Police seek suspect in hotel robbery

Authorities are searching for a Kalispell man wanted for robbery in connection with the April holdup of a Whitefish hotel.

Derrick Lee Irvine, 19, reportedly told an inside accomplice (a hotel employee at the time) that he was going to rob the hotel after she showed him a large amount of cash in the money drawer, according to the Whitefish Police Department.

Officers responded to the Holiday Inn Express - located on U.S. 93 south of downtown - about 11 p.m. on April 7 after Irvine allegedly confronted the night clerk with what was described as a bomb or bear spray before escaping with more than $400 from the cash register.

The lone employee behind the front desk was not injured, and investigators have said they don't believe there were any guests in the lobby when the robbery occurred.

Irvine, who is believed to still be in the Kalispell area, then fled the scene on a motorcycle, according to Whitefish Police Chief Bill Dial.

Irvine's alleged inside accomplice, 18-year-old Nicole Chappel of Columbia Falls, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on felony accountability to robbery charges.

She was released on house following an initial appearance in Flathead County Justice Court, Dial said. Chappel has yet to be arraigned

Irvine apparently told Chappel, who was working at the hotel on the night of the robbery, that he was going to rob the night clerk after she finished her shift, Dial said.

Irvine, who stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 175 pounds, is described as having blue eyes, brown hair, and a ruddy complexion. Anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts is encouraged to call the Whitefish Police Department at 863-2420 or the Flathead County Sheriff's Office at 758-5610.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com