On October 7, 2025, Minnesota State Patrol Officers were on routine patrol on the Minnesota Trunk Highway 62 ramp at approximately 2:54 A.M. Officers observed a stalled vehicle running on the ramp from Portland Avenue to northbound interstate 35W in Richfield, Hennepin County. The vehicle was blocking the exit ramp with the majority of the vehicle in the lane of traffic. Officers pulled behind the vehicle and activated their spotlight. The vehicle then began to pull away. Officers stopped the vehicle.
The driver was identified as THOMAS PATRICK SCHURHAMER ([DOB REDACTED] - 67 years old), Defendant Schurhamer herein. The passenger was eventually identified as MARIE ROBERTS ([DOB REDACTED] - 28 years old), Defendant Roberts. While Officers spoke to Defendant Schurhamer, they observed him swaying back and forth in his seat and was preoccupied with his center console. He continued to look at the center console and back at Officers. Defendant Schurhamer's eyes were bloodshot and watery. Officers also noticed a distinct and overwhelming chemical odor present inside the vehicle that Officers know from their training and experience is commonly associated with smoking narcotics.
Defendant Roberts was asleep when the vehicle was pulled over and then was not willing to interact, make eye contact, and was concealing her face from Officers. Officers asked the Defendant who the passenger was and he deflected the question on several occasions without answering. Officers suspected Defendant Schurhamer was impaired. Officers also began to become concerned of trafficking given the visible almost 40-year age difference, the vehicle traveling at 2:54 A.M., and both of the Defendants behavior.
Defendant Schurhamer was removed from the car where he continued to sway before exiting and then began moving items near his center console. Defendant Schurhamer also smelled of a strong chemical odor. Defendant Schurhamer provided a convoluted story regarding Defendant Roberts being a friend of his daughters then redirected the conversation in discussing that he was getting females involved in skating. Defendant Schurhamer continued to appear fidgety, standing on his toes, moving his hands through his waist band, and speaking with his hands.
Defendant Schurhamer also had fresh suspected narcotic residue on his fingers. Defendant Schurhamer stated he had had one drink and then showed signs of impairment in field sobriety testing. Defendant Schurhamer's heart rate was also elevated at approximately 102 bpm. Defendant Schurhamer provided an insufficient breath test by pretending to blow into the device which registered a 0.03 BAC. Defendant Schurhamer was placed under arrest as his behavior was consistent with being under the influence of a narcotic.
