CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Police said a Butler woman who allegedly stole about $2,000 from the Butler Farm Market admitted to the crime and said the money was needed to help pay bills for her dying father.

Michelle Lynn Burkhart, 34, of Butler is charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property.

Police allege the theft occurred over a five-month period starting in October. According to police reports, it was taken by voiding cash transactions at the market.

Harry Shiever, the market's president, went to the state police after several of his employees said they'd been approached by customers who were given receipts that said "no sale" at the bottom after checking out with Burkhart. Those customers also said they insisted on receiving receipts after Burkhart seemed hesitant to provide one.

Police said Burkhart admitted the theft during an interview at a state police barracks, but added she didn't believe she took all of the $1,941.43 that Shiever said was missing. She refused to offer an estimate.

Police said she told them she took the money to help her mother pay bills and that her father was dying from cancer. According to police, Burkhart intimated that she wants to pay all of the money back.

Her preliminary hearing is set for April 14 in front of District Judge Wayne Seibel in Evans City.