Traffic stop leads to theft, drug charges
A routine traffic stop Wednesday morning, Jan. 10, led to the discovery of stolen mail and financial/identification cards and drugs, according to Red Wing authorities.
Police allege the driver of the stopped vehicle, Ana Herlinda Lucio, 33, of Zumbrota, was involved in a reported mail theft and attempted check cashing in Red Wing.
The criminal complaint alleges that after initially giving police a false name, Lucio admitted to trying to pass a check at Red Wing Credit Union, saying she received the check from two women "driving around town in a U-Haul taking mail."
Authorities said they found two Minnesota driver's licenses, credit cards, debits cards, a Social Security card and checks in the vehicle not belonging to Lucio. A clear plastic bag containing a white crystal substance found in the vehicle also allegedly tested positive for meth.
Lucio reportedly told law enforcement that a hotel room at Treasure Island Resort & Casino might contain individuals with drugs and stolen property. Prairie Island tribal police later discovered checks that were "washed" in the hotel room.
A male passenger in the vehicle, identified as Joshua Miller, 28, of Hastings, received a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia.
While processing the items found in vehicle, Red Wing police contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Department, Eveleth, Minn. police and Duluth police to learn about the two driver's licenses allegedly found with Lucio. A woman in Washington County filed a report Jan. 9 with authorities stating her wallet was taken from her purse after helping a male and two females having car troubles, the report stated. The woman let the two females into her residence to stay warm. The owner of the second recovered driver's license reported her vehicle stolen to Duluth police on Nov. 17, 2017.
Authorities learned that a check for $1,210 recovered from the vehicle issued from a St. Paul business was cancelled by the business owner due to the check never being received.
Lucio's driving record shows her driver's license status as revoked. She was previously convicted in 2009 and 2010 for controlled substance offenses.
Lucio is being held at the Goodhue County Adult Detention Center on charges of fifth-degree drug possession, theft, giving peace officer a false name and driving after suspension. She is scheduled to appear Feb. 1 in Goodhue County District Court for an omnibus hearing.