Pestilos vs. People PDF
Pestilos vs. People PDF
Pestilos vs. People PDF
Personal knowledge of a crime just committed does not require actual presence at the scene
while a crime was being committed; it is enough that evidence of the recent commission of the crime is
patent and the police officer has probable cause to believe based on personal knowledge of facts or
circumstances, that the person to be arrested has recently committed the crime.
ISSUE:
RULING:
With these facts and circumstances that the police officers gathered and
which they have personally observed less than one hour from the time that they
have arrived at the scene of the crime until the time of the arrest of the petitioners,
we deem it reasonable to conclude that the police officers had personal knowledge
of facts or circumstances justifying the petitioners' warrantless arrests. These
circumstances were well within the police officers' observation, perception and
evaluation at the time of the arrest. These circumstances qualify as the police
officers' personal observation, which are within their personal knowledge,
prompting them to make the warrantless arrests.
The records show that soon after the report of the incident occurred, SPOl
Monsalve immediately dispatched the arresting officer, SP02 Javier, to render
personal assistance to the victim. This fact alone negates the petitioners' argument
that the police officers did not have personal knowledge that a crime had been
committed - the police immediately responded and had personal knowledge that a
crime hadbeen committed.
chanRoblesvirtualLawlibrary