Melinda M. West, 59, of Beach Park (inset) is facing multiple charges following a disturbance at The Inn on Sheridan, located at 2723 Sheridan Road in Zion, on March 28. | Background Photo: Google Street View

Authorities say a woman ate a button from a police officer’s uniform and also kicked, spat and bit officers after being arrested at a hotel in Zion.

The Zion Police Department responded around 6:36 p.m. on March 28 to The Inn on Sheridan, 2723 Sheridan Road in Zion, for a report of a belligerent female refusing to leave the property.

Responding officers learned that a 59-year-old Beach Park woman was causing a disturbance inside and confronting guests.

Hotel staff also notified officers that she displayed potential mental health issues, according to Zion Police Department Lt. Derek Zaloudek.

Officers encountered the woman on the property and detained her in handcuffs after she refused to identify herself and continued exhibiting disorderly behavior, Zaloudek said.

The woman spouted racial slurs and inflammatory language while she was detained.

She also kicked and spat at officers and bit one officer on the forearm, causing a minor injury, Zaloudek said.

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Sometime during the ordeal, the woman ingested a button from an officer’s uniform shirt.

Zaloudek said it required multiple officers to facilitate booking procedures at the Zion Police Department because she continued to kick and spit on officers throughout the process.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved three counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer, obstructing identification and resisting a peace officer.

Court records show the woman was identified as Melinda M. West.

West was transported to the Lake County Jail on the morning of March 29 but her court hearing was rescheduled after she allegedly assaulted personnel at the jail.

Lake County Judge Raymond Collins reviewed the case later in the day and ordered her held on a $100,000 bond.

“The Zion Police Department will communicate with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office throughout the court proceedings to determine what mental health assistance measures are available and appropriate,” Zaloudek said.

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