State Of Washington v. Tachelle S. Thomas, 73912-3

Officers Bennett and Stewart investigated a reported stolen GMC van parked directly in front of a residence known for prior stolen-vehicle and criminal activity.
The van was filled with property except the driver and front passenger seats; motorcycle helmets, gloves, and men’s and women’s clothing were visible.
Court paperwork found in the van bore the name "Shyla Gypin."
Thomas and a woman (later identified as Shyla Gypin) emerged from the residence; Thomas was wearing a motorcycle jacket.
Officers asked the woman her name and then asked Thomas for identification; dispatch confirmed outstanding warrants and Thomas was arrested.
A search incident to arrest produced plastic bags later confirmed to contain methamphetamine; Thomas moved to suppress, claiming the stop was unlawful.

Issue	Plaintiff's Argument (Thomas)	Defendant's Argument (State)	Held
Whether officers had reasonable suspicion to briefly detain Thomas under Terry	The facts observed (motorcycle jacket; presence with a woman; being at the residence) were innocuous and insufficient for reasonable suspicion	Officers had specific, articulable facts (stolen van parked at the residence, empty front seats, matching motorcycle gear, paperwork with Gypin's name, officers’ familiarity with area and gear) supporting a Terry stop	Trial court findings (unchallenged) supported reasonable suspicion; suppression denied

State v. Fuentes, 183 Wn.2d 149 (discusses Terry-stop reasonable suspicion standard and review of suppression rulings)
Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (establishes investigative stop (Terry) doctrine)
State v. Kennedy, 107 Wn.2d 1 (definition of reasonable suspicion as substantial possibility of criminal conduct)
State v. Tijerina, 61 Wn. App. 626 (holding that innocuous facts cannot alone support reasonable suspicion)
Mueller v. Wells, 185 Wn.2d 1 (unchallenged factual findings are verities on appeal)