SANDPOINT — A preliminary hearing was postponed Wednesday for a Bonner County woman accused of embezzling money from a fuel distributor in Oldtown.

Nicole Jody Lynn Love is charged with grand theft for allegedly stealing from her former employer, CityServiceValcon, a Montana-based company that sells propane and petroleum products.

A hearing to determine whether Love should be tried on the felony theft charge in 1st District Court was postponed because Love’s defense counsel, Doug Phelps, had a scheduling conflict, according to court documents.

Another preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 1. Love, 34, of Oldtown, is free on her own recognizance while the case is pending.

Love, the store’s former assistant manager, is accused of misappropriating as much as $46,000 by failing to deposit proceeds from fuel sales, court documents allege. Under questioning from a Bonner County sheriff’s detective, Love allegedly admitted taking $2,600 from her employer to pay for a trip.

Charging papers simply allege Love took in excess of $1,000, the monetary threshold for a felony theft offense. The thefts took place during a two-week period in July.

CityServiceValcon embarked on an extensive audit once the theft allegations surfaced, court documents indicate.

Phelps has filed a plea of not guilty and intends to have Love’s alleged admissions suppressed.