Fisher Man Faces Drug Charges, Refused Chemical Test

CROOKSTON, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – A 65-year-old Fisher man faces three criminal charges following a traffic stop and drug investigation in Crookston.

Reyes Polendo is charged with felony fifth-degree drug possession and two gross misdemeanors.

The additional charges involve refusing a court-ordered chemical test and driving after license cancellation.

According to a Polk County criminal complaint, the incident occurred October 1, 2026.

Prosecutors also plan to seek an enhanced sentence based on Polendo’s extensive criminal history.

Police Follow Vehicle From Fisher to Crookston

The investigation began when a Polk County deputy observed Polendo leaving his Fisher residence.

According to the complaint, Polendo entered a black Pontiac Grand Prix and traveled east on U.S. Highway 2.

The deputy confirmed that Polendo’s Minnesota driver’s license was canceled as inimical to public safety.

Records showed the cancellation had been in effect since at least December 21, 2018.

The deputy contacted Crookston police and provided information about the vehicle.

A Crookston officer later spotted the Pontiac near U.S. Highways 2 and 75.

Police followed as the vehicle turned south onto Highway 75.

Traffic Violation Leads to Stop

According to court records, Polendo drove through an intersection without making a complete stop.

The officer activated emergency lights after observing the violation near Old Highway 75 and Third Avenue South.

However, the Pontiac continued onto Foskett Street before stopping in the middle of the block.

Police approached the vehicle and identified Polendo as the driver and only occupant.

Polendo reportedly acknowledged that he did not have a valid driver’s license.

The officer also noticed Polendo had watery eyes.

Police asked him to complete field sobriety tests, and he agreed.

Following the tests, the officer suspected Polendo was under the influence of a controlled substance.

Polendo was then arrested.

Search Uncovers Suspected Methamphetamine

Police searched the Pontiac following the arrest.

According to the complaint, officers discovered a backpack on the front passenger seat.

Inside the backpack, they found an expired prescription bottle bearing Polendo’s name.

The bottle reportedly contained a tan-colored powder.

An officer later conducted a field test on part of the substance.

The test reportedly returned a positive result for amphetamine or methamphetamine.

The criminal complaint does not provide a final laboratory confirmation or the substance’s weight.

Polendo Allegedly Refuses Court-Ordered Test

After the arrest, police transported Polendo to the Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston.

An officer obtained a search warrant authorizing the collection of a blood or urine sample.

According to the complaint, police informed Polendo about the warrant.

Officers also warned him that refusing the required test was a crime.

Polendo allegedly refused to provide either sample.

Prosecutors subsequently filed a gross misdemeanor charge involving refusal to submit to chemical testing.

Prior Convictions Cited in Court Documents

The criminal complaint details multiple previous convictions involving controlled substances and impaired driving.

Prosecutors cite drug convictions dating back to 1996, including second-degree, fourth-degree, and fifth-degree controlled substance offenses.

The complaint also identifies impaired driving convictions from 2018.

Polendo was previously convicted of fifth-degree drug possession in July 2021.

Prosecutors provided formal notice that they intend to seek an aggravated sentence.

They argue that Polendo’s prior convictions could support a career-offender sentencing enhancement.

Any enhanced sentence would require the applicable legal findings and court approval.

Three Criminal Charges Filed

Polendo faces the following charges in Polk County District Court:

Count 1: Felony fifth-degree controlled substance possession, carrying a maximum of five years in prison or a $10,000 fine, or both.
Count 2: Gross misdemeanor refusal to submit to chemical testing, carrying up to 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine, or both.
Count 3: Gross misdemeanor driving after cancellation as inimical to public safety, carrying up to 364 days in jail or a $3,000 fine, or both.

These are maximum statutory penalties for the charged offenses, not sentences imposed by the court.

Readers can review Minnesota’s fifth-degree controlled substance law.

Information about chemical test refusal and driving after cancellation is also available.

Polk County Court Proceedings

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District under court file number 60-CR-26-1454.

The prosecutor’s file number is F-26-182.

The supplied complaint does not establish a final court outcome.

Additional information may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The new charges remain allegations. Polendo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.