Submitted photoManal Bijan

A former employee at Saxon’s Fine Jewelers in Bend was indicted this week for allegedly stealing more than $50,000 worth of jewelry from the store and selling the pieces to local pawn shops.

Manal Maher Bijan, 44, Bend, is charged with two counts of aggravated first-degree theft, seven counts of first-degree theft, and attempted aggravated first-degree theft.

According to the indictment, the crimes allegedly occurred between May and October.

“Employee theft and embezzlement are a significant problem in Deschutes County,” Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said in a news release. “Local law enforcement and your District Attorney will continue to do our best to make victims of these crimes whole and to hold offenders accountable.”

Bijan is in custody in Deschutes County Jail on $75,000 bail.

She is due in court next month for a plea hearing.