Suspect pleads not guilty in robbery of woman, 74

Staff report

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A man accused of fleeing 700 miles after robbing an elderly woman in July pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated robbery Wednesday in Mahoning County court.

Robert M. Barnes, 30, is accused of holding at knifepoint a 74-year-old Brown’s Drug Store customer, taking her prescription drugs, cash and her Dodge Caravan.

Barnes’ family tipped off police that he was heading to Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Bond was not set Wednesday. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Tuesday with a June 27 trial date.