Crime & Safety

Woman Faces Drug Charges; DCFS Removed Her Kids From Her

Family and friends are caring for her minor children.

As police accompanied Department of Children and Family Services personnel to visit Nicole Murata on Tuesday to obtain protective orders for her minor children, events unfolded that led to police bringing drug charges against Murata.

Murata, who was staying at a motel in the 6800 block of Milwaukee Avenue, Niles, signed papers allowing DCFS to let her family and friends care for her children. Her husband, who has an active order of protection and an extensive crime history, according to Niles Police, had driven her to the motel.

Police observed, in plain view in his vehicle, a plastic bag containing six capped, unused hypodermic needles and two used needles. When asked who owned them, the husband pointed to Murata. A pipe of the type commonly used to smoke crack cocaine, with residue in it, was also in the plastic bag. Murata admitted ownership of these devices.

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Police took her into custody, and a search turned up a credit card in someone else's name. The credit card company said it had been reported stolen in Chicago, and used at a nearby restaurant. Murata admitted using it. The credit card company is not pursuing charges at this time. Her court date is Oct. 13 in the Skokie branch of the Cook County courts.

Charges against Murata include manufacturing/delivering a controlled substance, a Class 2 felony; possession of a narcotic intrument and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Woman charged with driving without a license

Cecilia Trigo-Arteaga, 45, of North St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, was charged with driving without a valid driver's license Sept. 23 at 1:54 a.m. after police observed her driving 53 mph in a 35 mph zone in the 8600 block of Milwaukee Avenue, Niles. She said she had never been issued a license. Her court date is Nov. 4 in Skokie.

Information is taken from reports. Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.


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