On January 21, 2026, at nine P.M. Chaska Police Officer Miranda was traveling northbound on Audubon Road near Chaska Boulevard, in the City of Chaska, County of Carver when he observed a small Chevrolet passenger vehicle traveling southbound with a bright light bar activated on the bumper. As the vehicle passed, the light blinded Officer Miranda’s vision. Officer Miranda estimated the light bar to be approximately three feet long. Officer Miranda turned around to follow the Chevrolet. While he was driving behind the car, he noticed it had a loud exhaust that made a crackling and popping noise that did not appear to be factory original.
Officer Miranda activated his emergency lights and conducted a traffic stop on the red Chevrolet Cobalt with Wisconsin plate AYB7608 near the intersection of Stoughton Ave and Riverview Road. Officer Miranda exited his patrol car identified the driver as Alex David Waldera, hereafter the Defendant. Officer Miranda explained his basis for the stop. The Defendant stated that he did not have fog lights and had been told the light bar was acceptable. The Defendant offered to unplug the light bar. During his initial contact, Officer Miranda observed the Defendant would occasionally avoid eye contact.
Next, when running the plate, Officer Waldera could find no registration results in the database, even after several attempts. As Officer Miranda was explaining that he could find no registration information on the Chevrolet, he noted When he noted that the Defendant’s forehead was slightly sweaty. The Defendant’s pupils were pinpoint, bloodshot, and watery. His skin appeared pale, with dark bags under his eyes and several red scabs around his nose. Officer Miranda asked the Defendant if he was taking any medication; he replied he was not.
Officer Miranda requested the Defendant remove his hat and Officer Miranda observed small sweat beads of sweat on the top of his head - unusual given the cold weather. Officer Miranda informed the defendant that he, Officer Miranda, had observed signs of drug use, and when asked, the Defendant stated he had “done a line of meth” earlier in the day. The Defendant also stated there was meth in the car. Officer Miranda requested that the Defendant perform field sobriety tests. The Defendant performed poorly on these tests.
A PBT test resulted in a.00 for the presence of alcohol. However, Officer Miranda requested to look into the Defendant’s mouth and then noticed several small heat bumps, also known as blisters. Based on my training and experience, I have learned that heat bumps are commonly caused by inhaling hot air from a pipe. The Defendant was placed under arrest for suspicion of driving while impaired. Incident to arrest, Officer Miranda found a small glass pipe with white residue in his sweater pocket. This type of glass pipe is commonly used to smoke methamphetamine.
