Two Central Iowa women were charged with first-degree robbery Sunday after a rash of holdups during the weekend in Ames, according to an Ames Police Department press release.

Denise Y. Thomas, 33, Des Moines, and Deborah L. Newton, 24, 1318 Douglas Ave., were arrested and charged Sunday morning after being pulled over on Interstate 35 by an Iowa State Trooper.

Ames police received two reports of armed robbery at about 10:30 on Saturday night. The robberies occurred at 111 Duff Ave. and the 100 block of Fifth Street.

One of the perpetrators was said to be armed with a knife. In one of the incidents, a victim received a minor cut to the face.

A third robbery was later reported at 6:24 a.m. Sunday.

The amount of money stolen has yet to be determined, and the robberies are still under investigation.

Anyone with information about these robberies is asked to contact the police at 239-5133.

– Zach Calef