A Waukegan man shot in the chest by a store owner he is accused of robbing pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Lake County Circuit Court.

Demitrius Newbill, 29, faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of aggravated robbery of the Pasteleria Panaderia, 701 Yeoman St., Waukegan, on July 5.

Assistant State's Attorney Brett Henne said Newbill, of the 500 block of Poplar Lane, entered the shop about 8:15 p.m. and handed a note to the store owner stating he had a gun and wanted money.

The store owner said he believed he saw a gun in Newbill's waistband as he handed over the cash, Henne said.

As Newbill was backing up toward the door, the owner told police he believed he saw Newbill reaching for the object. The owner then drew a .38-caliber revolver from underneath the counter and fired three times, hitting Newbill once.

Officials said police interviewed Newbill at the hospital and he admitted the robbery and that he told the store owner he had a gun. Police said they did not find a weapon.

Newbill was held at Vista East Medical Center in Waukegan until he was healthy enough to be transferred to the Lake County jail.

Associate Judge George Bridges scheduled a trial of the case for Oct. 30. Bridges ordered Newbill, who is held on $250,000 bond, to appear in court Sept. 11.