People v. Waits

The People brought this interlocutory appeal after the trial court suppressed certain stolen property and a pair of pliers discovered on the floor of the appellee’s automobile and beneath its seat. We reverse the suppression ruling and remand for further proceedings.

At approximately 7:45 p.m. on February 11, 1977, Officers Mueller and Quinlan of the Denver Police Department were seated in their marked patrol car preparing reports and observing traffic. Their police cruiser, equipped with overhead red lights, was parked on an East Denver street, partially in the roadway and partially on the…