Merrionette Park Woman Accused of Eating Evidence In Traffic Stop

EVERGREEN PARK, IL—A Merrionette Park woman refused to spit out a suboxone strip during a traffic stop, prosecutors said. Linda Ciccarelli, 55, appeared before Cook County Judge Terrence Gallagher on a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance. She also faces misdemeanor charges of obstructing justice, destroying evidence and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ciccarelli was pulled over by Evergreen Park police around 4:30 p.m. July 10 for improper lane usage in the 9800 block of South Kedzie Avenue, according to the charges. The prosecutor said officers noticed Cicarelli chewing what was later determined to be a suboxone strip. Cicarelli allegedly refused the officer’s orders to spit out the strip. A search of her car also turned up a plastic bag of suspected heroin and fentanyl under the dashboard, the prosecutor said. Officers also claimed to have found packaging for the suboxone.

Ciccarelli was released on a $10,000 I-bond. She’s due back in court Aug. 6 in Bridgeview.