A 39-year-old man was charged yesterday with trying to rob a 76-year-old man at an automated teller machine at Fort Smallwood and Bar Harbor roads.

Police arrested David Edward Johnson, of no fixed address, and charged him with attempted armed robbery, theft and being a rogue and vagabond.

The victim, who had just withdrawn $40 from a National Bank machine, was grabbed by a man who stepped out of a 1990 Honda and demanded money. The assailant claimed he had a gun, police said.

Mr. Martin pulled his arm free and ran.

A witness saw the attempted robbery and called police, who responded immediately and arrested Mr. Johnson. Police did not find a weapon. Police said the car was a stolen vehicle.

Contract is awarded for new Solley school

The school board has awarded a $6.45 million contract to a Cockeysville firm to build a new Solley Area Elementary School, clearing the way for groundbreaking some time next month.

TGMI Contractors' bid came in $123,000 below the estimate of county officials. The contract was approved by the school board Thursday.

Funds for the Solley Area Elementary had been included in the County Council's 1994 capital budget, but were not approved. Instead, the council approved $13.5 million for a new Andover Middle School in Linthicum.

In June, the council approved a compromise bill that would borrow $5.4 million from the Andover project so construction on Solley could begin without a year delay.

The Solley school is scheduled to open in September 1995.

Twombly will speak at Bodkin PTA meeting

The Bodkin Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (PTA) will meet at 7 p.m. tomorrow at the school to discuss computer technology.

Tom Twombly, Anne Arundel County Board of Education president, will be guest speaker.

Information: 437-0464.