On January 28, 2026, at approximately 10:50 PM, Ofc. Slater of the Rochester Police Department was on patrol duty in the area of 16th Street SE and Broadway Ave. South. There Ofc. Slater observed a Honda Odyssey stopped at a red light. As the light turned green the vehicle attempted to accelerate and lost traction, spinning its wheels. Ofc. Slater then observed the vehicle cross the fog line and regained traction and accelerated north on Broadway. At the intersection of Broadway and 12th Street SE the vehicle drifted in its lane.
At the intersection of 9th Street SE and Broadway the driver signaled a right turn, but straddled the turn lane. Ofc. Slater initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle cracked his window a few inches to speak with Ofc. Slater. Ofc. Slater immediately smelled the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from inside the vehicle. The driver's eyes were droopy, watery, and his speech was slurred. The driver stated that he did not have any identification on him and identified himself by name and date of birth of a real person.
Jail staff later identified the driver as Abdirahman Mohamed Sufi ([DOB REDACTED]), Defendant herein. Ofc. Slater asked Defendant out of the vehicle to conduct field sobriety testing. During the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test, Ofc. Slater observed observed lack of smooth pursuit, distinct and sustained nystagmus at maximum deviation, and nystagmus prior to 40 degrees which indicated impairment. Defendant also swayed in place while the test was administered. Defendant refused further testing and refused to take a Preliminary Breath Test.
Defendant was placed under arrest. While being transported to the Adult Detention Center, Defendant became increasingly agitated. Upon arrival at the Adult Detention Center Defendant swore at Ofc. Slater and made comments about fighting Ofc. Slater and comments that Ofc. Slater deserved to be shot. Ofc. Slater attempted to read Defendant the Breath Test Advisory, but Defendant got continually upset, turned his back to Ofc. Slater, plugged his ears, and told Ofc. Slater that he did not want to speak to him.
Defendant desired to speak with an attorney and a phone and phonebooks were made available. Defendant did speak to someone on the phone and then eventually hung up. Defendant stated he was done with his attorney time. When asked if he understood the Breath Test Advisory Defendant said no, "because you are a b****." Ofc. Slater reiterated that refusal was a crime, but Defendant stated that his attorney told him it was not a crime. Defendant then gave Ofc. Slater the middle finger, turned his back, and would no longer speak.
Defendant has prior impaired driving-related loss of licensure from revocations from September 6, 2017, March 28, 2019, and July 16, 2019. Defendant is also currently charged with 1st Degree Driving While 3 55-CR-26-750 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 1/29/2026 Impaired in 55-CR-25-5673 relating to an impaired driving incident on March 13, 2025, resulting in another loss of licensure. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.49.
