Woman accused of stealing from host

A Washington State woman is accused of stealing from a Pablo man who hosted her as a guest. Anna Marie Wheeler, 57, appeared via Zoom Jan. 29 and entered a plea of not guilty in District Court in Polson to felony theft.

According to court records, on July 22, 2024, the alleged victim contacted law enforcement to report items missing from his residence and said that Wheeler was the suspect. The man stated that he had picked up Wheeler at the train station in Whitefish on July 4, 2024, on a prior arrangement.

He says Wheeler stayed at his Pablo residence for a couple of days before he returned her to the train station in Whitefish on July 6. In the days that followed, the man noticed items missing such as coins, jewelry and crystal, among other things. He estimated the value of the missing items at about $5,000.

Judge Molly Owen set the case for trial on July 14. Wheeler remains at liberty.