We granted the application of Jonathan LeRoux for an interlocutory appeal to consider the denial of his motion to suppress. He contends that the police lacked an articulable suspicion to stop his vehicle. We disagree and affirm. We must follow three principles when reviewing a trial court’s order concerning a motion to suppress evidence: First, the judge sits as the trier of facts. The trial judge hears the evidence, and his findings based upon conflicting evidence are analogous to the verdict of a jury and should not be disturbed by a reviewing court if there is any evidence to support it. Second, the trial court’s decision with regard to questions of fact and credibility must be accepted unless clearly erroneous. Third, the reviewing court must construe the evidence most favorably to the upholding of the trial court’s findings and judgment. Citations and punctuation omitted. State v. Hester , 268 Ga. App. 501, 502 602 SE2d 271 2004. So viewed, the evidence shows that a University of Georgia police officer was patrolling in the area of the university golf course at approximately 2:30 a.m. when he saw a car pull into the golf course driveway. Ordinarily the driveway is blocked by a gate about 30 yards from the main road, but the gate had been damaged by a car and was stuck in the open position. The golf course has posted signs to inform drivers that it is the university golf course and to indicate the location of various facilities. But no signs reading “no trespassing” are posted as that function is normally served by the gate. The officer had been instructed to patrol the golf course a specific number of times during the night shift because the golf course was having problems with crime after hours, including theft, vandalism, and poaching on the property.
The officer observed the car as it drove through the gate and proceeded all the way to the end of the driveway, “a little over a quarter mile.” The officer testified that many areas along the driveway, including the area outside the gate, were available for the driver to have turned around if he had made a wrong turn. As the officer followed the car, he saw it go all the way to the back parking lot, “go down, around, and then he looked like he did one full circle of the parking lot.” When the driver “was going for a second” loop, the officer stopped him because “he had no reason to be there and to be driving loops in the parking lot.”
