19-year-old’s claimed roadside car trouble turns into armed robbery; suspect arrested crossing counties

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A 19-year-old Taylor man was arrested and charged with an armed robbery today, after an early-morning incident investigated by police in Fremont township.

At 6:07 a.m., the man flagged down a a 45-year-old Weidman woman as she drove her vehicle southbound on Winn Road near Fremont Road, claiming his own vehicle needed to be jump-started. According to a news release, the woman had observed the man’s car on the side of the road with its engine not running.

Pulling her car over ahead of the man’s, the woman next noticed the man had jumper cables in one hand and a handgun in the other. According to the release, she was told he was from Detroit and needed gas money. For several seconds, she pleaded with him to put the gun away. The man pulled the gun out a second time as she took money from her purse to hand to him.

The woman was let go and drove a safe distance away, then dialed 9-1-1. Sheriff’s deputies from Montcalm and Isabella counties were notified.

The 45-year-old woman watched the suspect drive his car left of center, forcing a northbound vehicle to stop. He did not show a weapon upon asking the second victim for money.

He then began to travel southbound on Winn Road. Two Montcalm Sheriff’s deputies spotted the subject as he crossed into Montcalm County before he was arrested for armed robbery and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated.

According to the release, two handguns were found in his car. The suspect is expected to be formally arraigned Friday, when his identity will be released by police.

The man has been charged with armed robbery, carrying a weapon with unlawful intent, two counts of carrying concealed weapon and felony firearm. Armed robbery is a felony punishable with life or for any term of years in prison.

Bond has been set at $300,000.