Robert Weisberg, the troubled owner of the Shinders newsstand chain that shut down last year as Weisberg battled drug charges, mounting debt and allegations of mismanagement, first asked for his soda when he was pulled over by police two summers ago. His nonchalant response was denied, and minutes later police had him handcuffed and placed in a patrol car as a search of his van found Mace, a rifle and a baggie of methamphetamine in a briefcase, according to testimony in Hennepin County District Court.
Details of Weisberg's June 2006 arrest became public for the first time recently as county prosecutors laid out their evidence against Weisberg, who has yet to stand trial for two felony drug possession charges filed against him 21 months ago.
Weisberg, a personal-injury lawyer who saw his firm collapse last year when his partners walked out, skipped the second day of the court hearing on Wednesday. After waiting 30 minutes, Judge Peter Albrecht ordered a bench warrant, the forfeiture of an earlier bond and a new $50,000 bond.
The tip that first steered police to Weisberg came from a St. Paul police detective, according to testimony given Feb. 29, the first day of the hearing. A man arrested in St. Paul on June 14, 2006, told police he had bought meth from "Robert" at the Grand Rios Hotel in Brooklyn Park.
Hours later, police trailed Weisberg from the hotel and pulled him over on Hwy. 169 for making three lane changes without signaling.
Weisberg testified Feb. 29 that he didn't think he was pulled over because of the traffic violations.
"When the officer approached my vehicle, it wasn't, 'Hi, do you know why I'm pulling you over today? Do you know why I'm stopping you?' This was a felony stop," he testified.
"I actually asked if I could have a drink. It was a very hot day, and I said, 'Can I have a sip of my soda?' And he said, 'No, sir, step out of the car.' "
