On December 3, 2025, at 3:21 AM, law enforcement responded to the Extended Stay hotel located in Woodbury, Washington County, Minnesota, after receiving a FLOCK automatic license plate camera reader alert on a Ford Edge bearing Minnesota license plate [PLATE REDACTED]. The vehicle was the subject of a Keeping Our Police Safe (KOPS) Alert from the West St. Paul Police Department. West St. Paul Police requested that the vehicle be towed and its occupants identified. Law enforcement located the suspect vehicle in the parking lot of the hotel.
The vehicle was unoccupied. There were wet footprints that led from the vehicle to an entrance door to the hotel. Law enforcement observed a male watching them from Room 109. Law enforcement responded to Room 109 and knocked on the door. Shortly thereafter, a male walked down the hall. He identified himself as J. S. He stated that he was staying in Room 109. He further disclosed that the suspect vehicle belonged to him. J. S. Explained that he purchased the vehicle a month prior. He had let a woman named "Shanaya" use the car earlier in the evening.
Shanaya told him an address where he could pick up the car. J. S. Explained that a friend staying in Room 101 ordered him an Uber to pick up the car. On his way back, J. S. Picked up a female and brought her back to the hotel. He stated that the female was currently in Room 101. J. S. Took law enforcement to Room 101 and knocked on the door. A female answered the door. She allowed J. S. To enter the room and then quickly shut and locked the door. J. S. Returned to the door a short time later. Officers observed the female putting items in a purse.
The female walked over to law enforcement. She identified herself as MARY ELIZABETH ERICKSON, [DOB REDACTED], "the defendant" herein. She appeared nervous and fidgety. She stated that she may have a warrant out of Kansas. After confirming there was an active warrant for her arrest, the defendant was taken into custody. She was placed in the back of a squad car, and transported to the Washington County Jail. While the defendant was in jail intake, law enforcement searched the back of the squad car that the defendant was transported in.
Law enforcement discovered a red and white contact case in the backseat. The case contained a white substance that later field-tested positive for cocaine and weighed.16 grams. Officers reviewed squad camera footage of the defendant's transport. The footage showed the defendant grab the contact case from her shirt and throw it in the backseat.
