On November 14, 2025, at 12:27 P.M., Deputy Micka of the Wright County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report from a pipeline company regarding a disorderly male who was throwing traffic cones into the road in the City of Delano, Wright County, Minnesota. Deputy Micka arrived at the scene and observed a male, later identified as Erik Michael Vanderlinden [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter Defendant, arrive back at the scene in a Dodge Grand Caravan, hereinafter vehicle, bearing Minnesota license plate [PLATE REDACTED], and pull into Defendant’s property.
Constructions workers informed Deputy Micka that Defendant had been disorderly, threw traffic cones, and threatened to return and shoot every construction worker. Other deputies arrived at the scene to assist. Construction workers told Deputy Broekema that Defendant threatened to return to the scene and shoot the workers in the face. Deputy Micka spoke with Defendant. Defendant was irate and vulgar towards the construction workers and deputies, and had an odor of marijuana and alcoholic beverage.
Defendant’s license privileges were canceled inimical to public safety. Defendant refused to participate in field sobriety tests or a preliminary breath test. When Defendant was advised he was under arrest, Defendant refused handcuffing and physically resisted arrest to the point that a taser was deployed to gain control of Defendant. A search of Defendant’s vehicle yielded a small amount of material consistent with marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia, and an unopened THC beverage. A partially consumed bottle of vodka was found in Defendant's cooler.
Defendant was transported to the Wright County Jail. During transport, Defendant damaged the rear door frame, rear dome light, a vent cover, and the rear internal camera system of a squad vehicle. The cost of repair is estimated by law enforcement to exceed $1,000.00. Defendant made threats towards Deputy Micka, Deputy Micka’s family, and other deputies who were at the scene. While asking if Deputy Micka felt safe, Defendant pointed his fingers at Deputy Micka in a manner mimicking shooting a gun.
Defendant tried to stick his hands through the side of the cage to grab Deputy Micka's seatbelt. Some of Defendant's fingers reached the seatbelt but Defendant could not grip it. Defendant stated something along the lines of grabbing Deputy Micka's seatbelt and wrapping it around. A search warrant was obtained for a blood or urine sample from Defendant. Defendant was advised that refusal to test was a crime. Defendant claimed he would take a urine test. However, Defendant delayed submitting a urine sample and eventually emptied the powder from the urine collection bottle.
Deputies provided Defendant with another urine collection bottle and water. Defendant claimed he did not need to urinate but tapped his feet on the floor in a manner consistent with a person holding in their urine. Defendant thereby refused to submit to chemical testing. Defendant was previously convicted of Third Degree Driving While Impaired on June 26, 2017 (See Court File 80- CR-16-656) and of a qualifying prior impaired driving conviction in January 2016 from the State of Iowa.
