Thief River Falls, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – In the early hours of June 18, at approximately 12:16 a.m., police conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of Third Street and Atlantic Avenue in Thief River Falls. The driver, 28-year-old Matthew James Brang, was arrested and charged with second-degree refusal to submit to a chemical test.
According to the complaint, Brang appeared animated, sweaty and exhibited hand tremors. During the stop, he admitted to using narcotics about a month earlier and subsequently failed field sobriety tests. When questioned further, Brang declined to specify the last time he had used narcotics but insisted he hadn’t used any that day.
A search of Brang’s vehicle revealed a prescription pill bottle with his name on it, containing amphetamine salts. Authorities obtained a search warrant for a blood or urine sample. Initially, Brang agreed to a blood test but later opted for a urine sample. Despite being given more than an hour to provide the sample, Brang failed to do so.
The complaint also noted that Brang had a prior DWI conviction within the past 10 years.