People v. Rodriguez

OPINION OF THE COURT

Jasen, J.

The question before us is whether, in the circumstances of this case, the courts below could properly conclude that a police informant was sufficiently reliable and was possessed of a sufficient basis of knowledge to justify the warrantless arrest of defendant based upon that informant’s tip.

This case arises out of a police investigation focused upon the Brown Social Club at 233 Eldridge Street in Manhattan, a gathering place thought by police to be a source of illegal narcotics. Detective William Burbage, a New York City police officer assigned to the United…