Opinion
September 30, 1993
Appeal from the Supreme Court, New York County, Richard Lowe, III, J., Daniel FitzGerald, J.
A police officer who knew the tenants of a drug-prone building properly approached defendant late at night to ask him why he was standing in front of the building with a bag in one hand and counting money in the other (see, People v Hollman, 79 N.Y.2d 181). When defendant fled prior to any questioning, the officers were justified in pursuing him (People v Leung, 68 N.Y.2d 734), and then had probable cause to arrest when defendant dropped two vials of crack as he fled. The hearing court properly found that the drugs were abandoned (People v Boodle, 47 N.Y.2d 398). We have considered defendant's other contention and find it to be without merit.
Concur — Sullivan, J.P., Carro, Kupferman and Nardelli, JJ.