M., Winona Police Officer (Officer) was on routine patrol travelling southbound on Ben Street in the City and County of Winona, Minnesota, when he observed a vehicle failing to signal a turn at an intersection and lane line violations. Officer observed the vehicle park in a driveway of a residence Officer knew to be associated with controlled substance related activity. Officer parked out of view of the vehicle a short distance away. A few minutes later, Officer observed the vehicle travelling southbound on Stone Street and began to follow the vehicle.
As Officer approached the controlled intersection at west Fifth Street, he observed the vehicle fail to use its turn signal to turn west. Officer continued to follow the vehicle and observed the passenger side tires touching or crossing over the fog-line. Officer then observed the vehicle cross over the solid white line to delineate the left turn lane at the intersection with Highway 14/61. Officer initiated a traffic stop. Officer approached the driver’s side window and identified the driver as Robert Lee Maringer Jr., [DOB REDACTED] (Defendant). Officer observed Defendant’s eyes were bloodshot and his pupils were pinpoint constricted.
Officer noted Defendant’s hands were visibly shaking as he retrieved his driver’s license and rental documents for the vehicle he was driving. Based on the driving conduct and his observations of Defendant, Officer requested Defendant step out of the vehicle because he believed he may be impaired. Defendant refused to exit the vehicle despite multiple requests to do so. Other Officers arrived at the scene to assist with the stop. Defendant was advised that if he didn’t exit the vehicle force would be used to extract him, which would cause damage to the vehicle.
Defendant continued to refuse to exit the vehicle. Officers then used a window punch to break the driver’s side window to extract Defendant. Defendant was advised he was under arrest. Officer escorted Defendant to the front of his vehicle and searched his person incident to arrest. Several items of note were located during the search: A small metallic cylinder containing a white powdery substance was in the front right coin pocket of his pants. The substance was field tested and indicated positive to the presence of cocaine.
Two green bendy straw segments with white powdery residue were in the front right pocket of his sweatshirt. Residue tested positive for cocaine. 3 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 11/10/2025 A set of brass knuckles wrapped in two black rubber gloves was in his back right pants pocket. Officers later observed what appeared to be blood on the latex gloves. Because of these findings, Officers searched Defendant’s vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, Officers found the following items: A clear Ziploc bag containing a 9mm handgun ammunition of various types/makes was in the center console.
