People v. Reynolds

OPINION OF THE COURT

Louis B. York, J.

This case involves a "buy and bust” operation in Bronx County, New York, on November 26, 1986 in which the defendant was arrested and charged with loitering in the first degree (Penal Law § 240.36), and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (Penal Law § 220.16 [1]).

In a pretrial hearing held before me on June 22, 1987, the defendant moved to suppress the physical evidence seized, two vials of cocaine, as the product of a illegal arrest. The major question before the court is whether probable cause existed to arrest the defendant…