C-Falls woman allegedly bilked Safeway

A 47-year-old Columbia Falls woman who allegedly stole thousands of dollars from the Whitefish Safeway has been charged with felony theft and recently plead not guilty in Flathead County District Court.

According to court documents, in October 2014, Debbra Ann Dull allegedly began stealing from the Safeway – where she was manager – via illegitimate fuel discounts and theft of fuel, cash from the fuel center, and merchandise. The theft continued for three years.

In February 2017, Whitefish police detective Shane Erickson met with loss prevention officer Russell Ward, who had been hired to investigate suspicious refunds at the Safeway. Ward had discovered the link to Dull, who confessed to theft of fuel and merchandise worth more than $6,000. Dull cited personal financial difficulties that began in fall 2014, according to court documents.

In March, at an interview with Erickson, Dull claimed the $6,000 amount was less — $2,000 or $3,000.

Bond for Dull was set at $5,000. She is scheduled to have a pretrial hearing Aug. 30 with a jury trial scheduled for Nov. 6.