Eden Prairie officer earns recognition for three DWI arrests in one shift

Eden Prairie Police Officer Chad Streiff received a personalized hockey stick earlier this month for achieving a “Hat Trick” — three DWI arrests during a single shift — the city announced Nov. 26.

Streiff earned the recognition for his Sept. 5-6 shift, when he made three separate DWI arrests while patrolling Eden Prairie and nearby highways. The award was presented by Bill Hammes, law enforcement liaison with the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety.

According to the city, Streiff’s first arrest came around 6:30 p.m. Sept. 5. After completing a traffic stop, he saw a vehicle pass closely in the nearest lane despite open lanes nearby, then accelerate to about 105 mph on Highway 169. He stopped the vehicle and noticed the driver attempting to conceal items later identified as three rifles. The driver’s preliminary breath test registered .189, and he was arrested on DWI and speeding-related charges.

A few hours later, Streiff stopped a speeding vehicle on Highway 212. The driver denied drinking but recorded a .16 on a preliminary breath test, police said. Officers found an open bottle of alcohol in the vehicle, and the driver was arrested on suspicion of third-degree DWI, careless driving, open bottle and speeding.

After transporting that driver to the Hennepin County Jail, Streiff stopped a third vehicle for driving without headlights and with expired registration. The city said the driver failed a preliminary breath test at .10 and was arrested on suspicion of fourth-degree DWI.

Since 2018, Streiff has recorded 25 Hat Tricks, two “Grand Slams” — four DWI arrests in one shift — and one “Ace,” meaning five arrests. He serves as a full-time DWI officer through a Minnesota Department of Public Safety grant.

The city encouraged motorists to report suspected impaired drivers by pulling over or having a passenger call 911 with the vehicle’s location, license plate number and observed behavior.