SAN DIEGO -- One of two men suspected in the fatal shooting of a woman while trying to steal her purse nearly 14 years ago pleaded not guilty Friday to murder.

Tyrone Katrel Lynch, 32, was arrested Sunday in Albuquerque, N.M., in connection with the slaying of 54-year-old Patricia Lopez on Oct. 1, 1994, said San Diego police homicide Lt. Terry McManus.

The alleged gunman, Khary Watson, 31, was arrested Thursday in El Cajon.

Watson was 17 at the time of the murder and his case will be handled in Juvenile Court beginning with a detention hearing Monday, said Deputy District Attorney Clay Biddle.

A third suspect -- a 36-year-old woman suspected of being the getaway driver for Lynch and Watson -- was expected to be arrested in the next couple of days, Biddle said.

Prosecutors believe Lynch and Watson were looking for people to rob when they came up behind Lopez and a friend, who were walking home from a store on 54th Street near El Cajon Boulevard.

One of the teens took a fanny pack from Lopez's friend, and Lopez took off running. She was chased down by Watson, who shot her once in the back in the 4500 block of 55th Street, Biddle said.

Police spent several months on the case but made little progress until an anonymous tip was received in November 2006, McManus said.

The tipster called police and identified the suspects by name and provided a detailed account of what happened that day, McManus said. San Diego cold case detectives, along with FBI investigators, spent the past 18 months re-analyzing evidence and re-interviewing witnesses to corroborate the tipster's account, he said.

Judge David Szumowski ordered Lynch held without bail and scheduled a status conference for next Friday. A preliminary hearing was set for Aug. 21.

"It's a sad, sad case," the prosecutor told reporters outside court.

The victim's family has waited nearly 14 years for justice, Biddle noted.