Orland Man Tries to Bribe Way Out of Cigarette Ticket, Romeoville Police Say

Flipping a lit cigarette out an open car window on a hot, dry-as-a-bone summer day is a good way to get a police officer's attention. Waving a wad a cash out the window and offering him a "tip" is another.

Do both, as Uthman Ibrahim allegedly did in Tuesday, and you'll find yourself being taken to Will County jail on felony charges.

Ibrahim, 22, of 14220 Garavogue, , was pulled over Tuesday after he was observed tossing a cigarette from his car window, Assistant Chief Steven Lucchesi said.

As the officer was going back to his car to write Ibrahim a ticket for depositing material on the highway, a traffic citation that carries a $120 fine, the suspect called to the officer, Lucchesi said. As the officer returned to the vehicle, Ibrahim allegedly pulled out a "wad of money" and told the officer he wanted to "give him a tip, instead of paying bond," he said.

Instead, he was arrested on a felony bribery charge and taken to the Will County jail in Joliet. He was released Wednesday on $20,000 bond.

According to records, this is Ibrahim's first felony arrest but he's faced several misdemeanor charges since 2007, including battery, theft and aggravated assault, and has had 10 driving citations, including six for speeding and one for driving with a suspended license.