Your complainant is employed by the St. Francis Police Department. In that capacity, complainant has reviewed official reports and has learned substantially the following: On November 1, 2025, at approximately 7:54 pm Officer Hedges, was assisting Officer Chanthapanya check the welfare on a “slumper call” at [ADDRESS REDACTED], St. Francis, Anoka County, Mn, when a male, later identified as Steven Allen Gauster [DOB REDACTED], the defendant herein, approached them. Officers noted that the Defendant nearly fell over while approaching them and was unstable on his feet.
While speaking with the Defendant. Officer Hedges observed that his eyes were bloodshot and watery. When asked if he was associated with the individual Officer Chanthapanya was speaking to the Defendant stated he was not, and spontaneously admitted he was “kinda buzzed.” Officer Hedges advised that a witness approached him and stated he had seen the Defendant arrive at the location in a vehicle (MN plate # [PLATE REDACTED]) and exit the driver’s seat and advised the vehicle was still in reverse. Officer Hedges confirmed the reverse lights on the subject vehicle were illuminated and observed the vehicle was up on the curb beyond the designated parking area.
In speaking with defendant, the Officer detected an odor of alcoholic beverage coming from him. Defendant admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving, stating he had been drinking all day, he was drunk and that he is an alcoholic. Defendant showed impairment on the horizontal gaze nystagmus SFST. Defendant blew a fail (.240) reading on a PBT. After being read a Minnesota Implied Consent Advisory and being given an opportunity to consult with an attorney, defendant refused chemical testing to determine an alcohol concentration.
