Police have arrested a 40-year-old bookkeeper after investigators accused her of stealing approximately $760,000 from her employer, Highline Financial. The suspect, Michelle Lynn Shelton, was booked into the Jefferson County Jail on Friday night after she was located at her home in Westminster.

Boulder detectives launched their investigation in December 2010 after another accountant, who was filling in while Shelton was off from work, discovered what appeared to be a large amount of money being transferred to two separate personal bank accounts. The company conducted an audit and contacted police. Shelton worked for the company since June 2007 and the evidence suggests she began diverting funds two months later.

Police obtained an arrest warrant on Jan. 28. The warrant accuses Shelton, whose date of birth is Sept. 4, 1970, of theft over $20,000, which is a class 3 felony, and computer crimes, which is also a class 3 felony. Bail was set at $50,000.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Detective Traci Cravitz at 303-441-3345. Those who have information but wish to remain anonymous may contact the Northern Colorado Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-444-3776. Tips can also be submitted via the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimeshurt.com. Those submitting tips through Crime Stoppers that lead to the arrest and filing of charges on a suspect(s) may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 from Crime Stoppers.