Hart man receives tether term for retail fraud

May 12, 2015
Randy VanDerZanden, at left, with his attorney David Glancy.

Randy VanDerZanden, at left, with his attorney David Glancy.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 45-year-old Hart man who stole approximately $1,500 in merchandise from the Ludington Walmart with his wife last December will spend the next three months on an electronic monitoring device or tether.

Randy Alan VanDerZanden and his wife Melinda Ann VanDerZanden, 31, were arrested, Dec. 1, by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. He pleaded guilty as charged last March, and his plea agreement included one discretionary year jail with 30 days up front and 60 days on a tether. Restitution, which is yet to be determined, is joint and several with the co-defendant.

Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola said the amount of merchandise stolen totaled approximately $1,500. Spaniola said at Tuesday’s sentencing in 51st Circuit Court that he had no objection to VanDerZanden serving all of his up-front jail time on a tether, allowing him to work.

Judge Susan Sniegowski said VanDerZanden has no prior felony record, and sentencing guidelines for the offense are 0-6 months.

In addition to 90 days electronic monitoring, VanDerZanden was ordered to one year probation and two days in jail with credit for two days served. Restitution is reserved as Walmart is still working up restitution figures.

Melinda VanDerZanden pleaded guilty to first-degree retail fraud last month and is set for sentencing June 2 at 2 p.m.

 

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