An Andalusia man was jailed Sunday after he allegedly tried to extort $500 from a local businessman in exchange for not killing the man’s wife, police said Monday.

Lt. Paul Dean said the victim, who wasn’t identified, notified the Andalusia Police Depart-ment shortly after 11 a.m.

“We got a call (which) stated that the victim had gotten a suspicious phone call from an unidentified male who was requiring him to bring $500 to a certain location in town,” Dean said. “The victim said the man told him if he didn’t comply, he’d kill the victim’s wife.

“Since the man’s wife was standing right next to him when he got the call, he said he wasn’t too concerned, but called the police to report it anyway,” he said.

Dean said when officers arrived at the couple’s home, the suspect – later identified as 34-year-old Damon Darnell Magwood – called a second time, and a sting operation was set up.

“The caller said he wanted the money dropped off in a black plastic bag near the intersection of South Cotton and Watson streets,” he said.

Officers complied; however, “the bag was filled with paper,” Dean said. “And when a black male walked up to the bag and retrieved it, officers converged on him.”

Dean said a short foot chase ensued, but Magwood was quickly apprehended.

Magwood was charged with terroristic threats and attempted extortion I. He was booked into the Covington County Jail and held on a $200,000 bond.

Court records show Magwood has an extensive criminal history and was currently out on bond on a distribution of a controlled substance charge.