On March 3, 2026, at approximately 11:40 AM, Officer Sillers and Officer Winters with the Rochester Police Department learned of two vehicles that were driving recklessly through Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. The vehicles were swerving in and out of traffic, cutting off other vehicles, and appearing to chase each other. They located the vehicles, a green Dodge charger, and a silver Mercedes C, and stopped the Mercedes. They made contact with the driver, an adult male, and the passenger, ASHLEY TAYLOR KAUS, [DOB REDACTED]. Both Kaus and the driver stated the other vehicle had been chasing them.
Upon approaching the vehicle, Officer Winters detected a strong odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. When asked about the odor of marijuana, Kaus stated that she smokes marijuana in the vehicle when it is parked in her driveway. She also stated the smell may be residual odor from ashes left in the car. Officer Winters searched the vehicle. He found marijuana not in proper packaging in the center console. He also found 8 orange oval pills with “30” on one side and "b974” on the other. He identified the pills as methamphetamine-dextroamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance.
Kaus later told Officer Sillers that the pills were not hers, and that a friend left the pills in her vehicle approximately one week earlier. 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.