On January 29, 2026, at approximately 8:52 PM, Sergeant Kusick with the Rochester Police Department was on patrol when he observed a vehicle bearing a Wisconsin license plate without its rear running lights illuminated driving southbound on 1st Avenue Northwest approaching Civic Center Drive Northwest in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. Sergeant Kusick conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, MALIK ALI RASHEED, [DOB REDACTED]. Officer Morales with the Rochester Police Department assisted with the traffic stop and spoke with the front seat passenger, an adult male fully identified in police reports.
Sergeant Kusick explained to Rasheed the basis for the stop and asked for Rasheed’s identification and vehicle insurance information. Rasheed then began searching the glove box before providing the vehicle’s registration information. The registered owner of the vehicle was not Rasheed. When asked who owned the vehicle, Rasheed responded that a friend whose name he was unsure of owned the vehicle. Rasheed provided contradictory and suspicious statements about how he met the registered owner, an adult male fully identified in police reports (hereinafter “Victim”). Sergeant Kusick called a phone number on the registration paperwork.
He later received a call back from a woman who identified herself as Victim’s wife. She told Sergeant Kusick that she and Victim thought a friend might have borrowed Victim’s vehicle. She expressed surprise that the vehicle was in Rochester, Minnesota and stated that if the vehicle was not in Wisconsin Dells, where she and Victim lived, then the vehicle was stolen. Sergeant Kusick also spoke with Victim, who stated a family member had accidentally left open the garage door. Sergeant Kusick placed Rasheed under arrest and transported him to the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center (ADC). At the ADC, Sergeant Kusick read Rasheed his Miranda rights.
Rasheed told Sergeant Kusick that he is homeless and has been wandering around the country. Rasheed was in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, when he saw a vehicle with keys inside. Rasheed stated he waited near the vehicle for approximately 10 minutes before he jumped in the car and took off. He also described to Sergeant Kusick his route from Wisconsin Dells to Rochester. Rasheed stated the vehicle was in the street but also made a statement about a garage being open. Rasheed admitted he did not know Victim.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: YOU MUST APPEAR FOR EVERY COURT HEARING REGARDING THIS CASE. FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR COURT IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND MAY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES BEING IMPOSED AND PUNISHED AS PROVIDED IN MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 609.49.
