Columbia Falls woman charged in robbery; Kalispell man sought in incident

The Whitefish Police Department arrested Nicole Chappel, 18, of Columbia Falls in connection with a robbery that occurred at the Whitefish Holiday Inn Express on April 7, 2009. Chappel, a former clerk at the business, was charged with accountability to robbery, a felony.

According to Whitefish Police, Chappel, who was working at the Holiday Inn Express the night of the robbery, allegedly met with Derrick Lee Irvine, 19, of Kalispell at the motel and showed him a large amount of cash in the money drawer. Irvine, who is being sought on a charge of robbery, allegedly told Chappel he was going to rob the night clerk after Chappel ended her shift. Irvine allegedly confronted the night clerk with what the clerk thought was a bomb or bear spray and demanded the clerk open the cash register. At that time, Irvine allegedly stole in excess of $400 from the register. Irvine then allegedly fled the scene on a motorcycle.

Irvine is described as being a 19-year-old white male, 6-foot-1, 175 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair, with a ruddy complexion. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Irvine is asked to call the Whitefish Police Department at 863-2420 or the Flathead County Sheriff's Department at 758-5610.

If convicted, both Irvine and Chappel face prison terms of up to 40 years and a $50,000 fine.

Whitefish Police was assisted in the investigation by the Sheriff's Office, Kalispell Police Department and the Northwest Drug Task Force.