On January 8, 2026, law enforcement conducted a narcotics investigation. While surveilling a hotel in Minneapolis, an individual exited the hotel rolling a black suitcase. The individual opened a vehicle and placed the suitcase inside. The vehicle drove to a parking lot in Minneapolis. The vehicle eventually met with a 2012 GMC Sierra (MN L/P: DRU-725) pickup truck. The suitcase was removed from the first vehicle and placed into the pickup truck. The vehicles parted ways. The pickup truck travelled from Minneapolis onto Highway 252. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle near a ramp from Highway 252 to westbound 610, Brooklyn Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota.
The driver was identified as Joshua Craig Laferriere, Defendant. Defendant stated that he was on his way home from his parents' home and that his son was in the vehicle with him. The child was later determined to be two years old. Defendant was advised to stay in the vehicle while the officer returned to their squad. The pickup pulled away from the traffic stop onto Highway 610. The vehicle was pursued by law enforcement with activated emergency lights and sirens. The pickup traveled at a high rate of speed, swerving in and out of traffic.
The pickup eventually went into a residential area of Maple Grove. Law enforcement observed that the pickup drove through the snowbank, through a fence, and into the backyard of a home on Trenton Lane that was identified as Defendant's residence in the city of Maple Grove, Hennepin Couty, Minnesota. Law enforcement approached the pickup, observed the driver's side door open, and heard a child [NAME REDACTED] inside the vehicle. The child [NAME REDACTED] in the child's car seat. Law enforcement observed footprints leaving the vehicle, going around the rear of the vehicle, and into the house.
The black suitcase was not located in the vehicle. Defendant eventually exited the home and surrendered to officers. Officers noted he was wearing different clothing. During a search of the home, law enforcement located black luggage in a southeast basement bedroom under a table. The black luggage contained 10 boxes covered in foil. The boxes were wet. The 10 packages had been opened, and trace amounts of suspected methamphetamine were observed inside some of the packaging. When the packages were removed from the luggage, the inside of the luggage was wet, with pieces of torn materials.
Law enforcement collected small white crystals in the luggage that weighed approximately 32.1 grams and field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Law enforcement searched the basement bathroom, which was near the bedroom. Located near the toilet/shower area there were loose white crystal substances on the floor. The collected white crystal substance weighed approximately 9.7 grams and field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Based on training and experience, it is common for suspects to flush controlled substances to destroy evidence.
