Peggy S. Teel, a former head teller, the $112million BearPaw Credit Union pleaded guilty Monday to embezzling$129,409 from the Harve, Mont. Credit union over nine years.

A police investigation found Teel had been stealing from BearPaw CU's ATMs, teller cash drawers, a lobby coin vault and thecredit union vault, according to court documents.

In 2007, executives began having unusual cash shortages at twoATMs at a local health center and at a convenient store on a NativeAmerican reservation.

At first, executives did not suspect an employee was stealingfrom the ATMs, and thought it might be a mechanical or softwareproblem. So they asked service technicians to inspect the ATMs whofound the machines were working properly and advised executives anemployee may be stealing.

It wasn't until Feb. 3, 2016, however, when Gerry Veis, BearPaw's executive vice president, reported the employee theft to theHarve Police Department.

When confronted by police investigators, Teel admitted to theembezzlement but had not explanation why she committed the crimeeven though she said she did not need the money.

She told police that she used the money to buy things for herkids and grandkids.

According to the police investigation, cash shortages fromteller drawers and the vault went back to 2003 and 2004,respectively.

But Teel admitted to embezzlement that occurred from Jan. 1,2007 to Feb. 8, 2016, according to a plea agreement withprosecutors.

The plea agreement requires Teel to pay restitution of$68,279.

She is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 17 by Hill CountyDistrict Court Judge Daniel Boucher.