Disturbance At Local Restaurant Leads To Police Pursuit

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was updated in July 2026 to reflect the disposition of the court case in this matter. An updated story appears here. The original story follows.

WAITE PARK -- As part of a plea agreement, a felony charge was dropped against a Cold Spring woman who was charged in October 2025 of fleeing a Waite Park police officer while under the influence of cannabis.

40-year-old Tasha Larson was approached by a Waite Park police officer in the McDonald's restaurant parking lot in Waite Park. He was called there to deal with Larson's reported erratic behavior in the restaurant.

The officer says Larson sped away and later stopped at Crossroads Shopping Center's parking lot where she was questioned and arrested on October 29, 2025. A criminal complaint says at the time, Larson appeared unsteady and she had mood swings while dealing with police.

Authorities alleged Larson admitted to consuming Delta 9 and mushrooms the previous night and that open packages of the drugs found in her car were hers.

Larson was intially charged with two misdemanors -- for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of cannabis or hemp product as well as possessing cannabis in an open package. She was also charged with a felony for fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle.

As part of a plea agreement, Larson plead guilty to the misdemeanor charge of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of cannabis or hemp.

In exchange, the other misdemeanor for open package and the felony fleeing charges were dismissed.

On March 18, 2026, a judge sentenced Larson to 90 days in jail with 87 days of that time stayed for two years, two years probation, and ordered Larson to not possess or consume alcohol or non-prescribed drugs.

(Originally published October 29, 2025)

WAITE PARK (WJON News) -- A woman is in custody after fleeing police in Waite Park on Wednesday morning. The Waite Park Police Department says at about 9:30 a.m., they were dispatched to 210 2nd Street South on reports of a possible drunk driver. Witnesses reported that a woman was twirling around and swearing at employees inside a restaurant at the location. The witnesses additionally told police the woman was inside her vehicle and getting ready to leave. A Waite Park Police officer found the vehicle and attempted to stop it. The woman sped away and was pursued. The suspect eventually stopped on the southeast side of Crossroads Center. Officers contacted her and identified the driver as 39-year-old Tasha Larson. Larson was evaluated by Mayo Ambulance at the scene and later taken by police to the St. Cloud Hospital. Larson was booked into the Stearns County Jail for felony fleeing police in a motor vehicle, and the case is still under investigation.

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