In February and March of this year, Officer Chad Streiff achieved three hat tricks - making three DWI arrests during one shift. These are hat trick numbers 11, 12 and 13 for him after making his first one in 2018. Officer Streiff also achieved one grand slam (four arrests in one shift) and an ace (five arrests in one shift) in 2020. He serves as a full-time DWI officer thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

There were a few notable arrests in his most recent hat tricks:

• After pulling over a driver for failing to signal a turn, Officer Streiff observed the driver had glossy eyes and smelled of alcohol. He also noticed an empty bottle of vodka on the driver’s side floor. Although the driver denied he had been drinking, a breath test indicated his blood alcohol content was .28 (.08 is the legal limit). Officer Streiff also learned the driver had a previous DWI arrest in 2018. The driver was arrested for second-degree DWI and careless driving.
• In another instance, Officer Streiff noticed a car in the center median near Highways 62 and 212. The driver said he had fallen asleep while driving. Officer Streiff noticed the driver had glossy eyes and smelled of alcohol. The driver’s BAC was .10 and he was arrested for forth-degree DWI and careless driving.
• Another driver was pulled over for driving 60-70 mph in a 45-mph zone. The driver did not stop right away and smelled of alcohol. His PBT was .18 and marijuana was found in his car. He was arrested for third-degree DWI among other charges.
• Officer Streiff made one of the arrests after responding to a car crash involving two vehicles. He found two damaged cars and debris in the road. The driver of one of the cars stated that another vehicle had pulled out in front of him faster than he expected and that he had rear-ended it. Officer Streiff observed the odor of marijuana and the man’s glossy bloodshot eyes. The other vehicle’s owner stated his car was parked on the side of the road in front of his house and that he was inside when he heard the crash. The driver admitted to drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. He had a BAC of .16 and marijuana was found in car. He was arrested for forth-degree DWI.

To date in 2022, EPPD officers have arrested 58 people for DWI. Because our officers can’t be everywhere, we rely on other drivers to be an extra set of eyes for us. If you observe a possible drunk driver, please pull over or have a passenger call 911 and provide dispatch with as much information as possible including location, license plate number and the observed dangerous driving behavior.