Crookston Woman Faces Charge After Gas Station Stop

CROOKSTON, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Maria Savell Salinas, 53, faces a gross misdemeanor charge following a morning traffic stop in Crookston.

According to a Polk County criminal complaint, police spotted Salinas driving a red GMC Acadia near a gas station.

The officer reportedly recognized Salinas and knew her driving privileges had previously been invalid.

The September 15, 2026, investigation ended with a traffic stop near the American Crystal employee parking lot.

Officer Spots Vehicle at Ampride Gas Station

The incident began around 8:15 a.m. while a Crookston police officer was conducting routine patrol.

According to court documents, the officer noticed a red GMC Acadia parked beside a fuel pump at Ampride.

The officer recognized the driver as Maria Savell Salinas.

The complaint states the officer knew Salinas had previously lacked a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

Police observed Salinas begin driving away from the gas station.

The officer then checked her driving privileges through law enforcement records.

According to the complaint, the records check showed Salinas had a canceled driver’s license.

Her driving status was listed as “inimical to public safety.”

Following the records check, the officer activated emergency lights and followed her vehicle.

Police eventually stopped the GMC Acadia in the American Crystal employee parking lot.

The complaint does not describe any dangerous driving before the stop.

It also does not identify an additional traffic offense connected to the incident.

Minnesota law allows driving privileges to be canceled when certain public safety conditions apply.

Drivers with this designation cannot legally operate vehicles requiring a valid license until their privileges are restored.

Driving after cancellation can result in criminal charges when the required legal conditions are met.

More information appears under Minnesota Statute 171.24.

The supplied complaint does not explain why Salinas originally lost her driving privileges.

It also does not identify the date when her license was canceled.

Salinas faces one count of driving after cancellation as inimical to public safety.

The charge falls under Minnesota Statute 171.24, subdivision 5.

Prosecutors allege Salinas knew or reasonably should have known her driving privileges were canceled.

The offense is classified as a gross misdemeanor under Minnesota law.

The complaint lists a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Actual penalties would depend on a conviction and the court’s sentencing decision.

The case is filed under Polk County Court File No. 60-CR-26-1350.

The complaint includes a summons and identifies Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

No scheduled court hearing appears in the supplied document.

The provided complaint also does not confirm whether Salinas was taken into custody during the stop.

Readers can search public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charge remains an allegation and does not establish guilt.

Salinas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.