On November 17, 2025, at approximately 4:04 A.M., St. Louis Park Police Officers were alerted to an automatic license plate reader activation for a stolen vehicle bearing Minnesota License Plate [PLATE REDACTED] traveling eastbound on 16th Street West, St. Louis Park, Hennepin County. Officers arrived in the area and located the vehicle backed into a parking spot in a corner of the Cub Foods West End parking lot. Officers could see that the vehicle was occupied by a male who was using a lighter that illuminated his face and a driver.
The vehicle had no front plate and Officers could not see a back plate as it was backed into the parking spot. Officers approached on foot to see the back plate and confirmed that the vehicle was listed as stolen. Officers then dropped a spike strip under the tires in case the vehicle fled when Officers stopped it. Once the spike stick was dropped, the vehicle immediately started and fled, driving over curbs to avoid an oncoming squad car. The vehicle did not stop for lights or sirens of the squad cars.
The vehicle fled for approximately 18 minutes, speeding, passing in a no passing zone, and inevitably stopped after it was driving approximately 25 mph on I-394 east. The driver was identified as ALEXIS ANN HOWARD, Defendant Howard herein, through IBIS. Defendant Howard's eyes fluttered in the back of her head and her speech began to slur. She stated that she swallowed "dope." Officers attempted to use Narcan as she was showing signs of overdosing, but she refused. Officers then flagged down a passing HCMC ambulance who stopped to assist.
Defendant Howard had several active warrants. The passenger in the vehicle who was previously observed prior to the vehicle fleeing, was awake and using a lighter. The passenger was later identified as NIKO JUAN MARTINEZ, Defendant Martinez herein. Once the vehicle was stopped, Defendant Martinez was now unconscious. His lips appeared blue indicating that he was experiencing oxygen deprivation and overdosing. Defendant Martinez was extracted from the vehicle where he was limp and nonreactive. Officers administered two doses of Narcan and oxygen.
Defendant Martinez then regained normal breathing patterns and became responsive. Defendant Martinez had several active warrants. 0.13 grams of FTP fentanyl was located in Defendant Martinez's pocket. Defendant Howard's location is currently unknown and has active warrants. Defendant Martinez is currently in custody.
