Judgment, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Frank Diaz, J.), rendered December 8, 1993, convicting defendant, after a jury trial, of murder in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in
The police officer’s actions in leaning through the window of the taxi to touch defendant’s chest were justified by the taxi having run a red light, defendant’s movements in the back seat, the officer’s observation that defendant appeared to be wearing a bulletproof vest, and defendant’s refusal to answer the officer’s question as to what he was wearing (People v Clee, 89 AD2d 188, 190-191, appeal dismissed 61 NY2d 899). When defendant, apparently realizing that the officer knew he was wearing a bulletproof vest, threw his hands to his sides in an attempt to conceal a bulge in his coat, the officer had a reasonable concern for his safety and thus a reasonable basis to search defendant (People v Clements, 88 AD2d 541, appeal dismissed 58 NY2d 821). Accordingly, defendant’s motion to suppress the gun found in his possession was properly denied. Concur—Murphy, P. J., Ellerin, Wallach, Rubin and Tom, JJ.