A man tried bribing officers with $4,000 in cash in an attempt to get out of an arrest in Winthrop Harbor and then injured two officers when he tried escaping, prosecutors said.
Michael A. Taylor, 25, of Zion, was charged with bribery, aggravated battery to a peace officer and resisting a peace officer causing injury.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen McConnell said officers were conducting surveillance on Taylor on October 22.
Officers knew Taylor had active arrest warrants for Lake County and Kenosha County cases. He was on pre-trial release in four different Lake County cases, court records show.
Officers saw Taylor leave the Harbor Motel in Winthrop Harbor and drive to a gas station, McConnell said.
Taylor left the gas station and drove to a Dollar General where officers conducted a traffic stop on him.
McConnell said officers confirmed Taylor had active warrants and attempted to take him into custody.
Taylor told an officer that he had $4,000 in cash in his pocket and that the officer could have it if he let him go, McConnell said.
A search yielded $4,000 cash on Taylor’s person. Taylor was placed into a squad car after he was arrested.
Officers began searching Taylor’s vehicle when the man attempted to get out of the handcuffs by slipping a leg under his arms, McConnell said.
Officers tried to stop Taylor and one of the officers got their finger stuck in a cuff.
McConnell said Taylor used his foot to push it into the officer’s finger and he suffered a laceration.
Officers had to take Taylor to the ground to secure him.
A second officer was injured after landing on his arm and elbow, leading to a workers’ compensation claim, McConnell said.
Lake County Judge Ari Fisz granted petitions to revoke Taylor’s pre-trial release in his other pending criminal cases.
The judge said Taylor has a long history of failing to appear in court and being charged with new offenses.
Taylor is set to appear in court again on November 21 for a preliminary hearing.