A police officer, who possessed probable cause that a resident of a detached home had received possession of a stolen motorcycle, entered the driveway of defendant's home, and lifted a tarp to check on the vehicle's identification number (VIN). Regarding the conduct of the police officer:

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The officer's actions constitute a Fourth Amendment search because it involved physical intrusion into a constitutionally protected area (the curtilage of the home) to obtain information. The Supreme Court has held that the area immediately surrounding and associated with the home is part of the home itself for Fourth Amendment purposes, and officers typically need a warrant to enter and search such areas. Lifting the tarp to reveal the VIN was not something that could be observed from a public vantage point without physically intruding upon the defendant's property, thus a warrant would generally be required.

A Police Officer, Who Possessed Probable Cause That a Resident