CENTRALIA, IL — Centralia police are reporting the arrest of a 38-year-old Salem man in connection with the attempted armed robbery Saturday morning of Farm Fresh on South Poplar. According to police, Jarid Walker is accused of entering the business with his face covered, implied he had a gun, and demanded money from the clerk.

The robbery was apparently unsuccessful and Walker fled the store in a vehicle. Steve Whritenour, Centralia Police Administrative Sergeant said the clerk at did an excellent job relaying information about the robbery to the 911 dispatcher resulting in patrol units arriving within a minute and locating the getaway vehicle. Whritenour says a brief pursuit ensued but the vehicle ultimately stopped and Walker – the driver – of the vehicle and suspected armed robbery suspect was taken into custody.

Walker had been released just one day earlier from the Marion County Jail where he had been held on new armed robbery and aggravated fleeing and eluding police charges stemming from a June armed robbery and police chase. Judge Mark Stedelin granted a $100,000 personal recognizance bond release Friday at the request of State’s Attorney Tim Hudspeth who reportedly was facing problems meeting speedy trial requirements in the earlier case. That case centered around a June incident of armed robbery of Biggies Cafe at Route 161 and Interstate 57  resulted in aggravated fleeing charges when the suspect reportedly sped from the scene.

Public Defender Craig Griffin had objected to the release because it would stop the speedy trial clock from running.