A criminal justice student was recently arrested after allegedly stealing more than $5,000 from her employer.

About 2 p.m. on Dec. 1, a Dollar Tree district manager called the Cortez Police Department to report an employee theft. According to a two-page report, the manager told police that Kyla James, age and address undisclosed, admitted in a voluntary handwritten confession that she stole two bank deposits totaling $5,272.77 after working at the store for about a month.

James was subsequently arrested and booked at the Montezuma County jail for felony theft investigation. She is currently out of custody after posting a $2,500 bond.

According to her Facebook page, James, a mother, was enrolled earlier this year at Utah State University Eastern, where she was studying criminal justice.

In the alleged confession, James apparently admitted to stealing the deposits to make a car payment and purchase insurance. She also apparently admitted to stealing $100 in cash to buy gas and a pair of pants.

tbaker@the-journal.com