A brother and sister accused of trying to steal a purse from an elderly woman in a Kalispell parking lot pleaded innocent in Flathead District Court on Thursday to robbery-related felonies.

Kimberly Ann Ward, 23, has been charged with robbery for allegedly trying to rip a purse from 78-year-old Hildegard Krause as she unloaded purchases outside Walmart on Jan. 19.

Krause held on to the purse, even as Ward pulled her to the ground in an attack that left the woman with a broken pelvis and other injuries.

Kimberly Ward’s brother, 20-year-old Kevin James Ward, has been charged with accountability to robbery for allegedly driving her away from the scene.

According to court documents, they had intended to steal from Walmart in an effort to obtain money with which to buy morphine, but instead attempted to steal Krause’s purse.

Kimberly Ward was arrested Jan. 26 after a witness identified her for law enforcement. Kevin Ward was arrested Jan. 31.

They pleaded innocent through their attorneys Thursday and didn’t speak.

Their trials tentatively are scheduled to begin July 11.

Convictions for robbery and accountability to robbery carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and no less than two years with a fine of up to $50,000.

The siblings are being held in the Flathead County Detention Center.

Kevin Ward’s bail has been set at $30,000 while Kimberly Ward is being held on $21,000 bail. Kevin Ward also is facing the revocation of a deferred sentence for a December 2010 felony criminal endangerment conviction.

Reporter Eric Schwartz may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at eschwartz@dailyinterlake.com.