(Editor’s Note: The following article was submitted by Big Lake Police Dept.)

August 25 at approximately 1:16 a.m. Officer Tyler Hecht and Officer Joe Kalla were dispatched to a local gas station. An employee reported a male had driven to the store and was currently inside. The employee reported the male appeared to be under the influence as he was not acting normal and appeared very “out of it.” 

Officers Hecht and Kalla responded to the location and the employee identified the male to Officer Hecht. Officer Hecht observed the male exit the store and hit his head on the door as he was exiting. The employee reported the male had driven to the gas station approximately 15 minutes prior to the officers’ arrival. He stated the male parked in the middle of the gas pumps for a period of time and then moved to a parking space. 

Officer Hecht approached the male, who was standing next to his running vehicle. Officer Hecht identified the male as Daniel Olson (Age 44 – Monticello). While speaking with Olson, Officer Kalla observed his speech was slurred, he was slightly swaying side to side, and he had poor balance. Officer Hecht observed Olson was sweating profusely, but denied using any drugs or alcohol. Olson told Officer Hecht he was tired. Officer Hecht asked Olson if he would submit to field sobriety tests to confirm he was ok to drive. Olson agreed. 

Officer Hecht admininistered field sobriety tests which Olson ultimately failed to adequately perform. Officer Hecht administered a PBT (Preliminary Breath Test) to Olson, which showed a reading of .156. Olson was placed under arrest. During the search of his person Officer Hecht located several vape cartridges that contained a waxy substance which Officer Hecht believed to be THC wax. The wax later field tested positive for marijuana. Officer Hecht also located a half-full flask, commonly used to hold alcohol. 

During the search of Olson’s vehicle, Officers located the following items:

• (2) plastic baggies that contained a substance, later field tested positive as methamphetamine and weighed 16.9 grams; 

• (1) baggie that contained a green leafy substance, later tested positive as marijuana and weighed 9.3 grams;

• (6) glass pipes, commonly used to ingest controlled substances;

• (3) open bottles of Crown Royal whiskey.

Olson was transported to the Big Lake Police Department where the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory was read to him. Olson supplied a breath sample which indicated an alcohol reading of .11. Olson was transported to the Sherburne County Jail.

Olson was charged by criminal complaint with; Felony Third Degree Possession of 10 grams or More of a Narcotic Other Than Heroin, Misdemeanor Fourth Degree DWI, Misdemeanor Possession of Maijuana in a Motor Vehicle, and Petty Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.