Driver in Crash Stopped From Swallowing Cocaine in Jail: Cops

An Orland Hills man is accused of having cocaine on him when he crashed his SUV and then trying to swallow it while in custody according to Oak Forest police.

Christopher E. Gorecki, 31, of the 9100 block of West 167th Street, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, driving without insurance and failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash, according to a report. Officers were called at about 1:13 p.m. on June 16 to the 16700 block of Cicero Avenue for a traffic crash.

Gorecki allegedly told police he wasn't driving the 2001 Suzuki SUV involved in the crash, despite an officer actually witnessing him operating the vehicle, the report states. After receiving his information, police performed a background check and found Gorecki's license was suspended. Before he could be arrested, Gorrecki reportedly started dropping small baggies into a nearby sewer grate.

Officers performed a search of his car and allegedly found a white plastic bag that was covered in blood and had five plastic baggies, numerous hypodermic syringes and two spoons used for heating up drugs inside, according to the report. They also discovered more baggies—these containing a white powder—and a syringe filled with a reddish-brown liquid in Gorecki's sock, the report states.

While in custody, police noticed Gorecki appeared to be swallowing something, according to police. He was stopped and handcuffed. Police found three more baggies with a white powder inside that had hidden under the mattress pad and the bench of the police department cell.

The white powder field tested positive for cocaine and had a weight of 1.1 grams, according to the report. Gorecki was taken to Bridgeview court for a bond hearing.

Police blotter information is provided by the Oak Forest Police Department. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.