After dodging authorities for more than seven months a woman who authorities say has been in and out of the system for 20 years was arrested Thursday on 18 separate charges.

Paula Whatley, 48, was captured at the home of a friend in Beloit.

Investigator Delane Sanders and Deputy Mike Granthum of the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department approached the home where Whatley was hiding, one stationed in the front of the house and the other at the back. After learning of their presence, Whatley attempted to escape out the back window.

Whatley surrendered to the officers and was cuffed and taken to the Dallas County Jail.

A warrant for her arrest was issued after she failed to appear in court for sentencing in February of this year.

She was charged with two counts of failing to appear in court for first-degree theft of property, one count of failure to appear in court for second-degree theft of property, 13 counts of failure to appear in court for or writing bad checks, and two counts of probation provocation. All 18 charges are felonies.

Sheriff Harris Huffman Jr. characterized Whatley as a &uot;con-artist&uot; who has been in and out of problems with authorities so much in the last 20 years that &uot;she knows the whole system.&uot;

Whatley remains on a no bond status Huffman said, &uot;and she isn’t getting out this time.&uot;