Colorado v. Bannister, 449 U.S. 1 (1980), is a U.S. Supreme Court case concerning the automobile exception to constitutional protections against searches and seizures.

[1] In the early morning hours of October 15, 1979, a Colorado Springs Police Officer observed a blue 1967 Pontiac GTO automobile moving along a road at a speed above the legal limit.

Shortly thereafter, the officer heard a police radio dispatch reporting that a theft of motor vehicle parts had occurred in the area he was patrolling in his car.

The radio dispatch announced that a number of chrome lug nuts were among the items stolen, and provided a description of two suspects.

Because the respondent and his companion fit the description of those suspected of stealing motor vehicle parts, the officer immediately arrested both of them.