On January 27, 2026, at approximately 11:40 PM, Officer Cappelen and Officer Hershberger with the Rochester Police Department were patrolling in the area of 18th Avenue Northwest and 48th Street Northwest in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota, when they observed a vehicle with an inoperable taillight. They initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle, and Officer Cappelen approached the vehicle on the driver’s side. Due to the driver’s door window being inoperable, the driver opened the door to speak with Officer Cappelen.
After the door opened, Officer Cappelen observed burnt tinfoil and cut straws on the floorboard and in the driver’s door. Officer Cappelen knows these items are indicative of drug use or possession. The driver identified himself as CHAD LAWRENCE ROLES, [DOB REDACTED]. Roles stated he knew the taillight was inoperable. Officer Cappelen learned that Roles had an active misdemeanor warrant for his arrest, while the passenger, an adult male fully identified in police reports, had an active felony warrant for his arrest.
Officer Hershberger searched the passenger incident to arrest and located a residual amount of methamphetamine on his person. Officers searched the vehicle, and Officer Hershberger located a small bag containing a white substance he believed to be methamphetamine in the center console. Paraphernalia was also found throughout the vehicle. Roles stated the vehicle belonged to his father, but Roles was stopped in Olmsted County driving the vehicle on multiple occasions within the last year. The substance Officer Hershberger located in the center console tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine and weighed 0.7 grams with packaging.
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.
