Davenport Man Robbed Woman, Offered Cops $1 Million Bribe To Let Him Go

A Davenport man is in custody after police say he took part in a robbery a short time before attempting to bribe Davenport Police officers.

49-year-old Ricardo Esparza faces felony charges of bribery and second-degree robbery, according to court records.

Around 8pm Tuesday night, officers were called to the 1200 block of West 6th Street to respond to reports of a robbery.

The victim was walking west in the alley just south of West 6th street when Esparza began following her, according to the affidavit for the arrest.

As he got closer, the victim turned toward Ricardo Esparza, who grabbed the straps of her purse that was hanging from her shoulder. Esparza then reportedly punched the victim in the face while pulling on the purse.

According to the affidavit, the victim did not have any resulting injuries from the punch.

Esparza was found and arrested near the scene of the robbery and was determined to be the suspect of the robbery. He was placed in the back of a squad car, where he was read his Miranda Rights.

During the time he was in the back seat of the Davenport Police squad car, Ricardo Esparza reportedly told the officers he would give them $1 million to let him go.

The affidavit reads that Ricardo "advised that he could provide officers with the money in cash or transfer the money directly into their bank accounts."

Officers asked him if he was offering a bribe, to which Esparaza said yes, he was.

"The defendant offered the money in hopes to persuade officers not to arrest him," the affidavit says.

Esparza is being held in the Scott County jail on a bond of $10,000.

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