State v. Delossantos

The principal issue in this case is whether, under New York v. Belton, 453 U.S. 454, 101 S. Ct. 2860, 69 L. Ed. 2d 768 (1981), the hatchback area of an automobile is part of the “passenger compartment” and, therefore, within the scope of a search incident to the arrest of the operator. In an amended information, the state charged the defendant, Cesar Santiago Delossantos, with the crimes of unlawful possession and transportation of cocaine with intent to sell, in violation of General Statutes (Rev. to 1987) § 21a-278 (a),1 and possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle without a permit, in…