Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030 (Pa. 1992). · Go Syfert
Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030 (Pa. 1992). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
Quick Summary

Police lack reasonable suspicion for a stop when suspects in an illegally parked vehicle merely turn off a light and attempt to drive away upon approach (reasonable suspicion).

State troopers stopped a vehicle parked in a church lot at night after observing interior lights and occupants making furtive movements. The officers subsequently seized drugs from the vehicle. The question presented is whether the stop was justified as a traffic violation or an investigative stop. The court applies the rule that a traffic stop requires probable cause of a violation, while an investigative stop requires specific and articulable facts giving rise to reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. The court holds that the observed facts, including the vehicle's position and the occupants' movements, did not establish either standard. Consequently, the stop was unlawful, and the evidence obtained was properly suppressed.

382 citation events (202 in the last 25 years) across 13 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 1992 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
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Cited for
608 A.2d at 1031 Burden of proof for admissibility of evidence at suppression hearing56 citing cases“[W]here a - 13 - J-S31027-18 motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible”3 citing courts quote it · 55 listed here
  • Commonwealth v. Jackson, K., Aplt., No. 24 EAP 2022 (Pa. Sept. 28, 2023).published
    “by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible”
  • Commonwealth v. Price, N., Aplt., 284 A.3d 165 (Pa. 2022).published
    Commonwealth v. Ruey, 892 A.2d 802, 807 (Pa. 2006); Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (Pa. 1992).
  • Com. v. Barr, T., 240 A.3d 1263, 2020 PA Super 236 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020).published 2 cites
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (Pa. 1992) (citations omitted).
  • Commonwealth v. Santiago, A., Aplt., No. 1 EAP 2018 (Pa. June 18, 2019).published
    See, e.g., In re L.J., 79 A.3d 1073, 1085 (Pa. 2013); Commonwealth v. Hamilton, 673 A.2d 915, 916 (Pa. 1996); Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (Pa. 1992); Commonwealth v. Ryan, 407 A.2d 1345, 1347 (Pa. Super. 1979).
  • Commonwealth v. Kemp, 195 A.3d 269 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).published 3 cites
    Id. at 1031.
  • Com. v. Walker, R., No. 712 EDA 2017 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 23, 2018).unpublished
    “[W]here a - 13 - J-S31027-18 motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible”
  • Com. v. Young, M., No. 1782 EDA 2017 (Pa. Super. Ct. July 18, 2018).unpublished
    See generally Pa.R.Crim.P. 575(A)(2)(c), 578(3), and 581(D). " 'Once a motion to suppress evidence has been filed, it is the Commonwealth's burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the challenged evidence was not obtained…
  • Commonwealth v. Wiggins, 36 Pa. D. & C.5th 368 (2014).published 2 cites
    The burden of persuasion is there as well.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 581 cmt. (citing Miranda, 384 U.S. at 479 ). “[Butler] establishes a preponderance of the evidence as the standard of proof.” Pa.R.Crim.P. 581 cmt.; Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 2…
  • Commonwealth v. Howard, 64 A.3d 1082 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2013).published
    Our analysis of th[ese] questions] begins with the presumption that “[w]here a motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible.…
  • Commonwealth v. Dawson, 27 Pa. D. & C.5th 386 (2013).published
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301 , 608 A.2d, 1030, 1031 (1992).
Show 45 more citing cases
  • Commonwealth v. Berkheimer, 57 A.3d 171 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2012).published
    Our analysis of this question begins with the presumption that “[w]here a motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible.” Com…
  • Commonwealth v. Rosa, 21 A.3d 1264 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2011).published
    Our analysis of this question begins with the presumption that “[w]here a motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible.” Com…
  • Commonwealth v. Williams, 2 A.3d 611 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010).published 2 cites
    Consequently, our analysis of questions of suppression begins with the presumption that “[wjhere a motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evi…
  • Commonwealth v. Anthony, 1 A.3d 914 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010).published
    Our analysis of this question begins with the presumption that “[w]here a motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible.” Com…
  • Commonwealth v. Powell, 994 A.2d 1096 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2010).published
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992) (footnote omitted).
  • Commonwealth v. Basinger, 982 A.2d 121 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2009).published
    Our analysis of this question begins with the presumption that “[w]here a motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible.” Com…
  • Commonwealth v. Ruey, 892 A.2d 802 (Pa. 2006).published 2 cites
    “[W]here a motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible”
  • Commonwealth v. Hernandez, 892 A.2d 11 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2006).published
    Furthermore, while reviewing the ruling of a suppression court, our role is limited to determining whether the factual findings are supported by the record, Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992), and whether…
  • Commonwealth v. Hill, 874 A.2d 1214 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2005).published 2 cites
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301-02 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992) (footnote omitted).
  • Commonwealth v. Bryant, 866 A.2d 1143 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2005).published
    (foot *1146 notes and citations omitted)
  • Commonwealth v. Klopp, 863 A.2d 1211 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2004).published
    Commonwealth v. Lindblom, 854 A.2d 604 (Pa.Super.2004) (citations omitted) (holding officer’s observation of a vehicle crossing the center, double yellow lines on four or five occasions, at times straddling them, and crossing the berm four…
  • Commonwealth v. Lindblom, 854 A.2d 604 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2004).published
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301-02 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992) (footnote omitted).
  • Commonwealth v. Stevenson, 832 A.2d 1123 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2003).published
    Id. ¶ 13 In Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 302 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992), state troopers observed a car at night parked partially on a berm and partially in a church parking lot.
  • Commonwealth v. Mehlman, 59 Pa. D. & C.4th 277 (2002).published
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301-302 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992) (footnote omitted).” Commonwealth. v. Pitts, 740 A.2d 726, 729 (Pa. Super. 1999).
  • Commonwealth v. Keller, 57 Pa. D. & C.4th 429 (2002).published
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301-302 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992). (footnote omitted)” Commonwealth, v. Pitts, 740 A.2d 726, 729 (Pa. Super. 1999).
  • In the Interest of V. H., 788 A.2d 976 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2001).published
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992) (footnote omitted).
  • In Re V.H., 788 A.2d 976 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2001).published
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992) (footnote omitted).
  • Commonwealth v. Howard, 762 A.2d 360 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2000).published
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992); Commonwealth v. Johnson, 734 A.2d 864 (Pa.Super.1999).
  • Commonwealth v. Goodwin, 750 A.2d 795 (Pa. 2000).published 2 cites
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 302 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992). [2] Specifically, Goodwin was charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, corrupting the morals of a minor, and criminal conspir…
  • Commonwealth v. Wimbush, 750 A.2d 807 (Pa. 2000).published 6 cites
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 302 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992). [2] Although neither Appellant explicitly raises this claim under Article I, Section 8 of the Pennsylvania Constitution, both Appellants reference Pennsylvania cases th…
  • Commonwealth v. Pitts, 740 A.2d 726 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1999).published 2 cites
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301-02 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992) (footnote omitted).
  • Commonwealth v. Wilmington, 729 A.2d 1160 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1999).published 2 cites
    Commonwealth v. Graham, 554 Pa. 472, 475-477 , 721 A.2d 1075, 1077 (1998); Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 302 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992); Pa.R.Crim.P. 323.
  • Commonwealth v. Himes, 715 A.2d 1208 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1998).published
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 302 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992).- If the record so considered supports the trial court’s findings, we are bound accordingly, and may reverse the suppression order only if the court’s decision resulted…
  • Commonwealth v. Mendenhall, 715 A.2d 1117 (Pa. 1998).published 6 cites
    Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 301 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1031 (1992).
  • Commonwealth v. Carroll, 628 A.2d 398 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1993).published
  • Commonwealth v. Benton, 655 A.2d 1030 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1995).published
  • Commonwealth v. Simon, 655 A.2d 1024 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1995).published
  • Commonwealth v. Labron, 669 A.2d 917 (Pa. 1995).published
  • Commonwealth v. Evans, 661 A.2d 881 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1995).published
  • Commonwealth v. Pless, 679 A.2d 232 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1996).published
  • Commonwealth v. Peters, 642 A.2d 1126 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1994).published
  • Commonwealth v. Hamilton, 673 A.2d 915 (Pa. 1996).published
  • Commonwealth v. Strickland, 707 A.2d 531 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1998).published
  • Commonwealth v. Dennis, 612 A.2d 1014 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).published
  • Commonwealth v. Evans, 685 A.2d 535 (Pa. 1996).published
  • Commonwealth v. Ziegelmeier, 685 A.2d 559 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1996).published
  • Commonwealth v. Blasioli, 685 A.2d 151 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1996).published
  • Commonwealth v. Frombach, 617 A.2d 15 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992).published
  • Commonwealth v. Govens, 632 A.2d 1316 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1993).published
  • Commonwealth v. Romine, 682 A.2d 1296 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1996).published
  • Commonwealth v. Fox, 697 A.2d 995 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1997).published
  • Commonwealth v. Stroud, 699 A.2d 1305 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1997).published
  • Commonwealth v. Brown, 700 A.2d 1310 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1997).published
  • Commonwealth v. Williamson, 18 Pa. D. & C.4th 150 (1993).published
  • Commonwealth v. Bucher, 25 Pa. D. & C.4th 208 (1995).published
608 A.2d at 1032 Justifying a traffic stop based on reasonable suspicion17 citing cases“It is clear that a police officer may stop a motor vehicle if he or she reasonably believes that a provision of the Motor Vehicle Code is being or has been violated”2 citing courts quote it
  • Com. v. Morris, D., No. 1060 MDA 2022 (Pa. Super. Ct. May 3, 2023).unpublished 2 cites
    We find the Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030, 1033 (Pa. 1992), to be instructive to our present analysis.
  • Com. v. Rasheed, Z., No. 775 MDA 2021 (Pa. Super. Ct. Aug. 16, 2022).unpublished
    Order, 6/4/21, at 13 n.18. the scene when the police arrived, sufficiently justified the legality of the stop.” Id. at 1032, 1034 .
  • Com. v. Jones, C., Jr., No. 278 MDA 2021 (Pa. Super. Ct. Nov. 1, 2021).unpublished
    “It is clear that a police officer may stop a motor vehicle if he or she reasonably believes that a provision of the Motor Vehicle Code is being or has been violated”
  • Com. v. Stokes, M., No. 2123 EDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. Oct. 8, 2021).unpublished
    “a police officer may stop a motor vehicle if he or she reasonably believes that a provision of the [] Vehicle Code is being or has been violated”
  • Commonwealth v. Adams, E., Aplt., 205 A.3d 1195 (Pa. 2019).published 4 cites
    He cites to various cases from this Court and the Superior Court to support his position, but relies primarily on Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030, 1032, 1033-34 (Pa. 1992), as controlling.
  • Commonwealth v. Kemp, 195 A.3d 269 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).published 3 cites
    Id. at 1031.
  • Commonwealth v. Farris, 48 Pa. D. & C.5th 326 (2015).published
    Comm. v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030, 1032 (Pa. 1992); Comm. v. Talley, 634 A.2d 640, 643 (Pa. Super. 1993).
  • Commonwealth v. Barbati, 11 Pa. D. & C.5th 392 (2010).published
    Commonwealth v. Pless, 451 Pa. Super. 209, 212 , 679 A.2d 232, 234 (1996) (citing Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 304 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1032 (1992); Commonwealth v. Talley, 430 Pa. Super. 351, 356 , 634 A.2d 640, 643 (1993); Commonweal…
  • Commonwealth v. Novitzke, 11 Pa. D. & C.5th 201 (2010).published
    Commonwealth v. Pless, 451 Pa. Super. 209, 212 , 679 A.2d 232, 234 (1996) (citing Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 304 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1032 (1992); Commonwealth v. Talley, 430 Pa. Super. 351, 356 , 634 A.2d 640, 643 (1993); Commonweal…
  • Commonwealth v. Henley, 909 A.2d 352 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2006).published 2 cites
    Commonwealth v. Pless, 451 Pa.Super. 209 , 679 A.2d 232, 233 (1996), citing Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 304 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1032 (1992).
Show 7 more citing cases
608 A.2d at 1034 Flight alone does not constitute reasonable suspicion for stop10 citing casesWe would be hard pressed to find that flight, in and of itself, constitutes reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct.2 citing courts put it this way
  • Commonwealth v. Lewis, A., Aplt., 343 A.3d 1016 (Pa. 2025).published
    (We would be hard pressed to find that flight, in and of itself, constitutes reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct.)
  • Commonwealth v. Adams, E., Aplt., 205 A.3d 1195 (Pa. 2019).published 4 cites
    He cites to various cases from this Court and the Superior Court to support his position, but relies primarily on Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030, 1032, 1033-34 (Pa. 1992), as controlling.
  • Commonwealth v. Kemp, 195 A.3d 269 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2018).published 3 cites
    Id. at 1031.
  • In the Interest of: J.S., a Minor, No. 1996 EDA 2016 (Pa. Super. Ct. May 4, 2018).unpublished
    (flight, in and of itself, does not constitute reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct to justify stop)
  • Commonwealth v. Chambers, 55 A.3d 1208 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2012).published
    Commonwealth v. McClease, 750 A.2d 320, 326 (Pa.Super.2000) (quoting Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299, 308 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1034 (1992)).
  • Commonwealth v. Reppert, 814 A.2d 1196 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2002).published 16 cites
    See Sierra, 723 A.2d at 647 ; Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1033 (1992); McClease, 750 A.2d at 326 ; DeHart, 745 A.2d at 637 . ¶ 19 In Sierra , our Supreme Court addressed the legality of a motor vehicle search follo…
  • Commonwealth v. Williamson, 18 Pa. D. & C.4th 150 (1993).published
  • In Re D.M., 743 A.2d 422 (Pa. 1999).published
  • Com. v. Seals, D., No. 1352 MDA 2017 (Pa. Super. Ct. Nov. 30, 2018).unpublished
  • In the Interest of D.M., 743 A.2d 422 (Pa. 1999).published
608 A.2d at 1033 Position of parked vehicles near highway shoulder4 citing casesvehicle’s right-hand wheels were parked very close to berm or shoulder1 citing court put it this way
  • Com. v. Morris, D., No. 1060 MDA 2022 (Pa. Super. Ct. May 3, 2023).unpublished 2 cites
    We find the Supreme Court’s decision in Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 608 A.2d 1030, 1033 (Pa. 1992), to be instructive to our present analysis.
  • Com. v. Burch, R., No. 881 WDA 2020 (Pa. Super. Ct. May 7, 2021).unpublished
    (vehicle’s right-hand wheels were parked very close to berm or shoulder)
  • Commonwealth v. Reppert, 814 A.2d 1196 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2002).published 16 cites
    See Sierra, 723 A.2d at 647 ; Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1033 (1992); McClease, 750 A.2d at 326 ; DeHart, 745 A.2d at 637 . ¶ 19 In Sierra , our Supreme Court addressed the legality of a motor vehicle search follo…
  • Commonwealth v. Williamson, 18 Pa. D. & C.4th 150 (1993).published
530 Pa. at 302 “furtive movements and suspicious movements as if they were trying to hide something.”3 citing cases2 citing courts quote it
  • Commonwealth v. Reppert, 814 A.2d 1196 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2002).published 16 cites
    See Sierra, 723 A.2d at 647 ; Commonwealth v. DeWitt, 530 Pa. 299 , 608 A.2d 1030, 1033 (1992); McClease, 750 A.2d at 326 ; DeHart, 745 A.2d at 637 . ¶ 19 In Sierra , our Supreme Court addressed the legality of a motor vehicle search follo…
  • Commonwealth v. Romine, 682 A.2d 1296 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1996).published
  • Com. v. Noel, M., No. 1087 EDA 2014 (Pa. Super. Ct. June 17, 2015).unpublished
530 Pa. at 304 “it is clear that a police officer may stop a motor vehicle if he or she reasonably believes that a provision of the motor vehicle code is being or has been violated.”0 citing cases2 citing courts quote it
    Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
    COMMONWEALTH of Pennsylvania, Appellee,
    v.
    Tina Marie DeWITT, Appellant
    75 E.D. Appeal Docket 1991.
    Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
    May 20, 1992.
    Published opinion
    608 A.2d 1030
    1992 Pa. LEXIS 340
    Michael J. Cammarano, Reading, for appellant., Jacqueline L. Russell, Asst. Dist. Atty., for appellee.
    Nix, Larsen, Flaherty, McDermott, Zappala, Papadakos, Cappy.
    Cited by 144 opinions  |  Published
    1 passage pin-cited by 1 case
    Pinpoint authority: bottom 82%
    Citer courts: Superior Court of Pennsylvania (1)

    Lead Opinion

    OPINION OF THE COURT

    LARSEN, Justice.

    This is an appeal from the Superior Court’s Order reversing a Schuylkill County Common Pleas Court’s Order, entered on November 16, 1989, suppressing the evidence of drugs and drug paraphernalia seized during an automobile search.

    We begin by noting that where a motion to suppress has been filed, the burden is on the Commonwealth to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the challenged evidence is admissible. Pa.R.Crim.P. 323(h). See Commonwealth v. Iannaccio, 505 Pa. 414, 480 A.2d 966 (1984), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 830, 106 S.Ct. 96, 88 L.Ed.2d[*302] 78 (1985). In reviewing the ruling of a suppression court, our task is to determine whether the factual findings are supported by the record. Commonwealth v. Monarch, 510 Pa. 138, 147, 507 A.2d 74, 78 (1986). If so, we are bound by those findings. Commonwealth v. James, 506 Pa. 526, 533, 486 A.2d 376, 379 (1985). Where, as here, it is the Commonwealth who is appealing the decision of the suppression court, we must consider only the evidence of the defendant’s witnesses and so much of the evidence for the prosecution as read in the context of the record as a whole remains uncontradicted. Commonwealth v. James, 506 Pa. at 532-33, 486 A.2d at 379; Commonwealth v. Hamlin, 503 Pa. 210, 216, 469 A.2d 137, 139 (1983).[1]

    The facts, viewed in light of the foregoing standard are as follows: On May 13, 1989, at approximately 11:50 p.m., while on routine patrol in South Manheim Township, State Troopers Reichert and Hartzel observed an automobile parked partially on the berm of the road and partially in the parking lot of St. Paul’s Church. The vehicle was faced in the opposite direction of travel. The vehicle’s interior lights were illuminated but the exterior lights were not. Trooper Reichert testified that he was concerned because he thought that the vehicle might be disabled, and also because he had received notice from St. Paul’s Church to check for suspicious vehicles. Trooper Reichert testified that in order to investigate, he pulled alongside the vehicle, whereupon the interior lights were extinguished and the four occupants made “furtive movements and suspicious movements as if they were trying to hide something.” (N.T. 10/6/89, p. 7). The vehicle then began to pull away from the scene. At that point, Trooper Reichert became suspicious of criminal activity and stopped the vehicle. As the officers approached the vehicle on foot, they saw, in plain view, containers of beer, a blue checkbook covered with a white powdery substance appearing to be cocaine, and a marijuana cigarette. Based upon a preliminary determination that[*303] illegal substances were present in the vehicle, the troopers asked the occupants including appellant, to exit the vehicle. The troopers then did a frisk of the individuals for their, the troopers’, own safety and also searched the interior of the vehicle. As a result of the search, the police found cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

    Appellant was charged with violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. Following a hearing on appellant’s omnibus pre-trial motion, the court suppressed the evidence of illegal drugs and paraphernalia. The suppression court found that the police officers were not authorized to make the stop of the vehicle either as an investigative or traffic stop because they did not have probable cause to believe a traffic violation had occurred or a vehicle or licensing provision had been violated, and there were insufficient facts to reasonably warrant suspicion of criminal conduct. This determination was based on the court’s findings that the only information available to the troopers was their observation of a vehicle parked in a church parking lot with its dome light illuminated and its outside lights extinguished, and as the troopers approached, the vehicle attempted to leave the parking lot. On appeal, the Superior Court reversed, 408 Pa.Super. 645, 588 A.2d 559, (Table) finding that the lower court’s summary of the facts was not supported by the record. This appeal followed.

    Appellant asserts that the suppression court was correct in suppressing the evidence based upon its conclusion that the police did not have sufficient cause to legally stop the vehicle. The Commonwealth argues that the police were authorized to make the stop as either a traffic stop or an investigative stop. We agree with the suppression court that “[i]n the instant case, there is no question that the state police did not have reason to stop the vehicle in question either as a traffic stop or an investigative stop____” The suppression court further stated that:

    [flor a traffic stop to be valid, the police officer must have probable cause to believe a traffic violation has[*304] occurred or a vehicle or licensing provision is being violated. Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106 [98 S.Ct. 330, 54 L.Ed.2d 331] (1977). For an investigative stop to be valid, there must be sufficient facts that when taken together, reasonably warrant suspicion of criminal conduct on the part of the occupants of the vehicle. U.S. v. Brignoni-Ponce, [422 U.S. 873, 95 S.Ct. 2574, 45 L.Ed.2d 607 (1975)].

    Suppression Court Opinion at 3-4.

    We find first that the stop in the instant case was not a valid “traffic stop.” It is clear that a police officer may stop a motor vehicle if he or she reasonably believes that a provision of the Motor Vehicle Code is being or has been violated. 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 6308; Commonwealth v. Elliott, 376 Pa.Super. 536, 546 A.2d 654 (1988). In an attempt to defend the propriety of the stop, Trooper Reichert stated several reasons which he believed justified the stop. He first testified that the vehicle had the appearance of being a disabled vehicle. This thought, however, should have been quickly dispelled when the car began to pull away. He also testified that the vehicle was parked facing east, the opposite direction of travel, and that in order to get there the car would have had to have travelled on the wrong side of the road, an obvious violation of the vehicle code. The car, however, could have arrived at its position via the parking lot, and since Trooper Reichert testified that he did not observe the vehicle being operated or violating any traffic law, his conclusion that the car must have been driven on the wrong side of the road is speculative. Trooper Reichert further testified that it would be a violation of the vehicle code to park on the roadway if the car had no purpose to be parked there and was not a disabled vehicle. There is no evidence in the record to indicate that Trooper Reichert had any reason to believe that the vehicle was parked on the road without a purpose, hence it was speculation that the car was parked without a legitimate purpose. Additionally, although Trooper Reichert claims that the vehicle was parked, he testified that he believed the vehic[*305] le’s engine was on. Therefore, he could not know whether the vehicle was momentarily stopped or parked. Finally, Trooper Reichert testified that the vehicle was trespassing on private property. The criminal trespass statute, 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 3503 provides in relevant part:

    (a) Buildings and occupied structures.—

    (1) A person commits an offense if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he:

    (i) enters, gains entry by subterfuge or surreptitiously remains in any building or occupied structure or separately secured or occupied portion thereof; or
    (ii) breaks into any building or occupied structure or separately secured or occupied portion thereof.

    (b) Defiant trespasser.—

    (1) A person commits an offense if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so, he enters or remains in any place as to which notice against trespass is given by:

    (i) actual communication to the actor; or
    (ii) posting in a manner prescribed by law or reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders; or
    (iii) fencing or other enclosure manifestly designed to exclude intruders.

    (2) An offense under this subsection constitutes a misdemeanor of the third degree if the offender defies an order to leave personally communicated to him by the owner of the premises or other authorized person. Otherwise it is a summary offense, (emphasis added). Appellant clearly was not in violation of subsection (a),

    since she did not enter or break into any structure or portion thereof; therefore, it is presumed that Trooper Reichert was referring to subsection (b), Defiant Trespasser. However, there was no evidence that appellant knew she was not privileged to be in the church parking lot and no testimony that “notice against trespass” was given to appellant; thus, there was no violation of the statute.

    Although not mentioned by Trooper Reichert as a reason for the stop, the Commonwealth cited § 3354 of the Vehicle[*306] Code to support its argument that the trooper had probable cause to stop the vehicle for violating the vehicle code. Section 3354 states, in relevant part:

    § 3354 Additional Parking Regulations
    (а) Two-way highways. — Except as otherwise provided in this section, every vehicle standing or parked upon a two-way highway shall be positioned parallel to and with the right-hand wheels within 12 inches of the right-hand curb or, in the absence of a curb, as close as practicable to the right edge of the right-hand shoulder.

    75 Pa.C.S.A. § 3354.

    The acts described by Trooper Reichert do not constitute a violation of § 3354, based upon evidence that the vehicle in the instant case was parked with its right-hand wheels very close to the berm or shoulder, and nothing in this section specifies the direction in which the vehicle must face.

    It appears that the theories advanced by Trooper Reichert and the Commonwealth are after the fact justifications, rather than valid reasons for the stop. Hence, we find that at the time of the stop, Trooper Reichert did not have probable cause to carry out a lawful traffic stop.

    [б] The record also reflects insufficient evidence to justify an “investigative stop,” even though less than probable cause would suffice to render the stop lawful. In Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S.Ct. 1868, 20 L.Ed.2d 889 (1968), the United States Supreme Court recognized that certain investigative seizures of an individual need not be supported by probable cause. In Terry, the Court held that a stop for investigatory purposes is justified if the police officer observes unusual conduct which leads him or her reasonably to conclude in light of his or her experience that criminal activity may be afoot. Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. at 30, 88 S.Ct. at 1884. The officer must be able to point to specific and articulable facts which give rise to a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity. Id. at 21-22, 88 S.Ct. at 1879-81. In Commonwealth v. Lovette, 498 Pa. 665, 450 A.2d 975 (1982), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 1178, 103 S.Ct. 830, 74 L.Ed.2d[*307] 1025 (1983), this Court stated that Terry and its progeny recognize “that some seizures admittedly covered by the Fourth Amendment constitute such limited intrusions on the personal security of those detained and are justified by such substantial law enforcement interests that they may be made on less than probable cause, so long as the police have an articulable basis for suspecting criminal activity.” Commonwealth v. Lovette, 498 Pa. at 673, 450 A.2d at 979 (1982), quoting Michigan v. Summers, 452 U.S. 692, 699, 101 S.Ct. 2587, 2592, 69 L.Ed.2d 340 (1981). Even with this lower standard, we are unable to conclude that the police officers, in this case, had sufficient information to reasonably suspect that criminal activity may have been afoot. The Superior Court stated that:

    [t]he vehicle’s interior lights were on, and the exterior lights were extinguished. When the officers approached, the interior lights were also extinguished, and the car began to move. The troopers also observed a series of furtive movements, leading them to suspect that the passengers were attempting to hide something. The combination of furtive movements, time of night, previous notice from the property owner, potential parking violation, and attempted movement from the scene when the police arrived, sufficiently justified the legality of the stop.

    Superior Court Opinion at 8.

    We find this conclusion unsupported by the record. Although the police had previous notice from the property owner of criminal behavior in the church parking lot,[2] there was absolutely no evidence that the vehicle in question was engaged in the type of activity complained of. Additionally, this Court has held that flight, in and of itself, does not constitute probable cause to arrest. Commonwealth v. Jeffries, 454 Pa. 320, 323, 311 A.2d 914, 916 (1973). We[*308] would be hard pressed to find that flight, in and of itself, constitutes reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct. Based upon the remaining facts, we find that there was insufficient evidence to make an investigatory stop.

    We hold, therefore, that the police did not have either probable cause to believe a traffic violation had occurred, or reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct to justify the stop made in the instant case, and the suppression court’s findings of fact are clearly supported by the record. Accordingly, the order of the Superior Court is reversed.

    McDERMOTT, J., files a dissenting opinion.
    1

    The only witness who testified at the suppression hearing was Trooper Reichert of the Pennsylvania State Police on behalf of the Commonwealth.

    2

    Trooper Reichert testified that “the police had received notice from St. Paul’s Church to check for suspicious vehicles, i.e., kids, underage drinking, laying rubber, doing donuts in the parking lot and that nature.” (N.T. 10/6/89, p. 5).

    Dissent

    McDERMOTT, Justice,

    dissenting.

    Trooper Reichert was not sitting in an arm chair “speculating” he was in a police cruiser on midnight patrol when he observed the facts so cogently summarized by the Superior Court.

    [t]he vehicle’s interior lights were on, and the exterior lights were extinguished. When the officers approached, the interior lights were also extinguished, and the car began to move. The troopers also observed a series of furtive movements, leading them to suspect that the passengers were attempting to hide something. The combination of furtive movements, time of night, previous notice from the property owner, potential parking violation, and attempted movement from the scene when the police arrived, sufficiently justified the legality of the stop.

    Superior Court Opinion at 8.

    These are facts which only ingenious gamesmanship can dismiss as insufficient for an investigative stop. The Majority, cool, speculative, safely distant, can always be wiser, more indulgent in their quiet lucubrations. Their adrenaline is controlled, their hearts ticking away on a soft afternoon. However, police officers who are patrolling the front lines of the battlefield of crime must contend with the realities of their environment, and must be free to read and

    [*309] react to those signs which their experience tells them portends felonious activity. See Commonwealth v. Cortez, 507 Pa. 529, 491 A.2d 111 (1985).

    I dissent.