Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) — Chase Donald Nomeland, 29, of Thief River Falls, has been charged in a DWI case. The charge is second-degree DWI for test refusal.
According to the criminal complaint, police arrested the suspect after a traffic stop. The stop happened on Dec. 10 at about 9:45 a.m. Police said it was in the 200 block of Pennington Avenue South.
The complaint describes signs of impairment
The complaint says an officer saw signs of recent controlled substance use. When asked, Nomeland said he last used drugs three weeks earlier.
Police said Nomeland failed field sobriety tests at the scene. He was arrested and taken into custody.
Mugshot of Chase Donald NomelandItems found in the vehicle
The complaint says police searched the vehicle after the stop. Police reported finding a backpack inside the vehicle.
The complaint says the backpack contained two hypodermic needles. Police said each needle had a small amount of liquid inside.
The liquid had a presumptive positive test result for meth, according to the complaint. Police also reported finding a small scale.
Medical clearance and test refusal
Police took Nomeland to Sanford Health for medical clearance, the complaint says. The complaint says he was sweating heavily after removing a sweatshirt.
Investigators later obtained a search warrant for a urine or blood sample. The complaint says Nomeland refused to provide either sample.
Prior DWI history listed
The complaint says Nomeland has two DWI convictions in the past 10 years. The listed conviction dates were May 2016 and June 2024.
Second-degree DWI is an enhanced level under Minnesota law. The complaint links the charge to test refusal and prior convictions.
How to follow the case
Many Minnesota case records can be viewed online. See Access Case Records and MCRO Case Search.
You can also read the statutes often used in DWI cases. See Minn. Stat. 169A.20 and Minn. Stat. 169A.25.
City information is available at the City of Thief River Falls website. County information is available at Pennington County.
The complaint contains allegations only. Nomeland is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.