East Grand Forks Woman Charged in Meth Case

East Grand Forks, Polk County (trfnews.i234.me) — An East Grand Forks woman faces two felony charges after a police chase, a crash, and a vehicle search, according to a criminal complaint filed in Polk County.

Abigail Nicole Lopez, 19, is charged with third-degree drug possession in a prohibited zone. She is also charged with storing meth paraphernalia where a child was present. The complaint says the case stems from events on February 11, 2026.

Chase Crossed Into North Dakota

According to the complaint, officers saw Cole Rae Longoria leave the East Grand Forks Police Department’s city area in a Chevrolet Equinox after staying at the East Grand Inn. Police believed his North Dakota license was revoked.

The complaint says the SUV sped through East Grand Forks and passed near local park areas, including places tied to the case. Those areas included Itts Williams Park, River Heights Park, and the Greenway recreational area. City park information is available through East Grand Forks Parks and Recreation.

Police say the pursuit then crossed into Grand Forks, North Dakota. The complaint says the chase ended when the SUV crashed into a snowbank at Clover Drive and 27th Avenue South. Longoria was then arrested.

Lopez was identified as the front-seat passenger. A young child was riding in a car seat in the back, according to the complaint.

Pipe Found Near Child Seat

The complaint says Lopez agreed to a search of her Nike bags inside the SUV. Officers later searched the vehicle and found a glass pipe in a blue Nike bag on the rear seat. The complaint says the bag was near the child’s safety seat.

Police said a field test on residue in the pipe was positive for methamphetamine. Prosecutors allege the vehicle had traveled through a prohibited park zone. That claim is tied to the drug possession count under Minnesota Statute 152.023.

The second count alleges Lopez stored meth paraphernalia where a child was present. That charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 152.137.

What the Complaint Says

The complaint says Lopez told officers she was on probation for drug offenses. It also says she tried to get Longoria to stop because she feared the child would be hurt.

Investigators also wrote that Longoria later told them both adults had used the pipe the last time meth was smoked. He also allegedly said he would take the charge for Lopez.

The complaint lists past North Dakota convictions for Lopez. Those include shoplifting, meth possession, drug paraphernalia, and marijuana possession. Those older cases are separate from these new Minnesota charges.

These are allegations only. A criminal charge is not a conviction. The case will move through Polk County District Court.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.