State v. White

The State appeals an order suppressing the contents of a cosmetic case containing cocaine found during a body search of Mr. White incident to his arrest. The issue presented is whether the evidence was properly seized incident to a lawful arrest, or alternatively, on the basis of inevitable discovery. We reverse.

On January 10, 1985, Officer Randy Chapman of the Wenatchee Police Department observed a vehicle crossing over the center line and proceeding through a red light without stopping. The officer stopped the vehicle and upon approaching the driver's window detected a strong odor of…