On or about March 17, 2026, at approximately 4:20 P.M., detectives with the Rochester Police Department were driving in an unmarked squad near the intersection of 16th Street NE and Broadway Avenue N, in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota, when they observed Cody Allen Ambrose, [DOB REDACTED] (hereinafter “Defendant) driving a vehicle south on Broadway Avenue. Detectives knew Defendant’s driver’s license status was canceled – inimical to public safety based on very recent prior professional contacts.
Detectives followed Defendant as they called for marked units to perform a traffic stop. While following Defendant, detectives observed Defendant pull into an alleyway in the 200 block of 16th Street NE. While in the alleyway, detectives observed Defendant engage in a suspected hand-to-hand drug transaction with an unknown person. Defendant then drove to a parking lot in the 2800 block of Broadway Avenue N. At that time, marked squad cars arrived and conducted a traffic stop on Defendant. Det. Matz approached the front of Defendant’s vehicle as the traffic stop was being made and observed Defendant quickly hand the passenger a large ziplock bag.
The passenger was then observed trying to hide the bag behind her back. Defendant and the passenger were removed from the vehicle. Defendant was placed under arrest for DAC-IPS violation. Det. Herman observed the large plastic bag Defendant had handed to the passenger on the floorboard of the vehicle. The bag appeared to have a white chalky substance inside believed to be fentanyl. Also observed on the floorboard was a bag that contained a large crystal-like rock believed to be methamphetamine. A vehicle search was conducted and the bags were collected.
The suspected fentanyl field tested positive and weighed 64.9 grams with packaging. The suspected methamphetamine also field tested positive and weighed 36.4 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.
