Faribault Police Department

09/24/2026

MEDIA RELEASE: Agents with the Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force (CRDVOTF) have completed a multi-month investigation into the distribution of co***ne in the Faribault area and surrounding communities.

The investigation began during the summer of 2026 after task force agents received information regarding co***ne sales in the Faribault area. Agents identified a co***ne distribution network operating out of Faribault and supplying individuals in surrounding communities.

As the investigation progressed, agents identified three individuals who investigators allege were involved in the distribution. Multiple controlled purchases of co***ne were conducted from members of the group during the investigation.

Agents also identified a residence in Owatonna that was being used to store controlled substances.

On Sept. 17, 2026, three search warrants were executed simultaneously at locations in Faribault and Owatonna. The South Central Drug Investigations Unit, Owatonna Police Department, Faribault Police Department, Rice County Sheriff's Office, Le Sueur County Sheriff's Office and Northfield Police Department, MN assisted with the ex*****on of the warrants.

On Sept. 23, 2026, CRDVOTF agents executed an additional search warrant as part of the investigation.

The investigation resulted in four arrests, including the apprehension of an individual wanted on an arrest warrant, as well as three felony-controlled substance sale charges. Law enforcement seized nearly a pound of co***ne, approximately $15,000 in cash and six fi****ms during the operation.

The seizure underscores the task force's ongoing efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and address the impact of illegal drug distribution on communities across Rice and Le Sueur Counties.

The Cannon River Drug and Violent Offender Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional partnership consisting of law enforcement officers and investigators from Rice and Le Sueur counties and participating municipal police departments. The task force works collaboratively to investigate drug trafficking and violent crime across jurisdictional boundaries.

The following charges have been filed:

• Taiwan McCain (age 46) of Faribault is being charged by the Steele County Attorney's Office with 1st Degree Controlled Substance Sale. McCain is also being charged by the Rice County Attorney's Office with 5th degree controlled substance possession and Prohibited Person in Possession of Fi****ms and Am******on.

• Tanna Almen (age 35) of Faribault is being charged by the Rice County Attorney's Office with 2nd Degree Controlled Substance Sale.

• Laura Gil Serrano (age 31) of Faribault is being charged by the Rice County Attorney's Office with 2nd Degree Controlled Substance Sale.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

09/22/2026

The Faribault Police Department is issuing a notification of relocation for Antonio Mata, a Level 3 predatory offender, who relocated Sept. 11 to the area of Merrywood Court and Prairie Avenue in Faribault.

Mata, who was convicted of criminal sexual conduct by using force to gain compliance, has served the sentence imposed by the court and is transitioning into the community. This notification is not intended to increase fear but rather raise awareness. Law enforcement believes that an informed public is a safer public.

Mata is described as a white male, 5’5”, 187 pounds with brown eyes and black hair.
This information is being released pursuant to Minnesota Statute 244.052 and 253D, which authorize law enforcement agencies to inform the public of a public registrant's release from prison or a secure treatment facility when it believes that the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

To report criminal activity by this registrant or any other individual, please call 911.

To view Mata’s Department of Corrections’ Fact Sheet, visit https://www.faribaultmn.gov/DocumentCenter/View/13349/DOC-Public-Fact-Sheet---Mata

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As a reminder, the Faribault Police Department’s role is to ensure compliance of a predatory offender’s conditions for release.

The Police Department is not involved in determining the risk level, when they’re released, where they live after release, where they work, etc.

Our role is to ensure the offender is compliant - which we do regularly for the 70+ Predatory Offenders currently living in Faribault. Five of these are Level 3, which are public, and the others are Level 1, 2, or no risk level assigned. Unless someone is required as a condition of their release – as determined by the DOC – to not to live by a school, church, etc., there’s nothing in the law that restricts where an offender can live.

09/22/2026

UPDATE (Sept. 22, 10:45 a.m.): The missing person alert issued by the Faribault Police Department has been canceled after the individual was located and is safe. The Faribault Police Department is appreciative to everyone who shared information.

The missing person alert issued by the Fairubault Police Department has been canceled. The missing person has been located and is safe. Thank you to all who shared information.

09/16/2026

Officer Chriztopher Ferris and Officer Joeseph Bravo are at Camp Ripley this week attending the 2026 Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association Honor Guard camp.

This training gives newer Faribault officers the necessary training to participate in and grow the Faribault Honor Guard.

The Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association (LEMA) was established in 1974 by the vision of Founder Jim Crawford to do more for our Minnesota families after they have experienced the tragedy of an Officer’s Line of Duty Death.

Since 1974 LEMA has been witness to over 100 Minnesota fallen officers through a full Law Enforcement honors funeral. Annually on May 15th, in honor of President John F. Kennedy’s declaration of National Law Enforcement Memorial Day in 1962, LEMA honors the sacrifice of all Minnesota Law Enforcement Officers and their families whose loved one has made the ultimate sacrifice, dating back as far as 1874.

Members of the Faribault Police Department Honor Guard were also present during last week's 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony.

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years later, we remember the lives lost and the courageous first responders who responded.

We will never forget 🇺🇸.

09/04/2026

The Faribault Police Department Lobby will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, in observance of Labor Day, but our officers are always available - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We hope you have a safe and enjoyable weekend.

09/01/2026

UPDATE (Sept. 1, 2:15 p.m.): On Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, at 11:52 a.m., Faribault officers arrested the driver of the vehicle after he was released from Allina Health Faribault Medical Center.

Mohamed Hussein Lohos, 35, of Faribault, was transported to the Rice County Jail. Criminal charges have been referred to the Rice County Attorney’s Office for review.

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Original Post (Sept. 1, 9:30 a.m.):

MEDIA RELEASE: On Monday, Aug. 31, at 6:06 p.m., the Faribault Police Department was dispatched to a reported reckless driver in the vicinity of Willow Street and Glynview Trail.

Reports indicated the vehicle was being driven recklessly, nearly struck another vehicle head-on and, at times, stopped in the middle of the street for no apparent reason.

At 6:16 p.m., officers located the suspect vehicle driving recklessly near Ninth Avenue Southwest and Spring Road. Officers attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at high speeds northbound on Ninth Avenue Southwest.

Because of the danger posed to the public, officers pursued the vehicle for several minutes through the surrounding neighborhood. During the pursuit, two Faribault squad cars were struck by the suspect vehicle. The pursuit ended after a disabling collision in the 800 block of Spring Road. Officers took the suspect into custody.

The suspect was transported to the hospital and subsequently admitted due to suspected impairment and medical concerns.

The suspect faces numerous felony and gross misdemeanor charges, including second-degree assault with a motor vehicle, fleeing police in a motor vehicle, third-degree DWI, reckless driving, obstructing the legal process and leaving the scene of an accident.

No officers were injured during the incident.

08/26/2026

We’re fortunate to have so many wonderful trails in our community, and we frequent them, too! 🚴🏃‍♂️But one thing we’re often asked about is what rules are in place to keep these trail users safe with the ever-growing list of electric scooters and bikes.

Find below some information regarding the requirements and allowed uses.

08/25/2026

This pup was located in the 400 Block of 8th Ave NW. She can be reclaimed at Muddy Paws Resort.

08/24/2026

Through Sept. 7: To promote safer choices and protect our communities, our office and nearly 300 other agencies across Minnesota are participating in a statewide extra enforcement and education campaign focused on eliminating impaired driving.

What to expect on the road
• Increased patrols: Expect higher law enforcement visibility on state highways and local roads through Labor Day weekend.
• Strict enforcement: Officers will be actively looking for signs of impairment. If you do not drive sober, you will be pulled over.

On Minnesota roads through July 2026 there have been
• 62 alcohol-related traffic fatalities
• 179 alcohol-related serious injuries
• 13,670 DWI arrests

Don't become a statistic. Designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service or plan to stay overnight. MN Toward Zero Deaths Faribault Police Department Northfield Police Department, MN Lonsdale Police Department