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The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Randy J. DUMBLETON, Defendant-Appellant.
On appeal from a judgment convicting him upon his plea of guilty of robbery in the first degree (Penal Law § 160.15[4] ), defendant contends that the police lacked probable cause to arrest him at the time that he was placed in handcuffs. At the suppression hearing, defendant contended only that he had been arrested without probable cause, without specifying that the arrest occurred when he was placed in handcuffs. Defendant's present contention therefore is unpreserved for our review (see CPL 470.05[2] ), and we decline to exercise our power to review it as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice (see CPL 470.15[6][a] ). Defendant also failed to preserve for our review his additional contention that the police lacked reasonable suspicion to place him in handcuffs in the attic and to hold him for a showup identification prior to arresting him (see CPL 470.05[2] ). In any event, that contention lacks merit (see People v. Cash J.Y., 60 A.D.3d 1487, 1489, 876 N.Y.S.2d 289, lv. denied 12 N.Y.3d 913, 884 N.Y.S.2d 694, 912 N.E.2d 1075). The information known to the police when they placed defendant in handcuffs and held him for a showup identification “supported a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity ․ [, i.e.,] that quantum of knowledge sufficient to induce an ordinarily prudent and cautious [person] under the circumstances to believe criminal activity is at hand” (People v. William II, 98 N.Y.2d 93, 98, 745 N.Y.S.2d 792, 772 N.E.2d 1150 [internal quotation marks omitted]; see People v. Booth, 61 A.D.3d 1330, 1331, 876 N.Y.S.2d 826). “Indeed, in conducting the showup identification, ‘the police diligently pursued a minimally intrusive means of investigation likely to confirm or dispel suspicion quickly, during which time it was necessary to detain the defendant’ ” (Booth, 61 A.D.3d at 1331, 876 N.Y.S.2d 826). We note in addition that “a ‘defendant's flight may be considered in conjunction with other attendant circumstances' in determining whether reasonable suspicion justifying a seizure exists” (People v. Pines, 99 N.Y.2d 525, 527, 752 N.Y.S.2d 266, 782 N.E.2d 62). The police had probable cause to arrest defendant after the victim identified him during the showup identification procedure (see People v. Santiago, 41 A.D.3d 1172, 1174, 839 N.Y.S.2d 369, lv. denied 9 N.Y.3d 964, 848 N.Y.S.2d 33, 878 N.E.2d 617; People v. Williams, 30 A.D.3d 980, 981, 818 N.Y.S.2d 694, lv. denied 7 N.Y.3d 852, 823 N.Y.S.2d 782, 857 N.E.2d 77).
Defendant failed to preserve for our review his contention that there was not a sufficient foundation for the admission of dog tracking evidence (see CPL 470.05[2] ), and we decline to exercise our power to review that contention as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice (see CPL 470.15[6][a] ).
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.
MEMORANDUM:
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Decided: November 13, 2009
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.
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FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
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