Iowa man Ricardo Esparza offers cops $1 million to let him go after he hits woman

A suspected robber in Iowa reportedly offered police $1 million to avoid arresting him for punching a woman in the face while trying to steal her purse, a report said.

Ricardo Esparza, 49, followed the woman down an alleyway in Davenport just after 8 p.m. Tuesday night, according to arrest documents obtained by The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier.

When the woman turned to face him, he grabbed the straps of her purse that slung over her shoulder. When he tried to snatch the purse, Esparza punched her in the face, police officers said.

The victim, who was not injured, called police, who found Esparza not far from the alley, the report said.

While sitting in the back of the police car, he offered arresting officers $1 million to have him released. He said he could transfer the money directly to the police bank account or give them direct cash, the newspaper reported.

The police asked Esparza if he tried to bribe him. He told them it was him.

He was arraigned Wednesday, where a judge set his cash bail at $10,000, according to The Courier. His next appearance is scheduled for May 27th.