On November 30, 2025, Officers Horton and Roline of the Rochester Police Department were on routine patrol in the area of 15th Ave SE in the City of Rochester, County of Olmsted. At approximately 11:12 P.M., they observed a vehicle heading northbound on 15th Ave SE with an inoperable rear license plate light. Officers ran the plate for the vehicle and learned that the vehicle was stopped on May 15, 2025, and the prior driver was Alfredo Escamilla Ramirez, who had a revoked license. Officers attempted to confirm whether Escamilla-Ramirez was currently driving the vehicle, but were unable to do so.
Officers pursued the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop at 6th St SE and 5th Ave. Officers approached the vehicle and made contact with the driver and sole occupant who was identified by a Mexican ID card as Alfredo Escamilla Ramirez ([DOB REDACTED]). While speaking to Escamilla-Ramirez, officers observed an open bottle of Modelo on the rear driver's side floorboard. Escamilla-Ramirez was asked to exit the vehicle and the following field sobriety tests were conducted: - Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus, which revealed four out of six possible indicators of impairment; - Walk and Turn, which revealed six out of eight possible indicators of impairment; - One leg Stand, which was not completed; - Preliminary Breath Test, which revealed a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of approximately 0.134. Escamilla-Ramirez was subsequently placed under arrest for driving while impaired and transported to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center (ADC). A search of Escamilla-Ramirez's vehicle was conducted, whereby officers recovered the open bottle of Modelo and found a baggie of suspected cocaine (a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance) in a white Styrofoam cup in the center cup holder.
Officer Horton, based on her training and experience, believed the substance to be consistent with cocaine. The substance weighed approximately 0.86 grams without packaging and tested positive for the presumptive presence of cocaine. At the ADC, Escamilla-Ramirez was read the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory and refused to provide a breath test. A subsequent review of Escamilla-Ramirez's criminal history revealed no qualified prior impaired driving incidents within the last 10 years. 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.
