On Saturday, October 17th, just before 5:00pm, Galesburg Police were on routine patrol near East South and Lombard Streets. GPD observed a subject on Lombard Street known to have an active warrant. According to police reports, officers made contact with 38-year old Laina Nickas of Galesburg and advised her of the warrant. Nickas then offered police $100 to “give her one more day.” Nickas was then detained. A search of her purse turned up a glass pipe with residue that field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Nickas then began resisting when officers attempted to put her into a patrol car claiming that officers broke her arm and that she tested positive for COVID-19. Officers transported Nickas to Cottage Hospital where it was confirmed that Nickas did not have a broken arm, and her COVID-19 test from three months ago came back negative. Nickas was charged with the warrant for Possession of Meth with a $40,000 bond, Possession of Meth less than 5 grams, Resisting Arrest, and Bribery.
