Woman leads suspect in robbery attempt to sheriff's department

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. — A Michigan man is suspected of trying to rob an Illinois woman while she was in a car with her three children. The man unwittingly followed her to the sheriff's department while she had police on the phone, the authorities said.

The suspect, 26-year-old Carleous Clay Jr. of West Olive, Mich., remained jailed in Madison County on charges of attempted armed robbery and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Authorities said Clay was arrested Tuesday after the Edwardsville woman called 911, reporting that a man had just tried to rob her at gunpoint when he pulled alongside her to ask for directions.

Investigators said the dispatcher guided her to the sheriff's department. The suspect followed but realized too late where she was headed, according to investigators. Clay was arrested a short time later.