PEOPLE v. RONDON RONDON (2024)

Judgment of conviction (Shari Ruth Michels, J. at suppression motion; Frances Y. Wang, J., at plea and sentencing), rendered November 28, 2017, affirmed.

The suppression court, which adopted in part the findings of fact and conclusions of law made by a judicial hearing officer (JHO), properly denied defendant's suppression motion. There is no basis upon which to disturb the JHO's credibility determinations, which are supported by the record. The court properly found that, under the circumstances, the police did not stop or seize defendant's vehicle when they used a short blast of their siren to prompt defendant to move his vehicle, which was idling in the middle of the roadway at 3:10 a.m., with the engine and brake lights on, and partially obstructing traffic (see People v Farnsworth, 134 AD3d 1302, 1303 [2015], lv denied 27 NY3d 1068 [2016]; People v Wallgren, 94 AD3d 1339, 1341, n 1 [2012]; People v Hicks, 279 AD2d 332, 333 [2001], lv denied 96 NY2d 801 [2001]). The use of the short siren blast to alert defendant to the officers' presence, to prompt him to move his vehicle, and to allow traffic to flow was proper under the circumstances, and did not constitute a seizure (see People v Hicks, 279 AD2d at 332).

The officers subsequently observed defendant attempting to park in a space that was too small for his vehicle. When the officers pulled their patrol vehicle alongside defendant to tell him that he could not fit into the space, they observed defendant's bloodshot, watery eyes, and slurred speech. These observations provided police with reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle (see People v Parker, 197 AD3d 741 [2021], lv denied 37 NY3d 1098 [2021]). The additional indicia of intoxication exhibited by defendant following the stop provided probable cause for his arrest (see People v Johnson, 140 AD3d 978 [2016], lv denied 28 NY3d 931 [2016]).

THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.

Per Curiam.

All concur.