Minnesota Woman Charged After More Than a Pound of Cocaine Found in Stolen Vehicle in Gurnee

GURNEE, Ill. — A Minnesota woman has been arrested and charged after police allegedly found more than a pound of cocaine inside a stolen rental vehicle at a Gurnee gas station.

Ashley C. Franklin, 41, of Minneapolis, was arrested after Gurnee police located a stolen 2025 Nissan Altima at the Shell gas station at 36725 Skokie Highway.

The Gurnee Police Department received a report around 12:21 p.m. on August 15 regarding the Nissan, which had Minnesota license plates and was last seen leaving Chicago. An officer later located the vehicle at the gas station.

Franklin was identified as a passenger in the vehicle. Officers detained Franklin and the driver before searching the car.

During the search, police found a black backpack in the trunk containing approximately 495 grams — more than one pound — of a white substance that field-tested positive for cocaine, according to prosecutors.

Authorities said the Nissan was a rental vehicle that had been reported stolen to the Chicago Police Department earlier that day.

Prosecutors said the woman who rented the vehicle had traveled from Minnesota to the Chicago area with Franklin and another person on August 14. After dropping the third person off in Evanston, Franklin and the woman continued toward Chicago’s South Side.

The two allegedly got into an argument early August 15. Prosecutors said Franklin struck the woman and took the Nissan, leaving her in Chicago. The woman subsequently contacted Chicago police and reported the vehicle stolen.

Franklin later told investigators that she needed to return to Minnesota and had gone to Evanston to pick up the third person before heading back to Minneapolis. Prosecutors said Franklin switched places with the male acquaintance and allowed him to drive because she did not have an active driver’s license.

Franklin allegedly acknowledged that the black backpack containing the suspected cocaine belonged to her. She reportedly told officers she had never touched the contents of the backpack after the group left Minnesota, although police also found a hairbrush and Apple Watch inside that were connected to her. Prosecutors said Franklin later changed her account regarding ownership of the Apple Watch.

Franklin has been charged with manufacturing or delivery of 400 to 900 grams of cocaine, possession of 400 to 900 grams of cocaine, possession of a stolen vehicle and obstructing identification.

During a detention hearing, prosecutors also said Franklin had a history of drug-related charges and convictions and had an extraditable warrant connected to active charges in Minnesota.

Lake County Judge Michael Nerheim granted prosecutors’ request to keep Franklin detained pending trial.

Franklin remains in the Lake County Jail and is scheduled to return to court for an arraignment hearing.

All charges are allegations. Franklin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.