AUGUSTA -- The two women who allegedly robbed a State Street convenience store in January pleaded not guilty to the robbery charges this morning in Kennebec County Superior Court.

Tristan R. Berry, 20, of Hallowell and Bobbie Jo Lavoie, 28, of Pittston each were indicted on one count of robbery.

The charges stemmed from a robbery of the Big Apple store on State Street on Jan. 21.

Robert Muller, the store's clerk, told police two women wearing black, hooded sweatshirts presented a note demanding money. The note claimed the women had a gun.

After Muller handed over money from the register, the two women ran toward Hallowell with the cash.

According to Augusta police, Matthew Day, of Hallowell, was sitting outside the store in his truck when Muller stepped outside to say the store had been robbed.

Day, 41, trailed the suspects as they entered their car and drove toward Hallowell. He reported their location to police and a Hallowell officer intercepted the women in Farmingdale.

Lavoie's lawyer, Pamela Ames, asked Justice John Nivison this morning to grant bail to the Pittston woman on personal recognizance. Nivison put off a change in the bail terms until a later date.

The two women will likely have April trials.