A 22-year-old now former employee of the Hayden Walmart store allegedly stole nearly $6,000 in cash while working a checkout stand, according to a sheriff's department report.

The alleged thefts occurred during a dozen shifts, spanning a month and a half at the store, located at 550 W. Honeysuckle Ave., the report shows.

The woman, Hollie V.G. George, was booked into the Kootenai County jail on Sept. 17 on grand theft charges, said sheriff's office spokesman Maj. Ben Wolfinger. She was released a couple days later on her own recognizance.

The report said she allegedly stole $1,200 on one day, $860 another, and $600 on the last day she showed up. Those were her three biggest days.

Additionally, she allegedly loaded up some stolen gift cards, and stole some "popcorn chicken," the report said.

She allegedly told a sheriff's department investigator she stole the money to pay back-rent and so she could go on a "shopping spree" with friends, so they would like her. She also blamed her depression for the alleged thefts, the report said.

She started work in mid-June, and the thefts allegedly began in late July. Her last day was Sept. 12.

A security supervisor at the store told investigators he was noticing a recurrence of tills coming up short "large amounts" of cash.

He reviewed security camera footage for the days money was missing, and he saw George allegedly taking cash out of her assigned register drawer and placing it in her pockets.

After reviewing the footage, the security supervisor determined she stole approximately $5,900 in cash.

He also saw her allegedly steal one of the gift cards and load it with money.

The security supervisor played the video surveillance footage for a sheriff's deputy, who saw the alleged thefts, the report said.

The deputy was provided with a written statement from the security supervisor detailing the dates of the thefts, the amounts taken, and the action taken by George.

The deputy also received the daily register audits for the days George allegedly stole money, which indicate the amount of money the drawers were short.

The security supervisor planned to confront George, but she didn't show up for work again, the report said.