By MARIA HALKIAS

An Irving-based company is suing Tom Thumb's parent, Safeway Inc., saying it stole trade secrets to create its PowerPump gasoline rewards program.

Excentus Corp. said Thursday it has filed a lawsuit against Safeway; its gift card subsidiary, Blackhawk; and its Texas chains, Tom Thumb and Randalls, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District in Abilene.

The lawsuit alleges willful and deliberate patent infringement and the misappropriation and theft of trade secrets, among other things. Privately held Excentus said it seeks injunctive and equitable relief along with unspecified damages.

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