Following a stipulated bench trial, Perry Wayne Oglesby was convicted of trafficking in methamphetamine OCGA § 16-13-31 e. On appeal,1 Oglesby contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence since it was seized during an illegal detention. We discern no error and affirm. When reviewing a trial court’s decision on a motion to suppress, this Court’s responsibility is to ensure that there was a substantial basis for the decision. The evidence is construed most favorably to uphold the findings and judgment, and the trial court’s findings on disputed facts and credibility are adopted unless they are clearly erroneous. Further, since the trial court sits as the trier of fact, its findings are analogous to a jury verdict and will not be disturbed if there is any evidence to support them. Citations and punctuation omitted. Brown v. State , 301 Ga. App. 82, 82-83 686 SE2d 793 2009. So viewed, the record evidence shows that on the afternoon of March 9, 2009, an officer with the Clayton County Police Department was patrolling in a residential area when he observed Oglesby emerge from behind a vacant private residence. The officer was aware that the residence had been vacant for a while, stolen vehicles had been parked at the residence on prior occasions, and a murder had occurred at a location directly behind the residence. The officer was also aware of prior reports of vandalism and thefts of appliances and copper from other vacant residences in the area. The officer made contact with Oglesby, suspecting that he may have been engaging in criminal activity at the residence.
Oglesby appeared to be very nervous, but he agreed to approach the officer’s patrol car and answered the officer’s questions. In response to the officer’s inquiry, Oglesby informed the officer that he was coming from a nearby store, where he had purportedly purchased water, ice cream, and a sports nutrition drink. The officer noticed, however, that none of the described items were in Oglesby’s possession. Oglesby engaged the officer in a rambling discussion, advising that he had previously spoken with the officer’s commander and had been harassed by someone in a nearby apartment complex. During the conversation, the officer asked Oglesby whether he had any weapons in his possession. Oglesby responded that he did have a weapon and began to reach inside his back pocket. The officer stopped Oglesby from reaching into the pocket, and obtained Oglesby’s consent to a pat-down search of his person. During the pat-down search, the officer located a knife in Oglesby’s back pocket.
