Michael Melvin Noland

On November 5, 2025 at just before 7:01 pm, Captain Cody Loewen of the Hibbing Police Department was on patrol parked facing south, running stationary radar on the 3100 block of 1st Avenue. Captain Loewen observed a red pickup truck leading several vehicles southbound on 1st Avenue passing by. Captain Loewen could hear one of the vehicles accelerating aggressively as it passed. The lead vehicle was gaining distance on the remaining trailing vehicles. Captain Loewen pulled into the flow of traffic and began monitoring the lead vehicle.

Captain Loewen observed the vehicle veer over the fog line several times. The vehicle was now approximately six to seven blocks in front of Captain Loewen. Captain Loewen was behind other vehicles now stopped at the 37th Street intersection at a red light. Captain Loewen observed the vehicle turn right (west) near Lucky 7. As Captain Loewen passed by the Star Motel, he observed the vehicle now parked as if it had just stopped making the loop through the parking lot. It was not parked as other residents generally park.

Captain Loewen stopped on 1st Avenue facing south, just passed the on ramp to Highway 169. Captain Loewen observed the truck exit the parking lot of the Star Motel, pull onto 1st Avenue and then into the Lucky 7 parking lot. Captain Loewen turned around attempting to locate the vehicle. Captain Loewen ultimately passed down 2nd Avenue West meeting the vehicle bearing MN Plate RYL-592 at the intersection of 1st Avenue. Captain Loewen began to follow the vehicle as it took the on ramp onto Highway 169. The vehicle accelerated aggressively and merged onto Highway 169. The vehicle was driving at a speed much greater than the posted 45 mph zone.

Captain Loewen was driving approximately 80 mph attempting to catch up to the vehicle activating his emergency lights initiating a traffic stop at the intersection of 9th Avenue West and Highway 169. The vehicle continued, slowing down as it was now behind other vehicles. Ultimately, the vehicle continued into the parking lot of Walmart, entering off Highway 73. Captain Loewen exited his patrol vehicle and approached the drivers door, opening it, as the driver had not rolled the window down or opened the door.

Captain Loewen could detect the odor of fresh marijuana in the vehicle and an obvious glass pipe in the cup holder. Captain Loewen asked the male to step out of the vehicle. The driver attempted to hand Captain Loewen his driver’s license; it appeared he struggled to get his license out of the holder and handed Captain Loewen his wallet to remove it. He was identified as Michael Melvin Noland, hereinafter the defendant, by his Wyoming driver’s license. The defendant stated he did not have insurance on his vehicle.

Captain Loewen noted the male to have glossy red eyes. The defendant stated he did not answer any questions. With the the defendant's driving conduct, the glossy red eyes and odor of marijuana the defendant was placed under arrest for suspicion of DWI. Another Officer indicated the detection of the odor of alcohol. With the odor of Marijuana in the vehicle, the vehicle was searched. A sandwich sized Ziplock bag was located in the center console. The bag contained a small amount of marijuana. Captain Loewen transported him to the Hibbing Police Department for further processing.