Two Columbia women are headed to trial after being accused of attacking an elderly woman during a robbery outside a local grocery store.

Amanda Place and Amanda Kinnard both waived preliminary hearings on multiple charges, including felony robbery, for the Jan. 10 crime.

Kinnard, 27, also is charged with two counts of endangering children because her two infants were in a car just a few feet from the robbery.

District Judge Robert Herman ordered the women to stand trial on all charges after they waived hearings on Friday.

The two women attacked a 69-year-old woman in the parking lot of Weis Market at 1786 Columbia Ave. in West Hempfield Township, according to police.

Assistant District Attorney Randall Miller said the victim was targeted because of her age.

Place punched the woman in the face, knocking her glasses to the ground, causing them to break, investigators allege.

Still, the elderly woman would not let go of her purse. The women fled, empty-handed, when the victim's grandson intervened, investigators said.

Prosecutors said plea negotiations are ongoing.

Place has an extensive criminal history of theft and related offenses. She was recently released from prison.

bhambright@lnpnews.com