On November 12, 2025, at 8:20 P.M. Officer Olson with the Buffalo Police Department observed a vehicle stopped in the westbound turn lane of Highway 55 near 5th Street NE in Buffalo, Wright County, Minnesota, with its tires over the solid white stop line. Officer Olson observed the driver of the vehicle throw something out of the driver’s window onto the asphalt. Officer Olson saw the vehicle turn onto 5th Street and change lanes without signaling. Officer Olson activated the emergency lights on his squad car to stop the vehicle.
The driver started to brake but then accelerated, passing through at least three intersections without stopping. Officer Olson began activating the squad siren to further signal the driver to stop. The driver pulled into an alleyway. Officer Olson activated the squad siren, but the vehicle continued for several hundred feet before stopping. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Brandon Paul Berg, [DOB REDACTED], defendant herein. The defendant was sweating profusely. The defendant was reaching towards the center console.
Officer Olson observed several butane torch lighters in the center console area. Officer Olson smelled the odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle. The defendant admitted he did not have a driver’s license. The defendant said he had outstanding warrants which were confirmed from Hennepin County and Sherburne County. Officer Olson saw signs that the defendant was under the influence of a controlled substance in that he was sweating profusely in 40-degree temperatures, and his pupils were constricted to the degree of being pinpoint in size.
The defendant said he had used methamphetamine two days prior. The defendant said he used marijuana that afternoon. The defendant was rocking forward and backward. The defendant agreed to perform field sobriety tests during which he demonstrated signs of impairment. The defendant was arrested for driving while under the influence of a controlled substance. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of a large crystal-substance, wrapped in plastic with a melted seal, on the front passenger side seat.
The crystal substance field tested positive for methamphetamine with a weight of 29 grams. A passenger was in the vehicle in the front seat, identified as Thomas Morgan. The defendant was the driver of the vehicle and had the opportunity to exercise dominion and control over the items in the vehicle. The defendant said it was his car and the property in it is his. Officer Olson obtained a search warrant authorizing a blood or urine sample from the defendant. The defendant refused to provide a blood or urine sample for testing.
