Inuvik (Apr 15/05) - Two Inuvik women have been charged with the armed hold up of The Corner Store and police hope DNA samples left at the scene will lead to an open and shut case.

One count of robbery while using a firearm and one count of committing an indictable offence while disguised were laid against Cecile Tachynski, 27.

She was released on $1,500 bail and is scheduled to appear in court May 9.

A second woman, June Towle, was charged with one count of robbery while using a firearm. The 33-year-old was released on her own recognizance and is scheduled to appear in court May 24.

Thieves entered the business around 7 p.m. Nov. 14, brandishing a loaded rifle, and made off with less than $400 cash, said Cpl. Merle Carpenter of the Inuvik RCMP.

The rifle was not fired and no one was injured.

Carpenter said the charges were delayed until a warrant for a DNA sample from one of the suspects was obtained. The suspect's DNA will be compared to that taken from a balaclava left at the scene.

The two samples have been sent to Alberta and results are expected soon.

Tips and phone calls from the community also helped in the investigation, Carpenter said.