A 43-year-old Inver Grove Heights woman is scheduled to make her first appearance in Dakota County court May 21 after being accused of stealing $1500 from a collection box used to fund the IGH Youth Soccer Association.

Sharon Lee Pieske was charged Apr. 24 with felony theft after Inver Grove Heights police viewed video surveillance from a Concord Blvd. bar that allegedly showed her going behind the counter and stealing money from a pull tab box.

The criminal complaint said police were called after the bartender realized the money was missing. 

According to the complaint, Pieske, who had her back to the camera, placed the money in her pocket and left the area before anyone was any the wiser.

In a post-arrest interview Pieske denied taking any money and instead claimed she was putting a tip in a jar for the bartender.