McGriff

Shawn Depree McGriff appeals from the judgment entered on his plea of guilty to possession of base cocaine for sale. (Health & Saf. Code, § 11351.5.) He argues that evidence seized at the time of his arrest should have been suppressed. We disagree and affirm.

On August 16, 1988, at 8:05 p.m., Vallejo Police Detectives Liddicoet and Gardner saw two vehicles parked side by side facing in opposite directions in the middle of the street. The police were aware that sales of drugs between buyers in vehicles and sellers on the streets were common in that area. Several people, including appellant, were standing near both cars. Detective Liddicoet saw the people lean into the cars and observed an exchange of objects between the passengers and those outside the cars.

As the police vehicle approached, the cars drove away and appellant and some of the others fled through a nearby back yard. Believing he had just witnessed a narcotics transaction, Detective Liddicoet chased appellant. He could see appellant holding something tightly in his fist as he fled. Appellant was out of the detective’s sight for two or three seconds, but was apprehended when he reappeared. Liddicoet found a…