First the Girl Scouts. Now girl’s Dixie Youth softball.

Demopolis Police are investigating the felony theft of $8,000 from the local Dixie Youth softball league. In late April, a lawsuit was filed against two Marengo County women accused of stealing money from the Girl Scouts.

In the latest case of theft from a girls’ organization, local police can say little about the suspect. Police Chief Charles Avery said an investigation &045;&045; led by Det. Sgt. Tim Soronen &045;&045; is still under way

Soronen, who admitted the details of the case will merit a long investigation, believes the larceny occurred over a two year period.

Mark Pettus, head of the Demopolis Parks and Recreation Department, could not comment on the investigation or the details of this particular case. The Parks and Recreation Department does not organize the baseball and softball leagues that play at the city’s facilities, and Pettus said the leagues are set up with their own, self-governing boards.

Each board dictates how money is handled within the league, according to Pettus, and the costs of running such a league can range anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000.

In terms of revenue, leagues take in money through registration fees paid by the parents, sponsorships from local businesses, and a general fund established through the Parks and Recreation Department.

Soronen could not comment on who the suspect in this case is or when an arrest might be made. If an arrest is made, the District Attorney’s office said the suspect would be charged with a Class B felony, which has a sentence of two to 20 years in prison, along with restitution.

In the Girl Scouts lawsuit filed in a Tuscaloosa court, Jana Alston of Linden, Johnella Jones of Demopolis, and Debby Remmert of Tuscaloosa are accused of owing more than $6,000 in Girl Scout cookie money.