Cops: Joliet man stiffed taxi driver, urinated on car

A Joliet man was arrested after he failed to pay a cab fare of $43.50 for a ride to a strip club and then urinated on the taxi's tire, police said.

About 8:40 p.m. Tuesday, Will County Sheriff's deputies were called to The Cellar Gentleman’s Club at 111 Paterson Road in Joliet to speak with a taxi driver, said sheriff spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer.

The taxi driver told the deputies he picked up Theodore M. Lamb, 46, from his residence in the 2900 block of Woodside Drive and drove him to the strip club, Hoffmeyer said. The driver told Lamb the fare was a $43.50, she said.

Lamb allegedly told the driver he couldn’t pay the fare, she said. The driver then told Lamb he was going to contact the police, which he did, she said.

At that point, Lamb left the taxicab and proceeded to urinate on the rear passenger side tire, Hoffmeyer said.

Lamb was still at the scene and told the deputies he would pay the fare with his credit card but it was at his home, Hoffmeyer said. He did not have any cash or other means to pay fare, she said.

Lamb was arrested on probable cause of theft of labor or services and disorderly conduct, Hoffmeyer said. Deputies observed a wet area near the rear passenger side tire and could smell it was urine, she said.

Deputies also noticed Lamb had a strong odor of alcohol and he appeared to be intoxicated, Hoffmeyer said.

Lamb was booked into the Will County jail shortly after 9 p.m. Tuesday and was released on his own recognizance the next day, according to jail records.