At about 11:20 p.m. the officers observed appellant walking north on Central Avenue between 30th and 29th streets. Their attention was attracted to appellant by reason of the fact that he was carrying a gas can without a lid over the opening. The officers stopped him for question[761]ing and immediately observed a large bulge under his shirt. This bulge protruded out about 4 inches from the normal waistline. The officers investigated, suspecting concealed weapons, but found that the cause of the bulging shirt front was a rubber hose about 5 feet in length.

During the questioning appellant told the officers that his car was parked at a location approximately 10 blocks away, and that he was looking for some gas. No gas stations were open at that hour along the route appellant stated he had walked. Appellant admitted that he had no money and that he intended to siphon the gas (presumably from some conveniently accessible automobile). Thereupon appellant was placed under arrest on suspicion of burglary. It was of course a non-warrant arrest. A further search for weapons was made and in the course thereof officers found a three-quarter inch length of brown cigarette in a sewed-in pocket in appellant’s jacket. It was later determined that this cigarette contained marijuana. Appellant was taken to Central Jail where he stated to Officer Pinkston: “That roach I had was marijuana. I had just finished smoking part of it. I bought it for fifty cents from a girl named Katy at 23rd and Compton.” This statement was reduced to writing and was read and signed by appellant.

We conclude that the actions of the arresting officers in this case were entirely reasonable in the light of the circumstances under which they acted. Numerous burglaries had been reported in the immediate area. The hour was approaching midnight, and appellant was carrying an object which naturally attracted attention. As stated in People v. Simon, 45 Cal.2d 645, 650 [290 P.2d 531]: “There is, of course, nothing unreasonable in an officer’s questioning persons outdoors at night. ...” It is settled law in this state that a police officer has a right to make inquiry in a proper manner of anyone upon the public streets at a late hour in the night as to his identity and the occasion of his presence if the surrounding circumstances are such as to indicate to a reasonable man in the officer’s position that the public safety demands such inquiry. (People v. Simon, supra, 45 Cal.2d 645, 650; Gisske v. Sanders, 9 Cal.App. 13, 16-17 [98 P. 43]; People v. Jaurequi, 142 Cal.App.2d 555, 560 [298 P.2d 896].) In considering the question of reasonable or probable cause for action by the police, the court looks to the facts and circumstances presented to the officer at the time he was required to act. (People v. Paul, 147 Cal.App.2d 609, 617, 619 [305