Man sentenced for stealing from bike shop

A 35-year-old Whitefish man has been sentenced for skimming more than $11,000 from the bicycle shop where he worked.

Kyle Justin Watkins received a deferred sentence upon conviction of felony theft.

The sentence is three years, meaning that he must remain law-abiding during that time or the jail term will be imposed. Watkins was able to leave the Flathead County District Court after the hearing.

The missing money was first reported last August by the owner of Glacier Cyclery in Whitefish. He told police that he suspected Watkins, who maintained various customer accounts.

The owner found transactions between accounts and debit cards owned by Watkins, according to court records. They had been going on as far back as May 2012.

In an interview with a detective, Watkins said that he would transfer money or deposit checks into his bank account, steal merchandise or take cash directly from the till.

As part of his sentence, Watkins was ordered to pay restitution of more than $13,000. The court record says that $4,000 or so is still outstanding.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.