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A Selma woman from Steward Construction and Steward Properties was arrested on Tuesday and charged with embezzling over $30,000 from the company.

According to the Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum, Linda Andrews was arrested and charged with first-degree theft of property. Andrews, 58, worked as a clerk for the last two years at Steward Construction and Steward Properties. An audit of the company’s records over the last three months by owner Darrell Steward confirmed that over $35,000 was missing from the company between January 23, 2023, to the present. 

“Darrell Steward is good to his employees. All she had to do was ask for the money, and he would’ve given it to her,” Granthum said. “Steward would give you the shirt off his back, and he helped Selma a lot when the tornado hit last year.”

Granthum said more money will likely be missing, resulting in over $100,000. He said Andrews was released Tuesday after posting a $30,000 bond. 

“It could be in excess of a hundred, two hundred thousand dollars for all we know,” Granthum said. “If you steal in Dallas County, we’re going to prosecute you to the fullest. She’s 58 years old and should know better.”

The Selma Times-Journal reached out to Steward, but he did not immediately comment.  Steward Properties sent out letters to their tenants on Alabama Avenue about the new rent process changing.