Rilyn Michele Zender

Cloud Police Department was dispatched to 15th Ave SE and 19th St SE within the city of St. Cloud, Sherburne County, Minnesota, for a crash. Dispatch advised a passerby observed a white car that had hit a tree and a male yelling at a female. Upon arrival at the crash, Officer Okerstrom observed a silver Ford Focus, MN plate FXZ663, situated off the roadway, at the wood line on the east side of 15th Ave SE. An adult male, J. S., reported his ex- girlfriend, RILYN MICHELE ZENDER, [DOB REDACTED], had been the front passenger and he had been driving.

J. S. Reported the defendant had hit him twice in the head with her right hand and also grabbed the steering wheel, causing the vehicle to leave the roadway and travel to its current location. J. S. Reported the defendant was upset that he would not drive her where she asked. Officer Okerstrom observed a bump on the side of J. S.’s head and a small amount of blood on his scalp. J. S. Reported the defendant walked southbound on 15th Ave NE. The defendant was not located. Officer Okerstrom observed the vehicle was not drivable due to multiple flat tires and heavy damage to the front end.

In a subsequent recorded statement, J. S. Stated he had picked up the defendant from someone’s apartment on 20th Ave SE in St. Cloud. When he picked her up, he believed she was high based on her behavior. The defendant asked if J. S. Would take her to Walgreens for syringes and then to a male’s house, "Don", who sells meth and heroin. J. S. Refused and that is when the defendant started screaming and yelling, being verbally aggressive towards him. J. S. Told her to get out of the car but she refused.

J. S. Told her he was calling 911 and pretended to do so, putting his phone to his ear. The defendant grabbed the phone out of his hand and then started hitting him before grabbing the steering wheel causing the crash. J. S. Estimated the vehicle was traveling approximately 20 miles per hour when this occurred. J. S. Said he and the defendant had started dating in October 2025 when the defendant was clean but in the last two months, J. S. Said the defendant had become a totally different person. A review of the defendant’s criminal history shows she has two misdemeanor convictions on March 2, 2026, for domestic abuse no contact order violations in Stearns County File Nos. 73-CR-26-1416 and 71- CR-26-1581 from offense dates of February 20, 2026, and March 1, 2026, respectively.

Given the nature of the charge as well as alleged ongoing drug use, the State has significant public safety concerns. The defendant currently has an outstanding warrant for her arrest in a Felony 5th degree controlled substance, Benton County, Court File No. 05-CR-25-1691; she will not likely appear voluntarily via Summons in this case. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49, intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.