On or about January 7, 2026, at approximately 2:13 P.M., Officer Peterson of the Rochester Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for stop sign and turn signal violations near the intersection of 11th Ave. NE and 2nd St. NE, in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. Officer Peterson approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Bradley James Richards, [DOB REDACTED] (hereinafter “Defendant”) via Minnesota driver’s license. While speaking with Defendant, Officer Peterson observed signs of impairment and was going to have Defendant exit the vehicle to perform standard field sobriety tests.
Defendant stated, “f*** this”, put the vehicle in drive, and fled the stop. Officers did not pursue. Later that day, at approximately 9:55 P.M., detectives with the Rochester Police Department’s Criminal Interdiction Unit observed Defendant entering a hotel located in the 5700 block of Bandel Rd. NW, in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. Detectives located Defendant in the eastside stairwell and advised him he was under arrest. Defendant was carrying numerous bags at the time. Defendant tensed up and pulled away but eventually was taken into custody.
During a search of Defendant’s belonging incident to arrest, detectives located six separate baggies containing a white crystalized substance. The substances later field tested positive for methamphetamine and weighed 69.4 grams. Also located during the search of Defendant’s person was a pair of brass knuckles. Defendant was previously convicted of Controlled Substance Crime in the Second Degree – Possession on 04/08/2021 in Court File No. ••-CR-••-••••. 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.
