Hart man pleads guilty to 1st-degree retail fraud

Randy Alan VanDerZanden with his attorney David Glancy.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 45-year-old Hart man pleaded guilty to first-degree retail fraud in 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, March 17.

Randy Alan VanDerZanden and his wife Melinda Ann VanDerZanden, 30, were arrested Dec. 1 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office after stealing several items valued at over $1,000 from the Ludington Walmart.

The prosecution and defense agreed to a one-year jail sentence with 30 days to be served up front and 60 days on a tether. The restitution amount to Walmart has yet to be determined. The maximum penalty for the offense is five years in prison and a $10,000 fine or three times the value of the stolen property.

VanDerZanden, who is free after posting 10 percent of a $3,500 bond, is set for sentencing on May 12 at 1:30 p.m.