Milwaukee police probably wouldn't have arrested Adan Flores-Delgado if he had done just one simple thing: pay for his prostitute's cab ride home.
The 36-year-old resident of Prospect Heights, Ill., was arrested at a south side motel last week after police said he and a prostitute he had hired got into a loud quarrel when he refused to pay her cab fare.
When officers arrived, they found cocaine powder on Flores-Delgado's nose and upper lip, about $300 on him and $67,400 hidden in his minivan, according to police and a criminal complaint.
Flores-Delgado already had paid the prostitute $40 for sex, the complaint says. If he had simply picked up the cab fare, he probably wouldn't have attracted attention, said Milwaukee police Lt. John Kaltenbrun, who is supervising the investigation.
"Why he would go and be so cheap and stupid probably had something to do with the cocaine," Kaltenbrun said Monday. "You've got to love people, don't you? Sometimes they amaze even me."
Flores-Delgado was charged with conspiracy to commit delivery of a controlled substance and obstructing or resisting an officer. He faces more than 40 years' imprisonment if convicted of both charges.
Kaltenbrun said Flores-Delgado worked as a "mule," transporting drugs and money for a Chicago drug dealer.
Flores-Delgado usually didn't know whether he was transporting drugs or money because other people packed the vehicles he drove, but he seemed to know he was transporting cash when he was arrested, Kaltenbrun said.
Officers noticed something was odd as soon as they knocked on Flores-Delgado's door Sept. 29 at the Suburban Motel, 4600 S. 27th St.
At first, Flores-Delgado didn't answer, but police could hear him moving about in the room, as if he were hiding things, Kaltenbrun said.
Once they entered, Flores-Delgado identified himself by a false name and handed the officers an identification card with a third name, the complaint says.
Officers found several cell phones in the room, Kaltenbrun said. Plastic bags used to package cocaine were on the floor and dresser, according to the complaint.
After a drug dog detected traces of drugs in Flores-Delgado's 2003 Dodge Caravan, officers found $67,400 wrapped in cellophane in an interior panel in the van, the complaint says.
Even though the money was hidden, Flores-Delgado had plenty of cash to cover the prostitute's cab ride, Kaltenbrun said.
"He would have had money to pay," Kaltenbrun said. "That wasn't the problem."
