Peter Police Department. On November 1, 2025, at approximately 1:06 A.M., Nicollet County 911 Dispatch advised St. Peter Police officers of a call they received at Kwik Trip south, [ADDRESS REDACTED], in the City of St. Peter, County of Nicollet, State of Minnesota. The caller reported that they observed a male stumbling out of a vehicle and throwing away beer cans. The male exited from a black sedan with silver rims that was parked at or near pump #2. SERGEANT JOSHUA KLASEUS was on duty and responded.
Upon arriving at Kwik Trip, SGT. KLASEUS observed a black sedan parked at pump #2 and observed it to display Minnesota license plat PWS535, a Chevrolet Cruze. SGT. KLASEUS observed the vehicle was running with the lights on and the brake lights became illuminated as he entered the parking lot. The vehicle then began to drive forward, away from the gas pump. The vehicle exited the parking lot and turned from Jefferson Avenue onto South Front Street as SGT. KLASEUS activated his emergency lights. The vehicle pulled to the right, into a gravel private parking area but continued moving forward, towards a utility pole.
The vehicle then pulled back onto the road to avoid crashing into the pole and stopped in the roadway of South Front Street between Jefferson Avenue and Pine Street. SGT. KLASEUS exited his patrol vehicle and approached the driver window. The driver was chewing food and holding a sandwich that he bought at Kwik Trip. The driver had his Minnesota driver’s license out and was holding it for SGT. KLASEUS as he introduced himself and advised that someone had called, who observed the driver stumbling and throwing away beer cans by the gas pump.
The driver, identified as MICHAEL FRANCIS WHALEY, [DOB REDACTED], the DEFENDANT herein, replied, “No not at all.” SGT. KLASEUS asked DEFENDANT to provide proof of insurance. DEFENDANT opened his phone and told SGT. KLASEUS that he did not know iPhones very well. As DEFENDANT was speaking with SGT. KLASEUS, DEFENDANT’S speech was slurred and he was not able to locate insurance information. SGT. KLASEUS learned that the vehicle was DEFENDANT’S and that he should have insurance from Progressive. DEFENDANT denied alcohol or narcotic use.
While SGT. KLASEUS was speaking with DEFENDANT at his window, SGT. KLASEUS could smell the odor of alcohol emanating from DEFENDANT and observed DEFENDANT’S eyes appeared to be glossy. SGT. KLASEUS asked DEFENDANT to step out of the vehicle to perform some tests to check his sobriety. DEFENDANT pulled himself out of the vehicle using the door and appeared to be unsteady on his feet. DEPUTY HASBARGEN arrived and was standing to the side. DEFENDANT observed DEPUTY HASBARGEN and commented, “seems a little…” SGT. KLASEUS asked DEFENDANT what he meant and he continued, “there’s, there’s two of you, I just left the gas station.” SGT. KLASEUS reminded DEFENDANT that someone had called because of his stumbling around the gas station and that he was still stumbling and slurring.
